After successfully organizing two editions, the next Accra SOUP crowdfunding dinner is on the horizon. The event which is growing in popularity attracts many young people who want to make a difference in any small way that they can.
If you’re still wondering what Accra SOUP is all about, it really is a simple concept: people turn up to the dinner, pay 5 cedis (minimum donation) at the door and they get soup and a vote.
What are they voting for?
Attendees listen to four people pitch an idea to improve anything Accra related. Pitchers cannot talk for more than four minutes and cannot use PowerPoint. The presentations are followed by four questions from the audience.
The ideas that are presented range from art, urban agriculture, social justice, social work, education, technology and more. In fact, just about any brilliant idea that can change Accra.
What about the SOUP part?
After the presentations, delicious soup (light soup) is served; Ghana style. The audience is encouraged to come along with their own foods as well to add to it and share with others; i.e. Potluck style. But this is optional.
At the end of the night, the money and the votes are counted. The idea with the most votes gets to take home all the 5 cedis donations taken at the door and use it to fund their plan, with a public pledge to come back in three months to report on their progress.
The first SOUP dinner was in August 2015 while the second was in November. The winners for August, Action Accra have since gone ahead to complete its construction of a playground for Jaynii Orphanage (behind the lighthouse in Jamestown).
November’s Kids and Math team are continuing their campaign of making mathematics creative and fun for young kids. The team recently donated tens of books to the Ashaiman Presbyterian School; all with the help of SOUP funding.
The next Accra SOUP dinner will be held on Saturday February 27, 2016 at the Ghana Institute of Journalism from 5pm to 7pm. The old saying; “put your money where your mouth is” could not have been any clearer.
Find Accra SOUP on Facebook and on Twitter @AccraSOUP.