Fair Trade Abstract Wood Sculpture, "Father and Son"

Gordon's eldest child is in trade school, one is in high school and two are in primary school. When Gordon was a child, he was unable to attend school due to his family's financial situation. He took small, untrained jobs here and there, and was never fulfilled by them. His mother suggested he travel to see his brother where he was taught the craft of carving. Through hard work and perseverance, Gordon became a very talented carver and made a promise to himself that he would do everything to support his children's education so they would not have to go through the same experiences.

Gordon was at one point uneducated and had no trade skills. After his brother taught him the craft of carving, he was able to turn his life around and make a living to support himself and his family. He feels extremely blessed and has since then empowered others to make a living from carving. Gordon has since been able to train several others who were in a situation similar to his, uneducated and unskilled. While he was training them, he even bought their meals because he knew this experience would help them. Since then, his assistants have started their own workshops and are able to provide for themselves. Gordon and his brother started a chain of transformation in their community that will have a lasting impact.

Gordon's income from NOVICA goes straight to necessities including utility bills, groceries for his family and his children's education. Increased income would allow him to continue to pay for his children's education as they start getting to the age of trade school and can train others so they can making a dignified living, too.

Gordon has four children - Agnes Adu, Gloria Adu, Blessing Duoduwaa, and Abigail Boaduwaa. He cares for and loves each of them deeply, vowing to ensure they will have a better life than he did.

Gordon Adu has received 7 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $400 and the most recent for $300. Proceeds were used to buy supplies for his craft business.