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People who don't live in similar conditions don't understand how very fortunate they are to have water, she said.
Today, she and her husband, Dr. Seth Quartey - a WellSpan physician who specializes in infectious diseases and is also a native of Ghana - live in the York community, but haven't forgotten the needs of people in their homeland.
Seth Quartey was the featured speaker Sunday at the 13th Annual African/African-American Love Feast and Recognition Dinner at the Holiday Inn Holidome in West Manchester Township. About 350 attended.
He showed and discussed a slide presentation about the Water for Ghana Project. The Quarteys and several others from the York area - including medical professionals - went to Ghana in September on a mission to find clean water and provide medical help for the residents.
The water will be used to grow vegetables, help end illness caused by parasites and allow children to return to schools, he said.
“We saw how blessed we are,” Seth Quartey said. “We accomplished a lot. By the time we were done, we
Well drillers on the mission have created nearly 70 wells during about the last four months and continue to find water, he said.
“As we speak, they are still there,” he said.
The medical team from York also performed more than 100 surgeries in a week.
“It's changing lives,” Grace Quartey said of the mission work. She said Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York Township helped fund the project.
“York has been wonderful,” she said of the community's willingness to help.
Sunday's event also honored 15 area residents for being role models who are helping others.
One of the honorees, John Lambert, has been the head of the banquet department at Yorktowne Hotel for 63 years.
On Sunday, he was surprised when a group of servers wearing chef's hats delivered him his meal to start the dinner.
William Penn Senior High School student Montez Ritter, 15, played the role of “Good Samariteen” in the mini-play that was written by his grandmother, Lyndia Ritter, and also starred his grandfather, McKinley Ritter Jr.
The Ritter family - members of the Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, which hosted the event - has been involved with planning the Love Feasts for several years.
“It's giving them their flowers while they yet live - that's what it's all about,” McKinley Ritter Jr. said of the event that recognizes people who have made positive contributions to the community.
GHANA PROJECT
To sponsor or get more information about the Water for Ghana
Project:
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 397 Tyler Run Road, York 17403; 854-4276.
HONOREES
Florine Breeland of Jacobus
Helen Hall-Davidson of Dover Township
Selena Junana Dickson of York
Philip Drayden of York
Lue Florence Duncan-Williams of York
Leroy Galloway of Harrisburg
Jasmine Harris of York
John A. Lambert of York
Regina McKnight of York
Stephanie Seaton of York
Blaine Simpson Jr. of York
Carol Stowell of York
Sandra Thompson of York
Chris Woodard of York
Rose Marie Woodyard of York
