In 2001, Mr. Addy also organized a Cultural Music and Dance Company in his native land called Ga Gbeke Bii “Children of Ghana”. It is comprised of youth from the ages of 11 to 22 years old who live in the ghetto of Accra Central. Skilled musicians, dancers, and acrobats direct and train the youth as well as perform with them. This Cultural Music and Dance Company has a total of fifty participants. The youth are very talented musicians and dancers whose families struggle with poverty, lack of education and lack of health care. Many attend school irregularly and several not at all, because they do not have money to pay school fees.
Our efforts have been to give the troupe members not only support for their cultural heritage and artistic talents but for their health and education as well. Mr. Addy arranged for a tutor to work with both the children and adults on basic reading, writing and math skills. We support the troupe with daily meals as well as classes. Each morning at 5:00 am they come to the training grounds to have a “koko” drink made of corn and chili pepper before attending classes. After class they have rehearsals and then stay for their evening meal before returning to their families. Some children who are homeless sleep at the training grounds cared for by adult members of the group.

   The Cultural Music and Dance Company provides the youth with a safe haven where they can interact and learn from positive role models. By feeding these children and trying to sustain and further their lives through the cultural arts we have seen them blossom into an exceptional performance troupe. In return for our modest support the troupe has shown remarkable dedication, enthusiasm and positive spirit – practicing five hours a day, six days a week. Many master musicians, dancers and medicine people have donated their time to work with the youth, training them in numerous traditional customs, songs and dances. The cultural education they have received is exceptional. The troupe has developed into fine performers who possess something exciting, powerful and positive for the world. They have gained considerable recognition in the last year having performed for Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor and at numerous cultural events in and around Accra. Ga Gbeke Bii also sponsored and performed for HIV /Aids Awareness Dance and Music Competitions that Mr. Addy began organizing in 2005.

   For the last eight years we have been working with great patience, hope and effort to sustain and train this very special group of talented young people in Ghana, West Africa. Against all odds, through the grace of God and with a few generous contributions  our efforts have been sustained. For example we have purchased an oven and materials to create a small baked goods market. We were also able to create an outdoor music venue where we sponsor Friday night music competitions at the training grounds of the GaGbekebii "Children of Ghana" culture troupe.

 
One of our greatest dreams is to bring fifteen members of the Ga Gbeke Bii “Children of Ghana” troupe to tour and perform with us throughout the United States. To accomplish this we need both financial support and the appropriate professional contacts. With financial backing Ga Gbeke Bii members could also provide free arts-in-education programs at public schools in the cities they visit.
We are looking for help from someone like yourself or someone you know to accomplish this goal. A tour such as this will touch many lives. It will also bring each troupe member the self esteem, pride and financial support to change their families’ lives for the better. And it will bring American audiences an appreciation for the positive spirit of Ghanaian people and their cultures. Their inspiring programs will bring a good spirit and lift the hearts of many American youth. There is a new feeling of positive change for the world now. This project can be part of that exciting story.
We present to you the Children of Ghana in hopes that you will find a way for us to share our gifts with you.

We look forward with great anticipation for the day we make contact with you and move forward together. We would love to meet you and tell you more of our story. We have videos of Ga Gbeke Bii and our accomplishments both here and in Ghana. Please contact us for a copy of these so you can see a glimpse of what we do.
With Sincere Respect,
Cypress Knight, Kpani Addy and Comice Addy.

Contact Information:
(708) 503-6942
cypressnightss@yahoo.com
208 Westwood Dr., Park Forest, Il. 60466