Project Information
The Founder, Derrick Okyere Boateng.
Derrick Boateng, a 16-year-old Ghanaian-born immigrant to the United States, is deeply passionate about serving his community. He joined Interact in the 9th grade and is now in his third year with the club. Derrick’s inspiration to advance educational opportunities in Ghana stemmed from a 2019 trip to his home country, where he observed the stark disparity between the resources and opportunities available in the United States and those in Ghana. This realization left a lasting impression on him and motivated him to bridge the gap between the two educational systems. In the fall of 2023, Derrick laid plans for The Better Hearts, Better Minds Project by reaching out to various organizations in Ghana. Initially, his vision was to provide Ghanaian students with educational resources focused on emotional intelligence. However, this goal faced significant challenges due to the limited digital infrastructure in rural Ghanaian communities. While Derrick initially envisioned the project as a standalone organization, he quickly realized that establishing it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and handling the necessary incorporation paperwork was a substantial undertaking. Feeling momentarily stuck, Derrick sought inspiration and support through deeper involvement in Interact and Rotary. As a district assistant governor for Interact District 5495, Derrick attended a leadership retreat, where he conceived the idea of making The Better Hearts, Better Minds Project a Rotary International initiative to maximize its impact. Following the retreat, he shared his vision with the district's Interact Chair, Arthur Harrington, who provided valuable guidance. Derrick then presented his plan to the board of his local Rotary Club, Anthem Rotary, and gained their support and approval. To establish international partnerships, Derrick reached out to Rotary Accra but faced challenges in forming a connection. Undeterred, he contacted Rotary Kumasi and successfully built a partnership. He also approached Danna Evans of All Things EQ—a program he participated in during his childhood—and she enthusiastically joined the initiative. By the fall of 2024, Derrick had successfully built a network of collaborators, enabling the intricate planning and execution of the project. From that point forward, Derrick’s determination and leadership have driven the success of The Better Hearts, Better Minds Project, creating meaningful opportunities for Ghanaian students and leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
Interact Club Involvement
Interact Club, a High School subsidiary of Rotary plays a major role in the Better Hearts, Better Minds Project. Within Arizona, Interact clubs across many different schools fundraise and purchase projectors to be sent to Boulder Creek High School for Anthem Rotary's collection and testing. We intend to include The Better Hearts, Better Minds Project milestones on our Interact District 5495 goals for the next school year. Within Kumasi, it is the Interact Clubs within the area who will pick up the projectors from which Rotary Kumasi is based, and install the projectors into the classrooms. The actual implementation of this project within Rotary Kumasi is lead by Interact club. Through this project, I would love to create an international partnership with Interact Clubs within Arizona, and Interact Clubs within Kumasi to collaborate on future projects as well on both sides if the isle.
Rotary District 5495
Rotary District 5495 is the district that covers all Rotary and Interact clubs within Arizona, USA, and parts of California, and Nevada, USA. Rotary District 5495 has contributes to many projects as a collective, and unites all encompassing Interact Clubs to work in tandem with each other to achieve service goals within Arizona and overseas. Rotary District 5495, selects ~25 students from Interact Clubs across the state to govern the Interact District. These governors and assistant governors run statewide events such as the district conference, Fall Leadership Conference, plan for RYLA, and many more. They also work with multiple Interact Clubs each, to ensure their success with implementing district wide projects and local projects of their own. Rotary District 5495 spearheads many international initiatives such as the brand new International Interact Schisto Project, which aims to eradicate Schistosomiasis within Sub-Saharan Africa. This international project, in collaboration with Rotary districts of many different countries is led by Rotary 5495. Rotary 5495 is significant to The Better Hearts, Better Minds Project because BHBM is being launched to all Interact Clubs within the district as Rotary 5495 has allowed Derrick Boateng to be the guest speaker at the Interact District Conference on February 22, 2025. BHBM will be launched as a district wide project and has prospects to expand and grow to enable more educational opportunity across the continent of Africa.
About The Bedrock Partnership
All Things EQ
All Things E.Q. (ATEQ) teaches students the necessary academic and social skills needed to succeed in school. The ATEQ K-12th Grade insights support rather than interfere with academic instruction.
Evidence shows All Things E.Q. increases student engagement, academic achievement, attendance, and on campus-feelings of hope & well-being. ATEQ decreases student discipline referrals to the principal’s office. ATEQ schools enjoy a positive learning environment and a caring school community. Linked below is the website to this wonderful establishment!
Rotary Kumasi
Rotary Kumasi is a Rotary Club based in Kumasi, Ghana, that was founded in 1986. Rotary Kumasi has gone on to create and lead many successful projects within Kumasi, Ghana. Rotary Kumasi have gone on to build clinics, school houses, provide water wells for a reliable and clean source of water, and have contributed thousands upon thousands to local charities upon its inception. Rotary Kumasi is currently led by President Nana Afia, and is responsible for touching the lives of thousands of Ghanaians within Kumasi, and across the country.
Anthem Rotary
Anthem Rotary is a Rotary Club based in Anthem, Arizona. Anthem Rotary plays a large focus on protecting homeless and endangered youth by providing necessities such as clothing, hygiene, and educational resources. Anthem Rotary also grants top Interact leaders the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), and pays for these students to attend a leadership program led by Rotary District 5495. Anthem Rotary sent Derrick Boateng to RYLA in January 2024. Anthem Rotary also contributes to many different international projects, especially within Kenya, as Anthem Rotary has donated tons of clothes, school supplies, and beds to girls boarding schools within Kenya. Anthem Rotary has also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities they personally believe in since the inception of the club. Anthem Rotary also participates in Rotary 5495's "Crutches 4 Africa" initiative, which sends high school Interacters to Naivasha, Kenya, on a two week trip, to distribute multiple shipping crates worth of mobility devices to Polio victims in Naivasha. Of 5-6 total students sent by Rotary District 5495 for this project, Anthem Rotary sent two Youth Leaders to Kenya in summer 2024, Eric Boateng, my twin brother, and Ashley Sherman. Anthem Rotary and its many service projects are responsible for changing thousands of lives.