Pam and Randy Cope, co-founders of the Touch A Life Foundation, live in Dallas, TX. The Copes started the foundation in 2000 after their 15-year-old son Jantsen died suddenly of an undetected heart defect.
Their efforts started out focused on helping street children in Vietnam and Cambodia. In 2006, their aims spread across the globe to Ghana, West Africa. The intent of the organization is to stand in the gap for hurting and exploited children.
The Copes became involved with their work in Ghana after learning about how many children are sold into slavery there to work on Lake Volta, which is located in the northern part of the country. Pam and Randy read an article in the New York Times about child trafficking. After learning of the abuse these children endure on a daily basis, they knew that Touch A Life had to get involved. There are thousands of children that have been sold by parents or relatives to work in the fishing industry for as little as $20 per year. The Copes decided that they wanted to be a part of ending slavery on Lake Volta.
Pam's memoir, entitled Jantsen's Gift, was published in April of 2009 and is available for purchase. To read more about the Copes' story and the Touch A Life Foundation, visit www.jantsensgift.com to get your copy of the book.
The Touch A Life staff has now grown to three employees aside from Pam: Martha Newton (the Executive Director), Susan Poulos (the Director of Marketing and Fundraising), and Rachel Johnson (the Director of Project Development). The Touch A Life office is based in Dallas.
Enjoy looking around our site, and pay special attention to our blog, where we make our updates regarding our programs. Thank you for wanting to learn more about our foundation.