Our History November 2008, Michael and Sharon Smith began working with homeless persons in the south-side of Hampton Roads, Virginia. This work revealed the many needs of persons living in indigence and the barriers to the available services and agencies. This began a life work or serving. July 2015, on his first mission trip to Ghana, Michael saw the opportunity to focus his efforts into helping a rural village school. This created the need and pathway for a foundation focused on serving domestically and internationally. February 2022, Hayah R.I.S.S.E. Foundation Inc. was born.
Our Mission:
Our Vision:
The purpose of Hayah R.I.S.S.E. Foundation is to assess and address the issues faced by persons living in indigence in and around the state of Virginia and in rural villages in foreign lands beginning with Western Africa; advocate for medical, educational, social and spiritual needs; show the power of God’s love through personalized service and care; and raise awareness of these needs and the efforts to address them.
The Bible describes an encounter in the third chapter of Acts of the Apostles.
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Acts 3:1-8
This New Testament encounter highlights the truth that ministry should be about more than sharing God’s word and praying for those in need. Ministry includes moments when one’s hand needs to be extended to help someone in need. This is why Hayah R.I.S.S.E. Foundation, Inc. (HRF) was birthed.
In 2018, it was discovered that more than four out of five people below the international poverty line lived in rural areas. About 70 percent of the global poor aged 15 and over have no schooling or only some basic education. In early 2000, it was found that children in the rural areas of Ghana were about 20% less likely to enroll in school than children in the urban areas.
Nyame Bekyere Christian School (NBCS) is located in one such rural area, nestled alongside the winding Accra-Cape Coast highway in the Central Region of Ghana. It is a primary school, serving Pre-K through 6th grade and now serves more than 200 students that would otherwise be without education.
In 1998, British missionaries Drs. Clifton & Marcia Clarke (residing in Ghana), along with some family and friends, were traveling the Accra-Cape Coast road when they were drawn to the Nyame Bekyere village as they were passing by. During a conversation with the village chief, the group discovered that the village had a profound need for a school.
After diligent fundraising, planning and execution, in 1999, a prep school was birthed in the village. This school provided essential primary education to the children of the village, teaching them basic reading, writing and mathematics. Following a brief closing in 2011 due to many staff members relocating, the school re-launched in May of 2014 as “Nyame Bekyere Christian School” under the leadership of Dr. D’Lorah Butts-Lucas.
June 2015, Michael traveled to Ghana to serve as a foreign missionary. While there, he was gripped by the profound needs of the school. Upon returning to the U.S., Michael launched a fundraiser and successfully addressed some of the immediate needs. This was the birth of Michael’s work in Ghana.
In 2018, Michael M. Smith was appointed chairperson of the Nyame Bekyere Christian School Advisory Board. This group serves the school by providing leadership and direction, financial and developmental support, and ensuring continual progress and success.
In 2022, Michael organized and founded Hayah R.I.S.S.E. Foundation. R.I.S.S.E. is an acronym for Reaching Internationally for Social and Spiritual Elevation. The purpose of this 501(c)3 corporation is to assess and address the issues faced by persons living in indigence in and around the state of Virginia and in rural villages in foreign lands beginning with Western Africa; advocate for medical, educational, social and spiritual needs; show the power of God’s love through personalized service and care; and raise awareness of these needs and the efforts to address them.
Here are some of the milestones Michael has accomplished since serving Nyame Bekyere Christian School in Ghana:
