The idea began with a teddy bear.

Edudzi “Eddie” Etsey was working at the University of Iowa Health Care help desk in 2006 when he read a research statistic that said that if children in the hospital have a companion, such as a family member or even a teddy bear, they heal faster. 

Etsey thought of children in hospitals in his home country of Ghana, where he still has a strong support system. He decided to take 50 teddy bears to a hospital during an upcoming trip and give them to children. 

“One of the kids was hugging the bear and crying, and I was hugging the kid and crying,” Etsey recalls. “It was the first stuffed animal that child had owned, and it was to help him heal. In that moment, something sparked in me. The connection and meaning I felt in those shared tears were something I realized I needed to experience every day.”

Soon after, Etsey began his nonprofit, Eddies Teddies. The organization focuses on providing resources and education to children in Ghana to help them succeed.

“One of the core concepts of Eddie’s Teddies is fostering global connections by bringing groups—ranging from high school students to adults—from the Iowa City area to Ghana,” Etsey explains. “The goal is to create shared experiences within a global classroom, where participants can engage in cultural exchange, learn from one another, and collaborate on meaningful projects. These interactions not only broaden perspectives but also help individuals discover shared values, empowering them to make a positive impact both locally and globally.”

Etsey took the first group to Ghana in 2016 and they established a library in a village. Etsey has traveled there, with a group or solo, nearly every year since.

Eddies Teddies fundraises to bring books and school supplies to villages throughout the southern part of Ghana. The foundation also provides menstrual products and education about menstruation to girls, addressing a critical need as many in these villages lack access to basic menstrual resources. Without these supplies, some girls are forced to stay home during their periods, causing them to fall behind their male classmates in school. 

“We go into a space or a school, find out what their needs are, come back and fundraise, and then return to Ghana to provide those needs,” Etsey says. 

 Eddies Teddies has also played a significant role in the building of a new school from ground up for children in kindergarten to fourth grade, with emphasis on supporting children with autism. Their contributions included funding major aspects of the project, such as installing running water and supporting the construction process. The nonprofit also raised funds for a school bus because some children would have had to walk three to five miles to get to school.

“Children need to stay in classrooms, and there’s no reason not to provide them with what they need to succeed,” Etsey says. “If we can provide for them, and they grow up and do that for someone else, we’re on the verge of making the world a better place.”

In addition to providing resources, Etsey says his mission with the nonprofit is to empower kids to achieve anything they set their minds to. 

“Moving to Iowa City as a teenager was a significant culture shock,” he reflects. “During that time, I struggled to find my identity. I vividly remember my high school counselor telling me I wouldn’t make it to college and would likely be drop out. That moment became a turning point for me. From then on, I committed myself to empowering kids like me, ensuring they never have to hear words of discouragement like that. No child should ever be told they can’t achieve their goals.”

Etsey earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Iowa and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational policy and leadership. 

Etsey has worked at Iowa since 2004 and in his current role as UI associate athletics director for technology and data analytics since 2017.  In this role, he oversees a wide range of responsibilities, from resolving complex technical issues to managing the advanced technology systems that ensure the seamless execution of Hawkeye athletics events.

“The impact and empowerment are my favorite parts,” Etsey shares. “Thousands of fans come to our campus to watch the Hawkeyes and knowing that my team and I play a key role in making those events possible is incredibly rewarding. I also appreciate being immersed in the culture of Athletics and education, and I find fulfillment in being part of the solutions that supports both spaces.”