MrBeast hits back at criticism over $10 million Ghana village project to combat child labour, says he ‘literally’ supports hometown Greenville after being questioned over overseas spending

YouTuber and philanthropist MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has responded to criticism over his latest charitable project in Ghana after an X user questioned why he was spending nearly $10 million overseas instead of doing more for his hometown of Greenville, North Carolina.Donaldson recently unveiled Abna Dakwa Village in Ghana’s Eastern Region, a nearly $10 million project designed to provide education, healthcare, clean water and economic opportunities to families in cocoa-growing communities affected by child labour. The project was featured in his latest video, which documents the construction of the community.The village includes a school capable of accommodating more than 300 students, 10 homes for teachers, a medical clinic, community marketplace, clean-water infrastructure, solar power systems and agricultural facilities. Students are also set to receive free school meals for five years, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation.MrBeast responds to criticismAs coverage of the Ghana project spread online, one X user questioned why Donaldson was not doing more in Greenville, where he grew up.The user pointed to Greenville’s poverty rate while asking why the YouTuber was directing such a large philanthropic investment to Ghana.Donaldson responded by highlighting the work carried out through his nonprofit, Beast Philanthropy.“I literally do. I have a 501c non profit and have 10s of MILLIONS of meals in America, many in my local community,” he wrote. “If I listed all the philanthropic things we do locally I literally wouldn’t be able to fit it in this tweet.”Beast Pantry has delivered more than 48 million mealsDonaldson’s nonprofit does have a substantial food-assistance operation in Greenville. Beast Philanthropy says its Beast Pantry has delivered more than 48.4 million meals and fed more than 15.8 million individuals. The programme began in Greenville in late 2020 and now serves more than 20 communities across Eastern North Carolina.The organisation currently says it distributes approximately 80,000 meals each month to families in need through its Greenville-based operation and wider network.Beast Philanthropy describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Donaldson, with projects spanning food, clean water, healthcare, education and other forms of community support across more than 25 countries.Why MrBeast built the Ghana villageThe Ghana project is focused specifically on child labour in cocoa-growing communities. Beast Philanthropy says its Ghana initiative is working across 11 cocoa-farming communities in the Eastern Region, with education, healthcare, economic support and community investment forming part of its approach.The organisation says its programme currently has more than 10,000 direct beneficiaries and is built around a minimum five-year commitment.The new village is intended to give children access to schooling and families access to services and economic opportunities, reducing the pressures that can push children into hazardous agricultural work.MrBeast's wider philanthropic workThe Ghana project is the latest in a series of large-scale charitable initiatives associated with Donaldson.His Beast Philanthropy operation has supported food distribution, clean-water projects, medical interventions and education programmes. The organisation says it has raised more than $40 million for clean-water access and has impacted more than two million people across its programmes.Donaldson has also been involved in #TeamTrees with YouTuber Mark Rober, a campaign that has resulted in more than 25 million trees being planted, according to Beast Philanthropy. He and Rober later launched #TeamSeas, focused on removing waste from oceans and waterways; Beast Philanthropy currently reports more than 34 million pounds of trash removed.His philanthropic videos have also included funding cataract surgeries and hearing-related medical interventions for people who could not afford treatment.Ghana project draws attention to child labourThe Ghana initiative comes as child labour remains a significant issue in cocoa-growing communities. Beast Philanthropy says its research and programme data indicate that millions of children are engaged in child labour across Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa-growing regions.The organisation says the problem is linked to poverty, fluctuating cocoa prices and limited access to essential services, with some children undertaking hazardous agricultural tasks.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.