Building foundations

Ghana is considered one of Africa’s success stories, with a stable government and strong economic growth.  It is rich in human and natural resources – notably gold and oil.  There are however still some “left behind” areas that lack the infrastructure which would allow residents to enjoy the advantages of town- and city-dwellers.

Our partner works in one such area where people are still relying on subsistence farming and small-scale trading for their livings: they cannot even grow cash crops such as coffee or cocoa because of the lack of roads which would allow crops to be taken to market.  This group has identified three main areas which would provide local communities the foundations for bettering their lives: fresh water supply, health care and education.  With clean water and improved health, not only will the children have the opportunity for more education, but the adults too will have more time and strength to help with community projects like road building and run side businesses to increase family income.

As well as school and vocational training tools and equipment, this shipment will include medical equipment and baby supplies for local clinics, sporting and recreational supplies, and items such as bicycles and mobile phones to help people establish small businesses.

Weather-proof learning

This classroom might look simple, but for children who previously were studying under a tree, it’s a welcome improvement. Now, classes don’t need to be canceled when it rains, and students can study more easily from desk and chairs rather than sitting on the ground. Our partners are actively building weather-proof classroom blocks in local communities and this shipment will include goods to help equip them, from ceiling fans to tables to computers.

Clean water close to home

Without a local clean water supply, villagers (usually girls and women) sometimes need to spend hours each day trekking to and from the nearest river or lake for every drop of water their family needs.  Along the way they face such dangers as injuries from thorns or wild animals and parasite infections.  These long journeys also mean there is less time for school or tending the family farming plot.

Our partners helped families like the children above to access water more locally, by installing and maintaining a well in their own community. These children will now have a greater chance to break free of the poverty cycle by attending school and later doing vocational or other training.

We will help many like them with school bags and stationery which might otherwise break their families’ budgets.

Preparing cassava (the staple crop) for storage and cooking at harvest time.

Young boys carry stone blocks for the construction of a new village well.

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