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 partners work in just such a rural area, where they concentrate their efforts on water supply, healthcare education and children’s schooling. Crossroads’ previous shipment to them has had such varied results as reducing workplace injuries, increasing school enrolment and retention rates and providing rural communities with computer training opportunities and internet access.
The success of these initiatives has led to an increasing number of requests for help from previously unreached communities and we are happy to have the opportunity to send another shipment that will improve the lives of thousands more people.
As well as more computer equipment and school supplies, this container will include hospital furniture and electrical appliances to help equip a new regional hospital. Bicycles – the best mode of transport in an area with few made roads – will be included for medical staff and teachers working in remote villages.
A generous donor supplied a large quantity of new toys in time to be included in our previous shipment to this partner group in Ghana. These toys were distributed among a number of schools in deprived rural areas, where many children had never before had a toy of their own. The joy and anticipation on these children’s faces clearly shows how much these gifts mean to them.
Computers, furniture, school bags and stationery supplies from the previous shipment were shared among five rural secondary schools.
A huge gas explosion devastated a village close to our partner’s base at about the same time as the previous shipment from Crossroads arrived. Clothing and household goods from the shipment were immediately sent to the disaster area where grateful families collected items to help start their lives anew.
Safety boots and solid shoes from Crossroads’ previous shipment to this group were distributed to agricultural labourers and construction workers, many of whom had previously been working barefoot. Our partner wrote, “They were thrilled with joy, and tears on their faces, as they received the shoes!”
