Akatakyiwa Health Projects
Help needed!!!
From April to August 2005, I spent my gap year working in Ghana, West Africa. I was employed with the voluntary organisation,
Teaching and Projects Abroad and lived with my Ghanaian host, mama Molly, who kindly took me in and provided traditional African food and accommodation whilst I was there.
Every day I worked at Lady Heike Charity School in the village of Akatakyiwa. The school was originally set up to give the younger children a pre-school education to improve their English to help them graduate to primary school. However, in 2005 for a child in Ghana to go primary school, the fees had to be paid and came to £25 per child, per year. Most villagers do not have the means to afford this. As a result, Lady Heike School has ended up with older children who are ready to move up, but whose families can not afford the expense.
To help these children, we established the small charity ‘A Fair Future’ to help give some of these children an opportunity to continue their education. They began by looking for a limited number of UK sponsors to donate £25 per annum to help an individual child receive some of the educational benefits that we in the United Kingdom take for granted. The twenty five pounds per year included the basic school fees, a new uniform, stationery and text books and enough to be able to buy lunch. Many of you contributed which helped many children enormously. for which they are very grateful.However since 2005 the government has removed all school fees which means every child has the chance to be educated.
In 2006 I returned to Akatakyiwa, to see how the village had progressed. Whilst there, the newly appointed Chief - Nana Poma Kwaadua XV111 outlined plans for a new toilet block in the village. Most of the 800+ villagers have no access to a proper toilet, so they use the roadside or the stream which supplies most of the villages water. causing health problems that could easily be prevented. I renewed my commitment to the village and promised to raise much needed funds to help build this facility for the village. In 2007 the project begun with the clearing of
land. With the Chiefs experience and background in building and construction, he is managing the project and employing local villagers for work. This allows any money to be kept within the village creating much needed jobs and helping strengthen community spirit.
So far, the land has been cleared and blocks are being cast for the construction. A clear, coherent plan of action has been devised accounting for all construction costs and materials, and now further funds are needed so the project can progress. In December 2007 myself, my father Jon and my friend Rob returned to the village and helped to outline plans for the future so the general health and well being of it’s people could be improved. These plans first include the completion of the 12 cubicle cesspit toilet complex, and then hopefully the construction of a small medical centre. The village is a number of miles away from the nearest hospital, and with transport not readily available at all hours, this would be a very important and welcome addition to the village. Chief Nana XVIII realises that in order to progress, the first priority is the health of the villagers. Once achieved, the village can move onto more adventurous projects that would promote self-suffiicieny.
The health problems that are currently being suffered are so easily preventable by basic sanitation and hygiene and that is why we need your help. By donating to this project you will know where your money is going and in return you will receive a quarterly news letter from the villages people outlining typical daily life, project updates including photographs, timescales and transparent accountancy of funds and a direct link to the village that connects you directly to their needs. If you desired it would be easy to arrange a visit to the village where you would be
welcomed with warmth so you could see first hand the help that you are providing.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Africa's Future gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
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