Sponsor's update from Asiakwa, Ghana

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Asiakwa, Ghana from Summer 2008.

I am happy to inform you of the latest developments in the SOS Children’s Village, Asiakwa.

The Village/Admissions
The Village population increased with the admission of nine (9) new children between May and June this year. A set of quadruplets aged two (2) all girls with their older twin brothers arrived in the Village to a rousing welcome. Another set of twins, a boy and girl and their younger brother were admitted into the Village. These admissions bring the total number of children in the children’s Village to 107. 53 young boys and girls also live in the two youth homes in Kibi which is about twenty (20) minutes drive from the children’s Village.

Educational Placements
All children of school going age are in schools and most of them are doing well academically. 24 of these are either in the first or second cycle institutions whilst the rest are attending various tertiary institutions across the country. They include 15 in the Technical and Vocational, 1 boy is in Nursing Training College and 4 students at the Polytechnic. Additionally 4 are currently at the SOS International College in Tema. 9 of them are pursuing various programmes at the University, 4 are undergoing apprenticeship training to acquire employable skills. 19 babies and toddlers have not yet reached school going age.

Youth Homes
Two separate seminars were organised for the youth on the topic Sex Education. This was conducted in age groupings. It was very successful and gave the youth opportunity to ask questions that bothered them.

Caring for orphans in Ghana

Psychological Assessment and Treatment
As a result of the natural backgrounds of our children, some of them are slow learners and exhibit learning disabilities. The Village Pedagogical team therefore arranged for a team from the Ministry of Education to do a thorough assessment on all the children. Referrals were made to see various specialists. A clinical Psychologist was contacted from one of the best hospitals in the country to treat our children with psychological problems. The first visit was done in May with 3 children. A 9 year old boy was diagnosed to have an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of a 6 year old child; another 5 year old boy was diagnosed to have an IQ of a 2 year old child. Both children are on medication and are showing gradual improvement.

Commissioning of new family houses and a nurse's flat in Asiakwa
Construction of four new family houses and a nurse’s flat has come to a completion in the Asiakwa Village. This brings the total number of family homes to twelve (12). There was a simple but beautiful commissioning of the new family houses and nurse’s residence on 9th April, 2008. The programme was attended by donors from Switzerland, Federation of Cocoa Commerce, and Cocoa Ghana, SOS UK, Board Members and friends of SOS Ghana. Four (4) mothers and twenty-one (21) children moved into their new homes in March before the official opening ceremony. They are doing very well and enjoying their new homes, both mothers and children are excited with their new homes.

The road within the Village which used to be rough as a result of erosion has been re-gravelled giving the SOS Village a new look; the children and co-workers are really excited about the development.

Construction of a new SOS Children's Village at Kumasi
SOS Children's Villages, Ghana had laid the foundation stone for commencement of work on the third Village in Kumasi one of the cities in Ghana. The Village would consist of 12 family houses, nursery school, primary school, junior high school and social and health centres.

Staff Development
The Village has continued to enhance the skills, efficiency and effectiveness of the SOS Mothers and Aunties through the organisation of ‘Mothers Classes’ (every other Tuesday). These classes which are aimed at equipping and sharpening the skills of the mothers and aunties are held every other Tuesday and subjects that are relevant to their work are discussed and dealt with.

The Village also held Child Development Planning meeting in May and June during which all stake holders discussed the developmental issues affecting the children. It was an insightful and learning experience for all participants, particularly the teachers who took part in the process for the first time.

Teaching staff undergo educational reform
A five day workshop on the new educational reform which was introduced by the Ghana Education Service (GES) was organised for the teaching staff of the SOS schools. The reform emphasised on the active involvement of the child in the teaching and learning process. The new subjects added to the syllabi are Natural Science, Creative Arts (Arts and Music), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Basic Design Technology (BDT), Pre-Technical Skills and Pre-Vocational Skills. Teachers were also advised to make good use of pictures during their teaching to give clear pictorial presentation of what they are teaching to ease boredom and help the students to remember better.

Projects supporting children and the community at Asiakwa, Ghana

Visits from Sponsors
The Asiakwa Children’s Village was privileged to receive visits from sponsors of the proposed Villages in Kumasi and Tamale. They were from the Netherlands and Sweden. It was an exciting time to meet the sponsors of new projects.

Easter Activities
This year’s Easter celebration was quiet but concluded with a church service at the “Ofanko Presbyterian Church” in Accra. Children and mothers from Asiakwa Village were warmly received by the congregation. On Easter Monday, friendly games were organised within the SOS Village which involved the children, youth and members of churches in Asiakwa town.

Family Strengthening Programme (FSP)
The Family Strengthening Programme a project under SOS Children’s Villages, Ghana, which aims at preventing children from falling out of their family and community care, has been supporting 86 families in Tema and 108 families in Asiakwa. Since January this year the programme has extended its activities to Kasoa in the Central region. 132 families are receiving support from the programme, increasing the overall number of families and Orphaned and Vulnerable (OVCs) to 323 and 1210 respectively. Beneficiaries have received various forms of support; these include monthly food packages, clothes and housing. 90% of families have been registered under the National Health Insurance Programme (NHIS). OVCs are also been given educational support through the payment of fees, provision of stationery and school Uniform. The programme is jointly implemented with support from chiefs, opinion leaders and community volunteers. 50% of families have received financial support for Income Generation Activities and it is expected that by the close of the year 30% of the families will be self reliant.

The Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) organised its’ maiden edition of inter-community games at the Comm-Ce beach at New Ningo. The event was organised for about 270 children who were from six of the FSP communities.

Ghana's economy
Economic growth of the country has increased steadily since 2000 with Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from 3.7 % in 2000 to 6.35 in 2007. Receipt from gold has helped sustain GDP growth in 2007 along with recorded high prices for Ghana’s cocoa to date. However the rising cost of fuel and food has threatened to undermine the micro stability of the economy, culminating in the level of inflation rising to 16.5% as at June. It’s against this background that the government has announced some mitigating measures to reduce the cost of fuel and other food items, but the effect has not been significantly felt as at now.

Your generous contributions over the past years have made it possible for the successes that SOS Children’s Village in Asiakwa has been able to achieve.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Kojo Mattah
National Director.