In October, Light for Children celebrated an important event – the Grand Opening of the Education Center in Atonsu, Kumasi. The local chief, as well as representatives from Ghana Education Service, Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education were all in attendance.
A proud moment for Rebecca Kuntz, who raised the funds and spearheaded the construction of the Education Center
Ribbon cutting ceremony at the Grand opening
The renowned Koo Nimo entertained the guests at the Grand Opening
A student cultural group performed traditional kete drumming and dancing
The six volunteers from Denmark and Sweden continued their volunteer placements at Mampong Babies Home and working on the Preventive Child Sexual Abuse workshops in the Nsuta area.
The Swedish and Danish volunteers attended the Grand Opening en route to a weekend in Cape Coast
Executive director Yaw Otchere attended a one-day forum organized by the Ghana Integrity Initiative discuss how the central government is generating and spending funds, and to encourage the public to expect and demand transparency from the government.
Mike Owusu and Yaw Otchere attended a two-day workshop about the Ebola virus that is currently affecting several countries in West Africa. The aim of the conference was to inform people about the nature of the Ebola virus and to better prepare them in the case of an outbreak in Ghana. So far Ghana has been Ebola-free.
Mike welcoming guests at the Ebola conference
Lisa Parsons was interviewed on a program on Ultimate FM radio station in Kumasi, about Light for Children’s role in helping children deal with sexual abuse. Also present was the Commander of DOVVSU (Domestic Violence and Victims’ Support Unit of the Ghana police.)
Light for Children continues to sponsor children affected by HIV, and several of these children visited our offices in October and November to receive their sponsorship money.
Yaw with Mabel and Mavis Mensa, twin sisters sponsored by Susanne Sandquist of Sweden. They are receiving money that will pay for their senior high school fees, as well as medical and other expenses.
Mabel and Mavis with their grandmother, who is their primary caregiver
Another of Susanne’s sponsored girls, Ilham Shakibu
Growing up fast! Regina Kwarteng, sponsored by Una Mether of Sweden, is now in senior high school too
Mike visited an orphanage near Cape Coast that Light for Children has been helping to support for some time. He took the children on an outing to the coast for the day while he was visiting.
The kids use an old canoe to practice their acrobatic skills
Mike with the children from the orphanage
During November, Light for Children observed the “19 Days of Activism: Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children/Youth” campaign. This international event is intended to raise public awareness of issues facing youth across the globe. Light for Children presented a child sexual abuse workshop at a school for the deaf near Kumasi. Because this year’s theme was substance abuse, we also joined the Narcotics Control Board to give presentations about drug addiction at Kumasi high schools.
During this time, Mike attended a conference in Sunyani about tuberculosis. There are forms of tuberculosis that attack areas of the body other than the lungs, and HIV-infected children are especially prone to this form of the disease. With increased awareness, we hope that more people with this condition will seek diagnosis and treatment.
Mike at the conference on extrapulmonary tuberculosis