Orphanage

This morning, I delivered presents to the Ryvanz- Mia Orphanage. My Grandma, Suzanne Somos, and her sister, Daisy gave me money before I left the US to give Christmas presents to the orphanage. “Mama” as they refer to the lady who runs the orphanage was very thankful! There were lots of little kids running around. While it was an orphanage, the children all looked so happy! I’m excited to go there in the afternoons and help out in whatever way I can, in a few weeks once I’m back from travelling around Ghana.

The orphanage and Isaac’s special inclusive school (special needs school) are very neat in the way they function. They are providing children with either a home or education, but also, they are teaching the children to one day be self-sufficient. The orphanage teaches the children how to make the beautiful African fabrics and sew them into bags, dresses, etc. The special inclusive school partners with local tradesmen, who teach the children how to perform a task in order to work someday. This way when the children leave the orphanage or graduate from school, they will be able to support themselves.

The organizations I am here with, Village Volunteers and Therapists Without Borders, partner with both the orphanage and special inclusive school, in order to help them achieve their mission. Since it is Christmas Eve, and Christmas is about giving to others, if any one wants to make a donation please go on the Village Volunteers website! You can ask for your donation to go to one of these programs!! It will go there too! That’s the nice thing about small organizations! They do not have as much overhead so most of your money actually goes to the cause!!!

Also, look at Therapists Without Borders facebook page. Linda, the CEO, has post some very interesting articles about the effectiveness of NGOs (non governmental organizations) in developing programs in developing nations. Some examples of successful NGO projects are the hospital I am working at in the village and Isaacs’s school. They were both started/funded by German NGOs.

Merry Christmas everyone! I’m excited to post tomorrow about Ghanaian Christmas festivities!!!

Love, Kari