[community activism]

		Volunteering with Frafraha Orphanage in Ghana
		by 'Eseta Schaaf

 

Volunteering in Ghana: Part 2

The children adhere to a well-written out time schedule.

Example:

Mondays: 5:00 a.m. -5:30 - Morning Devotion.
5:30 a.m. -7:00 - House Chores.
7:05 a.m. -7:30 – Breakfast.
7:30 a.m. -8:00 – Inspection.
8:00 a.m. -2:00 – School Hours.
2:05 p.m. -2:30 – Lunch.
2:30 p.m. -3:00 – Siesta (Nap).
3:05 p.m. -4:45 – Errands & Games.
4:50 p.m. -5:20 – Bath.
5:30 p.m. -6:30 – Supper.
7:00 p.m. -9:00 – Prep & Workers Mtg.
9:05 p.m. - Lights Out.

(*Activities may vary depending on days/times and especially weekends).

Meal schedules are abided by: Three meals a day and a snack or two in between.

For example:

Wednesdays:

Breakfast: Rice Porridge & Biscuit.
Snack: Any drink (Kallypo, Squash).
Lunch: Braised Rice & Vegetable Stew.
Supper: Banku and Okro Stew.

The first time I visited Frafraha Orphanage with other American exchange students, an adorable 2-year-old boy named Fifi ran up to me. Examining my watch and shades, he held out his arms to be carried. During our introduction meeting with staff Fifi sat comfortably and quietly on my laps. When I put Fifi down on the ground before we left, he led out a loud and screeching cry. The pain in his eyes made me feel so bad.
I think he just needed to be held more than anything. After the initial visit, I became a regular volunteer on Saturday evenings. It took me fifteen minutes to ride the ‘tro-tro’ bus from the University of Ghana campus to Adenta.

When arrived, the young children played outside while the older kids watched television.

They especially loved those Indian soap operas. I often took them some milk candies or biscuits which I bought from the market. As I chatted with the children, I found that all of them have dreams and goals.

For example, Mary, 15 years old, wanted to be a hairdresser.

Her friend Martha, 13 years old aspired to be a lawyer or judge.

Shaibu, Male, 13 years: Wanted to be a pastor.
Shadrack, Male, 14 years: A Caterer.
Paul, Male, 12 years: A Pilot.
Patrick, Male, 11 years: Doctor.
Livingthing, Male, 12 years: Politician.
Ishmael, Male, 18 years: Civil Engineer.
Philomina, Female, 11 years: Gospel Musician.
Anita, Female, 8 years: Kindergarten Teacher.

Case Study: Daniel Mintah

I interviewed Daniel Mintah, a 22-year-old former orphan at the Christ Faith Foster Home. Mintah stayed at the orphanage from 1986-2003. At age two, Mintah was brought to the foster home by Mr. Jerry Addu, previous director of the institution. Mintah was then living with his grandmother and mother in the village of Abuso in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Traveling as a missionary, Mr. Addu saw the young Mintah running about naked in the home of his grandmother. Mintah’s father had died, and both his mother and grandmother were not working. When Mintah was five, Mr. Addu again went to preach in Abuso and came back with word that Mintah’s mother had died of Tuberculosis. After completing Junior Secondary School at age nineteen, Mintah according to policy was now old enough to make it on his own.

Mintah lived with a friend in the nearby town of Madina where he enrolled at Action Progressive Institute learning computer skills. He couldn’t afford Senior Secondary School so Mintah hired a teacher to help with his studies. Mintah was able to study and pass the West African Examination Council which determines whether one goes to the University or Polytechnic.

After nine months of living with his friend, Mintah moved out on his own, and rented a single room at Oyerefa, close to Adenta. Supporting himself by fixing computers, Mintah acquired this skill while enrolled at Action Progressive Institute. He also purchased a bike he rode everywhere including to and from school.

Mintah is now a Level 200 (Sophomore) student at the prestigious University of Ghana.
Studying Banking and Finance, Mintah aspires to be a Banking Manager one day.

(Anyone interested in being a pen pal of Daniel Mintah’s may e-mail him directly by clicking HERE.)

‘Eseta Schaaf graduated with a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Utah and is a strong advocate for the rights of women and children in African and all over the world.