Current projects

 

Medical Clinic—Namankwan, northeast Ghana. The medical clinic is currently under construction with the hope and prayer that it will be completed and ready for service to the community by Easter 2013.In order to complete the clinic, we need another $30,000 (almost $35,000 has already been raised) to complete the roof, provide windows, doors, and mosquito-proof screens, and run a new electricity line half a mile to the clinic’s front doors. Here is a list of the kinds of illnesses to be treated and care provided in Jesus’ name:

  • Typhoid
  • Cholera
  • Malaria
  • Infections
  • Snake bites
  • Dog bites/rabies
  • Epilepsy
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Stomach problems
  • Immunizations
  • Rheumatism
  • Goiter
  • Ear and eye infections
  • Skin diseases
  • Women’s health
  • Contraception
  • Pre and post-natal care
  • Child birth

The Wilbur Project—Northeastern Ghana (Garu and Nakpanduri areas)

The Wilbur Project provides a pair of pigs to girls 12-18-years-old in rural, northeastern Ghana (the town that is closest to where most of these girls are located is Garu. Here is a map showing Garu's location.

Because of lack of resources and parental indifference, many girls in NE Ghana do not attend school after sixth grade (many girls never attend school at all, although parents always seem to find a way to make sure that their sons have at least some education).

Many fathers want their daughters to marry as soon as possible so that there is one less mouth to feed and they will receive several cows as a dowry. Marriage arrangements in NE Ghana are based most often on a father or step-father’s economic self-interest than a meaningful relationship between a girl and a man.

It’s commonly thought by parents in rural, NE Ghana that since their daughters will end up working in the field and bearing children there is no reason for them to attend school. Even though schooling is thought by many fathers to be a waste of scarce resources, many fathers still find money to support their habit of drinking local beer. There are also many fathers and mothers who genuinely desire to keep their daughters in school, but simply do not have the money for school fees and supplies.

As a result of these and other deeply held cultural beliefs, it is not unusual for girls to be married off (the word “traded” as a piece of property is a more accurate term) as the 4th or 5th wife to a 60 or even 70-year-old man in a polygamous marriage (polygamy is an all-too common practice in NE Ghana).

Tragically, some girls are given in marriage before they are physically mature. While men in these instances are supposed to wait until the girl matures in order to have sexual relations with her, many don’t—with devastating physical complications.

Girls in northeastern Ghana have dreams to be teachers, nurses, business owners, and lawyers like girls anywhere. They do not share the cultural belief that they were created only to be a hired hand working in the field and giving birth to babies every other year.

At Compassion for Africa we seek to extend a hand up so that these girls can start sustainable pig-raising businesses that will provide enough income for their school fees, school, supplies, and personal needs. Pigs usually have a couple of litters a year with 6-10 piglets in each litter. A good-sized pig can be sold for $15, providing immediate income.

Some of the girls in the Wilbur Project have saved enough money over the last two years to continue their education, buy bicycles, purchase sewing machines, or start other businesses.

Wilbur Project girls learn leadership through public speaking, community service, and stewardship in their local churches (for the importance of educating girls, especially in developing countries, see The Girl Effect website). They also are taught that God has created girls and boys, women and men, equally in His image.

Bore hole wells for clean water (since 2008 we have dug eleven wells throughout Ghana. Because of our local contacts we can dig a well, line and cap it with concrete, and install a pump for $3,000).

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