Western Heritage Home Orphanage/Community Learning Center
Our Legacy Project was to build an orphanage and community learning center in Axim. WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ON DECEMBER 5, 2007, 28 CHILDREN MOVED INTO THEIR NEW HOME!! This project was initiated by our Ghanaian NGO partner, Western Heritage Home (WHH), to fill a crucial community need in Axim, and GCJ decided to help them. The children need shelter, and Axim needs a place for community gatherings, training classes, and vocational workshops of all kinds.
Currently there is no computer training center for adults in the Nzema East District of some 125,000 people. The community center and computer learning lab will provide revenue to support the children’s program. The building is 75% complete, thanks to funding procured by GCJ Ghana delegates/alums.
The GCJ team has worked together to support WHH in building this Orphanage and Learning Center, which will house up to 35 children orphaned due to HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other family tragedies.
The Learning Center will provide a much-needed facility for community leaders to hold meetings and classes on HIV/AIDs and general health awareness, women’s entrepreneurial and empowerment possibilities , and conflict resolution, and hold modest conferences. It will provide a place for Ghanaian and international volunteers to assist in Axim development project. It will house a Comuter Center to provide computer training and internet access to the community.
Staff for the Children’s Home have been hired. We are lacking kitchen counters, cabinets, chairs but the children are moved in. They are calling themselves “pioneers”, because they have moved in before things are quite ready, and are paving the way for future children. They are at home, have been attending school for a year, have had regular after-school meals, and have new hope and purpose for their lives! Thanks to all who have helped us so much.
Host: Western Heritage Home
Western Heritage Home is a Ghanaian-registered, Axim-based NGO which focuses on children, especially orphaned children, school fees, women’s empowerment, promoting AIDS awareness, and conflict resolution. James Kainyiah, WHH Founder and Chairman, is our local host. WHH has developed a vibrant board of men and women to oversee and manage the home and begin developing a sustainability plan, to find ways to generate income to pay ongoing school, living and maintenance costs. When a large number of North American delegates returned in September, they were able to work with Board on developing vision and skills: Barbara and Louise led sessions on Appreciative Inquiry and Maryanne brought bookkeeping software.
Follow-Up Projects
Be sure to check out the inspiring array of activities the Ghana delegates from North America continue to spawn and nurture. They have formed Ghana Together to continue to support this powerful work.
Follow Up Projects in Axim (WHH Children’s Program to support the orphans, Sanitation Station, Water System Extension, Women’s’ Microfinance)
Other delegate initiated projects in Ghana: (Konongo Library Project, Appreciative Inquiry, Life Story Project)
