Fujah - America's Stories - Missouri Culture

They told me of a class of girls, at a particular school in a rural fishing village south of Accra, Ghana. All the girls were around the ages of 12 to 14. From one school year to the next, nearly all but a handful of the young girls had dropped out of school, and were pregnant. I learned this tragedy is a common plight in Africa, with the young girls becoming sexually active too early, and neither abstinence nor protection against STDs, pregnancy, or worse, AIDS, being discussed.

It was in this fishing village, directly on the sea shore, where we met with area young adults - Ghanaians – who were trying to help their fellow brothers and sisters overcome these tragedies.

These volunteers encourage the local youth to stay in school, or to attend courses put on by L&A Memorial Academy, to learn to read and use basic arithmetic. These involved citizens realize how many of the students and youth of Africa will never do anything outside of their rural village, continuing to have children, and going out on the fishing boats with their families. This life will be determined all because they have no education.

I realized the Ghanaians are eager to develop their own programs and encourage their fellow citizens to better themselves. They want to see their youth stay in school, creating more opportunities for themselves by pursuing an education.

In Africa, I found, there are those who aren’t waiting for help to come, they are creating hope for themselves, and for their fellow citizens.

Outside of Accra, to the southwest of the city, the Bawjiase Orphanage has been developed under a very unique business model. Here, they farm 128 acres, and they are nearly self-sufficient because of it. The owners and hired hands raise pigs, goats, cattle, poultry, fish in two fish ponds, bananas, yams, onions, plantain, palm for palm oil. They are able to sell their wares in the city, and buy what else they need. This orphanage serves over 100 students and orphans. The older children work the land, and there are also some African families who stay on and help. It was a beautiful sight, this cooperation of agriculture and sustainability.

It occurred to me this entire operation should be used as a great model for other organizations. The founder of this orphanage was blind, but his excitement and enthusiasm was palpable as he discussed caring for of all the children. Here is a man with his own struggles, yet he focuses on others.

My primary purpose for visiting Accra was the connections I have with the L&A Memorial Academy. This school was founded and is managed by Christina Aryiku. Located in Accra, this school has been an example to many of a local Ghanaians’ desire to better her country through service. The school enrolls over 300 students, and recent partnerships with young U.S. professionals and JPMorgan Investment Bank have allowed the school to build a health clinic, and expand its endeavors in malaria and health education.

If you have any interest in Africa, Ghana is an ideal way to experience Africa. The people are wanting to do better for themselves, and there are so many opportunities to come and support the Ghanaian people in the programs they have developed to better their country themselves. Service opportunities about, and volunteers can put together their own program on leadership, health care, business or any number of areas. Everywhere I went the locals were enthusiastic about America, and the people were excited to have volunteers. The harvest is plenty in Ghana, and in Africa.

I’m pleased to have had the platform to share my experiences on my life-changing trip to Africa. For more information on how you can get involved with any of these projects, visit www.admef.org.