The construction of the family center
In the spring of 2014, the foundation decided to start a new project from the ground up. After contacting research, they were trapped for the village of Bobikuma, which met the criteria the foundation sought.
The new initiative will serve as a support and education center for vulnerable families. We will provide support to families to avoid children being forced to abandon, cooperate with the social services and care for orphaned and abandoned children until foster home placement or adoption is found and support families to enable more children to attend school.
About Bobikuma
Bobikuma is located in the central region of Ghana. The nearest town, Agona Swedru is about 30 minutes drive away and has an estimated 7,000 inhabitants. Bobikuma is surrounded by many small poor villages. The main livelihood is small-scale farming on small fields. Most of the cocoa is grown, but also corn, casava and other crops. Poverty is considerable and the level of education is low. Children and adolescents often skip primary school and pregnancies among teenage girls are common.
The situation for children in Ghana
After supporting an orphanage in Ghana for about 6 years, we have come in contact with many children with different backgrounds and different stories. Many of the children have lost one or both parents, some have been abandoned because the family cannot support them. Others have been ill or taken care of by the authorities due to neglect. At best, the socially vulnerable children end up in orphanages whose standards can vary greatly. Some homes are run illegally to make money and there the children live under disastrous conditions. They receive neither love nor attention and grow up without the security and support a family can provide.
When the children reach school age, the elementary school is free but the family must pay for the children's uniform, school books and fees for exams. Expenses that many families cannot afford. Therefore, many children do not go to school but drive around the streets or are forced to work from an early age to contribute to family income.
Goals
-
Being able to offer accommodation for 30 people.
-
Being able to offer support on a daily basis to 30 children
-
To run a small farm and a chicken farm that can lead to employment and a small income to the business.
The long-term goal is to gradually expand the business to help more people.
In order to meet the goals, the foundation will offer:
-
In order to meet the goals, the foundation will offer: Emergency housing for parents and children. While they are staying with us, we shall educate the parent to enable a sustainable income and offer them support when they leave the orphanage, for example in some form of employment that can provide a steady income.
-
Operate daycare center. Take care of small children (0-6 years) while their parents work. For families who can provide for their livelihood, we charge a small fee for this service.
-
Collaboration with the schools to support a number of children, for example through food, books, uniforms, shoes and exam fees.
-
Extra lessons and homework help for students who need support and motivation to manage school.
Construction process
Sustainability is the goal of the entire center and should characterise the entire project, both in the construction process and in operation. We research and focus on sustainable construction methods and look at environmentally friendly and innovative solutions. We want to utilize local materials and raw materials and employ local labor to benefit the entire community. Together with the population, we want to work towards a long-term improvement of families' living situation.
Progress
-
Purchased land (1 hectare) and undergone registration process in the National Register of Land Rights in Ghana.
-
A wall built around the land fro safety reasons
-
Drilled a water well and drawn electricity to the ground.
-
Created the visualisation of the family center together with the amazing architect Johanna Wickström.
-
Contracted a local construction company to produce constructor drawings and all construction documents required for building permit applications.
To our assistance in the process, we have included construction engineer Pär Jonsson through engineers without borders and we have a close collaboration with the late Swedish-Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce, which contributes with invaluable contacts and local knowledge.
To achieve this you need your support and investments! We hope that you continue to follow us during this exciting journey! We look forward to continuing our work and to make a difference for more children and families in Ghana. Follow us on social media for continuous updates on the process!
