PROJECTS | Make a difference

Fästpunkt 1

Construction of a family center

In the spring of 2014, the foundation decided to start a new project from scratch. After extensive research, they stuck to the village of Bobikuma, which met the criteria that the foundation sought.

The new initiative will function 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 take care of orphaned and abandoned children until foster care placement or adoption is found, as well as support families to enable more children to go to school.

A little about Bobikuma

Bobikuma is located in the central region of Ghana. The nearest town, Agona Swedru, is about 30 minutes away by car and has an estimated 7,000 inhabitants. Bobikuma is surrounded by many small poor villages. The main livelihood is small-scale farming on small plots of land. Most cocoa is grown, but also maize, casava and other crops. Poverty is significant and education levels are low. Children and adolescents often drop out of primary school and pregnancies among teenage girls are common.

The situation of children in Ghana

After supporting an orphanage in Ghana since 2008, 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 into care by the authorities due to maladministration. At best, the socially disadvantaged children end up in orphanages whose standards can vary greatly. Some homes are run illegally to make money and there the children live in catastrophic 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, primary 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 roam the streets or are forced to work from an early age to contribute to the family income.

Goal

To be able to offer accommodation for 30 people.
To be 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 for the business.

The goal is to gradually expand the business to help more people.

In order to meet the goals, the foundation will offer:

Emergency housing for parents and children. During the time they live with us, we must professionally train 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.
Run simpler preschool activities that do not currently exist in Ghana. Take care of small children (0-6 years) while their parents work. For families who are able to support themselves, we charge a small fee for this service.
Collaboration with the schools to support a number of children with, for example, through food, books, uniforms, shoes and examination fees.
Extra lessons and homework help for students who need support and motivation to cope with school.

The construction process

Sustainability is the goal of the entire center and should characterize 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 make use of local materials and raw materials and hire local labor to benefit the whole community. We will, as a valley of sustainable thinking, build in a method called rammed earth.
We want to work together with the population towards a long-term improvement of families' life situation.

Progress

Purchased land (1 hectare) and underwent registration process in the National Register of Land Rights in Ghana.
Built a wall around the husband for safety reasons.
Drilled a water well and pulled electricity to the ground.
Produced drawings together with architect Johanna Wickström.
Contracted a local construction company to produce construction drawings and all construction documents required for building permit applications.
Building permit granted!
Contracted by a local construction company Fusion Design Studios Accra.
Land preparation ready, December 2019.
Begin the foundation. January 2020.

To help us in the process, we have brought in civil engineers through Engineers Without Borders and we work closely with the late Swedish-Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce, which contributes invaluable contacts and local knowledge.

To achieve this, your support and investment are required! Hope you continue to follow us during this exciting journey!

We look forward to continuing our work and making a difference for more children and families in Ghana.