As the whole world faces a lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, it’s natural to wonder how families and their children in developing countries are faring. Ghana comes to mind, an African country with its share of scarcity and economic disparity. Some parts are rich in resources, while others are poverty-stricken with families living in slums.
However, all hope is not lost for these children and their families. K. A. Amissah Foundation (KAAF) founded in October 2019 dedicated all their resources to support these families. KAAF launched their operations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing shelter, masks, counseling services, and nutritional food to at-risk youths and their families. Our donors donated clothing, masks, books, toys, and baby supplies. While the pandemic disproportionately impacted families with fewer resources, 2020 was nothing short of a good year for the families that KAAF supports. KAAF families grew, children received proper medical care, a school was constructed, a farm was started, and most importantly smiles remained on both adults’ and children’s faces.
Of the many accomplishments of KAAF the past year, here’s one that stuck out!
KAAF learned about an elderly man who was unable to walk due to an injury and had been living in a small shelter for eight years. He was unable to work and provide for himself because of his injury. KAAF intervened and made a plan to get Mr. Botchway a wheelchair and a new home. Within days of alerting Facebook followers to his situation, KAAF received an anonymous donation of a wheelchair. Mr. Botchway was elated that after 8 years; he could once again move around freely.
KAAF didn’t stop there. Members and volunteers worked diligently during the summer months to construct a new home for Mr. Botchway. His story is one of many lives that KAAF impacted positively in 2020.
KAAF families live in a tight-knit town called Chamba in Northern Ghana, a northern town. Most parents work long hours doing hard labor and are unable to provide education for children. To earn more funds, parents make their children work alongside them. Even worse, families with children with medical needs are unable to work due to the constant care needed for these children. As the pandemic grew more intense early in the year, many countries including Ghana went into lockdown. When President Akufo-Addo announced Ghana’s plan against the virus, he restricted travel from outside the country and put guidelines in place to keep people safe. Throughout the year most cases remained in the busiest cities and towns in Ghana. Chamba citizens were fortunate to not have any cases during the year. The community remained vigilant by wearing masks and social distancing. KAAF was able to support, feed, and house over 300 children, babies, and families with over $2000 in donations.