Projects

Very likely one of the most important, long-term impact initiatives we do!  

We are SO thankful that we are able to provide this most amazing  event for our Dekpor Basic School students for the fourth time!  The dentists first visited in 2019 and then, for a second time, during February of 2021, and the third visit was May 2022. And here we are calling it Dental Week when in fact these professionals have now become such a well-oiled machine dealing with the challenges of Dekpor that they saw the entire school population in just two days!

Big storm.

Transformer hit.

8 street lights blow up!

Those lights are needed for both security and safety reasons, so we didn't hesitate to replace them as soon as we could. Thankfully, a donation from Busch Systems made this possible.  How handy dandy that one of our previously-sponsored, fully-accredited electricians was in town and able to do the labour. Thanks, Eric!

Aurora Preparatory Academy really outdid themselves this time!  In February, Carol was presented with a cheque for $3300--proceeds from their ever-popular Date Night combined with a donation from the school! 

We agreed that the funds could be put towards uniforms for the students at Dekpor Basic. Why? There are some children in Dekpor who never, not even for one day, attend school. The reason is sad--the family can not afford a uniform and they are too embarrassed for it to be so obvious.

The latest to start up is the Dekpor Central Hair Salon and Barber Shop!  We just had three sponsored students complete their apprenticeship training--Obed, Doris, and Mavis--and we are thrilled that they were able to start working immediately!

There are many people to thank for this accomplishment!

This is the 5th time that we have run this campaign and it was a record-breaking success! What you may not realise is that many of the kids you see in our photos don't actually have anything under their outer layer of clothing. Sad truth.

Basics are a matter of hygiene and pride.

Almost $25,000 was raised in March! We will be able to give a kit to every single student from grades 1 right up to and including JHS 3!!  Annnnd, the sponsored high school and apprentices will receive, too! The most ever raised, by a long shot! THANK YOU!

Whoa! What a BIG job this was!

Upkeep is important. We are most grateful that we can keep the school campus and town toilet facilities maintained, thanks to a generous donation from Susan and Tony Anderson. The conditions in Dekpor truly make it difficult to keep the walls looking fresh. From the constant dust to the numbers of people utilizing all of the buildings, there is no wonder why they get dirty and dingy.

Before the painting could begin, there were many masonry repairs that had to be completed. Some of the photos show the patches.

In Dekpor, growing essential crops is a way of life. Pretty much every single family has a plot of land that either they own or lease because they need to produce their own food.  Crops of maize, rice, and cassava are the most popular--all staples in the Dekpor diet.

Yes, you've seen these in the past because multipurpose bowls are considered essentials for all families in Dekpor!  We went a full two years without running a targeted campaign, so it was high time in December 2022 to do it again.  Linda and Abraham were being asked by villagers if there would be a distribution any time soon.

From collecting crops and firewood, to being used for cooking, laundry, bathing and fetching water, the uses are many!

Torrential rains and heavy winds have caused a whole lot of damage to Dekpor buildings over the years.  Despite our best efforts to keep things maintained, during every rainy season, we end up with emergency repairs needing to be done.  With a huge sigh of relief, we were thrilled to finally find roofing nails in Ghana!  Yes, the reason that the roofing sheets pulled up so easily is that straight nails were the only thing available to us.

Often called slides in Ontario, but referred to as easy wear in Dekpor, these are the economical local footwear of choice by our youth. Why? Easy to put on, last well, cheap, protect the feet.  Considering so many people simply have nothing at all, we chose to buy 200 pairs and outfit our apprentices and junior high students. As much as they are not what is "supposed to be worn" as part of a school uniform, they are certainly acceptable and far better than bare feet.