VILLAGES OF THE FUTURE is not in the traditional charity business.  We work with communities to make better use of common areas, develop greener spaces, supply functional equipment.  We partner with local contacts to develop ability among the residents to trust and care of each other as well as learn job skills.  When the community participates in running its own neighborhood services, then the community is ultimately managing their own futures.

Select a Village Ghana Newark, New Jersey

Ghana:

Villages of the Future sent two volunteers to Vakpo, Ghana in partnership with IFRE Volunteers. Lynette and Phoebe stayed with a host family while working in the village. Every morning they volunteers work up around 8 am.  They would eat breakfast then walk to the orphanage each morning and return home at 3:30 pm. During the time spent volunteering at the Sachabu Orphanage, VILLAGES OF THE FUTURE, made several donations of clothing, school supplies, and toys. While there were worked with a local carpenter to have shelves made for each classroom as well as shelves were hung in the orphanage's office. In addition our volunteers made the following observations of potential projects with the Sachabu Orphanage:

1. Accessible Toilet Area:
The children are too little to use the larger wash area. So they defecate in the play area. This a major health concern for the children and the surrounding community.

2. Contained Clean Drinking Water:
The children all drink from the same bucket of water using the same cup. Some kids have open sores near their mouths. Others are visibly sick. Each child should be provided with his/her own water bottle at the start of the day.

3. Safe and Secure Play Area:
We found nails, glass, sharp rocks, and trash in the play area. These should be removed. A fence wall should be installed to keep the children from running away. Also it will help to keep others from disturbing the play area. Finally a gutter should be installed on the roof of the porch. It would collect rain water into a reservoir. The ground could be made smooth and outdoor toys provided.

4. Consistent Handwashing:
Accessible wash area for the children. Soap and clean water should be provided. Children should be instructed to wash hand before eating and after relieving themselves.

5. Naptime Mats:
The children need new mats to use when sleeping. The ones they have are splintered and worn out. The headmaster recommended that nylon mats could be purchased that are much more durable.

6. Afternoon Snack
The children rarely eat fruits and vegetables while at the orphanage. Fruit served as an afternoon snack could benefit their health enormously.

7. Assistant Teachers
The entire week there was one full-time teacher, one cook/aide, one headmaster and one assistant. There were nearly 60 children ages 2-4 years old. Perhaps volunteer organizations could sponsor a teacher's salary so that the teach to child ratio would be smaller.

8. Towels and Clothing
The children and teachers could benefit from clean towels and changes of clothes for the kids. Perhaps someone from the community would be able to make the items and a volunteer organization could fund the project.

 

 

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Newark:

This information is under construction.