Recent News
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Indeed, we should express our gratitude in many different languages. The film about Harriet and her African Angel, produced by WDR-TV was transmitted by Deutsche Welle International, to so many countries world-wide that today we are still receiving requests and mails from these places, including the USA, and even as far as India!
Since August 30 2007, when the film was shown by WDR, not only did the
Germans demonstrated a surprisingly and unexpected outstanding willingness
to in supporting Harriet’s efforts in Ghana; but also from many other
countries too. We received donations from Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, France and even cheques from the United States.
You and your money, have changed the situation of African Angel in so
many different ways. Our ideas and visions for the children of Bukom, can now
be easily transformed into reality.
The amount we have already received from you all, between September and December 2007, will be made public on this web site, when Harriet returns from Ghana. Quite a number of the donors have already received a personal 'Thank you' on the Christmas cards, Harriet sent out in 2007. Therefore, we ask you, please keep in mind that we are only a few voluntary workers, with some of us working in our regular jobs.
All of you who did not receive a response, or a thank you note, please accept our humble apologies. At the moment, we are unable to complete all the follow-up replies in the time, that we have set ourselves to complete. Our membership numbers have risen considerably, since 19 in July 2007, to 180 to date! There is a lot of administrational work involved now. The same applies in the handling of all the necessary forms and receipts, concerned with giving and donation for the year 2007.
All this additional work is included within our daily routine. We are unable to be as speedy as we would like to be (and as you would hope us to be!). So please, be a little patient with us. We are doing the best we can. Our manpower were just not prepared for the huge response we received. But it is our hope to establish a more effective way of working soon.
Harriet would like to express special heartfelt thanks to all our many donors, especially for example: single mothers, people suffering from various illnesses and those people living on governmental social benefits etc. All these people are often living under tight financial conditions. However, they were still able to open, not only their hearts, but also their purses, for the benefit of helping the children in Bukom.
We had Kids who sent their pocket money to help provide school fees for a brother or sister in Ghana. Harriet, having experienced this willingness of the people to give, and to support the Organisation, appreciates and acknowledges the great effort, time and sacrifice everyone has made. She is very happy to tell our children in Bukom what you all have being doing for them. Thank you.
German Ambassador opens African Angel’s new house in Accra!
It was quite an exhausting in labour and time, for Harriet over the past 2 months. When the German Embassy informed her that His Excellency, Dr. Marius Haas, and his wife planned to attend the opening of the African Angel Home ceremony on the 17th February, Harriet was quite overwhelmed. She had actually planned and catered for only a big children’s party with coke, chips and funny games, with no Dignitary in mind.
Spontaneously Harriet organised a more festive event with official speeches, and the National Anthems of both countries being sung by our Bukom children. As the Ghana Television and News Agencies were reporting the event, a special scissors had to be purchased, so that the Ambassador could cut the traditional ribbon.
In the end, the day was mere happiness and joy: The Ambassador brought presents for our children, who welcomed their guests with waving flags and dances. It was also an exciting day for Harriet as well, who enjoyed and appreciated the official recognition of her work by the German Government.
Bukom children not back on the streets!
We were given a deadline, for the 27th of December 2007 to vacate the rented property. On this day, our 26 children were supposed to leave the house we rented and became their home, since 2004. The House-owner wanted his property, and decided, it was time he terminated the contract. As Harriet purchased a house for the children, he was so impressed that he gave African Angel e.V. and the children an extension until February 2008.
Thanks to your donations. This allowed Harriet to purchase a new home for the benefit of the children; and planned a date when they would be able to move into the new house. African Angel e.V. is now the proud owner, and registered title of the new property. We were able to take in the extra 8 children which we previously were unable to take in the beginning of the programme.
Our special "building stone account" name changed into "rebuilding account"
All the money received till end of December 2007 was used to purchase the houses. But as they were private family houses, they needed to be rebuilt to the needs of children’s home. Additional adaptation was also necessary: sanitary and electrical installations, special robust furniture, more kitchens space, and security protection.
All this needed to be done by local workers. We know that an additional sum is needed to cover these extra costs. We would therefore appreciate if you could continue to send your contributions to the now new named “Umbaukonto” (rebuilding account). Thank you very much for your help and support.
If you want to make a donation, please use our new paypal-account
info@african-angel.de (to avoid the high transfer fees of commercial banks!). Thank you.
African Angel e.V: Now 180 members!
Since the German media have reported about Harriet’s project to bring the children from Bukom into proper life conditions and school education, many people felt the need to support us by becoming a member of our non-profit organisation. This is extremely important because regular membership fees have built the stable foundation. It helps to plan and to cover the fix costs and overheads in the coming years. This allow all single donations to be used for the expansion of the project in the future (for example, school education and professional training in various sectors, additional language training, networking contacts to Companies in Ghana etc.). Please become an African Angel. We would be happy to accept your request for membership enrolment.