Steps to Success
34 Kids saved from the streets of Bukom
On the 14 September 2004, was the day when 26 children from Bukom, after having been medically examined in a Hospital, got the chance to look forward to a new beginning. Thy moved into a rented house Harriet was able to procure. This meant they were able to enjoy having their own bed to sleep in, eat regular meals, and a supply with a number of new of clothing.
Apparently, Harriet had beds only for 24 children, but 2 additional kids, with all the excitement, had manage to smuggle themselves into the mini bus which carried the children to be check in the hospital. The bus was crowded after the head-count had completed. Harriet was also too excited, at the time, and did not observed the head count, unknowingly to her, had slightly increased.
After the medical check, the hospital gave Harriet the bill, stating the charges covered a total of 26 children. She complained, but then decided to do a re-count again, only to find out she too arrived at the same number. Now, not being able to leave these two kids behind, she had to quickly organise two extra mattresses.
Now every child had to take its turn, to sleep, one night, on a mattress on the floor. That’s how she managed to have 26 instead of the original 24 children into the initial programme. When school began, all the children who were in the kindergarten classes were able to manage a smooth transition into the Junior Secondary School, with reasonable and excellent success. Some of the children were even able to move up to higher classes. Our afternoon teachers, who supervised and assisted the children with their homework, were one reason for this success.
From inception, it was Harriet’s desire to help more children, but she had to wait 3 years (another 8 kids) to accomplish this. On 6 February 2008, after acquiring and expending facilitates, in the new house, she was able to choose 5 girls and 3 boys from the long existing Bukom waiting list. Although its a small number in comparison to the list, nevertheless, she was full of joy and happiness to continue her dream project, and of being able to reduce the list, how ever small in numbers.
The home staff consists of 2 women and one man, who will care for them around the clock. I n this family setting they share the work. These include, preparing breakfast, snacks and their main meals, sandwiches for school pack lunch, take care of the laundry and ironing, and every thing else needed to be done in the household.
In the third week of February, Harriet employed a female High School graduate to run the office, take care and manage the administrative side of all necessary businesses. It was necessary to provide Security cover to protect and guard the children, staff and the home. Harriet was able to find a security firm who could provides Security Service. She has employed two Security guards, who will work on a shift system, (one day shift and one night shift), to make sure that strangers or anyone without the permission of an African Angel e.V. Official enters or tries entering the premises. Both guards are female.
African Angel e.V. believes that Spiritual care and educational growth work parallel together. All the children under our care are encouraged and given guidance in this area of their lives. All are members of the Sakumomo Presbyterian Church. At least twice a week they attend church services, join in Sunday Scholl activities, and or Singing lesson. This is very important. This shows we are taking care of the person in its whole entity. It also helps in enriching their wellbeing, and consolidate any previous Spiritual learning their may have acquired or experience in their early childhood upbringing.
From the beginning, the Church Community supported the children and our aims and objectives, in what we set out do and achieve. They did so, not only by encouragement and Spiritual support, but reached out in many other ways. They also gave food and many more useful and tangible things, which helped in the smooth transition from one home to another, encouraged and visibly help to enhanced and transform the children lives.
We are grateful and thankful and extend our heart-felt gratitude to all those who are involved and help to make this project possible. We hope that for the future, we would be able to expand our programme, to allow more children a chance to experience the importance of having a good and solid education for life. That the Organisation will grow in strength, and leave a token of lasting memory for years to come in the lives of the people and their children in Bukom.