Pastor Abraham reported the following to the trustees about the work at the Redemption Children’s Home: There are presently 53 children at the orphanage. They are grateful for the continuing support from ALC as the orphanage is dependent upon the generosity of donors for its on-going operation. Pastor Abraham was happy to report that they have been busy too, in making improvements and building a broader base of support. Volunteers, mostly from the Netherlands, have been giving hands on help. A group from Scotland recently visited the orphanage, painted buildings and held a fund-raiser for the orphanage upon their return to Scotland. Our previous pastoral intern is planning on serving for a month in January at the orphanage and our present pastoral intern was able to meet with Pastor Abraham and make tentative plans for a visit later in 2009.

The following improvements have been made: installation of louvers in all windows, the upgrading of mosquito netting, addition of play equipment, volleyball court and a gazebo. Tables and benches have been procured for the assembly hall so that the children can sit and eat and have lessons. A school for the younger children has been started as it is a goal that every child be able to read, write, and have basic English skills, especially as they move on to the upper elementary grades.

When asked about budget goals and capital improvements for the next year Pastor Abraham commented that overall improvement in staffing was a major goal. With fifty three children, among which are counted infants, the daily practical needs can be daunting. The staff is paid very little for their work. Pastor Abraham admitted that the salary for the workers is below the national standard. Three women are employed just to wash clothes full time and they barely keep up. The thought of obtaining a washing machine to help has been raised and the orphanage is looking into this. Improvements in drainage around the buildings and water catchment need to be addressed. Appropriate landscaping and security issues need to be addressed, such as lighting and fences more for the sake of keeping unwanted animal intrusion on the grounds, than unwanted visitors. This past summer 16 children attended the Scripture Union Camp (SUC) from the orphanage and Pastor Abraham praised the experience as invaluable for the life and faith formation of these children. Pastor Abraham himself was able to go visit the SUC while it was in session. He is also trying to make sure that outings and cultural events occur for the children. Volunteers have accompanied the children to Mole National Park where there is a swimming pool and have begun teaching the children to swim. Inspite of deficiencies the orphanage is counted among the top in the country if not the best in northern Ghana.

Pastor Abraham also outlined a project to address the plight of the widows who due to cultural treatment are really among the poorest of the poor in northern Ghana. For this reason some of the children at the orphanage are not truly orphans, they have mothers, but the mothers are not able to sustain themselves or their children. This often results in child abandonment and worse. Pastor Abraham has a vision of providing basic resources to such widows in an effort to offer them a sufficient, sustainable livelihood so that their children do not need to be given away. All in all the orphanage and its impact on the greater community is succeeding, but like all non-profit organizations, funding the necessary annual budget is of major concern.