So this is a short summary get everyone up to date on what has been going on with HardtHaven so I can write short posts as the events happen instead of trying to make the time to write something long. So here goes:
HardtHaven Children’s Home has officially morphed into HardtHaven Foundation. We are now running: a Children’s Home, international volunteer program, community nurse educator program, and an in-need children sponsorship program, and a memory-box program. We are in the planning stages for: a HIV/TB/Malaria prevention program, orphanages and children’s home caretaker training program, and a job-training program for the children in our various programs and for HIV+ adults in the community. And we have plans to build a rehabilitation center for severely ill and/or malnourished HIV+ children.
We have received funds from: MTV Staying Alive Foundation, a Ghanaian Charity Football Match, local farmers and sellers, and hundreds of individual donors in the US.
We are networking with Pegus Africa, Cosmic Volunteers, Village Volunteers, New Seed International, and ABC for All, among others.
We have the support of the DC (Mayor of Kpando), Director of Social Welfare for the Kpando Region, Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Social Justice for the Kpando Region, the administrator of the Ho HIV/AIDS clinic, the local sports commission, and many other members of the Ghanaian community.
Well, its a quick summary but as new things occur I will try my best to keep you up to date!
2 comments:
It's amazing how one idea has blossomed, thanks to the response by caring people who are hearing about HardtHaven. Needless to say you at HardtHaven in Ghana are in our love and prayers. Problems will become opportunities, as God blesses you all. Thanks, Joy, for your amazing dedication and leadership!
Hello everyone,
I have a story to tell.
Christopher is an 8 month old gorgeous baby boy who lives in a one of the surrounding communities of Kpando, Volta Region here in Ghana. He has lost both his parents and he and his 5 siblings are being raised by their maternal grandmother who works on a local plantain farm - a job not condusive to caring for an infant. I had the priviledge of meeting Christopher about a month ago when he was brought to the childrens' home as he was malnournished and had malaria. He is one of 9 community children the home 'sponsers' - which simply means, the director of the home periodically checks in on them and their families, pays their health insurance, etc. A huge blessing.
He seemed to recover somewhat during this visit and he was returned to his grandmother with all the appropriate recommendations for diet, mospquito net, and medication administration. But Christopher's condition continued to deteriorate to the point where he was lethargic and listless - thankfully the orphanage director was informed and a worker was sent to get him. I was asked to meet the community worker at the orphanage to determine our course of action and I took one look at this beautiful child and knew he needed prompt medical attention.
Fortunately I knew everyone on duty at the hospital that evening Easter Monday, because we were able to get Christopher seen immediately and the life saving treatment he needed started. He was severly malnournished (he was born 3kg and now only weighed 4.8kg at 8 months old), severely anemeic and still suffering from malaria. He was so weak, he was unable to lift his arm with the IV board but he was able to look into my eyes so innocently though - this he did not deserve. I stayed at the hospital that night, thinking we may lose him... but it is by the Grace of God that he made it through the night.
After a blood transfusion and IV antibiotics he was on the way to recovery.
Over the next three days, he gained a full kilo - fluids and food - and was finally discharged to continue treatment at home.
We now faced the decision of keeping him at the home or taking back to the village. The goal is always to get the children back with their families. The grandmother loves Christopher dearly... she is just doing the best she can given her situation. We can't blame her for that. Ultimately, adoption out west will be sought because she admits she likely cannot care for him long term AND work, AND raise the other children, AND ..... That is a tragedy. But the real tragedy is that there are thousands of Christophers in this country. On this continent. It is heartbreaking. I cannot bear to imagine what will happen to Christopher in the next few weeks let alone his lifetime. He has definitely stolen my heart and I will continue to pray for God's grace to shower down on him and guide and strengthen the hands with whom he has been placed. Hardthaven Childrens Home is doing amazing work over here. They work at strengthening communities and families and even have co-started a leadership grant for youth that show outstanding potential. I encourage anyone to visit the website hardthaven.org to get a glimpse of greatness. I am hoping to get Christopher's story on the website as well because I find it so compelling.
This is why I came to Africa.
Please pray for me as I am getting over another bout of malaria. I am however traveling to Amsterdam for a weeks break to meet a friend as I am finding this trip to be quite challenging physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Thank you to all those people who drop me an update from home - with good and bad news. It is so wonderful to hear from you especially when I am feeling so homesick.
Blessings, Marcy...
You were wearied by all your ways, but you did not say, "it is hopeless." You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Isaiah 57:10
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