AKWAABA! (Welcome)

"The Walbridge Settlement Foundation is a not for profit organization established to provide committed, sustainable, and purposeful health education, health services, and sanitary conditions for Ghanaian communities in need within the social structure, beliefs, and spirituality of the village people. The Foundation will encourage community responsibility and participation in achieving these goals in partnership as these goals are vital both to The Walbridge Settlement Foundation and the community it serves."

A Missouri Non-Profit Organization with Federal 501(C)3 pending.

Ghana is located in West Africa along what was formerly called the Gold Coast.  It has been a democratic country since 1950.  The Village of Kyekyewere (pronounced "che-che-wer-e") may be found north and west of the second largest city in Ghana, Kumasi.  Kyekyewere and the Ashanti people have been working to improve living conditions by building new houses supported by Habitat for Humanity-Ghana.  They are still lacking sanitary facilities, clean water, electricity, and primary health care.  The nearest clinic or health facility is about 8 miles from the village.  Walking or bicycle are the most common modes of transportation to the clinics.  

The people in the village are primarily farmers. Some of the men do construction or other work away from the Village to supplement the family income.  While the men are gone, the women work in the fields and tend the homes and families.  The average income in the Village is $1.00 USD per day.

Older housing  consists of mud and thatch construction. A central outdoor area exists for cooking, washing and other household activities.  In a square, surrounding this central area are two rooms per side for family sleeping generally on the floor.  A unit like this can house up to eight families. Water is carried in from the local well.  Houses may have a latrine but 'free range dumping' is quite common.  Indiscriminate waste dumping may be seen in gutters, streets, or fields.

Malaria is the top disease state, primarily due to poor sanitation and standing water.    Many children under the age of 5 die of chronic diarrhea, a very treatable condition.   Hypertension, diabetes, intestinal parasites, and skin conditions are common among the people.

This village was chosen by the Walbridge Settlement Foundation as they are working diligently as a community to improve their standard of living.  The Chief of the Village plays an active part in assisting the people by land donations for housing, but decent housing is not the only answer.  Healthy people make for a more productive society.  Eliminating the common illnesses, people can be more productive at work, children are able to regularly attend school, and in time everyone benefits from a healthy lifestyle.

AYI KOO (Thank you) for taking the time to visit our web site.  Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email at info@walbridgesettlementfoundation.org.  Please consider being part of our community in Kyekyewere, Ghana.

Mary Walbridge, R.Ph, R.N.

President/CEO