Village News
How we came to be......
August of 2007 found a group of seventeen traveling to a small village in Ghana, called Kyekyewere (che-che-wer-e) to build houses for Habitat for Humanity Ghana. Building houses wasn't all we discovered a need for. Clean water, sanitation, electricity, transportation, schools, and most importantly good primary health care was lacking in this Village. Kyekyewere isn't far from Kumasi, a city of over a million residents. Acquiring the basic skills to build a decent life with little to no transportation, no educational facilities, nor health facilities is a difficult task.
Although our focus was building houses, it didn't take long to see the illness in the community, even to the untrained eye. It was evident that many children have intestinal parasites, skin infections both bacterial and fungal, and weepy eyes from infections. Soon it was known that "Motha Mary" was a nurse and a pharmacist and each day I had a small group of Villagers with health problems. There wasn't much I could do without proper diagnostic equipment or medications. Many of the health problems can be solved with clean water and health education along with regular check ups and primary care.
In speaking with the Villagers we worked with, I discovered that the nearest clinic was about eight miles. The only modes of transportation available to the Villagers are walking or possibly a bicycle. The people of the Village and I began to discuss the possibility of a health clinic in Kyekyewere. The Villagers are diligently working to increase their standard of living with new homes of clay brick rather than mud, thatch or corrugated iron. One gentleman has been building a 'barn' for rabbits and grass-cutters (small rodent type animals similar to a guinea pig) for food and was proud to show us his efforts. The 'barn' was immaculate! Each morning I watched as the women and girls carried water on their heads from the Village well. This was the daily water to be used for drinking, washing and laundry. In closing ceremonies, Chief Nana Yaw said that a health clinic was desperately needed in Kyekyewere.
After returning to St. Louis and re-acclimated to the US lifestyle, I began doing research on Ghana, health issues, needs, common disease states, numbers of medical professionals and where they are located, population densities, and other pertinent information. In January of 2008 a group of six of us met, two of whom are Ghanaian natives. We discussed the possibility of starting a clinic. Emmanuel and Harriet Opoku, from Ghana originally, have been working with Emanuel's brother, Pastor Ben, on a sanitation project in the Kumasi area. This is a project we will collaborate on. We discussed what needed to be done, both short and long range. I took that information and began researching again and making contacts in Ghana and the U.S. I then wrote to Chief Nana Yaw to ask permission from him to start a clinic. To view Chief Nana's letter, click here. The next step was to the attorney to begin the legal process of starting a non profit. In July we were granted non profit status in the State of Missouri and have a Federal 501(C)3 pending.
In early September, the WSF had its first Board meeting to discuss the October trip and plans for the future. Much work needs to be done during our October visit, but we are on our way. Once the assessment visit is complete, statistics analyzed for medication needs and equipment, and plans for a building made, we should be back in the Summer of 2009 to begin work on the physical facility. We will also try to see as many patients as possible during this time. There are days when the work involved is daunting but the Villagers need this facility and are eager to help once the planning and legalities are done. Please visit often to see our progress. Items will be posted that will be needed for this clinic. Maybe you could help purchase one or contribute your skills. Aye Koo, thank you, for visiting and we hope to see you back!