Raymond Ablorh

Mid- Year Report on my project: help educate vulnerable children in poor communities

2009-07-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

What the facility needs now most is money to buy land and build a more equipped facility, and I call on all well meaning individuals and organizations to contribute whatever they could towards the success of this noble project.Education is a right and should not be treated as a privilege.

Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity. --Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Early this year, I promised meeting the challenges of this year with greater determination and resolved to make the best out of the tiniest opportunity so as to maximize the potential benefits of my noble project to prospective beneficiaries.

Part of my plans for the year was to build sustainable and strategic partnerships and to improve my leadership quality. Promising than I expected, other youth I shared my vision with instantly showed interest in it and started contributing to the partnership building process. Other benevolent organizations like JOY TO THE WORLD, an international NGO brought joy to the beneficiaries of my project by blessing them with recreational materials (slides, etc).

Africa Change International (ACI) became a partner and gave the facility a bridge to Project Abroad (UK). Sooner than expected Project Abroad (UK) visited the facility and gave the children good medical treatment. Presently, I'm working to build a more formidable partnership with Project Abroad.

Selorm Kofi Dake, a work colleague in Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG)(www.tomorrowleadersghana.org) brought on board two American teacher volunteers to teach the children and help the teachers with some important teaching techniques.

On enrollment, the number of beneficiaries increased from 250 to 308; but, i don't want to admit more children owing to inadequate space. Unfortunately, the number of children has speedily outgrown the space. Moreover, the owner of the premise intends to use the land for a different purpose; meaning, we need to relocate.

Presently, the facility has about 8 teachers and attendants. The number is somewhat inadequate and this is why I've decided to employ more volunteers to assist. I'm, however, working tirelessly to launch a scholarship program for teachers and nurses in my district so that prospective beneficiaries could at least work on the project for an agreed period.

The scholarship would be funded by CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - GHANA, a new organization I'm establishing to mobilize educational resources for schools in very poor communities in my district.

Meanwhile, I'm still working with WOMEN in DEVELOPMENT (WiD) , a women-led community-based organization at Medie, the project location, to help the mothers of the children in my facility to get access to credit facilities so as to enable them work and help sustain the project financially by paying the monthly fees of 2 Ghana Cedis ( 1.50 USD).

What the facility needs now most is money to buy land and build a more equipped facility, and I call on all well meaning individuals and organizations to contribute towards this project because their effort would directly reach the target beneficiaries.

Damerest students and teachers donate items to my child development facility

2009-07-15T14:44:00.000-07:00

Students and teachers of Damerest Middle School in New Jersey, US did not only help to get two of their teachers to give volunteers services to the Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Facility at Medie, in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, but, contributed books, pens, radio and CD player, Rhymes CD, booklets produced by students, etc, and a 200 USD cash to the facility. Some students also wrote beautiful letters to their expected friends in Ghana.

The pupils were so happy when the Founder and manager, Raymond Ablorh presented the items to them. They deeply appreciate the effort of all the people who contributed to the package presented to them and wish to reciprocate this kind gesture by writing letters of appreciations to the students of Damerest Middle School and their teachers.

The children and managers of the facility are also grateful to Leah Renaldi and Julie Roessler for the time they spent with them, teaching and advising them, as well as, giving the teachers very important tips.

The Manager, Raymond Ablorh in particular is very grateful that Damerest Middle School and Julie and Leah found it worthy to contribute to his effort to contribute to the development of young vulnerable children in his community.

Students of Damerest Middle School make booklets for Pupils of a Child Development Facility in Ghana

2009-07-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

The pupils of the Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Facility in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana were delighted to know that students in far away Damerest Middle School in New Jersey, U.S care about them enough to painstakingly prepare booklets for them.

Madam Leah and Julie, 5th grade teachers from Damerest Middle school read one of the booklets to the primary 1 and 2 pupils of the school in Ghana after which, they distributed the booklets to them.The recipients of the beautiful gifts couldn't hide their excitement.

Meanwhile, students and teachers of Damerest Middle School donated much of their time, efforts, and own money for the cause of these vulnerable pupils in Africa.For example, the volunteer teachers ran a school dance where over 500 students in the area came to what they called “Dance for Africa,” numerous bake sales where students sold homemade goods, and several teacher and community donations.The Founder and Manager of the local facility has received the donation on behalf of the facility and would on Monday present it to the children.

Leah and Julie teach a class of African children for the first time

2009-07-09T14:07:00.001-07:00

'our class size is smaller than this' these seem to be the words which went through their minds as Miss Leah and Julie taught their class of African pupils in Ghana for the first time. Certainly, there is a great difference between the class they taught in the U.S and the one they are benevolently rendering volunteering services to now.

The children too for the first time sat quietly and listened to their foreign volunteer teachers as they spoke with a beautiful accent.
Miss Leah and Julie patiently practiced their profession with great expertise as they taught Kindergarten pupils English Language.

They later visited the much older primary 1 and 2 pupils and read beautiful stories students of Damerest Community school in New Jersey, U.S has painstakingly prepared for their expected friends here in Ghana.

After this session, Miss Leah and Julie met all the teachers of the school and shared some very important teacher tips with them. Both parties were extremely glad about what they considered a wonderful experience. Obviously, there would be a great relationship between the two schools: Naa Kordey Memorial School and Demerest Middle School.

Teachers and pupils of Child Development Facility in Ghana welcome Leah and Julie.

2009-07-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

The teachers and children of the Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Facility at Medie, a community in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana could not control their genuine excitement when Mr. Raymond Ablorh, the founder and manager of the facility entered the premise with Miss Leah Renaldi and Miss Julie Roessler at about 10:20 am today.

Madam Leah and Julie arrived at a time most of the children where in their classrooms, however, the few pupils outside continuously shouted 'obroni',a local Ghanaian language meaning WHITES.On hearing that their friends in the classrooms immediately directed their attention to the two American volunteers who looked on with beautiful smiles.

The officer in charge of Child Care and Welfare, Ms. Rebecca Ablorh met the two with opened hands and a hearty welcome. Before, the manager could do introductions, most of the children were already out to meet their new volunteer teachers. After they took a good number of photos with the children, Mr. Raymond Ablorh did official introductions and created the platform for Leah and Julie to interact with the teachers, child attendants and children.

The two Americans who are teachers of Demarest Middle School in New Jersey (USA) would visit the facility three days in a week for one month to train the teachers and child attendants as well as teach one of the classes English language.

Two American teacher volunteers visit Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Project

2009-06-29T09:55:00.001-07:00

Two American volunteers, Julie and Leah arrived in Ghana this morning to work with the Naa Kordey Child Development Project for about one month. The volunteers, who are professional teachers would among other things give the teachers and child attendants of the project child care and teaching training. They would be on the project for at least thrice a week.

This is Julie and Leah first visit to Africa and Ghana to be specific. They love children and are passionate about their development project.

Raymond Ablorh, the founder and manager of the facility and selorm Kofi Dake of Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG)welcomed them at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra. After a brief discussion, It was obvious the American volunteers would go to Medie on Wendnesday,1st July, 2009 for orientation and initial interactions with the teachers and pupils of Naa Korday Memorial Child Development.

Project Abroad (UK): our new partner

2009-06-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Before the Founder and Manager of the Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Project could complete partnership talks with Africa Change International (ACI) to place the facility on its project list, ACI has provided a fruitful network service by linking the facility with Project Abroad (UK), an international NGO. In essence, Project Abroad is likely to be a partner.
Led by Nooshin, a health team of four visited the Child Development Project to provide some health care services to the beneficiaries. They took care of about 20 children who were suffering from sores, rashes, etc. and, gave the facility some worm pills to be given the children after three months since they have just benefited from the government's deworming exercise before the visit.
The health officers from Project Abroad interacted with the children, their care takers and teachers and promise to offer regular health service to the facility. Meanwhile, the manager of the facility is working towards completing a memorandum of understanding for partnership with Project Abroad (UK).

ACI officials and Selorm Dake visit Naa Kordey Memorial Child Development Facility

2009-03-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

It was all joy when the Executive Director of Africa Change Internationa (ACI) , Mr. Peter Osei and his colleaques, Charles Chess and Selorm Kofi Dake of Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG) visited the facility to interact with the staff and beneficiaries. " I'm very impressed," Mr. Osei said several times as Madam Rebbecca Ayerkor Ablorh, the officer in charge of Child Care and Welfare welcomed them to the facility.

After taking a brief from the Project Initiator and Manager, Mr. Raymond Ablorh, they went to the various departments of the facility to interract with both staff and project beneficiaries. The staff, children and visitors seemed to be competing on the scale of happiness. But, the children obviously won the seeming competition as they continued to enjoy Mr. Osei's numerous photo snaps.

Mr. Raymond Ablorh discussed with the ACI Executives the possibility of getting some assistance from ACI in their scope of work, and Mr. Osei promised making quick arrangements to include the facility on their project list. Meanwhile, Selorm Kofi Dake, TLG Executive Member has almost completed arrangement to get two volunteers from the USA to work with the facility from June 2009.

2009 brings broader smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries of my Child Development Facility

2009-02-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

Another year is born and so are new challenges and opportunities born to the world. But, as the vision bearer of the Naa Kordey Child Development facility, I'm glad to announce to you that the progress made so far would obviously bring broader smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries of this project. I'm applying all practical mechanisms to tackling the obvious challenges facing my effort as well as converting all opportunities to maximizing the benefits of the project to prospective benficiaries.
I'm happy to announce that I've made tremendous progress. 2008 saw improvement in all aspects of this noble project. Number of beneficiaries rose from 150 to 300; in essence, about 300 homes in my community are benfiting from the project - the children are enjoying good quality care and training in a sound environment. Sanitation has improved and so have teaching and learning.
I'm also glad to mention that my mother, Madam Rebecca Ayerkor Ablorh is still in charge of General Child Care and Welfare as a volunteer. She is the founder of 'WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT' the most active women-led Non- Governmental Organization(NGO) in Medie. In accepting the above responsibility two years ago, she acknowledged the enormous impact the facility is making on her NGOs membership. The members could go about their daily activities freely knowing their children are at the right place or in safe hands.
I'd take this opportunity to thank Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG) for the contributions made during 2008. That went a long way to contribute to this success story. The greatest thanks, however, go to the staff, especially, Karine Mohammed, the Head of the Creche and Nursery Department for her dedication, hardwork and deligence. Anytime, the little children giggle, smile or laugh whilst looking into your eyes, i know all they want to say is 'Thank you, karine'. To my mother, I say ' May God richly bless you'. The children trust you than even their parents.
To all those who contributed to developing this wonderful project, i say may the good Lord bless you exceedingly just as you've blessed these children.
May God water the seeds we're sowing so that the children, their parents, the target communities, the district, region and country can get the full benefit for which i initiated and developed this project. It feels great to know YOU'RE A GREAT CHANGE.

Signed:
Raymond Ablorh,
Project initiator and manager.

Photos from my Child Dev't Facility in my community

2008-10-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

Early this year; in April 2008 to be precise, Executives of Tomorrow Leaders Ghana, a youth-led NGO based in Accra, Ghana of which I'm the Communications Director visited my Child Development Facility at Medie and made a donation to the children.

MY MODEST CONTRIBUTION TO MY COMMUNITY’S DEV’T.

2008-10-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

“Raymond’s child development facility is serving Medie and the surrounding communities in no small way. May God bless him richly”

Head Pastor, Devine Healers Church, Nsawam, Ghana.

About Medie, my birthplace
My community was formally called ‘Akutuase’ literally translated ‘beneath or under orange tree’. Perhaps, the original settlers found a lot of orange trees on the land. As the community developed, it spread to swallow Medie (meaning MINE), a little community that grew close on its boundaries and took its name. Consequently, the original Medie community is now ‘Medie Kitiwa’ meaning ‘little Medie’ and ‘Akutuase’ is now called MEDIE. There are no orange trees here anymore and the name ‘Akutuase’ is gone with the trees. Medie is located in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
It is about four kilometers from Amasaman, the District Capital on the Accra – Kumasi Highway; and the penultimate community to the boundary between the Ga West District and the Akuapim South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Currently, a few factories have been established here hence some of the youth who used to farm are now on the floors of the few factories. Nevertheless, it is predorminately a farming community and remains the economic centre where the inhabitants of the surrounding communities come to trade and undertake other important socio-economic activities.
The inhabitants of Medie come from many different ethnic groups across Ghana: Gas, Ewes, Akans, Dagombas, sisala, etc, and even non-Ghanaians. But, the land owners are Gas; hence, they handle traditional authority. This community has suffered stagnate growth and development because of the chieftaincy conflicts which have characterized it for decades and its associated poor community leadership.

Presently, there is an appreciable level of peace in the community and the hut of classroom I sat under in my early childhood days is now a concrete block classroom. But, Medie Presbyterian Primary and Junior High School, the only government school in the community is operating a SHIFT SYSTEM (where some children attend school in the morning and others go to the same school in the afternoon due to inadequate facilities). Moreover, very few indigenous Medie inhabitants reach the tertiary level of education; a greater number of children drop out of school for reasons ranging from lack of sponsors to lack of interest in school.

Challenges Medie faces
Medie, like any rural community in Ghana has its fair share of the socio-economic challenges facing the country:
· This is a poor community made up of predominantly peasant farmers. Some of the youth are employed on the factory floors of the few companies in and around Medie leaving majority of them unemployed. In essence, unemployment rate is very high;
· Medie has a high school drop out rate; of the 100 per cent of children that enter primary school barely 40 per cent enter senior high school and 20 per cent reach the tertiary level;
· Drug abuse is also a major problem as the number of young drug addicts keeps increasing;
· Teenage Pregnancy and its associated problems;
· High child mortality rate; etc.

Medie and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
From the above, it is obvious the gap between Medie and the Millennium Development Goals is very wide. The MDG 2, for instance, seeks to achieve universal primary education with a target of ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling, and MDG 4 seeks to reduce child mortality with a target of reducing by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. These are the two areas where my current contribution to my community comes in. I am undertaking a Child Development Project in my community as my contribution towards the development of my community and the attainment of the MDGs.

My motivation
My motivation to establish and run this facility emanates from my earnest desire to give back to my community what my district and country gave me years ago; and to do so in the name of my grand mother. I just cannot wait to do that now.

I remember vividly the situation I found myself in after my Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). By God’s grace, I scored distinction (06), but unfortunately could not further school immediately due to sponsorship problems. I stayed at home for almost three years. In 1999, I applied for scholarship from the then Ga District Assembly (now Ga West District) and was given a full bursary in the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC). But for my grandmother, I could not complete basic school; but, for the district assembly, I could not complete secondary school. I have contributed and I am still contributing to the development of my country in various ways but this is my direct contribution to my birth place.
My project is called Naa Kordey Akoshia Memorial Child Dev’t Facility.

I have named my Child Development Project at Medie after my maternal grandmother for the contributions she made towards my education. Elizabeth Naa Kordey Akoshia Quaye did not step foot in the classroom. Even though, she earnestly desired to attend school, the norms and values of the society and family she was born into did not permit her to achieve her heart desire but she assisted her educated husband to school their children. She did not end there but did whatever she could to assist her grand children too.
I am a beneficiary of her benevolence and her desire to see children and young people go to school. Many school pupils who were on break or recess went to the village market where the fried fish seller, ‘Kofi Nye’ as she was popularly called gave those who bought kenkey, fried fishes. Whenever, I visited Medie, my birth place the adults who knew her reminded me of her benevolence as they told me stories about the last time she gave them fishes for their kenkey.

Project background
In Medie, many mothers take their children to farms and markets in the scorching sun thus exposing the children to sicknesses. On the farms, the little children disturb their mothers thus reducing their productivity levels. Worried mothers who leave their children with relatives and friends at home are not sure the children would be taken very good care of. Thus, the Child Development Facility is supposed to solve these problems; it is a second home for these children; where they would socialize with other children and enjoy a quality learning experience.

With an in-depth understanding of the socio-economic and educational needs of Medie and the surrounding communities, the facility is charging the lowest fees of 2 USD per month per child. Some children, however, pay virtually nothing.
Beneficiaries of the facility take launch every day. They learn about their environment, Living together in peace; identification of numbers; identification of numerals; colours; shapes; duties of citizens, etc.
I have sponsored the staff of the facility to take various courses on Child Care and Development. My mother currently works with me as a volunteer and she is primarily in charge of the children welfare and general care.
The facility caters for over hundred and fifty (150) children presently. The policy here is to accept children from poor homes. Unfortunately, there is not enough space to accommodate the numerous children who are brought here daily.

Vision
The most preferred child development facility in Ghana.

Mission
To provide a suitable environment for child development; and to provide quality child care services to poor families.

Target
Children from the ages of 1 to 6years from relatively poor homes

Objectives
· To contribute to the realization of MDGs 2 and 4;
· To enhance women productivity; and,
· To use it as a national re-orientation project.

Funding
Presently, I am the main financier of the project, but, other sources of funding are the aforementioned 2 USD monthly fees some of the parents pay; and donations from Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG). TLG is a youth-led NGO in Ghana of which I am the communications Director. You could visit www.tomorrowleadersghana.org for more information on TLG.

My challenge
The number of beneficiaries has increased from 7 to 150 within a period of just one year; hence, I need to expand the facility for a projected number of 500 beneficiaries by 2015.
I need about 20,000 USD to build and improve the facility. Your assistance, however little is important to put smiles on the faces of my little children and the poor Medie community.

My VisionProject 2007 ( www.myvisionproject.org)

2008-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

I thank the Almighty God for making me a Finalist of MyVisionProject 2007. I'm preparing to win the FIRST PRIZE in the next edition. Of course, i'd present my Child development Project; a practical effort towards the attainment of MDGs 2 and 4. The programme challenged me to work on this project with all might. However, that is not the reason i am doing it. 'Myvisionproject or no myvisionproject'I would still contribute to the development of humanity, especially those in my community.

I call my vision project AFRICAN CULTURAL COTTAGE. It is a cultural and tourism mix. It is a pot of similar and diverse African cultures placed at the heart of the globe. My vision project is the most preferred destination for individuals and organizations who desire to explore the rich African cultures at one place.
I used it for Myvisionproject 2007 organized in Ghana, West Africa by Achievers Foundation and Data bank Foundation with the assistance of World Bank Institute and British Council. I was a finalist as it was considered the most innovative project. It is not enough to reach the finals of such a laudable competition, i earnestly desire to achieve my vision by 2015.

Interested investors who desire to know more about my project could contact me for details.

Raymond Ablorh's Profile

2008-10-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Born on 22nd March, 1980, Raymond Ablorh, is one of the most active youth advocates in Ghana.Presently, Ray is running the biggest Child Development Facility at Medie, his birth place, in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The project which started with about seven children in 2007, now has 300 beneficiaries.visit www.raymondablorh.blogspot.com for more information on the project.

Ray is also a Co-Founder of Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG), one of the most active youth-led Civil Society Organization in Ghana. He serves as the Communications Director of TLG. Visit www.tomorrowleadersghana.org for more information on Raymond's youth advocacy efforts.

he has shown efficient communication skills and youth development project and programme concepts development skills from as far back as when he was in secondary school.

He contributed thought-provoking features to the Daily Graphic (the most read daily in Ghana) and Junior Graphic ( the most read youth-related weekly in Ghana) when he was in high school and worked as a volunteer with the Junior Graphic immediately on completion.

In 2002, the Graphic Communications Groups Limited, the publisher of the aforementioned papers acknowledged his effort and rewarded him for being the best youth contributor to its newspapers.

Raymond entered the Ghana Institute of journalism (GIJ) in 2003 to pursue B.A in Communications Studies; Journalism Major.He served as the Students Representative Council (SRC) Vice President of the Institute in the 2005/06 Academic year; during which period he initiated the institute's Journalism Education Facility Improvement Exercise (JEFIE) and the Forum for Media Students Ghana (FMSG) of which, he was the Chairman in 2006.He also served as a General Assebly Member of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) in this period.

He commenced formal education in the Medie Presbyterian Primary School; continued at Swedru International School in the Central Region of Ghana and completed his basic education at the then Amasasm District Council Junior Secondary School in the then Ga District Assembly of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.He is a product of the Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School (PRESEC - LEGON).

Raymond is online!

2008-10-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hi ALL,

This is just to announce my presence at blogspot. I hope that in the coming days, you'll benefit a lot from my ideas, articles, projects and experiences. I hope to do same from you.
Just be in touch.
With Love,
Ray.