PROJECT NEWS

GIVING HOPE TO STREET CHILDREN ACCRA, GHANA Imagine you’re at a stoplight in downtown Accra, the capital city of Ghana. You see scores of street children, seemingly everywhere. Several come up to your window to beg for money or food. Some offer to shine shoes, or try to sell you food, newspapers or electronic gadgets. Others just amble around, doing nothing. Their faces show strain and sadness, their clothes are rugged and dirty and some appear hungry or ill. Experts believe there are about 10,000 street children in Accra. Surprisingly, the majority of them actually live with their parents, but do not go to school. Tragically, their parents cannot afford the school fees. So they spend their days on the streets, where they’re often abused and traumatised. Because a nation’s development depends on the character and abilities of its youth, Ghana’s potential will be limited by the impact of potential future leaders who have no education, few skills and little discipline. Indeed, youth are the pillars of a country’s future. In response to this looming crisis, African Enterprise in Ghana spearheaded a practical, three-year skills training program for street children. It began in 1995, and enables kids to acquire life skills and earn an honest income so that they can provide for themselves and their families. They learn trades such as dress-making, hairdressing, refrigerator and air conditioner repair, auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, aluminium door and window construction, video filmmaking and photography. AE evangelists have many opportunities to introduce the kids to Jesus Christ, with many of them coming to faith. African Enterprise provides the tools and equipment required for the training, such as sewing machines, hair dryers, toolboxes and so on. When the street children complete their course, they are allowed to keep the tools and equipment that are vital to their work. So far, 350 street children have graduated and another 100 will do so by December 2010. Early graduates of the program have established small businesses and are going to school in the evening. African Enterprise is excited to witness the way in which the street children project powerfully impacts the lives of children by enabling them to become financially independent and even provide for their families.