Ama makes her home with her father and her mother. Carrying water, washing clothes and helping in the kitchen are her household duties. Her father is not employed and her mother is sometimes employed. There are 4 children in the family.
As part of Compassion's ministry, Ama participates in church activities and Bible class. She is also in middle school where her performance is average. Jumping rope, listening to music and running are her favorite activities.
Because of your sponsorship, Ama will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thank you for your concern and prayers.
Ama lives on the plains of North Gbawe, home to approximately 29,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of cement floors, wood walls and corrugated iron roofs. The primary ethnic groups are Ga, Akans and Ewes and the most commonly spoken languages are Ga, Twi and Ewe.
The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, chicken, fish, bread, cassava, beef, plantains, rice and goat. A common health problem in this area is malaria. Most adults in North Gbawe work as market traders or farmers and earn the equivalent of $32 per month. This community needs schools, qualified teachers, improved housing, employment opportunities and vocational training.
Your sponsorship allows the staff of The Sanctuary Child Development Center to provide Ama with Bible teaching, health screening, hygiene education, vaccinations, recreational activities and tuition. The center staff will also provide meetings for the parents or guardians of Ama.
The Republic of Ghana is a coastal country in western Africa with a tropical climate. This small country is hot and humid as it borders the Gulf of Guinea. Once called the Gold Coast, Ghana is rich in natural resources including gold, diamonds and rubber. Even though the country is wealthy in resources, about 45 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty, making less than U.S.$1 a day.
Most of Ghana's more than 23 million people live in cities. About 98 percent of the population is African, split among six major tribes. But Ghana is flooded with refugees from its neighbors - war-torn Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo. Nearly 69 percent of the population is Christian, 16 percent is Muslim, and 8 percent follow indigenous beliefs. English is the official language, but some people speak native African languages such as Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe and Ga. Compassion works primarily in the coastal region in southern Ghana.
Though Ghana was the first British colonial country in Africa to gain its independence, it has been plagued by political violence since it was established in 1957. Between 1957 and 1979, Ghana experienced a series of bloody and bloodless coups. Finally in 1992, a new constitution establishing a multiparty government was adopted and remains in place today. John Kufuor was elected Ghana's president in 2000, and began serving his second term in 2004.
Map of Ghana
Child's Location: West of Accra
