Youth That Inspire Me
In April 2016, I became aware of two cousins, very active in the Hope Ghana church, were walking some 6 kilometers to activities. They came a few times a week for services, choir practice and volunteer work in the computer lab/library.
Last year, when the boys dropped out of their local junior high, Hope Church enrolled the boys in a different school and furnished bicycles for each to ride the 10 kilometers to school and back. Their bikes broke down and now they were walking.
(Here with Justice’ father)
Hawa and I went to visit the boys in their large compound house where they live with their extended family.
I met with Justice’ mother and father, the many sibblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Richard lost his father and his mother now lives in another city. Justice’ step mother helps take care of Richard along with 9 other children.The adobe structures have a baobab tree growing in one of the compound yards. The dwelling huts and passages are a maze to follow.
The other boys of Justice and Richard’s age have all dropped out of school so it is imperative that Community Wings step in to support these two boys.
I inspected both boy’s bicycles and suspected that new cranks and perhaps a derailleur was needed. I took the boys to the junction where a bike “fitter” determined that indeed two cranks, a derailleur and brake pads were needed. Community Wings gave the boys funds to repair their bicycles so they could get to and from school easier. How rewarding to see their big smiles as they passed by, riding their bicycles home from Dapore Junior High. Both boys are new additions to the Ghana Scholarship Fund, for the 2016/2017 school year.
-Linda Atwater-