I just returned from spending over 2 weeks with my children at the Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage in Kpando, Ghana. I was reunited with the beautiful children that only 8 months ago had changed my life forever. The welcome for “Uncle Steve” was truly overwhelming. It felt like I had never left. Two and a half weeks is hardly enough time in Ghana, but I treasured every minute of it and accomplished months worth of work. I brought 2 suitcases filled with shoes, clothes, fungal creams, vitamins, books, pens, crayons, activity books and sweets, and it still seemed hardly enough in a village plagued by need. I made sure the children had book bags and notebooks for school, and I met the headmasters and teachers at two of the schools attended by the children (Delta Preparatory School and Miracle Preparatory School) to be sure that I remain involved in the education of these children through the year.
On one very special evening I had a formal presentation of the bracelets I had created for the orphans. You could hear a pin drop as I explained to the children and the caretakers the message and concept of the bracelet. During this ceremony children of varying ages explained to me how they defined each of the concepts written on the bracelet … faith, hope and love. It was a moment I will never forget, and with that bracelet a new identity for them was borne … their own bracelet, the name of their own home, with a message to live by … the message i had learned from them and the message i wanted to give back to them. They treasured these bracelets and hundreds were given out as the children shared them with friends, teachers and distant relatives. Very soon I saw people I had never met before in the hospital, in church and in town wearing this bracelet.
As for my mission to build a library, study and computer lab, your generosity allowed me to forge ahead with my vision for “The Learning Centre.” Your dollars were used immediately on materials and the workmanship of a mason, an electrician, a welder and 2 carpenters. Luckily the painters came cheap!
The orphanage provided me with an old office building with a large porch to work with. Kafui, the mason, in only 2 days tore down the wall between the office and the porch and reframed the entire space to provide one large building.
Ken, the electrician, replaced the one socket in the office space with 5 double sockets, a circuit breaker, 2 new fans providing ventilation that felt like air conditioning, and 2 bright lights so that the room is presently the best lit room in ghana.
Gershon, the welder, created burglar-proof coverings over the front and back windows so that complete security is in place (seen behind the new door).
Sylvanus, the carpenter, created the tables and bookshelves that will line each wall. The final placement of the bookshelves and tables is being completed as I write this post.
And my favorite part of the team, my painters, sanded and then painted the entire interior. Though I expected this labor to be very cheap I won’t be surprised if I get a huge bill in the mail.
The carpenter should complete his work very soon, and so I’m hoping within days a study should be in place for the older children to read and learn and the existing books, though scarce, can be brought into the library. I can’t wait to return to Kpando after Christmas to continue the work that has begun over the last couple of weeks. I foresee a library filled with hundreds if not thousands of books one day … one book at a time. I see a quiet place of study for all to do their homework and learn. And the children at Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage will have a computer lab after Christmas because you have shared my vision of their future.
In a previous note to many of you I had written “your contribution today will help change the way these children learn forever … I believe it will change their lives in unimaginable ways.” I believe those words with all my heart. I thank you again for sharing my dream with me. On behalf of 28 orphans in a small village in Ghana I say thank you again.
With much love,
Steve
Steve, my name is Kendra and I was in Ghana last summer for almost 5 weeks. I am SOO jealous of the amount of time you have spent there and that you have gotten to return! I graduate from BYU in December and want to badly to be able to return this next summer but am not sure how I can fund such a trip. I am LOVING hearing about all your adventures and I can not believe how big all the kids are getting. I miss them and Kpando more than I have ever missed anything in my life. Let me know what I can do to help!
Hey Kendra, it is great to hear from you. I can really relate to your yearning to get back to Kpando. There is something so beautiful there in Ghana, something difficult to describe to those who have never been there, but that something that calls you back. The children seemed more grown up to me even between my first visit in January and my second visit a couple of months ago. What is amazing is that they still feel our love everyday, so even though you cannot return at this time I promise you that they remember you. Thanks for your donation ... the bracelets will be coming! Please spread the word about Hope For Ghana's mission at Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage. Encourage your friends to visit the site and donate in any way they can. Thanks Sister Kendra!
I do like your ideas. You are doing good.