Narrative report Lifeline Library project
De partner vertelt... van 19 april 2017
1. Introduction
The Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS) is a national faith-based Non-Profit development NGO that coordinates all the development and relief programmes of the national church of the Assemblies of God, Ghana. AGREDS currently runs over nine (9) projects across the country which are broadly categorized under three main programmes comprising Health, Education and Livelihood Empowerment. AGREDS works with communities in partnership with other like-minded agencies, to find sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, illiteracy, exploitation, and diseases.
The Lifeline program was designed and set up in 1998 in the city of Accra, specifically Agbogbloshie (a slum suburb of Accra) by AGREDS and with initial funding from Children at Risk, Netherlands. The project sought to address the social, economic and educational needs of children on the streets of Urban Accra with a view to mitigating the effects of poverty. Due to the global call and need to rescue children from Worst Forms of Child Labour, the programme changed its focus from streetism to combating the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The project employs the following methods to achieve its objectives;
- Provision of shelter and protection for the trainees in residence
- Provision of training in relevant employable skills
- Guidance and counseling in trauma and Social Matters.
- Career enterprise support and reintegration into society.
The lifeline team was privileged to receive a 29-member team from World Servants - Netherlands as part of AGREDS Ghana's development partnership with them. The team spent a total of three weeks in the centre. The project sought to undertake the following activities;
- Construction and Renovation: Library Project Construction and Painting of the Centre.
- Assist in the Early Childhood Development activities
- Organize games and other play activities with lifeline girls
- Assist in the shopping and Cooking Meals
This report is a short brief on the activities undertaken and to highlight the various successes achieved as a result of the activities implemented.
2 .Arrival and orientation
The World Servants team arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on July 25, 2016 with a 29-member team. They were received by the Acting Lifeline Project Coordinator. The team were composed of 17 females and 13 males.
The team's first point of call was the AGREDS Head Office where a short debriefing session was held. The Executive Director and the Ag. Project Coordinator took turns to brief volunteers on AGREDS Ghana and its partnership with World Servants Netherlands, a brief background on the Lifeline Project and the activities outlined for the programme. Other issues such as accommodation, feeding, health, and security were addressed. The lifeline team was also introduced to participants on their arrival at the Lifeline Centre where they were accommodated during the period.
The project participants were divided into various groups during the period. The groups mainly consisted of Construction, Painting, Early Childhood Development, Skills Training groups.
3. Construction work on Library and Painting
The Library Project is a one storey building that would serve as a reference and resource centre for school children within the community and its environs. In addition, the lifeline centre’s beneficiaries would also have the opportunity to polish their reading skills in the facility. The continuation of construction works on this project was the main focus area of the world servants’ team.
As part of preparations towards the arrival of the team, the following mechanisms were put in place
- The Identification and Set-up of a place to accommodate participants
- identification and appointment of a Dedicated Cook for the team
- Procurement of building and safety materials for the project
- Identification and appointment of a lead contractor for the project
The team was paired with professional artisans who gave guidance and worked hand-in-hand with them. The team was divided on daily basis between those who participated in the works on the library and those who repainted the facility. Other members of the team were assigned to other roles as and when necessary.
Some of activities embarked by the team, towards the completion of the project is categorized below;
- Installation of PVC Pipes and Electrical Cables
- Installation of Burglar Proof and Glass Windows on the first floor.
- Erection of footing around the main building
- Plastering of the building completed.
- Screeding works on both floors
- Installation of banisters for the staircases
Despite the work done, the following work still needs to be undertaken for the building to reach its usable stage;
- Installation of Burglar Proof and Glass Windows on the ground floor
- Installation of doors for the entire building
- Fixing of Ceiling for both the ground and first floors
- Laying of tiles in the building
- Fixing of sinks, closet etc
- Fixing of Electrical fittings
- Construction of sewage system
- Constriction of Shelves for the library
- Fittings for the conference room
- Painting of the building
With respect to the re-painting exercise, portions of the facility's walls especially the front walls, the Warehouse, Early Child Development Centre, and the main apartment by the gate were all painted.
The team expressed their satisfaction with the work and the family atmosphere created by the lifeline team and the girls.
4. Early Childhood Development activities
The team also embarked on some work with the Early Child Development Centre. They mainly engaged in play activities with the children such as Drawing, Coloring, teaching new songs, and bible story telling.
5. Mearl preparation for trainees
Purchasing of food items and cooking of meals forms part of the training program of Lifeline. On daily basis, two to three members of the volunteers were taken to the market under the guidance of the resident caterer. This activity enabled participants to get a firsthand experience of the average Ghanaian market and to appreciate the challenges faced by people in the markets on a daily basis.
6. Working visits, sightseeing and entertainment
The team embarked on several sightseeing and working visits during the period. The team and some staff on the 30th July 2016 visited Fort Good Hope built by the Dutch government during the slavery era at Senya Breku. The team was briefed on the history of slavery and how the fort was used. The group then continued to Krokrobite beach at Dansoman to relax and swim. On the 6th August 2016, the group visited the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Aburi Botanical gardens to learn.
In Addition, the team visited some schools around the community namely, the Ayalolo cluster of schools and the Richard Acquah Memorial School. 19 members of the team also visited the Princess Maire Louis children for a familiarization visit.
During the team stay in Ghana they fellowshipped with the Latter Rain Assemblies of God church-resident church at Lifeline on the first Sunday of their stay. The team and the girls attended a second service at the Light house Assemblies of God church at Korle Gonno.
7. Accommodation of volunteers
The team was accommodated at the Lifeline program centre in Agbogbloshie-Accra. The men and ladies were put into separate rooms with its own bath house.
8. Food and water
A qualified caterer was contracted by the AGREDS-Lifeline to prepare the meals for the volunteers during their stay. The team were treated to both European and local dishes and had filtered water and bottled ones. AGREDS-Lifeline provided drinking water for the team.
Every member of the group took turns in shopping with the caterer, assist in cooking and washing the dishes. The group took turns in filtering water for drinking alongside what AGREDS provided. The group was fed delicious meals and had enough clean water to drink
9. Transportation
A bus was hired to argument the program pick up vehicle to assist in transporting the team during their stay and working at the centre. A feedback from the team indicated that though the transport was good there was the need for the bus to be prompt in arriving at the centre when needed.
10. Health, security and laundry
The health situation of the team was a good one and the organization did not record any serious ailment. The volunteers experienced only minor health challenges which were readily handled by team members themselves.
Again, the team was provided with a twenty-four hour security during their stay at the program site. Additional security arrangement was made in conjunction with the Ghana Police service where they visited the centre at random to see to the security needs of the facility. Volunteers attested to the fact that they felt safe throughout their stay in the facility.
Ten of the lifeline trainees were also assigned to do the laundry for the group. The girls were however assisted frequently by the volunteers throughout the entire duration of their stay.
11. Conclusion
The World Servant Netherlands special group choice of Ghana and AGREDS-Lifeline as its alternative country and organization has been a blessing. The group has been able to bring the unfinished library at the center to an appreciable level. The structure in question will serve as a research center for the Lifeline girls, children and the community wh
