Help4Baobab: "Baobab Children Foundation" in the Central Region of Ghana

The NOG is founded in 2001

The Baobab-Student Albert Owusu
painted the Baobabtree. (2012)

„Baobab Children Foundation" is an NGO founded in 2001, which has established a training centre with an integrated school in 2005, in order to strengthen the rights of children. 20-30 Ghanaian and Edith de Vos are operating the institution.

As a partner of the German „Friends of Waldorf Education" and as a result of the German “Weltwärts” program, "Baobab Children Foundation" welcomes four volunteers a year.

Ghana

The farmer is siting in front of his cottage
in the village Anweem. (Photo 2012)

During the first decades of the 20th century, Ghana has been able to turn their profit from cultivating cocoa and gold mining into a, in Africa unique, development of their infrastructure (streets, harbours, hospitals and schools). At times Ghana even used to be the worlds strongest exporter of cocoa. In 1957 the country was the first nation all over black Africa, gaining independence. The first president was Nkruma. 1967, just ten years later Ghana experienced its first revolt. The following period was marked by constant changes between a civil and a military government, as well as financial mismanagement and corruption. Thus the successful times for the Ghanaian economy came to an end. A period of famine during the 1980’s finally demanded searching for help in the Western world and following the associated requirements set by the IWF. In 1993 the country obtained a democratic constitution.

Despite a dept relief and a temporary rise of export figures,

You do everything outside. (Photo: Felix 2014)

the misery of many children remained a dramatic challenge. Children living in the streets, neglected teenagers, who were often not even sent to school or had to leave school, because they couldn’t pay school fees.

Former farm workers and housekeepers, mothers in their teens and illiterate youngsters prompted a group of people to do something against it and therefore found the „Baobab Children Foundation“.

That's Lizbeth, a wonderful student of Baobab. (2012)

The youngsters attending „Baobab Children Foundation“ often suffer from aggression and a deeply torn self-esteem. Therefore it is the main aim of the initiative, to point out a path to the future, which is not lacking perspective, to the children and teenagers. Thus it is of utmost importance to support the young people with their search for a profession.

Currently 70 students aged 12 to 20 attend Baobab School, studying arithmetic and learning how to read and write. In order to teach practical skills to their students, the initiative offers a variety of courses, including carpentry, cycle repairing, weaving, sewing, batik making, stitching, woodcarving, basket making, beads making, traditional drumming, dancing, and organic agriculture …

Baobab is admitting more students with a handicap or an illness. (2014)

The aim of the teenagers is to obtain a terminated apprenticeship with a public assessment, after four years of training and a practical year. Furthermore, the fostering of their traditional culture is supposed to give them confidence and strengthen their self-esteem through getting in touch with their roots. The school is funded by donations.
If you want to sponsor one child or the school, that would be nice.

Please send us an e-mail:

patenschaften@baobab-children.de

In the last years it is a little bit more possible for Baobab to profit from several products of their own. But for the next 3 - 5 years we need your help.