Support Women Entrepreneurial Empowerment in Ghana

Sun Shade Foundation (SSF) earlier this year donated clothes and shoes valued at approximately GH¢6,200.00 ($3,100.00) to the Physically Challenged Action Foundation (PCAF) at Offinso in the Ashanti Region, through its Social Inclusion and clothing assistance projects. The PCAF was formed by an individual, Mr. Barima Antwi Boasiako after he became physically challenged when he lost his right hand during an accident in 1977. The Foundation currently houses about 150 children and few adults. It has also trained about 200 of the inmates in skills such as leather works and sewing. Most of them are now independently engaged in economic activity with many of them gradually becoming bread winners for their families. The Foundation also provides medical care, physical therapy orthopedic surgery as well as rehabilitation services for its beneficiaries. Their target is to build their own school to cater for some of their inmates especially children who are not being accepted in the formal school system because of their special needs.

Mr Gideon Apeni Cudjoe, Operations manager of Sun Shade Foundation (SSF) (www.mysunshade.org) –the leader of the delegation encouraged inmates to develop self confidence, engender self believe and overcome low self esteem. He added that they should not look down upon themselves regarding their predicament but rather look up to God and their predecessors who are now bread winners for their family and are living independently. He also spoke about the Partnership between the two Foundations and assured them that the relationship between SSF and their Foundation would last forever because of their common goal.

Mr. Sylvester Barima Antwi, the Director and the Founder of the Physically Challenged Action Foundation (PCAF) at Offinso in the Ashanti Region, on his part expressed his gratitude to Sun Shade Foundation for the kind gesture and assurance from SSF in building a cordial and lasting relationship with his Foundation -PCAF. He appealed to Sun Shade Foundation to provide trainees/graduates from the centre with financial support to start up and grow their own businesses.

Mr. Cudjoe of the Sun Shade Foundation later called on other Organizations to join hands with his outfit to provide training, social and financial support services aimed at helping the poor including the physically challenged to live in dignity and help transform their lives, so that they can in return, help others. He used the occasion to thank and acknowledge the Peter’s family (Mr. Ralph "Pete" Peters) of the ‘Adventurers for special needs Foundation’ in the United States of America for donating to support the trading activities of two families with physically challenged children and prayed for other individual/organizations to emulate. He again spoke of expecting an improved partnership with other organizations including the ‘Adventurers for special needs Foundation in 2014 and beyond.

Again, as of December 31, 2013, the Sun Shade Foundation through the support of its partners had committed approximately GH¢494,700.00 in  micro-lending projects and 3 second-hand clothing 15kg bales worth over GH¢7,000.00 in over 15 rural, urban and peri-urban satellite communities including: Moshie Zongo, Dichemso, Ash-Town, Asawase, Suame, Tafo, Kejetia, Dr. Mensah-Bolaho, Abrepo Junction, Bremang, Antoa-Kenyase, Dote,  Krofrom, Kronum, and Buokrom – all in Ashanti Region. As of December 31, 2013, the Organization has supported over 1,422 micro-entrepreneurs and their families. It is estimated that each person with whom the Organization assisted also supports a family of five, which means the support is indirectly contributing to the prosperity of 7,110 individuals. Micro-entrepreneurs supported by the Organization, are utilizing the loans for home-based businesses such as cabbage/lettuce farming, shoe making, tailoring, and selling handicrafts, homemade foods, bakery-made foods, clothing and footwear. With funding support, the Organization hopes to continue expansion of its projects in several areas of the Ashanti in 2014 and beyond.

Links:

• Organization's Website

Message from the Chairperson of the Executive Council

[Dr. Mrs. Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu (PhD.)]

The Executive Council (Board of Directors) and Management of the Sun Shade Foundation (SSF) wish you all a peaceful Christmas Season and a prosperous new year. As we gather with friends and family to show our love and appreciation, we are reminded to extend compassion and generosity to those who are less fortunate.

The year 2013 has been an eventful one together with some accomplishments and challenges. I salute each of you for your passionate commitment to what we have believed all along – providing compassionate business advisory, financial and social support services that includes a range of support services for our carefully screened clients (to include only the poor) through multiple local programs in strategic peri-urban, rural and urban areas of Ashanti region in particular.

Together with our partners, we are making a big difference. The Executive Council (Board) is glad to work with a group of individuals who do not only bring a deep perceptive of our vision, but also possess diverse and in-depth experiences that allow the foundation to consider issues of broader concern.

Reaching the poor and vulnerable has always been a major challenge. Critical to this achievement is knowing where and how to intervene. Our financial resources, while significant, represent a very small fraction of the overall funding needed to improve the lives of people living in extreme poverty. This is one of the many reasons why partnerships with other organizations are very necessary. This year, we were able to raise funds on Global Giving –one of the highly respected platforms. Our project titled: “Social & financial Solutions to women in Ghana” is live. I encourage individuals and other organizations to donate towards our course.

2014 promises to be a remarkable year of progress that builds upon the hard work and success of this year’s efforts. Thank you all our stakeholders for your continued support and trust.

By: Dr. Mrs. Dufie Wireko-Manu (PhD.)

Chairperson to the Executive Council.

(Sun Shade Foundation).

 Message from the Executive Director.

(Isaac Kwasi Akohene-Asiedu)

2013 marked a significant milestone for Sun Shade Foundation (SSF). The end of a year is a good time to look back, reflecting on achievements, and to look forward, to see what we still need to accomplish. SSF has remained true to its vision of assisting the very poor especially women by supporting them with micro loans, business advisory, clothing assistance and motivational seminars so as to help them elevate themselves and their families out of adverse conditions.

The success we achieved in collaboration with other stakeholders stems from our fundamental dedication, responsiveness and our flexibility to give financial support of GH¢300.00 ($150.00) to each woman in groups of three without further request of material or monetary collateral with weekly repayments.

I am particularly proud of how much progress we have made in service to these poor especially women, who have shown their readiness to work, pay back their loans and add to the productivity of the country. We were able to provide this level of service by working closely together with our supporters.

I thank you, our generous and committed donors, Executive Council (Board) members, Management team, Client ambassadors and volunteers for your dedication and support. With your involvement, we can continue to help thousands of people economically while ensuring that those who live in poverty, particularly vulnerable women and children, are served in body, mind and spirit.

Sun Shade Foundation wishes you a Merry Christmas and a productive New Year.

 By: Mr. Isaac Kwasi Akohene-Asiedu

(Executive Director)

(Sun Shade Foundation).

Links:

• Organization's website