By Doris Darkwah | ABAN Programs Coordinator
Dear Friends,
It was 11 a.m. We were to begin the graduation ceremony in two hours and yet the rain clouds were threatening our outdoor venue, decorations were still going up and some of our ladies were getting nervous about their speaking parts. As each issue surfaced, I found myself addressing God like a buddy. With all my appeals, I must have really been a nuisance that morning!
But I kid you not. As guests began to arrive, the clouds pulled back for sun to stream through and the last Birds of Paradise centerpieces were put in place. Tables and chairs filled with the girls' families and friends here to celebrate them and out came the delicious rice balls and groundnut soup from Hephzibah's kitchen. Now I was getting excited!
Our keynote speaker for the afternoon, co-founder and director of Youth Movement for African Unity, Razak Yakubu, described the graduates' transformation and spoke passionately about each woman’s potential to strengthen their own communities, to influence the future of Ghana. ABAN Alumni, Rose, recited the poem “The Road To Happiness,” Denicia recalled each senior's unique quirks and Gifty had the crowd laughing with her bean analogy, defining how to be present and grateful for where you are. But the fun wasn’t over yet! Next, ABAN juniors took the stage performing a choreographed song to “He Paid the Debt'' and acting out their story from the streets to ABAN. Diplomas were shared. Pictures snapped. Dancing accomplished. And more smiles than you can count were shared that day.
At some point that afternoon, I found myself standing up on some steps watching our graduates laugh their hearts out, holding their diplomas and proving, once again, that each one of us is capable of much more than we can imagine. This year has most certainly been filled with the Lord's abundant grace!
Thank you for your continued support of ABAN! Know that even if you were not there to help us celebrate, you were with us in spirit! We cannot begin to tell you how much your time, encouragement and donations mean for our programs and for the development of the ABAN girls in the program!
By Lindsay Sebastian | Public Relations and Social Media
By Lindsay Sebastian | ABAN Team Member
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