Provide Education to Prevent Child Labor in Ghana

Challenging Heights wants to say a big thank you to everyone who donated to its programs. Over the last period, your generosity has supported 35 former child slaves to return to school or commence learning for the very first time. Since we launched on Global Giving’s website in September 2010, the money donated has supported a total of 205 children into primary school.

With your generous support, we have been able to assist some of the most vulnerable children in the world out of enslavement by returning them to the classroom. As many families are unable to afford to send their children to school, children are vulnerable to trafficking networks where they are exploited, abused and starved of an education... and a childhood.

 These children are now on the road to recovery. The trauma and pain sustained and exploitation endured from the worst forms of child labour has ceased and the children are now free to be happy, confident children who love going to school and playing with their friends.

Your contribution has paid for tuition, school uniforms, sports materials and any other equipment that will assist with the children's education and school performance.

Unfortunately there is still a great need with thousands of children still enslaved in Ghana. With your continued support, Challenging Heights will be able to expand our programs and help more desperate children. Please continue to support Challenging Height’s efforts to transform the lives of vulnerable and at-risk young people in Ghana.

 Thank you very much for your generosity and ongoing support.

Challenging Heights Team.

Challenging Heights is celebrating our successes in 2010, having supported a record 1,195 children who are survivors of trafficking, slavery and the worst forms of child labour or are vulnerable to child labour and trafficking.  We were able to highlight this achievement recently at our annual review conference.

Some of our achievements during the year were:

- Rescuing 15 children from slavery in fishing, and helping with the reintegration of 10 others.

- Helping achieve the first successful prosecution under Ghana's Human Trafficking Act (2005).

- Growing enrolment in Challenging Heights School to 435.

- Growing our Evening School enrolment to 100.

- Educating 500 girls and young women on child labour and trafficking, reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDs.

- Providing literacy and vocational education to 110 young adults.

- Reaching approximately 10,000 people through community awareness campaigns on child labour and trafficking.

Our programs have lead to a dramatic increase in awareness of the criminal nature of child trafficking.  We can see the difference we're making in the increase in the number of cases reported to Challenging Heights and the police by members of the community.

Despite the great gains we've made, we continue to focus on our goal of ending the worst forms of child labour.  We believe this is achievable, so while we can congratulate ourselves on the hard work we have done in a very successful year, we are also focused on continuing to grow and help more children in 2011.  In 2011, we hope to increase our programs and reach a target of 1,350 children in need.

• 2010_annual_report.pdf (PDF)