empower 30 physically challenged through sports

The last quarter of the year was very successful. In October, the second Disability Empowerment Conference took place at the Alberta's Palace Beach Resort. In attendance were over 70 persons with disability including the physically challenged, hearing impairs, visually impairs and those with special needs. The theme of the conference was TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT. The conference took two days and the participants were educated on the current Ghana Disability Act, CPR, Healthy eating etc. The second day was reserve for fun games and it was exciting to see persons of various different disabilities compete in checkers, table tennis and other games, including a dance off. At the close of the conference a committee was set up which is to act as an advocacy group. The theme for next year was also chosen which is PWD- Our Rights Our Voice! The conference is jointly organized by Hoops Care International and Janaston Management of the USA.

In November, the MP of Cape Coast North, Hon. Barton Oduro, donated 15 wheelchairs to PWD in Cape Coast. Eight of the chairs were reserve for the wheelchair basketball program run by Hoops Care International. The event which took place at the Roman Park in Abura, Cape Coast, saw in attendance over 200 PWD. At the occasion, the MP who is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament stated that he would personally champion the fight for the enactment of the Ghana Disability Act which is to take full effect in 2016. He took the occasion to advice all building contractors to include disability friendly access in their building designs and call on the building inspectors to reject any public building that is not disability friendly.

The wheels4hope team, champion by Hoops Care International, played a friendly with their counterpart from the Western Region. In attendance were the MP of Cape Coast North and the Metropolis Chief Executive. The match was the climax of the wheelchair donation by the MP earlier in the day. The game was played at the Hoops Care basketball court at the Victoria Park in Cape Coast. The game was a huge one sided affair as our team showed great improvement as they easily handle their opponent winning 33-2 to the excitement of the crowd in attendance.

In December, members of the wheelchair basketball were taken on a trip to Accra to watch the local Black Stars take on the Mali National team. This is in regards to the opportunity which has come their way, which is, some members will have an all expense paid trip to watch the Black Stars in this year world cup in Brazil. How excited we are of another opportunity. 2014 is going to be a great year for our program. We ask that you continue to support us in prayers as well as financial means.