Send 400 children at risk to trafficking to school

During this quarter all the seven communities were entered and and the schools in these communities identified. The communities are Degorme, Aveyime, Vome, Volo, Dadome, Adudornu and Adidokpoe. 68 children were profiled to be enrolled in schools in their communities. The ages of these children ranges from six years to 18 years. Most of the children profiled need school uniforms, school supplies and school levies to be enrolled in the schools. Another major need across the communities was footwear for school. The health needs of these children was also manifest as many of them had sores on different parts of their bodies.

The profiles also revealed that most of the children are working children in sand winning, oyster shell mining, fishing, charcoal burning, basket weaving and cattle herding. These work forms carry major risks to these children. They work for about four to five hours a day.

Many like Simon from Aveyime from complained of various body pains, when asked if there is any health needs stated he has headaches, and which may be from the excessive work on the farm. According to him, he was also a cowboy from age seven for six years.

Meet Eric, 16 years old boy from Adidokpoe community who lives with his grandmother. He dropped out of school when he was in class 2, because he was sent to Afram Plains to help his brother with fishing on the Volta Lake. He came back in 2009 to continue school. He does not come to school regularly due to frequent sickness. During profiling he informed the team member profiling him, he needed medical care for stomach pains. On weekends and during the holidays, Eric works in Oster shell mining to earn money to put himself through school.  As a result of the Oster winning, Eric suffers from cuts of the shell of the Oster on his legs and hands. The most interesting
and heartwarming thing was Eric informed the officer his competency is learning and he want to be a doctor when he grows up. The question is, will he be able to complete his education to reach this level in life? The answer is certainly no. He therefore needs our support to keep him in school.