By Isaac Akohene-Asiedu | Executive Director
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.
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