The Livelihood Project

Procedure:

9:00 AM - DEPARTURE: Departure of AFAWI Interns from office in Adenta to GA East Municipal Building 

10:00 AM - ARRIVAL: Team arrival at GA East Municipal Building

10:00 AM - 10:05 AM: Set-up projector and presentation and waited for the arrival of the women

10:05 AM - 10:15 AM: Greeted and registered women and passed out questionnaires and handouts

10:15 AM - 10:20 AM: Brief message to the women from Philip about loans and repayments

10:20 AM - 10:40 AM: Kayla and Jennifer went through questionnaire with the women

10:40 AM - 11:30 AM: Presentation on WASH and COVID-19 BEGAN

Kayla began the presentation starting with WASH. The presentation began with the women explaining what they knew about WASH and continued with further information regarding water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as information on certain water-borne illnesses or illnesses caused from bacteria. The presentation then proceeded with information on COVID-19 and handwashing. The women already had a good knowledge of COVID-19 and protocols, so it served as more of a review. The presentation ended with a brief message about the emerging Marburg Virus. 

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM: COMPLETION OF TNT FORMS AND LUNCH

Kayla and Becky administered the TNT funds to the women and lunch was served by Naa to all of the women involved.

12:00 PM: DEPARTURE OF AFAWI TEAM TO ADENTA OFFICE

Summary

The fourth Livelihood Training Session on WASH and COVID-19 was a successful and educational session. All of the women who were invited to the training were in attendance, along with several of the women from other groups. The women were not initially aware of what WASH stood for, but after group discussion the words of the acronym were guessed by several of the women. They all had an understanding of the concept and were knowledgeable on different illnesses that can result from unclean drinking water and bacteria. The women were also knowledgeable on ways to prevent these and stay healthy, i.e. handwashing and drinking lots of fluids. The question was raised about what to do if they do not enjoy drinking water, and they were informed of the benefits and necessity of drinking water. 

The women were all aware of COVID-19 and protocols and methods to prevent it. Most of the women in the group were vaccinated against COVID-19 as well. We discussed handwashing and the importance of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and multiple times a day. The question was raised about needing to preserve water, that 20 seconds may be too long and wasteful of water, but it was suggested to turn the tap off while scrubbing hands and then to resume with the water to quickly rinse. At the end we briefly discussed the Marburg Virus to make sure the women were aware of the two cases in Ghana, and we instructed them to visit a hospital if they begin to feel any symptoms and to be on the side of caution. 

Links:

• More information on this project here

Title of Event: Training on Gender roles and responsiveness and Family Planning 

Objective: To make sure the women understand what gender stereotypes are and how to be empowered. Additionally, for them to understand how family planning works and the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of contraceptive.

Venue: Sesame Church – The World of Liberty Ministry  

Procedure:

9:00 AM – DEPARTURE: Departure of AFAWI Interns Adenta, Ghana to Sesame Church – The World of Liberty Ministry  

09.45– TEAM ARRIVAL AT SESAME CHURCH – THE WORLD OF LIBERTY MINISTRY 

10:00-10:30AM – REGISTRATION START WITH SIOBHAN, HANNAH, KAYLA, AND HALA 

10:30AM-10:05AM: Kayla begins with an opening prayer. 

10:05-11:00AM HANNAH GOES THROUGH THE PRE AND POST QUESTIONNAIRES 

11:00-12:00 PM GENDER ROLES AND ROSPONSIVENESS PRESENTATION BEGIN – Hannah starts the presentation and went through stereotypical gender roles and how they are constructed by society. Kayla takes over halfway through and goes through some case study examples and women’s empowerment. Most of the women had a good understanding of what stereotypical gender roles are and had their own thoughts and opinions about them. When Kayla went through the case studies, many of the women were willing to contribute their thoughts about the scenarios given.  Throughout the presentation Jennifer translated.

12:00 PM – 13:00 PM – SIOBAN AND HALA BEGIN PRESENTATION ON FAMILY PLANNING

Siobhan and Hala both presented the family planning presentation intermittently. Throughout this presentation a lot of discussion was had over the different types of contraception. Also, a lot of discussion was had over different sexual experiences and partners. The majority of women in this group had the implant so they spoke about whether they had suffered any side effects from it or not. Throughout the presentation Jennifer translated.

13:15 AM – 13:20 PM– CLOSING: One of the women closed the session with a closing prayer. 

13:20 AM – 13:30 PM – COMPLETION ON TNT FORMS AND LUNCH: Hala and Jennifer completed the TNT information for the participants. Naa provided lunch to all women and AFAWI team. Then we said goodbye. 

14:15 PM – DEPARTURE OF AFAWI TEAM TO ADENTA OFFICE, GHANA

Summary

The third Livelihood training session on Gender Roles and Responsiveness and Family Planning was relatively successful. The reason for this is that the training itself was informative and well-presented, however only eleven out of the twenty women attended and there was a power cut ten minutes into the first presentation. Despite these setbacks, the delivery of information was clear and well understood, and all the women were very attentive and inquisitive. Throughout both presentations, there was a chance for the women to engage by participating in activities and discussions surrounding the topics of the training. The majority of women contributed their thoughts and opinions. The topic which sparked the most debate was the different types of contraception methods; it was nice to see how open the women were when discussing what type of contraception they have used or were using and which methods they would not like to try, e.g female condoms. The women were also provided with information regarding STI’s including how they are transmitted and where to get tested. 

From the responses and engagement the women gave towards the end of the gender roles presentation, it clearly showed that they had a good understanding of what gender stereotypes are and how women can be empowered. Additionally, after much discussion surrounding the different contraception methods it seemed like the whole group were now aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. 

Links:

• More information on this project here

Venue: Abokobi, Ga East Volta Region, Ghana

I. Procedure

- 9:00 AM – DEPARTURE: Departure of AFAWI Interns from Adenta, Ghana to Abokobi, Ga East, Ghana by uber.

-  09.30 AM: TEAM ARRIVAL AT ABOKOBI WOMEN’S CENTRE

- 09:30 AM – 09.45AM: TEAM SET UP

-09:45-11:00 – REGISTRATION: Siobhan, Hannah, Kayla and Hala began registration of the women, Hala took pictures of each of the women to add to their profiles. All women were given the questionnaire on arrival and hand out sheet. Any questions which had been unanswered in the previous session were followed up. Interns Perrine and Amy arrived with Marlene following the cancellation of one of the venues. Naa told all participants to come to Abokobi Womens centre. These women were then grouped into their 10 and sent to the different locations for the training.

11:00-11:10: INTRODUCTION AND OPENING PRAYER:The meeting started with a welcome by Jennifer explaining our plans for the training .Then Jennifer asked one of the women to conduct an opening prayer.

- 11:10 AM – 11:30 AM – ADMINISTRATION TASKS: The projector was set up by Siobhan, Hannah and Kayla. Water was provided to the participants, any additional women at the wrong location were organised and set to the correct groups.  

- 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM– POST FINANCIAL LITERACY QUESTIONNAIRE AND PRE-QUESTIONNAIRE: Siobhan read out the post financial literacy questionnaire and pre malaria, HIV/AIDs questionnaire. Jennifer translated this for the women while the other interns helped the women answer any questions.

-  11:50 AM – 12:00 AM– BALANCE SHEET EXERCISE: Kayla went over the exercise from the Financial Literacy Training Session, in this she looked at balance sheets and checked that the homework had been completed.

-12:00 PM – 12:20 PM – MALARIA TRAINING: Siobhan presented the presentation on Malaria with Jennifer translating the information

-12:20 PM -12:45 PM – HIV/AIDs TRAINING: Hannah presented the presentation on HIV and AIDs with Jennifer translating the information

-12:45 PM -12:50 PM CLOSING PRAYER: Jennifer thanked the women for coming to the training and asked for a closing prayer. One of the women offer a closing prayer and the women sang together.

-12:50 PM – 12:55 PM: PARTICIPANT DEPARTURE: Siobhan and Jennifer completed the TNT form and provided monies to participants along with lunch.

-12:50 PM – 13:20 PM: LUNCH: AFAWI interns and staff ate lunch

-13:20 PM - DEPARTURE OF AFAWI TEAM TO ADENTA OFFICE, GHANA

Summary

The conduct of the second training for the Livelihood Project can be seen as a successful training day. Of the 20 anticipated women, only 11 were present at the second training. Whilst this is disappointing the content of the session was seen as successful and highlighted a positive response from the previous training and learnt skills displayed. The session included and initial prayer led by Jennifer and a small reflection on the previous financial literacy. Here it was evident the participants had reflected on the Financial Literacy session and had used the Balance Sheets within their own businesses. The training session started quiet busy, however, once the presentations began the women were very engaged, answering questions and showing interest. The consensus from the training was that most of the women were aware of Malaria and HIV/AIDs but were not as aware of all the precautions to take to help prevent infections.

Links:

• Check our website for more information on our work

Title of Event: First Financial Literacy Training Abokobi

Objective: To offer the first training in Financial Literacy to the 40 participants in the Livelihood Project  

Team: Philip Kwesi Agyei, Jennifer Gasu (Programmes Manager), Marlene Keller (Deputy Programmes Manager), Naa Adjeley (Field coordinator, AFAWI), Interns: Emma Ridley, Hala Mobaydeen, Viktoria Kuszak, Perrine Maillot, Siobhan Wainwright, Kayla Fillipovich, Hannah Pain . 

Present: Philip Kwesi Agyei, Jennifer Gasu (Programmes Manager), Marlene Keller (Deputy Programmes Manager), Naa Adjeley (Field coordinator, AFAWI), Interns: Emma Ridley, Hala Mobaydeen, Viktoria Kuszak, Perrine Maillot, Siobhan Wainwright, Kayla Fillipovich, Hannah Pain, 

I. Procedure

- 9:00 AM – DEPARTURE: Departure of AFAWI Interns Adenta, Ghana to Abokobi, Ga East, Ghana by uber.

-  09.35– TEAM ARRIVAL AT ABOKOBI WOMEN’S CENTRE 

- 09:40AM – TEAM LEFT ABOKOBI POLICE STATION TO MEET AT NEW MEETING PLACE, SESEAME CHURCH, THE WORLD LIBERTY MINISTRY

10:00-10:30AM – REGISTRATION START WITH EMMA, SIOBHAN, HANNAH AND PERRINE. KYALA, HALA AND VICKY SET UP PROJECTOR 

10:30-10:45 MARLENE PHILIP AND PERRINE INTRODUCE THE TEAM: :The meeting started with a welcome by Philip explaining our plans for the presentation and an introduction to the team. Then Philip asked one of the women to conduct an opening prayer. 

10:45-11:15AM COMPLETION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE:Philip and Perrine read out the questionnaires in Twi and English, the rest of the interns help with the writing of answers with the women. 

11:15 AM – 13:10PM – BEGIN PRESENTATION: Philip begins the presentation introducing AFAWI and Financial Literacy. The women split into groups of 5 to help chose a leader within each group. Kayla discussed the need for a business plan within businesses. Hala introduced the Balance sheet and used the example to demonstrate how this is beneficial. Vicky introduced bookkeeping and Philip concluded the presentation discussing savings. Throughout the presentation Philip translated any English to help understanding. 

-  13:15 AM – 13:20 PM– CLOSING: Philip closed the meeting by thanking the women for coming and Marlene informed everyone we would be in touch with the next training date. Philip asked again one of the women to offer a closing prayer. Then we said goodbye. 

- 13:20 AM – 13:30 PM – COMPLETION ON TNT FORMS AND LUNCH: Naa and Siobhan completed the TNT information for the participants. Naa provided lunch to all women and AFAWI team. 

- 14:15 PM – DEPARTURE OF AFAWI TEAM TO ADENTA OFFICE, GHANA

Summary

The first Financial Literacy training was proven as a success from start to finish. All four topics were covered as planned: Business Planning, Balance Sheets, Bookkeeping and Savings. 

Philip introduced the session engaging the women with different activities and an opening prayer. All women participated in the group exercise throughout the presentation. The women showed interest to learn and willing to ask questions. The main understanding from the session was that most of the women did not have an intended business plan, yet after discussion and examples, the women realised, they each had their own plan and goals. Throughout the presentation the women were provided the tools and skills to be able to implement Business Planning, Balance Sheets, Bookkeeping and Savings into their businesses.

On Wednesday 25th May, the AFAWI team conducted a needs assessment session at Abokobi Women's Centre in Ga East Volta Region, Ghana. 

The introductory needs assessment went very well. 15 women attended the meeting and each of them successfully completed the questionnaire with the guidance from AFAWI team members. 

The women all appeared to be engaged throughout the session and they seemed excited at the prospect of receiving loans to help them grow their businesses.

Most of the women who were interviewed had received at least a basic education, and those that have children said that they send them to private schools. The majority of women have either husbands or partners who help them to support the family, as well as the running of the household.

However, many of the women also provide for someone else, i.e., their mothers, and they often receive unexpected expenses, which affects their overall income. Therefore, receiving a loan would help to relieve their financial pressure.

You are able to find the full report, as well as some photographs below.

Best wishes,

Emma Ridley (AFAWI Assistant)

Links:

• AFAWI's Livelihood Project

• Livelihood Project - Needs Assessment Report (PDF)