SOS Trains Over 5,000 Orphans
As part of efforts to reduce poverty, over 5,000 people have benefited from the Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) provided by the SOS Children’s Villages Ghana under the MSF II project.
The training, which was aimed at creating jobs for orphans and vulnerable, had beneficiaries drawn from some 18 communities in five regions in the country who were taken through dress-making, hairdressing, motorbike repairs, among other creative arts.
The MSF II project, which lasted for five years and sponsored by the Dutch government, is an innovative way of engaging communities to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable in a sustainable manner.
A total of seven water projects in seven communities were constructed under the project to provide portable water in the country.
A toilet facility was also constructed at Ashaiman to help improve sanitation.
Speaking at a dinner held at SOS College in Tema, Alexander Mar Kekula, National Director of SSOS Children’s Villages Ghana, explained that the project was geared towards reaching out to more than 30 children by offering them the opportunity to develop their potential and talents, which otherwise would have been underutilized.
He said “in effect, 85 percent of the young people who have acquired knowledge in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) are applying their skills to earn income in Ghana.
“The successful completion of this project is yet another manifestation of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana continued commitment towards improving the quality of the lives of orphans in the country,” he stated.
According to him, as a result of the project, more than 78 percent of the caregivers have become more self-reliant and are capable of accessing health, education, water and sanitation without external support.
Dr. Mrs. Margret Nkrumah, Board Chair, SOS Children Village Ghana, revealed that under the project, they moved from the premises of SOS Children’s Villages to various communities.
“We have been here for 41 years, 30 of which have behind our walls looking after our children very well and educating them and the communities but for the last 10 years SOS moved out into communities because we want to affect more lives. We can make a change in the lives of more people in the communities,” she stated.
She said SOS Children’s Villages Ghana would continue to support local initiatives, build the capacity and confidence of inhabitants to lead the development of the communities.
The chairperson of the board, after thanking all those who provided support, including the Dutch Government to make the MSF II project work, advised beneficiaries to expand their businesses and continue to provide support to people.
Awards were given to some personalities who made the project a success.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema