Story So Far

Discovery

On the 27^th December 2013, I and my fellow volunteers discovered a rural village in Northern Ghana. Larabanga. Unaware of just how this experience would change our directions, plans and visions. How a chance opportunity would result in such beautiful friendships and shared dreams …

Deciding to stay in Larabanga instead of traveling further was the easiest decision I have ever made, it was simple for me. These strangers had captured our visions and I was ready to take up the challenge. We have all watched adverts on tv about the starving children of poverty stricken countries in Africa but being part of one of those communities and seeing the raw bones of need, desperation and tragedy staring back at you each time you look at a child makes the reality of it stop you from leaving without making a difference.

I want these children of Larabanga to be able to say “I was here, I am part of this bigger picture”. They are here and its real, the time I spent with them was invaluable, I was immersed into a completely different way of life and I am taking the challenge head on to tackle the three major problems.

 1.    WATER 2. HEALTHCARE 3. EDUCATION

I was a teacher, a friend and a foreigner with a first aid kit and when I return I don’t want to be a glimmer of hope I want to be their way forward and their voice. I cannot do this on my own, the help of others is vital. I researched my concerns and their problems and gathered the information I needed in order to raise awareness back home in the UK and that’s what I am doing now, foraging for opportunities to make this happen, to give them clean water, education and the healthcare needed to beat this cycle.  

The story before us 
The first person we encountered from Larabanga was Ibrahim Soburu, his story is the one that has made all of this possible. He offered us a place to stay, on the roof of a mud hut in the middle of the village, little did we know that he was supporting 50+ orphans within Larabanga. When he comes into contact with Westerners he offers them to stay there to provide a small amount of money for the children. Sleeping under the stars, in a place with no artificial lighting was enchanting and that first evening on the roof was when I realised, I was completely captured by the spirit and determination of Ibrahim. 




Over the next few days, he told us the story behind what he does. His late father, was the head Imam of the community and he provided support to the many orphaned children in the village. On his fathers death bed, he made Ibrahim promise to continue caring for the children as he had done. Since then, that is what he has been doing, with the help of family and friends within the village,he has been taking on the responsibility for the children.