A visit to Ghana in April 2026... 10 days packed with experiences and encounters, once again perfectly guided and organised by Jacob Tetteh.
The very next day after my arrival, we set off by car to the Eastern Region to visit two of our children who had moved there. I hadn’t seen them for several years due to the distance and was keen to find out how they were getting on.
As there were two days off school due to the end of Ramadan, these days were ideal.
A three-hour drive through endless roadworks, dust and potholes!
And then nothing but green countryside, farmland with banana trees, cassava and yam plants.
We had been searching for Mary for a long time; nobody would tell us where her aunt had taken her. Until then, she had been living with her grandmother, who had fallen seriously ill and could no longer look after her. It was only through a search appeal with the help of the internet that we were able to find out where Mary now lives. What a joy it was to meet her, healthy and happy, on the farm of a related family! She goes to school and clearly feels very much at home there. The family thanked us warmly and we were generously gifted with avocados and plantains.
Jemima is now living on her father’s farm too; she is doing well and is a good student.
The next day we visited Frederick, who has been living in the Volta Region for some time, about 100 km from Accra. We found him alone at his school, where he was revising for an exam. A friendly, somewhat shy boy.
Over the following days, we visited several children at their schools in Teshie; they are all making good progress.
We also spoke with the mothers, who earn a meagre living by selling vegetables and baked goods on the streets. Here, we aim to help improve their situation through small-scale training and support.
Furthermore, Jacob organised a meeting with our school leavers, during which they spoke about their career aspirations. Jacob offered advice on training opportunities and career prospects.
I was impressed by how clearly they were able to articulate their ideas and aspirations. We have been supporting some of them for almost 10 years; it’s wonderful to see them making their way in life!
We travelled to Accra with Evans, the boy with the congenital clubfoot, to have orthopaedic shoes made for him. His gait, which had improved significantly after the operation, has worsened again. He is therefore due to receive physiotherapy once more, and a further consultation at the Focus Clinic is also being considered. He is currently living at his school to prepare for his exams.
A visit to Jesse, the boy with the feeding tube, left us deeply moved. He was in good spirits and was delighted with the gifts we had brought.
However, he has become very, very thin again. Last year, the hospital provided him with special formula, but this has not been available for some time now. Jacob is trying to order some online, but so far without success.
This was followed by a visit to Manna Hospital. There we were warmly welcomed by the senior doctor, Dr Bulla. We handed over the donation of disposable gloves, which are urgently needed there. Everyone was delighted!
We also visited two tailoring workshops and a car paint shop, potential training centres for our young people.
At Hetty’s sewing studio, we were immediately able to place a mother who is currently unemployed; she is taking a six-month course there and will then be able to earn money doing sewing work.
A children’s party with around 60 children marked the end of my trip and gave me the opportunity to speak with many of them.
Jacob took the opportunity to chat with the mothers who had accompanied the children.
The children had a great time; the photos speak for themselves!
It’s lovely to see how these children are thriving thanks to our support and how their lives are becoming a little easier.
