WORKING AMIDST CHAOS AND BEAUTY

Special Attention Project

After a few days of enjoying several Western luxuries which I had practically forgotten existed, I am once again reminded that I am in Africa as the taxi comes to a halt just outside Kaneshi Market in Accra (VSO volunteer Joanna Barabich reports back from Ghana).

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet all VSO volunteers in Ghana at our bi-annual National Conference held in Kumasi. I managed to talk to people on very interesting projects, some having very recently arrived in Ghana as well as some of VSO's veterans. One of these happened to be my Dutch room mate, Margaretha Ubells. As we chatted over morning coffee, Margaretha explained to me how she had been supported by VSO on a project addressing street children with learning difficulties in Accra. I found this all extremely interesting and as we parted promised her I would be paying her a visit soon to see her project for myself.

Special Attention Project Ghana or SAP, consists of as large open space on the second floor of Kaneshi Market which Margaretha is running as a day care centre for street children. The place is divided by half walls into two working and playing areas for children of two different age groups run by three special needs teachers and a small area for Margaretha and her assistant/secretary.

There is a deep sense of calm and structure as you enter the place despite the basic nature of its semi - constructed infrastructure. I asked Margaretha how she was intending to finance the work still needed for the place and became aware that one of the biggest challenges of the job is constantly having to appeal to external fundraisers to keep the project going. Margaretha emphasizes the dangers and inconveniences of not continuing this project while her determination and enthusiasm shines through.

Another main challenge Margaretha is working on is the lack of training and awareness of Special Needs in Ghana Education. However, I am witnessing how inclusion is becoming a new buzz word and how VSO has now even branched into making it a separate project. So far, children showing signs of needing special attention in the class room have been labelled as either 'troublesome' or 'disabled'. The fact that classes are so big in numbers also makes it very hard for children to receive this attention. These children tend to easily lose interest and stop attending school to become street vendors or eventually turn to drugs, prostitution or delinquency. Special Attention Project sends social workers to collect these children directly from Kaneshi market and take them into the Day Care Centre with the aim of returning them to mainstream schooling.

As you look out the window, you become submerged in the view, the colour, chaos and beauty of an African street market. You can see why it is an ideal spot for this project aiming to provide a brighter future for street children in Ghana.

For more information or very welcome donations contact sapghana@gmail.com or check out the website on www.sapghana.com.

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