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4th Annual Wechiau Girls Conference 2010
Here is a promo video for our 4th Annual 2010 Wechiau Girls Conference. Our group leaves the first week of August. We are expecting 600 girls to attend this 5 day conference. They are coming from over 30 villages.
3rd Annual Wechiau Girls Conference 2009
AN AFRICAN SUMMER…
It’s September! Fall is on its way in and summer is just about over. And it was a great summer! Our team of twenty (from the U.S.) recently returned from our August journey to Ghana, West Africa. We held our 3rd annual Wechiau Girls Conference in the upper west region of the country. It’s a very remote area – some places just received electricity last year, although very many villages still don’t have any electricity at all. The nearest major city, Kumasi, is about 8 hours away… and the journey is not an easy one to drive. (In 2009, can you believe there are still places in the world without some of the basic things we take for granted here in the U.S.? We have a lot of work to do.)
MORE THAN EXPECTED
The conference had girls in attendance from at least 19 different villages. Before our team arrived for the 5 day event, we had 375 girls officially registered. When the conference began, almost 500 girls showed up! Word about African Initiative Mission and the annual Wechiau Girls Conference we created, continues to spread. We had to travel to the nearest town of Wa., in order to purchase additional supplies to provide for the new girls.
As difficult as it was to make adjustments for over 100 extra girls, we knew it was necessary. Some traveled hours on foot, braving the extreme summer heat to get to the conference. Others scraped together what little they had in order to pay for transportation, because they lived so far away. We didn’t want to turn anyone away. If it was within our power to help them, then we would do what we could do. After all, we had traveled thousands of miles and crossed the Atlantic ocean to be there, and our time with them was limited to several days. But every act of kindness had the potential to expand each girl’s life exponentially!
They have a saying in Ghana, coined by one of their previous presidents. “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate an entire nation.” We want to help educate nations…
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME…
For 4 days we held classes for these girls: Literacy, Health & Hygiene, Arts & Crafts, Music, and Physical Education. For 4 days we fed them breakfast, lunch and dinner (around 1500 meals a day). Because of a lack of resources in the area, most families only eat 1-2 times a day. For 4 days we taught them… and they taught us. We talked and laughed with them, dreamed with them. We listened to their stories about their families, struggles, hopes, fears and aspirations.
On the 5th day, we fed them breakfast, ended the conference, and said goodbye… or rather… see you later. Many of the girls did not want us to leave. They were thankful for the class teachings; for the conference shirts, other clothing and flip-flops; for the book bags and school supplies; for the food and for us taking the time to care. One girl asked a question that was probably on many of their minds. “You come all the way from America to Ghana. Why did you not stay in Accra or Kumasi (two major cities that most tourists visit), but chose to come all the way here to Wechiau? We have nothing here.” But we came to this area for this very reason, because a lot of focus was already on the well-traveled areas of Ghana.
RETURNING TO GO AGAIN…
So we left to come back to America, in order to work and raise both provision and awareness, so that we can return back to Ghana and do the conference again next year. These girls have genuine dreams. They want to become doctors, nurses, lawyers, and accountants, pilots and judges, teachers and world travelers. They want to be these things so that they can help their community. With such great dreams, they also face fierce obstacles. The remoteness of where they live hinders the quality of education that they receive… while the world continues to move forward in so many ways. Yet, these girls thirst and strive to learn more. And we are determined to help be a bridge that connects their reality to their dreams.
It takes the full attention of our U.S. team and our Ghanaian team – about 30 altogether – to successfully carry out an event of this magnitude. And yet, we still need more people to travel with us to do the work in the future.
September is here… it’s time to get to work. How are you making a difference in the world?
Our August 2009 Journey
We are currently preparing for our August 2009 Journey to Ghana. Our schedule includes our third annual Wechiau Girls Conference as well as checking on the building of our school.
For the conference, we are expecting 350 girls from over 19 different villages in some of the remotest parts of Ghana, West Africa. For five days, we will be teaching them about Literacy, Health, Music, Arts & Crafts, Dance and Physical Education. In this area, the children only get one meal a day. During our conference, we feed them breakfast, lunch and dinner. The girls’ excitement is contagious during the entire conference, but especially when they are eating.
These girls have dreams of their own… to be nurses, doctors, accountants, lawyers, judges, journalists, engineers, pilots and so many other things. It’s amazing to hear them talk – especially since most of them have never left their region - about wanting to help their community, see their country and the world. Their dreams are admirable… and their obstacles are staggering. But we are determined to be a bridge to help connect their current reality to their dreams through Education, Health and Business.
As we prepare for this journey, we gather school supplies, clothing, food, health supplies, shoes and other accessories so that we can make an impact in the lives of over 300 girls and their communities.
Empowering the Next Generation
Empowering the Next Generation
by: Allen Paul Weaver III
In 2003, when I went on my first mission trip to Africa, I asked myself: “What am I capable of doing? I’m only one person.” The task before our group was tremendous: four men carried in eight large bags of clothing, shoes, school supplies and Bibles to give out. Our group leader had traveled to Ghana for the first time six months earlier. It was all new to us and our misconceptions — often facilitated by American media — met with an altogether different reality. This year, I traveled with a group of 20 to Ghana, West Africa, again to give out clothing and school supplies, but also to provide key support for the residents’ education, health and business needs. Through donations of supplies and money, we’ve already spent over $200,000 to empower this global community.
Basic Needs First
For each trip we carry and distribute clothing, medical and school supplies, books and Bibles. Upon our arrival, we purchase a few hundred school uniforms and pass them out to children. (Students usually have only one uniform and very few outfits — and what they do have is often in poor condition.) We also pay their school fees so parents don’t have to choose between their children going to school or going to work to help support the family.
Offering Tools for Advancement
In 2004, our church started a non-governmental organization in Ghana called African Initiative Mission. We focus on three key areas: education, health and business. The organization seeks to empower villages by conducting Bible studies, helping children with their education and increasing the financial sustenance of business owners so they can become self-sufficient. Our goal is to assist our brothers and sisters in their development so that they may impact their community, country, continent and world.
On this trip we established an Internet café in the village of Bonwire, where kente cloth originated. Many in the village work to create and sell this cloth to people from all over the world. These villagers would have to travel over an hour to an Internet café in the nearest city to get in touch with their international contacts. Now, with their own developing Internet café, they walk a few minutes.
Girls Conference Balances Training and Fun
We also planned and carried out a five-day event, the Wechiau Girls Conference, for village girls in the upper northern part of Ghana; the nearest town is more than an hour away. We planned for 250 girls, but brought extra supplies just in case. By the time we arrived, 287 girls had signed up for the conference. Our team, with expertise that included teaching, health care and the arts, focused on literacy, health and hygiene, arts and crafts, music, physical education and dance. We also worked with a local team that helped orchestrate logistics at the site.
Many girls thanked us for providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day of the conference. (The families in the area often only eat once a day.) Others were especially grateful for the literacy and health classes, as well as the clothing and supplies that were given out. Many girls shared their dreams of being nurses, teachers, engineers and journalists, and they were excited to have us help improve their education. Sadly, the majority of teen girls at the event have educational skills no higher than fourth grade.
As Americans, we go to this foreign land to help a people with limited material goods and opportunity, yet they have no short supply of joy, faith, creativity and imagination. At times, our own joy and faith seems to be in short supply. We take so much for granted (like clean running water, owning more than one change of clothing or access to decent health care). But I find that as we give to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters, they give to us to help meet our spiritual and emotional needs.
Our February 2008 trip is practically here. We shipped a 20-foot container filled with clothing and various needed supplies: underwear and t-shirts, books, pens, pencils, notebooks and more. The task is still tremendous and the enormous needs of the children and families can get overwhelming, but God continues to demonstrate that he is able.
Even as we prepare to a successful February journey, we are already getting ready for our August 2008 return trip.
AIM Foundation Photos: Remembering 2007
Young boy sleeping in the streets of Weichau.
Helping to develop boys to men in a poverty stricken district.
This walking bridge was built by our AIM Foundation members in order to get children across to school during the rainy season.
Coming Together to Make a Difference.
Two Cecilias from two different worlds.
Planning and preparation for the first Internet cafe in Bonwire, Ghana.
After much hard work, the first internet cafe in Bonwire, Ghana is complete. More computers are needed. (Your support is needed)
This animal is called a “Grasscutter” – it is a traditional Ghanaian dish.
Making a living weaving Kente cloth. (You can purchase any of these materials by contacting AIM Foundation at this website.)
Team visits a fishing village.
Inside view of Slave Castle in Cape Coast
A side view of the Slave Castle in Cape Coast.
A view of the Slave Castle in Cape Coast
Another view of the Slave Castle in Cape Coast
Bonwire, Ghana
AIM Foundation members talking to the teachers of Bonwire
Men of Bonwire (with Deacon Forbes) in traditional Kente garment
Men of Faith in Bonwire.
AIM Foundation members with children in Kumasi
AIM Foundation members gather after the first Girl’s Conference in Weichau.
Girl’s Conference of Weichau 2007.
The President of AIM Foundation and the organizer of the Weichau girls conference carrying out the conference responsibilities.
Puppet Show at the Girl’s Conference in Weichau.
Writing activity with the girls at the Girl’s Conference
AIM Foundation members at the Girl’s Conference
Looking forward to the direction of AIMs future.
”Our goal in 2008 is to increase our resources in order to impact (effectively) the most people, in the marginalized communities in Africa! With your help, we can make this our greatest year.”
God Bless You and thank you for your support! You may contact us below or at
www.aimmission@yahoo.com
Preparations for the Next Trip
The AIM team is planning its next trip which is scheduled for February 2008. We are already in the process of collecting items to fill a shipping container which will be here next month. Please help us make a difference in the lives of our Ghanaian sisters and brothers. Listed below you will find some of things we are asking for. This is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to donate other items that you think would be beneficial to them:
Clothing (new or gently used)
Undergarments (new)
Hygiene products (toothpaste, feminine care, etc…)
Shoes
School Supplies
Bikes / Motor Bikes
Sports Equipment
Computers w/Flat Screen Monitors
Thanks in advance for your support!
-The A.I.M. Team -
Summer in Ghana 2007
The Ghana Summer Team traveled to Wechiau, Bonwire, and the Volta as planned from August 5th to August 20th and completed many great tasks with excitement, enthusiasm and love. Many saw the love of God expressed through human compassion.
Education and Health in Wechiau
The team conducted a Girls Conference over five days in which close to 300 girls were in attendance. A typical day would begin around 4am as the girls prepared themselves to fetch water at the local pump and organize themselves for the day. Next, breakfast was served, and by 8 am everyone was ready to start their classes. From the hours of 8:15-3:00 pm the girls attended five classes with a break for lunch. The classes included were Literacy, Health, Music, Arts & Crafts, and Physical Education. In the evening the girls gathered for games, singing, and dinner. More details…
- 900 meals were served everyday
- Muslims, Christians and some traditionalist attended the conference
- Additional food was given to some community members
- Girls attended from 19 different villages
- A bridge was built to provide easy access for the villagers to get into Wechiau.
- Generators were brought in to provide light and safety.
- A team of over 30 people which included Educators, Nurses, Administrators, Technicians, Cooks, Drivers, Pastors, and other professionals worked to make this conference a GREAT SUCCESS!
- The expressed Love of God moved the girls to ask for an annual conference.
- Lives were forever changed and a catalyst for change was put in place.
-Business in Bonwire
The team set up the first Internet Café in this area
(located outside of Kumasi).
It is also known as the home of the Kente Cloth.
Working with the bare minimal, the team hired an electrician,
a carpenter, a mason, a painter, and brought in a
computer technician (and linked up with one in
Within one week’s time, the entire café was set up and visitors from the community made there way into the location.
A group known as the Men of Faith (founded by AIM foundation) helped to sponsor the event. They will continue to work and run the café. AIM foundation will be providing computer classes and other computer related activities.
The team held a small dedication service of the new business where many sang and danced
Visiting the
The team checked the status of the antiquated well, used in the village, and gave supplies to the children for school. This school has grown from 25 students to over 600 students since AIM first took on this village. WOW!!!!! In addition, the families there were encouraged to keep the faith through Biblical teachings, and they were taught a song so they could make melodies in their hearts to the Lord.
From the smiles on many faces to the Spirit and Anointing which flowed through each visitation it is evident that the mission was a success!
More to come soon.Stay tuned!
August Mission
The AIM Team is currently preparing for another mission to Ghana in August from the 5th to the 20th of this year.
Our primary Purpose is to:
Carry out a Girls Conference for over two hundred teenage girls, which will last four days.
We will bring:
*clothing
*school and medical supplies
*hygiene products
*thought-provoking entertainment
*the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our secondary purpose is to continue to provide support for some of the schools and villages which we have visited in the past.
A team of twenty people, each with various areas of expertise will be making the journey. Please pray for the team as they endeavor in this mission.
To find out how you can help, please contact:
Thessalonia Baptist Church, 951 Rev. James A. Polite Ave., Bronx, NY 10459, 718. 542. 0828
