Osu Children’s home

June 20, 2009 at 7:21 pm (Volunteerism)

After inspiration from Matt I decided to give it a try. At the time I was in my second year of University, computer science major with lots to do. I was also a freelancer web developer (you know, trying to make ends meet), so when it comes to time I didn’t have much of it. So I decided to visit an orphanage for an hour every Saturday to help out in whatever way possible.

Osu Children’s home is an orphanage in Accra, Ghana. It houses orphans from infants to about 19years (not sure of the exact age now). It takes care of their feeding, clothing, education and general welfare. The orphanage is broken into houses, with males in one house and females in the other; each house has a house mother that oversees the affairs of the house and other workers in charge of cooking, cleaning and other duties.

I went to the orphanage not sure of what I can do to help, but I went with an open mind, willing to help out in any way possible. After discussing with the director I realized there was a lot to do to help and I could chose from the options, so I chose to help the kids with there home work and also to redesign there website. I was unable to carry on with the website creation because they had someone else, who came before me. As for the Home work part, it was the most fulfilling and interesting thing I did that semester. The children assigned to me were between the ages of 7 and 12years majority still in primary school, so I mostly taught them math and English and sometimes we talked about the future and what they want to become. Those times were touching moments because even though they are orphans and don’t exactly have much they still dared to dream big.

After a number of visits I began to make friends and being kids they were always happy and wanted me to play with them. I also remember the troublesome ones amongst them would call me “obroni” (Twi (Ghanaian language) word for a white person) as I am light skinned. I didn’t mind because I knew they were just playing with me, so I usually let them catch their fun. Every time I went there I always left feeling fulfilled, knowing that I have made some orphans happy that day.

So please if you like kids give it a try, visit an orphanage near you at your free time find out what you can do to help, remember no amount or kind of help is insignificant. It could be donations, spending some time with the orphans, sponsoring them e.t.c. And see if you won’t be happier.

So get inspired, get involved, get fulfilled, improve lives and consequently, improve yours.