Global Citizen Journey Completes Ghana Legacy Project!!

Global Citizen Journey is proud to announce the completion of the Western Heritage Home Children's Home and Community Learning Center in Axim, Ghana.

In Fall of 2006, 30 North American and Ghanaian delegates spent three weeks in Axim, Ghana, sponsored by Global Citizen Journey. There we engaged in group facilitation processes, sponsored a Town Hall, engaged in various educational, health, sanitation, women's workshops, and conflict resolution mini-projects. We also embarked on an ambitious longer-term project to support Western Heritage Home, our hosts in Axim, in building a Children's Home/Community Learning Center in Axim.

It took us about two years, but the facility is virtually complete. All of us GCJ delegates, North Americans and Ghanaians alike, look back with pride and a little awe on this life-changing experience. We have made new life-long friends. Our understandings of our own and each other's cultures have deepened. We have proved Ghanaians and Americans can work as a team. None of us will ever look at the world in quite the same way again.

WHH Community Learning Center Nearly Ready for Operations

Thanks to a generous grant to Global Citizen Journey Ghana Project from the Boeing Corporation's West African headquarters, the Western Heritage Home Board of Directors has been able to fund the completion of the second floor of the WHH Children's Home/Community Learning Center. This marks the completion of GCJ's legacy project in Axim.

Local workers are laying tile, painting, installing electrical fittings, fans, etc. When finished the Board plans to start computer learning classes for teens and older adults, and launch a remedial exam center for local students studying for their secondary school graduation exams.

Students who finish secondary school must pass comprehensive exams covering their entire educational experience to be able to qualify for technical school. Typically, students spend about three months preparing for these exams, in study groups with a trained tutor. There is no such program in the Axim area currently, and most students either end their education without taking the exams, or go to live with family in larger cities that do have such exam study centers. The WHH Board plans to sponsor a program in Axim in their facility---a major addition to the educational opportunities in this area. The building will also provide room for volunteers, community meetings, and modest conferences, leadership training, and women's entrepeneurial activities.

We are grateful to Produce Buying Corporation for a cash donation, and also to Volta Aluminum Corporation for a deep freeze, fridge, sewing machines, two gas stoves, a blender, and other items. Both are Ghana-based companies.

And, Global Citizen Journey Ghana Project delegates and Western Heritage Home Board and staff join to thank Boeing West Africa and the more than 250 individuals and families who helped fund this project. We have been told this is the first substantial building erected in Axim since the British left exactly 50 years ago! The much-needed facility will provide a home for many activities aimed at improving the educational, social, health, and economic life in Axim.

WHH Children's Home Operational

Rich and Maryanne visited Axim in April 2008, and found to their immense satisfaction that the WHH Children's Home is up and running with twenty children in residence. All but one of the children attend Manye Academy daily. Charlotte will continue at Morning Star Academy until the end of the term in September, and then she'll transfer to Manye.

Generous friends had given some cash to take with us, and we were able to provide some finishing touches to the children's residence: screen doors for malaria prevention; some adult-sized chairs; bookcase, kitchen storage shelves and work table; extra mops, brooms, etc. so the children can help with Saturday family cleanup activities; hoes for farming; wall clock; and shelves for books and learning materials.

We had an emotional moment when walking home from the Catholic Youth Service with the children, and upon seeing the roof of the building in the distance, one yelled, "See Mum, there's our Home!!"

Other generous friends donated a dozen used laptops, and 35 chess sets. The press came for the dedication ceremony. Meanwhile, we taught the older kids and some staff how to play chess.

Eli, a young friend, who recently graduated from a three-year program in computer technology and networking, is setting up Ubuntu on the computers.Soon they will be placed in service in the Computer Learning Lab on the second floor.