Moo Ba Moo Zamaa Yara Ba (We're No Longer Children)

March is in full swing and there’s no better way to gear up than with a ROADTRIPPP. That’s right, part 2 -  this time YA Director Agnes, fellow volunteer Alex and I ventured to Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region where the organization operates locally to combat youth poverty. 

The route between Tamale (right) and Wa (left). The roads can be so bad that people often travel further south to link up with a better route.

We met some of the standard organizational beneficiaries including school children, trades apprentices and women’s co-operative groups. 



School visit





Hairdressing apprentice



Women's co-operative group



Over the three days spent in Wa, we also had the privilege to meet some truly unique and inspiring individuals within the community who act as reminders of the great potential we all carry. There were three particular encounters that helped me  put things in perspective; a gathering at the transport yard with young street porters and two home visits to children supported by the organization.

In the last post I discussed the upcoming YA campaign to peacefully involve street youth in the 2012 election. Through co-ordination with our Wa-based staff a meeting was arranged at the main transport yard with at least 20 young porters between the ages of 18-25. The purpose was to discuss the importance of their peaceful engagement in the election and to highlight important skill building sessions that would equip them to become informed community advocates amongst their peers.



Nashiru & I

 To be completely honest I (regretfully) had preconceived notions of an uneducated group who would instinctively accept whatever plans we proposed because they were uninformed and didn’t know any better - after all, isn’t that how they had ended up earning a living in a transport yard? Instead, I was (deservingly) slapped with the refreshing reality of a dynamic dialogue with the group, headed by their leader Nashiru.

We proposed training sessions to explain rights, democracy and the new biometric registration process. The need for sessions on conflict prevention and the co-existence of political ideologies was also a necessary inclusion given the group’s extensive experience with party-imposed bribery and its subsequent violence.

During the meeting

The young men raised practical questions and points from issues regarding substituting their time earning money to attend training, while others worried about facing the threat of violence themselves in the attempt to spread the message of peace. They also thoughtfully addressed the need for visual indicators (clothing & accessories) to affiliate them with the credibility of YA while actively campaigning during public rallies and marches. These were important organizational matters to consider as we were putting these youth on the front lines to literally be agents of change.

I walked away truly impressed by their maturity and willingness to harness control over their future welfare. It was living proof to me that given opportunity, outlook and desire are important pieces of the puzzle in changing one’s circumstances. Needless to say, this group will be one to watch for motivating change amongst their peers as the election season gets underway.



Group shot! :)


Lastly we had two home visits with YA beneficiaries. Normally, when the organization supports school children it is routine to conduct school, home and community visits to gain a holistic view of the their development as a problem in one area can often negatively affect the others. So far we’ve done quite a few school visits and spoken to several teachers, but this was the first time we were going on-site to view living conditions.



Agnes (YA Director) & Richard

We first met Richard, a polite and charming  12 year old boy who lives with his grandmother and uncle. Richard has a rare spinal condition and intestinal disorder that trouble him with decreased mobility and physical control over his bowels. He requires the use of a wheelchair and a constant supply of diapers due to the nature of his condition and is therefore heavily physically and emotionally dependent on his family. YA has been financially supporting Richard’s educational pursuits despite his medical problems. Although his developmental challenges see him currently enrolled at the Nursery 2 level, Richard speaks English at a High School level, enjoys learning  and has high aspirations of studying Computer Science.



Rosemary & Agnes (YA Director)

Rosemary is  a teenage girl who has overcome many obstacles to make it to where she is now. As a child, she was labeled as a “witch” by members of her community. Unfortunately, this is can be common in rural communities where witchcraft (aka “Juju” or African Electronics) is still practiced and a well-held traditional belief. One day she climbed a tree to escape the taunting, fell, broke her arm and was unable to seek medical attention due to the community’s belief that she would use sorcery to heal herself. Eventually, her arm had to be amputated to stop infection spreading from the broken bone. By this point the entire community, including her mother had rejected Rosemary and she had nowhere to turn until YA intervened. In co-operation with the Department of Social Welfare, the organization conducted counseling sessions for Rosemary, her mother and the community and rented a structure for the family to live in away from the influence of witchcraft believers. Rosemary is now a 15 year old girl who is reunited with her family and progressing in her education at the primary 3 (grade 3) level.

Our time in Wa made me reflect on the innocence of childhood and youth - it’s supposed to be a time for young people to learn, develop and grow within a nurturing and safe environment, free from suffering, doubt and pain. Given this definition,  the said individuals are by no means children. The bus station porters have had their naivety manipulated against them and are now being educated and empowered as young adults who understand that they have a right to and a say in their own destinies. Conversely, innocent children like Richard and Rosemary both face challenges that will forever alter their journey through adolescence, despite this they are embracing the opportunities they DO have with open arms. This makes them all so much more than children with the ability to simply hope for a better tomorrow;  they are living proof of the determination it takes to transform those dreams into realities they can live today.

I am honoured to have met them and to be able to share what is surely just the beginning of their stories so far …


PS: Click this link to check out the Youth Alive blog where I'll be writing in-depth stories about the people and communities the organization reaches!