SOS Children's Village in Kumasi, Ghana officially opened
16-05-2010 09:37
In November 2009 Odysseus celebrated its 10th anniversary together with 150 Friends of Odysseus during the PPM Summit. Not only was it an enjoyable and educational day, we also used this opportunity to support SOS Children's Villages with a financial contribution, which conduced to the realization of the Kumasi Childrens Village in Ghana.
Offical opening
On May 15th this fourth SOS Children's Village in the West African country was officially opened in the presence of the king of the Ashanti region, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II and the chairman of SOS Children's villages international, Helmut Kutin.
A new home
One of the children living in the Kumasi children's village is the six year old Adika. Not so long ago, he was found heavily assaulted on the street. His parents were untraceable and the boy was severely traumatized. Little by little he has become used to his new environment. Adika: "I like it here. My SOS mother is very sweet to me and I can play as often as I want with my brothers and sisters"
All children living in the children's village get psychological help to straighten out there often traumatic past. The love that the children get from their SOS mother is very important. It heals their wounds. The SOS mothers praise their children's tenability. "It's incredible to how strong the children are. Despite their past, they feel save and comfortable at the children's village. Slowly, we see them smile again".
Sing and Dance 
During the opening ceremony the children sang and danced in traditional clothing. Actor Christophe Haddad, a friend of SOS, was also present for the opening. In 2008 he wrote the song 'Brand New Day' especially for SOS children's villages. The revenues have gone to the Kumasi children's village. Together with the children, Christophe performed his song one last time.
Effects for the community
The new SOS children's village is build sustainable, to ensure generations of children can grow up together in a loving family. Also, the social medical centre can help tens of thousands of children and adults in the region. Furthermore, there is an SOS infant and primary school where 480 students from the children's village and it's surroundings can get education.
Marcel Beerthuizen, director SOS Children's villages tells: "A large part of the population in the Ashanti region is suffering under extreme poverty. Good social support has been lacking until now. Because there are no schools, many children do not get education, which means the vicious circle cannot be broken. That is why we are so happy that this is now positively changed. In the children's village generations of children get both a stabile and loving home in a family, as a solid education to help them build an independent life. The children's village and it's facilities also provide an important impulse to future development and employment of the entire region."
Thanks to the support of Odysseus and many other partners of SOS Children's Village such as 'Nationale Postcode Loterij' and the 'Vrouwen Bouwen' network a hundred and twenty children can now grow up in a loving family. Would you like to stay up to date with the developments of this children's village, then go to www.soskinderdorpen.nl/kumasi.
