Monthly Clean-up Campaign with Lydia and Ziblim

Lydia and Ziblim are members of our Sanitation Committee. They occasionally embark on cleanup exercises around the community. With them, two volunteers and their natural followers - the children - a clean-up exercise was organised early in the morning on Saturday. Waste was collected in parts of the community using drums to mobilize more children. In the end, the kids were singing to entertain and motivate themselves.

The result was a neat area without rubber and other plastic waste. 😊

Austrian Art Students in Guabuliga

On Sunday, the 23rd of April, we welcomed a group of Austrian students to project site in Guabuliga. To acquaint themselves with our work, four students made the journey from Southern Ghana to our small village in Northern Ghana. The students are conducting a research for their studies at the Art University in Linz and they are enjoying their educational journey in Ghana. A day after their arrival, a visit was paid to our honored chief to introduce the guests. As a mark of tradition and to demonstrate the joy in receiving them, Chief gifted the team a fowl. They were so excited about the hospitality and enjoyed the sumptious chicken meal for supper. 

Young Ambassadors in Takouka

Last week the social workers and the Young Ambassadors visited the little community of Takouka to talk about the disadvantages of orphanages. Two former orphans and some parents reported about their personal experience with institutional care for children. The first thing we noticed when we arrived in Takouka was that the area around the village was really neat. You could hardly see rubber or waste in general as other villages are characterised with. Community members told us about how an NGO helped their sanitisation by educating and supporting them in the construction of latrines.

The community was really thankful and curious to get information about the volunteer-business and had many questions for the YAP team.

NVTI EXAM FOR CARPENTERS, BAKERS AND WEAVERS

The carpenters, bakers and weavers practiced for several weeks towards their exam. In Guabuliga, you could smell the aroma of bread and the loud sounds of hammers and saws were early to hear. On Monday, the 27^th of March, the bakers and carpenters had their big exam. Two experts arrived already on Sunday in Guabuliga to examine them. The carpenters got eight hours per day to finish their beds. The bakers baked four different types of bread. It was a frantic time. Everyone was in a rush and didn't seem prepared enough.

On Tuesday, the weavers started very early. It was 4.30 am when we heard the sound of their looms. It took time to finish the fabrics but they did well. The carpenters required more time to finish, but in the end they built four very nice beds.

VOLUNTEERS KICKOFF RENOVATION

This week, the current volunteers; Steffi and Susi started their newest project: renovating and painting the office block. It took them three days to finish the interior, even as they received support  from children. First, they filled putty into the many holes and afterwards painted the walls. It was an exhausting process, but definitely worth it. The change was massive and necessary. The "painting-group" had much fun together and needed thorough baths afterwards. Cleaning their painting attire was as taxing as the painting itself. 

CELEBRATING 9 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION

Two weeks ago, the BRAVEAURORA Board, the Strobl Family and an Austrian film team arrived in Guabuliga. Clemens Strobl is one of the most important donors of BRAVEAURORA. To honour the special  guests, the Chief and people of Guabuliga organized a big durbar. All trainees who benefited from BRAVEAURORA projects proudly presented their work. The reintegrated children also played a short sketch about their time in the orphanage. There was too much excitement that everyone consequently started dancing; not even our guests were able to stay on their seats.

To climax the occasion, Clemens was honored by the Chief with the Title “Maligu Naa” which means “Chief of Development”. By virtue of his title, Clemens is now allowed to sit next to the Chief and his council of elders. To get such a title is a real privilege! Clemens got in addition to that a traditional smock as a present. But not just Clemens got a present, as well, Martina – his wife – and Ninon their Daughter got some traditional clothing.

In appreciation of all the work which the Board members; Julia, Sarah and Christin did in the last 9 years, they were also presented and adorned with traditional clothing which they did not hesitate to use to show their dancing skills-- more than once!

The Austrian Television- ORF will broadcast a 15-Minute Report about the work BRAVEAURORA has done in the last 9 years. It is already the TV station's third report on BRAVEAURORA.

Trainees showcasing their work

Clemens on the dance floor

From left to right: Julia, Christin, Ninon, Sarah and Martina

Clemens looks on as he takes his rightful place by the Chief 

THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS PROGRAMME (YAP); VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED

After successful training and selection of volunteers for the Young Ambassadors Programme (YAP) in 2014 (the YAP-Volunteers consist of six parents and six Orphans and Vulnerable Children(OVC), they were given the mandate to create awareness on the topics "de-institutionalization of orphanages and benefit of Care Reform Initiative (CRI)".  

Subsequently, the sensitization took place in 37 communities within the  West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana. BRAVEAURORA therefore saw the need to reward the YAP- volunteers for their active role for the past two years

In this light, the award packages included BA certificate of appreciation, half piece of Wax cloth for parents . There was four (4) yards cloth for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).

To appreciate the excellent work done by the team, the celebration took place at the chief’s Palace.  There was refreshment after the occasion.

In attendance at the ceremony were Guabuliga chief and his elders, all OVC, the former occupants of Guabuliga Orphanage, parents and Braveaurora staff. In all a total about 84 audience were present to grace the occasion.

The chief of Guabuliga in his concluding remarks, took his time to explained who was an ambassador is, his/her roles and responsibilities.  Accordingly, he advised the YAP-Volunteers to show commitment to their work and to avoid social vices.