A family transformed

Christiana sews with an electric sewing machine now. Isaac is moulding bricks for the family’s home. Daniel is studying at the international school. Emmanuel and his two brothers are travelling by bike.

Thanks to child sponsorship, the Adamtey family has been directly transformed.

“World Vision has helped our community since the 1980s, such as the construction of two nursery schools, a health clinic, a grain mill and many development projects, before they started child sponsorship and we’re grateful to them,” Isaac explains.

Ten years ago, the family became involved in the child sponsorship programme. Thirteen-year-old Daniel was one of the first children to be registered within the Dangme West Area Development Programme. Later, Emmanuel also became a sponsored child.

Sponsorship gives tools to transform lives

Daniel says sponsorship has helped him a lot. His parents have been able to send him to an international school that is privately run in an effort to improve his education.

“I’ve improved so much on my English language,” Daniel says.

Ten-year-old Emmanuel, and his two brothers, have been given school supplies and bikes to travel to school, thanks to Emmanuel’s sponsor from Glasgow, UK.

“What we are wearing today was sent by Emmanuel’s sponsor,” discloses Emmanuel’s mother, Christiana, as she shows off her beautiful flowery dress and the shirt worn by her husband.

“Emmanuel’s sponsor has done a lot for us,” Christiana adds. “She keeps in touch all the time.”

Christiana has also benefitted. The 45-year-old mother received her own electric sewing machine.

“The sewing machine has helped me a lot, and works good,” Christiana confides, saying she makes about four items a month and even more during special occasions like Christmas and festivals.

From the sale of the clothing, she earns about $500 a year. Proceeds from the sewing help pay for the children’s school fees and provides health care.

Isaac, who is a farmer, is constructing a new home for the family. He is currently moulding bricks and plans to build soon. The home, he says, is being built with support from World Vision’s sponsors. 

“They [the sponsors] have given us a future. Our well-being has improved a lot and we want you to thank them for us,” Christiana says.

With community education, capacity building, structures and other resources put in place in the 15-year lifetime of the World Vision Area Development Programme, it is expected that families like the Adamteys will continue to be empowered.

By Faustina Boakye