One of our projects for 2020/2021 was the intensive distribution of what we termed “Dignity Packs”. These “Dignity Packs” contain the following: Sanitary pads, underclothing, detergents & soap, nose masks, hand sanitizers, comb, toothpaste & toothbrush and face towels or wipes. This is mainly because access to water and places of convenience in schools are lacking.
Research
CMF is distributing these packs because our research in 2017/18 revealed that lack of some of these items has greatly contributed and indeed continues to contribute to the increasing rates of school dropouts who are usually girls in deprived areas.
Many girls do not attend school when they are in their period. They stay home for many days during this period due to a lack of adequate facilities in their schools or training centres. Some of these girls are made to choose between school uniforms, food and sanitary pads. Some parents or guardians cannot afford all the needs of their children and wards.
In these same impoverished areas, child marriage is rife. Some of these girls are lured into marriage with the promise that they will be adequately cared for. The result is usually the opposite as they find out later that their needs are not met while they are saddled with unplanned pregnancies and babies to care for thereby curtailing any chance of getting some basic education. Research has also revealed that Covid 19 brought about an increase in dropout all over the world especially in poverty-stricken areas like rural Ghana and other parts of Africa and south-eastern Asia. Girls as young as 12 are given away into marriage as soon as they start their menses and some are exchanged for livestock and money.
St. Anna’s Family Home, Winneba – Central Region
Water delivery in hot places
Mafi Atitekpo Basic School, Central Tongu District – Volta Region
Challenged Children Foundation, Cape Coast, Central Region
The story of happy children
Lila’s Childcare Foundation, Ada Foh – Greater Accra Region
The Royal Seed Home, Bawdwease Road, Kasoa – Central Region
Methodist Basic School, JHS unit, Breman Jamra – Central Region
Kinder Paradise Orphanage Home, Adenta and Prampram – Greater Accra Region
