Welcome to town!               By Angela Bettany

Two weeks ago 12 strangers rocked up in the “tiny village of Sandema” and now we are TEAM LIFE. Drawn from all over Ghana and the United Kingdom we are diverse in background but united in mission – to empower and equip the disabled communities of the upper East.

One busy week in the office strategising and we have already met some amazing people including – two Disabled People’s Organisations, members of the district assembly, sports coaches, some of the best teachers from all over the region at National Teachers Day (particularly exciting as we some to run a two day inclusive sports workshops for teachers in this cohort), outstanding individuals such as a blind gentleman who sits on the main road and weaves the most beautiful mats and beds, also a young wheelchair user that runs two orphanages across the region! To top it all off we have been officially welcomed to work in the area by the paramount Chief and he even allowed us to have a team photo:

 Tuesday was the first of our inclusive girls clubs aimed at integrating young disabled girls into a safe group which hosts guest speakers and allows open talks on gender issues and topics that affect young women. The club held in a nearby community called Wiaga and is the pilot project that we also hope to reinstate in Sandema this cohort!

On top of that we have liaised with a local radio station and secured a regular slot discussing disability issues live to the entire Builsa district! Our first live session led by Shannon, Abdullah and Lydia goes out tonight to over 1000 listeners!

Having met some amazing members of the disabled community we will be researching some practical skills to bind them together to create an income generating co-operative with the hope to sell some of their products at the fair trade festival being headed up by our teammates in Bolgatanga.

It’s been a busy few weeks as you can tell but we’re all psyched to get this show on the road and impact as deeply into the community as physically possible! The key to all our projects is sustainability – knowing we are only here for another solid 2 months it is essential to practically equip and empower the community to continue our activities long after we have gone home! No small task, but bring it on!!