The British Canadian International Education Ltd (BCIE), an education consultancy, has handed over a functional borehole to the Weija Leprosarium to help address the persistent water challenges facing the residents.
The borehole, valued at over GH¢40,000, has a treatment plant fitted in it to treat the water
It has been connected to the reservoirs to ensure easy access for the residents at the leprosarium.
The donation, which took place in Accra on Thursday, July 24, formed part of BCIE's corporate social responsibility efforts to improve the living conditions of cured lepers at the facility.
Purpose
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Regional Manager of BCIE, Kingsley Asiedu Koranteng, said the gesture was in response to the pressing need for consistent access to clean water at the leprosarium.
“We noticed that water is not always available here, especially when the taps are closed.
This borehole is to ensure that residents no longer have to worry about access to clean water at any time,” he said.
Mr Koranteng explained that BCIE, which had operated in Ghana for over two decades, decided to adopt the Weija Leprosarium as a partner institution, and would continue to support its residents.
“They are part of us.
They may have life challenges, but they belong to our society.
We cannot ignore them.
From time to time, we will visit and provide what they need to make life a little easier for them,” he said.
Gratitude
Receiving the donation, the Founder of the Leprosarium, Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, expressed gratitude to BCIE for the borehole project, describing it as “a life-giving gift.
“A big thank you for this wonderful gift. Water is life. You can do without electricity for days, but not water,” he said.
He said that for many of the residents who were disabled due to the disease, fetching water from far had become a burden and sometimes impossible.
“This borehole will restore dignity. Some people don’t even have hands to carry the water. Now, they just walk from their room to the tank and bathe or drink,” he said.
He also appealed for continuous public support and education to break the stigma surrounding leprosy.
“Despite all the stigma, BCIE came here. Others are afraid, but they came. I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Fr. Campbell said the borehole, located right next to the residential block, would significantly improve the quality of life of the residents.
