Osu Children's Home appeals for support
It was started in 1949 by Child Care Society, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on the premises of the present Cripples Home at Kaneshie, a suburb in Accra. It is now known as the Osu
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Children's Home and is located at Labone in Accra. It is a community for orphaned, abandoned and needy children, from birth to 18 years.
In March 1960, the government took over the facility and moved it to its present location, and also put it under the management of the Department of Social Welfare, now the Department of Social Development.
Children are referred to the Home by hospitals, the courts, the police, Social Work Agencies.
For a child to be admitted, the home satisfies itself that there is a medical report to state that the child is fit to live with other children. Additionally, a report to state how the child was found and efforts the agency had made to trace parents/relations is also provided. This is to help to ascertain that institutionalisation has been considered as a last resort.
After admission, authorities of the home make efforts to locate parents or other family members of the inmate, and with abandoned children, if they are convinced after three months that there are no known family members, they recommend that they be placed for adoption.
Education for inmates
Children who have to live in the institution are given the opportunity to have education to any level their capabilities would permit them. If a child is above 18 years and is in school or has to live in the home because there is no where else to go, the authorities continue with care until he/she is able to secure a job and live on his/her own. Children with special problems such as disabilities, and other medical conditions, are referred to specialist agencies or given special care.
Most children of school age attend schools in the neighbourhood. This is to afford them the opportunity to meet and interact with other children. Their fees are paid by the school, individuals or organisations. The home has an early childhood development centre that caters for those of pre-school age and prepares them for basic school.
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According to an online report, a number of the children are likely to stay at the home for a very long time or till they become adults and can fend for themselves. Sleeping arrangements are likely to create a problem and it has become necessary to get a new dormitory to accommodate such children.
Number of inmates
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, during which the EL Bethel Church Ghana at Agbogba, near Accra, presented items worth GHȻ3500 to the home to support its operations, the Assistant Manageress of the home, Ms Dorothy Pearl Kumah, said the institution was housing about 150 inmates and added that it was financially handicapped.
She commended the donors for their gesture and called on individuals and benevolent organisations to come to their aid to help them cater for the children.
The items included eight bags of 25-kilogramme rice, two boxes of cooking oil, two cartons of milo, five boxes of voltic mineral water and three cartons of milk.
The rest were four boxes of indomie noodles, four crates of non-alcoholic beverages, four buckets of washing powder and five packs of toilet rolls.
Presentation
The General Overseer of the church, Bishop Stephen David Ohene Sarfo, presented the items and said it was an annual contribution made by the congregation for the needy in the society.
“As we worship and preach the gospel every day, it is prudent we share the love of God with those who have are not privileged in our societies, such as these wonderful children. In fact, sharing is caring.”