Grace Foundation - Liberian Refugee Camp

The Liberian Refugee Camp in the Central Region, Ghana Our plans for a continuous support program After the ending of support for Liberian Refugees in Ghana, by the UNHCR, the reduction in various community outreach programs of the Liberian Refugee Camp (LRC) has had profound impacts on members of Buduburam Community, in the Central Region of Ghana. To determine the specifics of these impacts, we interviewed community leaders and stakeholders as well as potential beneficiaries of this striving community. UNHCR Ghana Factsheet August 2014	The following is both an attempt to illuminate the effects of possible outreach programs and the need for immediate intercession of the Grace Foundation. The areas recommended for possible outreach are Formal Education Support, Health and Sanitation Awareness, Water Relief Projects, Peace and Conflict Education, and ICT or Computer studies.	Formal Education Support Formal Education still needs support in the form of scholarships for primary and secondary education. With one financial burden lifted, it will be easier pool other resources for water, food, and toilet expenses for all the students. With this little support we believe the students will be distinctly “morally composed” and will do very well in their lessons. Maintaining environmental cleanliness has been a major problem for many Ghanaians. What is expected from people in terms of keeping a clean environment has been an age long battle yet to be conquered. In as much as people are aware of the consequences of a polluted environment, they still take things for granted and continue to stick to their old habits.
It is basic knowledge that a clean environment contributes to peoples good healthy habits while a dirty environment does the vice versa. The education that the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) give to the general public seems not to be yielding any fruits.		To complement their efforts is the establishment of private waste companies to assist in waste management. However, all the efforts being made by government and other non-governmental organizations could come to nothing if the people themselves do not make a conscious effort to change their habit.
Health and Sanitation Awareness Health and Sanitation Awareness is largely overlooked in general schooling for children in this community. It is reported that many health topics, especially sex education, are generally seen as a “taboo” with young students. As in result, many young girls have become young and innocent mothers today.	Potential beneficiaries of our program who were interviewed reported to have learnt only about cholera, the health risks of early sex, including teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS and even the recent Ebola outbreak being fought in virus West African countries. They were participants of irregular workshops hosted by non-accredited organizations in the country.	Some of the children mentioned their understanding that HIV/AIDS victims are not bad people and should not be shunned because of their illness. Health and Sanitation awareness also included drug and alcohol abuse, which seem to have really impressed the children. This is truly an awareness to be continued by the Grace Foundation.