Potter's Village Home Needs Help to Move into New Home

Children at the Potter's Village Home (Source: Potter's Village Home)

Children are the most valuable assets to mankind, yet less attention is being paid to their welfare especially those who are orphans and homeless. The number of children living on the street in Ghana is questionable, however, the authorities responsible have but a few answers to the numerous questions suited for addressing. Most of these children are beggars on the streets, an unlicensed lucrative business which cannot be far from child labour.   

Despite the initiatives by government to provide these children with shelter and a sense of belonging, the situation is still not shy from being a canker. To eradicate this menace, there is the need for a more drastic and immediate action by both the government and citizens. Very few individuals have made it their responsibility to provide adequate support for such children.

Potter’s Village Home in Dodowa, a suburb of Accra, is one of the homes for orphans, street children and domestic violence victims. It provides shelter and ensures the total well being of children. The home houses about 150 children and largely depends on the resources of the founder, Jane Irina Adu, for survival as well as donations.

Mrs. Adu started this benevolent deed in 2000 as part of contributing her quota to national development. With help from donors and other institutions, she has been able to fund their education to senior high and tertiary levels.

The Potter’s Village Home, despite providing a home and a family to children is confronted by structural and financial challenges. In an interview with Ella Untold, the spokesperson for the home, Vanessa Mensah, described the home as “a hazard to the children and everybody living in it” with electrical wires being exposed, walls cracking and toilets being in the open space. Second runner-up of Miss Kanekalon 2018, Laura Mills, who donates to the home annually said, “the place is not in a good shape”. Currently, the home is a carbuncle and unfit as a shelter.

For this reason, Mrs. Adu, is calling on various stakeholders, churches and organisations to come to their aid in completing the building project at the new site behind the Forest Hotel, Dodowa.  A boys’ dormitory and a clinic has been completed, however, GH₵17,000.00 is needed to complete the girls’ dormitory and set up dining and toilet facilities to enable them move into their new home. 

But to complete the entire building project, additional support is needed.

Uncompleted buildings at the Potter's Village Home's new site (Source: Potter's Village Home)

We have homes, families and love. These basic things help complete and inspire us about a better future. For these children, the basics are in jeopardy. Their home is on the verge of breaking down. The family they know today, may not be around tomorrow to provide them with the love and care they need. The welfare of every child at the Potter’s Village Home is essential, therefore, it must be a priority to every one of us. They are the future of this country and hence, their childhood must be protected and unadulterated by the agonies life has presented.

Let’s hug them with care as we help change their situation. Let us support the Potter’s Village Home with even our smallest penny. For with our generous deeds, we will build for them, a home and a family. We would sketch smiles on their faces and they will begin to believe that a better tomorrow is indeed possible.