Distribution, downpours and delightful children at Acroso – Wednesday 17th October

Acroso was a three hour drive away and meant an early start for us all. However the rides in the minibus are so fascinating that one almost forgets the time. The towns we pass through are full of traders, some with shops, some simply a stall by the roadside.



Many businesses reflect in their names, the Christian belief that is part of Ghana’s heritage, such as “The Lord is my Light Fashion” and “Sow in Tears, Reap in Joy Welding and Spraying”. Many make us laugh and I've started keeping a note of them. Jill noticed “Perseverance Fast Food” and Will spotted “Sweet Jesus Fresh Eggs”! Many cars and taxis also bear witness to their owners’ faith with slogans such as “God is with us” and “Thank you Jesus”. As Pip so rightly observed “It’s amazing – God is everywhere!”

The Acroso location was a building with a roof overhang right around it which was a blessing when the familiar early afternoon torrential downpour happened! I’m beginning to understand why Ghana is such a green land!







Canopies had been erected around the grass square and already many people had gathered – in fact some had arrived the day before. Some were there to receive wheelchairs, many were carers and friends accompanying them and not a few were there just to enjoy the spectacle!





Chris, a happy 5 year old was brain-damaged after having convulsions at the age of 6 months and had poor head control. It was great to be able to give him this Pixi buggy with wings which support his head. His mum was as delighted as he was!







Theresa was a 24 year old woman who lived with her father and 2 year old twins.

She previously got about by crawling and was so happy to have a chair. She said her father was a farmer and this wheelchair would now enable her to help him sell his produce. The little girls were adorable, but never having seen a white face before, they were absolutely terrified of me!

As has happened previously the "official opening ceremony" which was laid on for us at the beginning of the day took up precious daylight time and meant that we worked until nightfall or beyond. As we were tidying up the site we saw several children collecting water, on their way home with buckets or basins on their heads. Their balance and agility is awesome.
When I took this little girl's photo, the flash alerted other children to my camera and they came crowding round wanting their picture taken too.

Within moments I was sur-rounded by about 40-50 children.

There's a limit to how much you can take photographs and show a group of that size, so I asked them if they'd like to sing and we went over to the grass square where the site of the distribution had been.

They joined in with actions to

"Who's the king of the jungle? Who's the king of the sea?
Who's the King of the universe?And who's the King of me?"

and then they sang a couple of songs to me, one of which I'd heard the street kids sing last Sunday night. Again, their enthusiasm and the strength of their singing made a deep impression on me. This passion is infectious!

http://www.thelightoutreach.org/
http://www.throughtheroof.org/
christinethefizz@onetel.com