Picture: Michael with Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, PRO of the Tema Regional Police.
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the Tema Region has endorsed and partnering Safe Child in our educational “Campaign Against Bullying & Sexual Violence” in schools and communities.
Nine-year-old Zubaida found herself engulfed in flames when, after pouring kerosene into an indoor home cooking stove, the fuel exploded. She sustained burns to her face, neck, chest and arms, which were so severe that her face and arms were fused to her chest.
The Children’s Burn Foundation learning of Zubaida’s story through world-renowned reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Peter Grossman (who had been contacted by the State Department), provided the funds necessary to give Zubaida, not only the gift of life, but the gift of living. Zubaida underwent more than a dozen surgeries.
Today, 17-year-old Zubaida’s smile can light the darkest room. She dreams of one day becoming a doctor so that she can help others receive the same care and generosity that she experienced.
Four-year-old Kevin was admitted to Torrance Memorial Hospital Burn Unit; he had severe burns to 40% of his body. Kevin was playing with his siblings in the yard of their housing complex when he found a lighter and a hair spray bottle. The next thing little Kevin knew, his clothes were on fire and his young, delicate skin was burning in intense pain.
Luckily, Kevin survived, but he had to undergo multiple surgeries and spend more than a month in the hospital with most of his body completely bandaged.
A very special moment came recently when Kevin was reunited with his twin brother for the first time since this incident as they celebrated their 5th birthday in the hospital.
The good news is that, these injuries are preventable!
It is refreshing to see pupils enacting what Safe Child has impacted to them in various forms towards behavioural change. Seeing how they have imbibed and living safety lives, I am encouraged that there is hope for the future.
Safety recital by pupil.
Songs on Handwashing Behaviour.
Safety dance drama.
Pupils giving testimonies of the impact of what they have learned from Safe Child.
More testimonies.
Safe Child’s injury prevention programme dubbed “Inform to Save” was featured in the prime-time news of the following radio stations; Peace FM 104.3 MHz, Happy 98.9 FM and Adom FM 106.3 MHz. After these media broadcasts, we have received many requests for child safety presentation in several communities.
In the first week, we were able to do twelve (12) child safety presentations in four (4) communities in the Greater Accra Region. For the other communities, we have drawn a comprehensive time-table to cover them.
Our aim for this initiative is to alleviate life threatening situations of children and to achieve behavioural change towards safety.
From left: Michael, Rashida (the Show Presenter) and Eunice.
The Finder Newspaper, Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Page 17.
Daily Guide Newspaper, Thursday, July 26, 2012, Page 15.
The Ghanaian Times, Thursday, August 9, 2012, Page 13.
Nii Shippi Armah (in cloth), a member of the Tema Traditional Council, being helped by two (2) pupils of St. Alban Primary to commission the covered reservoir.
One (1) of the three (3) covered Reservoirs.
Pupils of St. Alban Primary performing a dirge. The last victim, a 10 year old Anas Malik who was a pupil of St. Alban Primary got drowned in the second reservoir.
Eunice of Safe Child recounting the history of the Reservoir project.
Police Supt. Buah, Head of Administration for the Region commending Safe Child.
Section of the audience at the ceremony.
Integrity Manager of TiGO, Leticia Adu-Ampomah giving a speech at the ceremony.
Front Role: Nafiye and Amma both of Reach for Change, the Head of Basic Schools, Madam Rose and the Assemblyman for the Area, Honourable Laweh.
A section of children and teachers at the ceremony.
From left: Eunice, Amma, Michael and Nafiye.
Life-Saving Project!
The latest to sign our Child Road Safety Pledge are pupils of Future Leaders School in Ashaiman.
We are excited to have exceeded our 20,000 target. We now have 21,153 children pledged to go by Road Safety Rules and still counting. All the children who pledged were taken through series of training on road safety to achieve behavioural change.
As Child Road Safety Ambassadors, each of them is expected to educate at least 10 people on road safety, especially their peers.
