Biu-Jaagu is a remote community in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, without electricity, piped water or easy access to good schools and health services. Many children used to join their parents in the rice valleys instead of going to school, and few young people knew anything about their sexual and reproductive health.
Through the Child Health Improvement project, funded by Kindermissionswerk, NABOCADO set up an adolescent health club in Biu-Jaagu. It gives boys and girls, and their parents, regular health education, and it gives young people a place to meet, play and learn together on the community’s great rock.
Two of its members are Sampson and David. Sampson, 18, dreams of becoming a nurse so that no child in his community suffers for lack of medical care.
“This group has helped me a lot. I have learnt about peer group influence. If not for this group, I could have joined a lot of friends in doing bad things.”
David had left school and was introduced to the club recently. There he plays his favourite game, football, with his peers and learns about his health. The sessions have changed his mind about school.
“I left school because my parents are poor and could not provide my basic needs, so I always went with them to the farm. Now, with support, I would like to go back, so I can become a professional footballer or a police officer.”
Alongside the club, the project brought health education, immunisation and regular check-ups to children in Biu-Jaagu, and mentoring that helps young people like Sampson and David work towards their goals and become change-makers in their community.
Part of the Child Health Improvement project of NABOCADO’s Health Directorate, funded by Kindermissionswerk ‘Die Sternsinger’, Germany.
Story and photos: Moses Apana Apobona, NABOCADO Media & Communications.