House in Hebron

Children in Hebron

Up to 30 former street children living in the Hebron-Home. The boys in Hebron are between 6 and 19 years of age, originate from different regions in Ghana and all came to Accra as loners, surviving around the Kokomba-Market area. Upon their arrival in Hebron they attend Prince Bwateng Memorial School in Nsawam – a private school, which is located only five minutes away from Hebron. They go there by bus every day. After classes the boys all do their homework together and deepen their knowledge in small study groups. There are also some children living at the house who don’t go to school again yet. They are educated intensively so that they can soon return to a regular school. There is always at least one CFC staff member present to study with the boys. For each child there is an individual task book, into which daily assignments are entered and solved.

The children are supposed to feel loved and secure at the CFC facility in Hebron. This is the main goal of the managing staff. The children have a duty plan, which they have arranged together. Regular meetings and daily talks with the social workers guarantee a goal-oriented problem-solving process

Future plans for Hebron

Since 2005 there are several boys each year, who graduate from Junior High School and continue with an apprenticeship or continue school at a Senior High School. Some go to technical schools or enter vocational training. Many of them have to live at their respective schools full time or  move to  rooms in the city. CFC supports the youth in their new living situation.  In this way CFC is able to host annually around four new children in Hebron.

In addition to schooling, CFC also offers various professional trainings to the youths. During workshops they can try out, what their interests are and what kind of work they are most skilled for.

During the weekends the children and young adults from the CFC house in Hebron all come to Accra. On Sundays they visit a Christian service before attending a special programme including sports, creativity, religion and craftwork. Once a month they all visit the beach together where they enjoy football, swimming and other activities on the beach.

History

In July 2001 the couple Kodi and Gladys Gogo moved into the newly built facility with their own two sons as well as six former street children. In 2002 seven additional children were added to the household. They all shared the first floor of the CFC house in Hebron. By September 2004 ten more children joined this big family.

Additional caretakers and another seven boys moved into the second floor in August 2004. In early 2005 the batik- and soap-production facility was opened. By now there is an average of 20 boys living in Hebron – sometimes a few more and sometimes a few less.

Construction

The first floor was erected between the summer of 2000 and July 2001 according to the ideas of the two heads. The plans were drawn by Seth Torto Sodjah, who was also part of CFC team, with help by architect Mr. Nortey. The first floor was built by local craftsmen with utmost dedication. Amon Kotey and Daniela Ruedisueli Sodjah selected and purchased all construction materials upon consulting knowledgeable experts in order to ensure a high quality level and to save money.

In the spring of 2001 both the head of the house and the first children contributed significantly to completing the house. Together they dug, disposed rubbish and planted – lots of hard work but also lots of fun and binding experiences. By July 2001 the first generation of children moved into the house. During the following months they worked on improving the vicinity, painting the house and completing the walls surrounding the compound.

In 2002 and 2003 the second floor was added. In early 2004 CFC bought additional landmasses, which are now used to plant tomatoes, beans, yam, onions and other local vegetables. Throughout 2004 the interior of the second floor was equipped – adding two bedrooms for the boys, a staff living room, a private room for the interns, three showers, toilets and a large lounge including a study area.

In March of 2003 the first two rooms of the Hebron workshop were finished, enabling CFC to produce drums and woodwork once again in Hebron. In November 2005 the second floor of this solid workshop building was opened. The latter also consists of two separate rooms – one being used for producing batik- and wax-linens, while the other was furnished as an office in 2006.