Short Profile Chance for Children

It is the goal of Chance for Children to provide an opportunity to the street children in Accra so they can take control of their lives through experiencing love and safety, and receiving an education and professional training.

The street children project «Chance for Children» was founded in 1999 as an international non-governmental-organisation (NGO) with its headquarter in Switzerland and its field work in Accra, Ghana. The founders Daniela Ruedisueli Sodjah from Gommiswald (Switzerland) and Amon Kotey from Accra are leading the project alongside 20 native Ghanaians.

A managing board with five members is responsible for Chance for Children.

Chance for Children is being financed by 1500 private donors, church congregations, associations, schools and companies. The CFC staff and children can contribute to co-financing with their handicrafts, which are sold for the benefit of the project.

In order to guarantee long-term financial planning, the group «CFC Friends» organizes several voluntary activities that benefit the organization.

Our work

Chance for Children serves approximately 70 children and youths at one time.

• Drop-In Center in Jamestown
  Opened in November 2008, Drop-In Center provides up to 30 street children with relief from the struggle of surviving in the streets. The children receive a hot meal, medical and psychological care, and the opportunity to participate in lessons as well as various handcraft workshops. In this way, CFC is able support street children in their current situations and work with them to develop short- and long-term perspectives.

• Girls’ Group Home in Jamestown
  Since November 2009, CFC has been able to offer housing for up to ten formerly homeless girls in a supportive cooperative living situation. The girls attend public school or complete a job training program.

• Hebron-Home for boys
  First opened in 2002, the CFC dormitory in the outskirts of Accra is home to up to 30 boys and teens. As members of a community, they learn to take responsibility for their behavior. The boys attend school in the neighboring town of Nsawam.

• Youth in professional training
  Youths who have finished their required primary schooling are enrolled in job training programs or further academic study. They receive regular visits, both in their cooperative living quarters and at the boarding school, from CFC’s youth workers, who accompany and guide them on their journey to independence.

• Workshops
  The children and teens take part in a variety of regular tasks and educational workshops. Through the process of manufacturing batik fabric, greeting cards, and jewelry, they discover and further develop their talents for handwork.

• Completed training
  Over the years, nineteen CFC youths have completed their education and now live independent and self-sufficient lives.

• CFC-Team
  20 Ghanaian women and men and one European woman currently work as part of CFC’s team. The team is assisted by trainees. CFC places great importance on fair wages, appropriate social security benefits, and good working conditions.
  For years our team has been benefiting from volunteers, each staying for 6 months.