The people of Okurase have a vision of rural African villages with safe water and proper sanitation, economic self-sufficiency, improved health and nutrition, increased educational opportunities, access to the Internet and technology and using renewable energy sources.
Through six key objectives, we work to accomplish this vision. These overarching objectives are focused on transforming lives by creating collaborative, sustainable, and integrated solutions with a particular focus on women and vulnerable children.
The Six Objectives
- Cultural Exchange - Teach about the unique art, dance, storytelling and music culture of Ghana and learn from those we teach.
- Economic Self-Sufficiency - Support economic growth through relevant, comprehensive skills and vocational training and guide small businesses.
- Education and Technology - Establish an educational program nursery to senior high school integrated with technology to increase educational opportunities.
- Health and Nutrition - Provide access to quality health care and promote health and nutrition programs to reduce illnesses and early mortality as well as implement organic farming methods to improve health and economic benefit to the farmers.
- Nkabom Centre - Build the Nkabom Centre, an environmentally friendly community center using local resources.
Water and Sanitation - Maintain a safe, clean water system, implement a sustainable toilet system and establish a pattern of environmental cleanliness.
Programs and Projects
Under each of our six main objectives are specific programs that help to further that objective. A key underlying principle of Project OKURASE is the recognition that the people of the village know what is best for improving their lives and how to attain sustainability. Thus, all programs are locally determined and locally led.
While external collaborators are respected and valued, the elders and leaders who live in the village have the ultimate authority about whether a program will be initiated and how it will be adapted to the culture of the village. Outside collaborators offer assistance with resources and ideas and the village residents contribute labor (sweat equity), and other resources when possible.
Each of the programs under the six main objectives are further broken into a series of projects. The successful completion of these prioritized projects helps us move our programs forward to completion.
Extended Families
We currently have a special initiative called Extended Families. Individuals that wish to sponsor a child or family for school or medical care, food, nutrition or other reasons can become an extension of a village family. They contact us. We link the individual with a family to begin the extended family relationship. Often times when people sponsor children for school, the child starts school and then the sponsor decides to stop. Doing so leaves the child and family in a difficult situation. Having to leave school due to lack of funds can lead parents and children to feel severely depressed. If an individual would like to make more than a one-time donation to a program and become an extended family member, our expectation is that they follow the child through their entire journey to completion.
Most of our extended family members sponsor children for school. Some sponsor families for monthly food for an agreed upon period of time. Some sponsor a specific university course. Extended family can set up a recurring donation through this website.
How You Can Help
Explore the many ways to be involved with helping the people of Okurase and beyond. Small actions add up to big changes. You can be a part of the change process and get to know people and that will change your life.
