OUR IMPACT: STATS & STORIES
Earlier in June, the GRID board and leadership team met for the annual general meeting. We looked back at the many great things WE (you and us) have accomplished together to carry forward our mission of meeting the basic needs in the communities we serve in a sustainable and integrated manner, motivated by Christ’s love.
The stats and stories you will read here speak of the great impact of transforming lives and communities we are blessed to partner with together.
Since the opening of the doors of Leyaata Hospital, the numbers of patients and visitors increase daily as the staff serve and provide quality healthcare for the people in the Carpenter area and far beyond. There have been several emergency obstetrical cases that have come where the patients had very little time on their side, but they survived. It’s with great excitement we share some stories and statistics of lives rescued.
BLOOD BANK
Keeping the blood bank stocked is vital. NEA staff were the first donors, the Ghana Health Partners added to this and recently, a blood donation clinic was set up at a nearby secondary school to fill the fridge. The hospital is liaising with other hospitals within a three hour radius to set up a loan and exchange system so that blood does not expire and so that all types are available. Recently, a woman was referred to the hospital with life-threatening post-delivery complications. She depleted the hospital’s stock of her blood type and three staff quickly donated blood to save her life.
As can be seen by the numbers below, the Leyaata Hospital is already impacting thousands – one patient at a time!
CHURCH GROWTH
Dr. David Mensah had a great zoom call with the ECAC leadership team last week. They were pleased to report that a new congregation has been established in Wasipe. The youth are excited and busy preparing for their annual youth conference in August.
The leadership has met with the new Bible School graduates and have decided on the communities where they will go to begin their ministry.
Pastor Janet Nyaahbolsom, one of the new graduates, was awarded the SRC Welfare Minister citation for her exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and development of the Ghana Baptist University College.
They also reported on the great progress of the construction of the three church buildings. One is completed and two are under construction.
Each pastor nurtures at least two congregations. Please pray for the pastors’ safety as they move about on their motorbikes from congregation to congregation.
The Babanayaa Project seeks to empower rural women through livelihood empowerment interventions such as peanut farming, animal husbandry and educational sponsorship for girls. Prior to the project, many young girls did not aspire to be in school due to the cultural norms which accorded males much higher educational opportunities to be in school at the expense of their female counterparts. The few girls who wanted to be in school could not afford it.
The introduction of the female education program opened doors for several girls, including Faustina. Her dad passed away when she was in her final year of high school. A year later she completed high school with distinction, but her single mom could not afford to enroll her for post-secondary education. Thankfully, she heard of the Babanayaa sponsorship program. She applied and was awarded a scholarship. A door has opened for Faustina to become a nurse.
Twenty-two young women have already benefitted from the scholarship program and 38 more have been approved for scholarships this year. This is possible because the cost of scholarships for the 60 girls is still within the budgeted amount of our original proposal for 30 girls. We are grateful to you, our faithful sponsors, and to the Government of Canada for their funding support.
FAUSTINA NADOWLINAA
As the number of people and communities we serve grows annually, we also thank God for the new GRID leadership team members joining our board this year.
DR. CHARLES & SANDRA PENISTON
Dr. Charles & Sandra have been part of the Ghana Health Team/Ghana Health Partners since 2009. As a highly regarded cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Charles plays a vital role in rescuing thousands of lives. Sandra is an Assistant Professor at York University’s Faculty of Health – School of Nursing and actively mentors our Leyaata Hospital nursing team.
CHERYL WEBER
Cheryl has been in broadcasting for over 20 years and currently co-hosts 100 Huntley Street, where she interviewed Dr. David Mensah in 2013. Cheryl is a public speaker, versatile national and international reporter and producer. She is also the Director of Crossroads Cares Relief and Development.
LYNNITA WEBER
Lynnita was GRID’s Senior Program Manager from 2009 – 2019. She was very instrumental in the success of the Leyaata & Leyaata Ane Projects. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership. She is also the Executive Pastor of St. Paul’s Leaksdale Church, one of our committed church partners.
Your steadfast support, partnership and generosity make it possible to extend our outreach efforts to care for the most vulnerable through (i) sustainable peanut and goat farming, (ii) building community fishponds and gardens (iii) providing scholarships (iv) keeping people healthy through the Leyaata Hospital (v) providing access to clean water and (vi) equipping local church leaders to serve their congregations and stand in their faith. Together, we will continue to serve those in great need!
We look forward to sharing more stories and increased stats of lives transformed this year.
Ruth Adams says
Dear Friends: This is one of the most exciting newsletters I’ve received to date. I sat here with a broad smile as I read about the growing impact my beloved GRID is making in the lives of so many! It is a privilege to be part of this vital ministry. May God continue to bless you all as your outreach reaches more and more needy Ghanaians.
With Love & Gratitude,