Empowering street children

in Ghana

October 2016

Ghana

Accra

Ghana

Quick facts Area: 238,533 km2 (1)

Total population: 26 M

Population under 18: 44,8 % Urbanized population: 52,7 % (2)

Human Development Index rank 2015: 140/188, medium human development

Sources: 1. Ghana Statistical Service (web); 2. UNICEF State of The World's Children 2015.

Background Poverty rate in the rural areas is 39%, vs. 10% in urban Ghana. Most families in the lower income bracket are

dependent on all family members actively contributing to the household economy, including children since early ages.

Source: FAO - Gender Inequalities in Rural Employment in Ghana 2012.

Laura’s pic

The dream of a better life attracts many people from the rural areas to the cities. Here, work opportunities are also limited, and the family or community support networks are often weak or nonexistent.

Background

Background

Source: 1. WHO Urban Health Country Profile - Ghana 2011.

40.1% of the urban population in Ghana live in slums. High population density Low air and water quality Lack of waste disposal services or sanitation High vulnerability to:

- Forced evictions - Flooding - Serious diseases - Etc.

More than 60,000 children are living on the streets of Greater Accra Region. They usually engage in menial and dangerous jobs, are unprotected and illiterate. These children are highly vulnerable to abuse, violence, criminality and misery.

Background

During the past years, the number of street children in Greater Accra Region has increased significantly.

Background

Sources: 96-09: Catholique Action for Street Children (CAS); 2011 census: CAS, S.AID, Department of Social Welfare of Ghana; 2016: estimates by CF and other partners.

No. of street children in Greater Accra Region

86.8%

6.4% 4.0% 2.8%

Search for money

Parent divorced

Work opportunity

Parent dead 10,400

15,300 21,140

35,000

61,500

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

1996 2003 2006 2009 2011 2016

57% girls

Reasons for leaving home (2011 Census)

43% boys

Chance for Children OUR VISION

Street children in Accra shall receive a chance to take their lives into their own hands by experiencing love and protection

as well as acquiring scholar and professional skills.

1997 First meeting of Amon and Daniela in Ghana

1999 Official registration as an international NGO

2000 Support of children in the family house of Amon in La

2001 Construction and occupation of the Boys Home in Hebron

2002 Construction of office and workshop building in Hebron

2005 House in La becomes the Girls Home

2008 Inauguration of Drop-In Centre in Jamestown

2009 Opening of Girls’ Home in Jamestown

2011 Awuley joins the CFC Management team

2011-13 Inauguration of the Girls Home in Hebron

2015 Move to the new Drop-In Centre in Abossey Okai

Departments

Street work 200-300 contacts per month

Children supported in their families Up to 50 children

Drop-In Centre 45 children per day

Girls and Boys Homes Up to 70 children

Youths in professional training Up to 5 adolescents

Street work Social workers meet children regularly on the streets for identification, education and transferals.

Drop-In Centre Every day, up to 45 children find in our new Drop-In Centre a safe place out of the daily struggle from the streets.

Hebron Homes Up to 70 girls and boys between 7 and 18 years old live in our two homes in Hebron.

Children supported in their families CFC promotes child reintegration and currently supports up to 50 children within their nuclear or extended family of origin.

Families and children are provided with accompaniment, counselling, training and financial support based on their needs.

Youth Adolescents who successfully complete basic or secondary education, and cannot be reintegrated, are supported to enroll in professional training or to pursue higher education. They share a house and are accompanied by CFC in their daily lives.

Programs Our 6 programs cover our main areas of intervention with the children.

They run through all our 5 departments, ensuring a consistent and thoughtful application of our core values and goals.

Education E. And S. Development Health

Reintegration Volunteers Handicraft

Health Our Health Protocol is followed in the daily operation of all departments.

We hold workshops for children and staff and perform regular check-ups in collaboration with health institutions.

Education Based on our Educational Concept, we implement strategies and carry out activities throughout our departments,

helping children grow at a personal, social and academic level.

Psychology Our psychologists work closely with the children in order to assess them, implement personal growth strategies and

monitor their progress. Additionally, trainings are held to strengthen our workers’ skills when working with the children.

Reintegration We believe that, in most cases, it is in the best interest of a child to live with her/his family.

For this reason, we put great efforts on reintegration, ensuring all guarantees are met regarding the child, wellbeing.

Number of children reintegrated into their families (2013-16*):

89

Currently supported by CFC: 27

No longer supported by CFC: 62

* As of 21/06/2016

Volunteers Chance for Children is proud to have in our team a number of valuable volunteers

that put their time and skills at the service of the children.

Areas of work: • Education • Health • Communication • Assessment and consultancy • Relations with local partners

Our volunteers: • 3-4 long-term volunteers/year • Volunteers / CFC Friends - Ghana

Handicrafts We produce a range of hand-made items that help us raise funds and create awareness of our work.

Children often take part in the process through workshops that also contribute to develop their manual and creative skills.

Cooperation We cherish and foster cooperation with various institutions both in Switzerland and in Ghana.

Below: Good Deeds Day with Sonitra, fun day at the GSIS in Accra and exchange program with PHZH in Zurich.

Good Deeds Day with Sonitra Fun Day at the GSIS in Accra

Exchange program with PHZH in Zurich

Organisation Chance for Children is an internationally acknowledged non-governmental organisation (NGO)

according to Ghanaian law, and a charitable organisation by Swiss law.

Volunteers

Health

Education

Psychology

Reintegration

Board

Administration/ Accounting Switzerland

Fundraising/ CFC Friends Switzerland

PR/Fundraising/ CFC Friends

Ghana

Handicrafts

Street-work

Children reunited

Drop-In Centre

Girls’ and Boys’

Homes Youth

General Assembly

Accounting Ghana

Management in Ghana

Human Resources

Management Assistant & Quality Manager

Funding

501,738 32,164 3,530 2,584

12,301

527,715

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

Donations Sales of Goods Memberships Other Origination*

Ghana

Switzerland, Europe and

America

CFC is financially supported by more than 2,700 individuals, churches, schools, associations and companies. In order to ensure a long-term financial plan, the voluntary group CFC Friends organises fundraising events in Switzerland and Ghana.

540,017

*Swiss Franc from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Source: Chance for Children 2015 Annual Report.

Transportation / Flights Administration / Advertisement

Children direct: School fees, food, clothes & transportation: 7.9% Taking Care: 33.4% Accomodation (incl. amortization/FX): 49.1%

0.8%

8.8%

90.4%

Other figures

Children supported in 2015: 300 one-to-one contacts/month 45 children/day in the Drop-In Centre 70 children living in the Hebron Homes 40 children supported in their families 9 adolescents supported in the Youth

Our team: 3 Managing Directors 46 workers (55% women) 3-4 long-term volunteer/year

2015 Current

Expenses: CHF 430,882

Our Team The Chance for Children team is proudly composed by 3 Managing Directors and 46 workers from both Ghana and

Switzerland. We believe in gender equality, fair wages, appropriate social benefits and good working conditions.

Success stories

• Children and adolescents currently supported by CFC: 140

• Graduates from CFC program: 49

July 2016 update (2000 – 2016)

Of the graduates: • Completed school/training with CFC: 42 • Reintegrated into their families: 7

Success stories

89%

11%

CFC Graduates

Working

Furthering their education

82%

47%

78%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

100%

Living on what they earn

Supporting someone else

Working on the profession they

learnt

Of those working

CFC survey made in 2015 to 24 young adults who have graduated from Chance for Children in the last 5 years. No. of respondents: 19.

CFC News In 2016, we continue working with our children and getting inspired by new and exciting experiences.

Tribes workshops in Hebron

Fun Day at GSIS Child reintegrated with his family

Goals for 2016 1. We want to ensure that our workers know our values and priniciples

and work accordingly.

2. We want to work 3 hours a week on the organsation analysis and development.

3. We want to develop steps for the transitions of our kids into and out of our homes.

4. We want to establish a structure for our girls youth.