Current needsAt the moment, Mercy Education Centre supports 293 children between the ages of four and sixteen, with 89 boys and the remainder are girls. There are sixteen supporting staff members comprising of local volunteers who serve the centre.The circumstances leading to their current status range from single parents, deaths of parents, street migration, or inability of parents/guardians to p
rovide and care for the children due to poverty and family dysfunction.The Centre is situated on 2.5 acres of land, which Mercy F. There is an extended space for farming activities. Being an upcountry locale, we are fortunate to have fertile soil in which to cultivate vegetables crops for subsistence. The remaining land can be used for growing maize, cassava, vegetables and cereals during the planting seasons in January and July.To fund this farming effort, we need 400 Us Dollars for the preparation of this land, in anticipation of the rainy season. Extension of the school and setting up of the school’s health centre are planned in the near future.Running programmes1. We operate a primary school guided by a team of devoted volunteer teachers, from standard/grades one through up to eight.2. We feed the children three square meals in our food program.3. We offer them a hygienic, safe and secure environment in which to live.4. Counseling and guidance are provided to the children, with a Christian focus and an emphasis on cultural and community values.5. We provide opportunities to our children to identify and exploit their intrinsic talents in academics, sports, games, and other activities sponsored by the community.Challenges1.Lack of adequate food2. Clothing. They lack warm cloths for the cooler months and many catch fever as a result of this3. School desks. There are no enough desks or chairs. This means that some sit on the cold concrete floor during class.4. Some of them walk bare footed. This is risky during rainy seasons since they can get water borne diseases5. Sleeping accommodations6. School uniforms. Many of them do not have school uniforms. The school uniform serves as a security to school going children.Long-term/ future project goals1. Expand classrooms2. Get connected to electricity supply3. Acquire enough textbooks for all pupils. Currently, the ratio is one book to eight pupils4. A spacious playground, library, computer lab, teachers units and medical clinic5. Biogas latrine solutions, sustainable energy solutions including heating6. Set up a chicken rearing project to serve as a source of income to the school hence help us work towards self-sufficiency
