our first day out and about...

This is the sign outside Street Aid.  This is their main building site.  At this location there is office space for the staff and the "house of refuge" which is a residence for pregnant girls who were living on the streets.  We were surprised to learn that the girls are homeless children/mothers...not street girls as one might think.  The girls staying in the residence are not prostitutes, they are young women trying to make a better life.  They come to or are sent to the big city and end up living in the streets.  Most (90%+) of the children living in the streets are from other places in Ghana and some from other countries.  

This is Sara...one of the girls I will begin working with tomorrow...

This is one of the littles born to a mother living in the refuge...

Here is Sara again with others living at the Street Aid House.

This is the "house mother" for the girls...

After a tour of the offices and the girls' residence we started out journey to the other sights operated by Street Aid - Child Care Centers called Creches. On our way I snapped a few shots of the venders selling items between the rows of traffic.  We have been amazed at the items for sale...food...art...home supplies...knick knacky stuff...you name it!

Here is a mama taking baby along to work in the traffic...

Yep those are chickens...

We arrived at the first child care location - near the train station.  Taking photographs here was not advisable, but I did manage a few shots along the way.

We entered the area from the station and then walked the tracks lined with vendors.  There is garbage everywhere.  

After a walk the equivalent of several blocks we arrived at the first center. When we entered we were mobbed by little ones....all calling out obruni (sp?)...meaning white person.  We took photos and they LOVED it.  We visited with staff and played with the littles...

The group of girls were helping out a the center...

The center provides care for working moms...

There are no toys here...the play equipment is well used...

We visited the older students at a creche further down the tracks...

Again, the children swarmed...wanting to be recognized and have their picture taken...

Our third stop was a center for ages 0-5...there are 115+ children here each day...

I am not sure how to convey the feelings...the thoughts that this day produced.  We met women working so very hard to make a life for themselves and their children.  The work that this organization is doing is for more than I originally thought.  41 full time staff operate 5 facilities.  They are providing safety for pregnant girls and supporting the working mothers by providing child care.  They have field workers who walk the streets and refer those who qualify for support.  Watching these workers in action was inspiring.  

I saw things today that I have never seen.  I am so very privileged and wish that you could see, smell, hear and taste this.  

Tomorrow I will start my work with the girls who live in the house of refuge.  I am really excited about the time I will spend with them.

Will post again soon...Kirsten