PCC News, April 2019
This time a column with various actual newsflashes about the PCC residents.
Posting this column has been delayed by the sad events of the past weeks. Hopefully it is still interesting for our readers.
Three youth of the sheltered workshop at their relatives’ again
Three youth who have been working at the sheltered workshop in PCC for many years and who have learnt an awful lot there, returned to their relatives’ homes again at the beginning of 2019. Of course, with the support of PCC and their relatives’ approval.
For the three of them a plan has been made in close agreement with their relatives. The idea being that they will be able to make use of all skills they have learnt in PCC in order to function as independently as possible in their own villages.
The three people we have said our goodbyes to in January are: Abigail, Kofi Baidu and Yaw K. Johnson.
We wish them all the very best and we will visit them in their villages regularly to see how they are doing.
A few residents in poor health
Unfortunately, during the past period a few of our residents have felt really unwell, e.g. Lazarus, Mariella and Kojo Joseph. They were ill and have, in spite of various checks and treatments in hospital, not fully recovered yet.
Especially Lazarus is still weak, he has lost a lot of weight. We sincerely hope and pray that his health will improve soon.
James needed another blood transfusion urgently because of his sickle-cell disease – we have lost count in the mean time.
We always have to worry about a few residents of PCC despite our frequent visits to hospitals in Nkoranza, Techiman and Sunyani. Besides, it is not always easy to find adequate medical help for our residents within reasonable time.
Theresa
Whoever knows Theresa will agree: she has the looks of an extremely fragile child, especially because of her frail figure and her introvert and somewhat helpless demeanour.
Three youth of the sheltered workshop at their relatives’ again
Three youth who have been working at the sheltered workshop in PCC for many years and who have learnt an awful lot there, returned to their relatives’ homes again at the beginning of 2019. Of course, with the support of PCC and their relatives’ approval.
For the three of them a plan has been made in close agreement with their relatives. The idea being that they will be able to make use of all skills they have learnt in PCC in order to function as independently as possible in their own villages.
The three people we have said our goodbyes to in January are: Abigail, Kofi Baidu and Yaw K. Johnson.
We wish them all the very best and we will visit them in their villages regularly to see how they are doing.
A few residents in poor health
Unfortunately, during the past period a few of our residents have felt really unwell, e.g. Lazarus, Mariella and Kojo Joseph. They were ill and have, in spite of various checks and treatments in hospital, not fully recovered yet.
Especially Lazarus is still weak, he has lost a lot of weight. We sincerely hope and pray that his health will improve soon.
James needed another blood transfusion urgently because of his sickle-cell disease – we have lost count in the mean time.
We always have to worry about a few residents of PCC despite our frequent visits to hospitals in Nkoranza, Techiman and Sunyani. Besides, it is not always easy to find adequate medical help for our residents within reasonable time.
Theresa
Whoever knows Theresa will agree: she has the looks of an extremely fragile child, especially because of her frail figure and her introvert and somewhat helpless demeanour.
Unfortunately, Theresa’s vulnerability has recently come to the surface in a completely other way: she has broken her right upper leg (femoral necks) and is unable to walk now.
The doctors in Sunyani and the orthopaedic surgeon in Duayaw Nkwanta have said: ”We can’t do anything for her, just put her in a wheelchair…”.
Development modules for caregivers
At the moment much time and effort is invested in the development of a training and educational programme for new caregivers. People from various countries and backgrounds are working on this under the guidance of Sue Hatton from England. In the mean time also clear learning objectives are being defined and certificates for each completed phase of our internal education are being developed. We consider this as an important step in improving the expertise and skills of our caregivers and as a way of improving the quality of the care given.
Repair work footpaths PCC
If in the future you would visit PCC, it is possible to have an even better stroll around the grounds together with the children at 7 AM now, because during the past months the potholes and crumbling footpaths have been repaired. Some paths are even brand new.
And what about Albert?
Well, I am happy to say that I am all right!
Although I am still recuperating, I was able to travel to Ghana and PCC on the 23rd of March – on medication. Hopefully, this time my trip does not end up in a Hospital bed …..
In spite of my illness and much to my pleasure I was informed on all developments in PCC and if necessary I was also consulted, thanks of course to all modern ways of communication available.
It is also very reassuring to know that Baffo and Joe Emma, together with all other PCC employees (more than 50 people!), have taken good care of all children and our Community as a whole.
A great comfort!