ABAN: Helping women in Ghana pull themselves out of poverty - Kansas University

The Problem:

Every day over 40 tons of sachet water bags end up on the streets of Accra. Every night over 30,000 kids fall asleep on these same streets.

An estimated 21,000 children, 6,000 street babies, and 7,000 street mothers (under the age of 20) are said to be roaming the streets of Ghana's capital, Accra. These children come from many different backgrounds, yet whether they have been victims of poverty, abuse, or abandonment, all have one unfortunate common thread: neglect.

For about four US cents, the people of Ghana can buy a 500ml bag of pure water. It’s refreshing, cheap, safe, and convenient. The littering problem, on the other hand, has grown out of control. The masses of waters sachets are choking gutters, breeding mosquitoes and ultimately threatening the property, livestock and people of Accra.

The Solution:

ABAN fights the neglect facing both the girls and the environment. They provide the girls with shelter, seamstress training, Business, English, Math, and Life Skills education, and the means to save, matching their individual savings upon graduation from the program. Through seamstress training, the girls learn a marketable skill by sewing recycled sachet bags into unique, handmade products. Recognizing that every girl has a unique and personal dream, ABAN provides the financial boost and personal assistance needed for these girls to transition from a life in the streets to a respectable standing in society.

Lasting Effects:

The Environment: The work of the women in the ABAN program is significantly cutting down the amount of litter clogging the streets, as well as creating awareness for all those who witness these young people's efforts. Presently, ABAN has been featured on several leading Ghanaian news outlets including Radio Universe and The Daily Express and has partnered with two of the largest producers of water sachet bags to create recycling initiatives. ABAN continually seeks to partner with local organizations in order to raise awareness about environmental health and recycling through advertisements, radio broadcasts, and community projects.

Economic: The young women in the ABAN program are trained by professionals in sewing methods and safety guidelines. The next step in the training process is to participate in producing ABAN products. In addition to the plastic sachet bags, traditional handmade Ghanaian fabric is incorporated into the products. This utilizes and builds upon their knowledge in order to develop well-rounded seamstresses.

Intangible: Most importantly, these women are offered hope and a future. They are not dependent on handouts, or anyone else to support them. They become empowered business women with strong futures for them and their children. These are the type of women that give back to their community and help pull other women out of the cycle of poverty.

Yaa’s Story:

Yaa was only 9 years old when both her parents died in her hometown. With no one to care for her in the village, Yaa made her way to Accra and ended up selling cocoa drinks. Life was very hard for many years, as Yaa had to learn how to live on the streets at such a young age. She slept on the streets and was exposed to the elements each night and dodged in and out of traffic in order to sell her goods on the streets each day. When an older man offered to take her in, Yaa thought she saw an end to having to live day by day, never knowing if she would have enough food or a place to sleep. She also explained that it was the first act of kindness she had encountered on the streets. However, when the man impregnated her, she decided she must run away.

Yaa found refuge at S.Aid where she delivered her baby boy Kojo. With one month left at the refuge, she greatly feared what was to come. She did not want to suffer on the streets again and has big dreams for herself and even bigger dreams for her son. She wants to open a hair salon with many of her own apprentices. Yaa speaks English very well and loves learning, and she would love to go back to school. However, Yaa knows her first obligation is to provide for her son, so she feels becoming a hairdresser is a more realistic alternative. She wants her son to have the best education and hopes he will one day be a doctor, lawyer, minister, or even the President of Ghana. Despite her tough upbringing, Yaa is always smiling and a very gentle and caring mother.

ABAN makes it possible for Yaa to provide for her son and gain valuable work experience in the process.