The people of Akyem Nsutam and Osino can now smile because they have potable water, thanks to the kind support of SOS Children’s Villages community interventions, known as the Family Strengthening Programme.

The water, which is mechanized  and the sixth which had been built by the orgnaization in three districts in Eastern Region, seeks to underline the commitment of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana to positively affect the communities where it operates.

The National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, Mr Alexander Mar Kekula in his speech expressed the organization‘s commitment to ensuring that they play a very influential role as the world prepares to achieve the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which has come to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“As a child welfare orgnaization we are going to be guided by six of the seventeen Sustainable Develpment Goals, that will create best effect to creating quality life for Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families. Our focus will be within the following goals: Poverty Eradication, Education, Health, Good Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, and Peace and Justice“.

He  stated that the orgnaization has been operating over the past 41 years, not only to provide quality care for children who have lost parental care, but also for children who are at risk of losing parental care as  well as the entire communities where they come from.

He said this at the commissioning of the 6th mechanised  potable water station in Nsutam and Osino in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region by SOS Children’s Villages Ghana

Also addressing the gathering at the commissioning, the Family Strengthening Programme Coordinator for Asiakwa, Mrs. Patricia Mietona Kunchire, indicated that SOS Children’s Villages Ghana is also dedicated to complimenting government’s efforts.

“You do agree with me that the provision of basic facilities for communities is a statutory responsibility of the District Assemblies. However, considering the increase demand on the government, it is very remarkable that the SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has identified itself with our plight by providing these boreholes and toilet facilities to these communities.

“It is our hope that other organizations and individuals will be motivated by our actions to do same, if not for anything but for the children since they are our future. We would also like to extend our gratitude and thanks to all the role players that have made this dream become a reality. She reiterated.

The Krontihene of Akyem Nsutam, Nana Baffour Antwi commended SOS Children’s Villages Ghana for their kind gesture. He assured everybody that the water station would have a well laid out sustainable measures put in place so as to provide a long term maintenance culture.

SOS Children’s Villages Ghana continues to work to ensure that every child is able to form their own convictions-following beliefs, being true to cultural roots and respecting those of others. SOS Villages have worked with partners in each community to either help families care for their children or to provide an alternative care. Everything they do is based on the best interests of the child. Over the past four decades SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has been widely known for its long term family based care system. It is, however, interesting to know that its services cross beyond the boundaries of  just long term family based care.

Thorough its Family Strengthening Programme, the impact of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana in the Eastern Region has been tremendous over the past 10 years. Hundreds of vulnerable families and their children and the communities around them have received various supports. Some of the intervention strategies include direct educational, health and economic support, as well as strengthening capacities of caregivers and community groups and advocacy for more and better services.

So far about 20 communities in three districts- Fanteakwa, East and West Akim can smilingly boast of clean water and toilet facilities. Thanks to SOS Children’s Villages Ghana.