The Medical Laboratory Professional Works Union (MELPWU) Upper West branch has decided to spend this year’s May Day celebration with kids of the FIRM LIFELINE MINISTRIES ORPHANAGE IN JIRAPA, they spent quality time with the children who have been classified as (HIGHLY VULNERABLE CHILDREN) and are either orphans or from not well to do homes.
MELPWU is the umbrella union of laboratory workers in Ghana with a membership of some 6000 of which 150 are working in the Upper West Region and their mandate is to provide diagnostic services to the Ghana Health Service and other quasi-government and faith-based health institutions in Ghana.
Throwing more light on the gesture to the home, Regional Chairman of MELPWU in the Upper West Region, Boniface Mwintiibu Zuyeri said they decided to approach the May Day celebration this year in a different manner by getting close to society and the lot fell on the FIRM LIFELINE MINISTRY ORPHANAGE primarily because it is not as popular as their sister homes even in Jirapa and that the gesture is to forge a long lasting relation with the home.
Pastor Peter Bonga-eo explained that the facility, located off the Jirapa – Kuuchene road was established in the year 2009 to cater for the needs of orphans and vulnerable children with the priority of giving them education.
He said the child population which used to stand at 21 is currently 12 children because some of them have gained admission and are now studying in various Senior High Schools after doing their time in the home although they are still being supported by the home.
He added that the home is being funded by a German organization and the children are educated, which is a requirement to be there, their health and basic needs taken care of and that there is a resident house mother and nonresident volunteers who see to the after-school care of them like homework and personal care
The MELPWU group engaged the children in games, some of which were competitive, one-on-one interaction and a health screening exercise after which they had lunch together.
They made a donation of bags of rice, cooking oil, used clothes, biscuits and soft drinks, tomato and pepper puree, soap and toilet paper among others items.
Joy and happiness cladded the atmosphere but thank yous and good byes had to be said after hours of mutual joy and quality time
