This summer, Belinda Quaye and her children Maxine and Robert, visited our Mission Partner, Rev. Barbara Asempa, Director of Home of Care and Protection (HOCAP). Belinda is a member of our African Mission Committee and visited various Westminster’s West African Mission projects in Ghana. In this article, Belinda shares her experience traveling to and visiting Nyitawuta and the Mama Alice Health Clinic.
A tricky ride to Nyitawuta
The road to Nyitawuta
The day arrived and we set off with our mission partner Rev. Barbara Asempa for Nyitawuta, which is a rural village in the Volta Region, a travel distance of about 90 miles. We left Tema at 9:00 am and midway through the journey at Akatsi, we went through a heavy downpour. Barbara called ahead to Nyitawuta to check if it was raining there too, but fortunately, it wasn’t.
After we turned off the main road, I understood why we needed dry weather! The road was only a footpath with long bushes on either side. Obviously, no motor vehicles had been on the path for a very long time! I was in awe of our driver, who maneuvered the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with incredible dexterity. Barbara told me that morning that Francis was the only driver she was willing to hire on her trips to Nyitawuta and I understood why! I had lived most of my life in my native country, Ghana, before moving to the US; however, nothing had prepared me for the next few hours ahead!
Once we turned off the main Akatsi road that leads to Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and the eastern border of West Africa, a journey that could have taken 15 minutes took about an hour. At every turn, I’d ask our driver and Barbara, “Are we almost there?” and they’d laugh! Obviously, we had a ways still to go.
Children along the way
We drove through three villages with happy children waving at us. I was amazed how these children seemed so excited to see us, though one could tell from their faces that they wondered, “What is a truck doing here?”
As we went along, Barbara recognized some of these children and told us they were from Nyitawuta. They were all in school uniforms and we were disappointed that we didn’t arrive in time to meet them at the school. We later learned there was a sporting event in a village three villages over and they were on their way there to participate.
We finally made it safely to Nyitawuta
People are always happy to see our partner, Rev. Barbara Asempa, Director, HOCAP
The church was the first building at the main entrance, west of the village. We were told it was a Pentecostal church and the only church in the village. A slender man in a pink shirt and baseball hat was sitting a few yards from the church building. Barbara told us he was the village chief and we needed to get out of the truck to greet him.
He broke into a broad smile and his face lit up as he saw Barbara. He was so happy to see us. Barbara later told me she didn’t give prior notice of our arrival, otherwise a big durbar would have been organized to welcome us. After Barbara introduced us, she told him we were from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany and were there to see the Mama Alice Clinic and to visit them.
At that moment, a group of children aged less than 1 year to 9 years appeared from all corners of the village, beaming with smiles, and women and men followed right behind the children. Everyone seemed SO happy to see us, and particularly Barbara. At this point, all the inhabitants of Nyitawuta were gathering to greet us.
Greeting the elderly
We stopped at various huts to greet the elderly sitting in their doorways or under shady trees who, like everyone else, extended their hands in greeting. The weather was beautiful, though quite humid. That couldn’t dampen the infectious joy of these villagers who lived in the middle of nowhere with little to boast of except life and health. We slowly made our way through the village, followed by every child and almost all adults in Nyitawuta. At one point, this reminded me of a fairy tale I read as a child, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
Visiting the school and the Mama Alice Clinic
Apartments built for teachers
We walked past the clinic to the school. We had some goodies for the children, but as I mentioned earlier, they closed before we arrived due to a sporting event.
In our travels between the clinic and the school, Barbara explained that the government had put up apartments to attract teachers to the village, but with no electricity, it was still a challenge. We arrived at the school and toured the classrooms with a few desks and chairs neatly stacked at the back of the rooms, signaling that vacation had begun.
School room in Nyitawuta
From the school, we stopped at the Mama Alice Clinic. It is the most beautiful and newest building in the village. Residents of Nyitawuta, who appreciate this important and great addition to their community, have planted trees along the side of the clinic. When fully grown, these trees will provide shade to people who come to the clinic for medical help. A solar panel station is installed at the right-hand side of the clinic’s entrance to help the villagers charge their phones.
Doctor’s office with examination table
On entering the clinic, I was impressed by the size of the interior space because when it becomes operational, it’ll be the only health facility serving all villages within the environs of Nyitawuta. A large reception space will be the intake area. Then, there is a doctor’s consulting room with an examination table. The next room is set up as a labor/birthing room. A nurse’s station and then two bathrooms, his and hers. On the western side of the clinic is an apartment. This one-bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen will house the resident nurse.
Enjoying the people in town
Sharing a snack
After the tour, we treated all the children to some cookies and drinks, with adults looking on with smiles. While some children enjoyed the goodies right away, some walked over to their parents to share. We then turned around only to find chairs under a tree near the clinic. This was an invitation for us to sit with them. As soon as we were seated, we were thanked and blessed profusely by the very grateful elders of the Nyitawuta community, who made us promise to bear their sincerest gratitude to their friends in Albany.
They then inquired when the clinic would become operational. Barbara explained that HOCAP’s work is done and is now waiting on the Health Department of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Ministry of Health to complete the paperwork for licensure.
We visited the Gari processing factory operated by the women of the village. There was no activity when we visited because they did not have cassava, which is the raw material needed in the production of gari.
We also witnessed a meeting of the women’s cooperative of the village headed by Happinor, the traditional birth attendant who also doubles as the women’s organizer in the village. Happinor inherited the role of traditional birth attendant from her mother. She is the mother of Emmanuela.
We were privileged to meet Jonathan and Emmanuela, 19 and 16-years old respectively. They are products of the youth vocational program organized by HOCAP. They are now in the 9th and 10th grades in boarding schools outside Nyitawuta. They and three other young people continue to depend on HOCAP for all their educational needs. I was struck by their focus and tenacity of purpose. Despite their humble circumstances, they are determined to succeed and be role models to the children and youth in the village.
Visiting the dam
The dam helps to create the water supply in Nyitawuta
Emmanuela, Jonathan, and his brother Francis, Barbara’s contact in the village and the person with a cell phone, led us to the dam, which was constructed with the help of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany. Apparently, the dam is currently being shared by some crocodiles. Our friends quickly pointed out that the crocodiles are friendly and do not bother anybody. This dam is the primary water source for drinking, cooking, laundry, and bathing.
The dam is about a half mile from the village, and while Robert walked with our friends, the rest of us followed in the truck. On the return, the seven of us managed to squeeze into the truck and no one thought it was uncomfortable. It was fun to share the comfort of the truck with our friends.
There’s also a borehole with a pump about halfway between the village and the dam. We were told that this is locked and accessible twice a week. This reduces the pressure placed on it ensuring it will last a long time.
Saying “Goodbye”…for now
Relaxing under the shade
We returned to the village and after a last personal tour by Emmanuela and her mom of their home, we said our sad goodbyes and promised them we would return.
What an amazing visit! Thank you to all the people who support our West African Mission work, HOCAP, and the people in Nyitawuta. We are humbled to see how our joint efforts are transforming the lives of children.
Please join us! Donations are gratefully accepted.
Your generous support is needed now and throughout the year. Whether we are getting ready for an African Family Night or working with our partners throughout the year, contributions are always most gratefully accepted online at any time (wpcalbany.org/give) or by sending your check to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut St., Albany, NY 12210 (“African Mission” on the memo line).
Stay tuned! We regularly post updates on the blog page of our website. Please help us keep you up-to-date by making sure we have your most current and preferred email address by notifying the Church Office at office@wpcalbany.org or calling 518-436-8544.
Join us in Transforming the lives of children in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Belinda Quaye grew up in Ghana and now lives in Albany, NY, where she is an active member of the Westminster African Mission Committee. Trained initially as a school librarian, Belinda loves to share God’s word with children in a way that makes them feel included and valued. She has been leading the religious education program at Westminster, as the Director of Christian Education, since 2013 after teaching Sunday school for many years here in the U.S. and in her home country of Ghana. Belinda serves the wider church as part of the Leadership Council of the Association of Partners in Christian Education and the Volunteer Coordinator at the FOCUS Churches of Albany. She is married to Ben and mother to Maxine and Robert.
