African Family Night: Support 5 Transformative Mission Initiatives in West Africa

For over 20 years (2001), Westminster Presbyterian Church’s (WPC) mission has focused on transforming the lives of children and families in West Africa, specifically Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Sparked by early relationships with West African immigrants living in the Albany area, Westminster welcomed many new members born in African countries. Our West African Mission commitment has been inspired by these personal connections.

Working with local partners, WPC has supported projects, including:

• Education
• Computer Literacy
• Healthcare
• Menstrual Hygiene Supplies and Education
• Clean Water and Sanitation
• Microloans
• Food Distribution
• Agriculture/Food Production Enterprises
• Support for Children Orphaned by Ebola

To support these programs, WPC hosts an important and fun fundraising event, African Family Night, setting sights on a greater purpose. With ambitious fundraising goals ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, these funds serve as the driving force behind WPC and our West African partners, propelling us to tackle immediate challenges and usher in lasting change.

1. Improved access to education
2. Expanded medical and healthcare
3. Introduced sustainable community programs (Microloans, menstrual hygiene education programs)
4. Provided access to sustainable safe water and sanitation
5. Continued emergency support

Improved access to education

Many past and current efforts aim to keep children healthy and in school. Whether installing a new roof, building a classroom, providing supplies like desks and computers, or providing scholarships, WPC works closely with our partners in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to support educational programs and opportunities. We are committed to supporting environments where children can learn the skills needed for the workplace. This means they’re more likely to get a job in the future, earn an income, and support a family. The country benefits, too; having a more skilled workforce drives economic growth as educated workers are paid more and work more efficiently.

Expanded medical and healthcare

Shifting our focus to medical initiatives in Ghana and Liberia, it’s evident that dedicated efforts are underway to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality in these countries. In Liberia, the impactful work of Westminster-supported nurse Korlu Jallah, RN, stands out, with health education seminars and bi-monthly “sick call” visits making a difference in local communities. Looking forward, the imminent opening of the Mama Alice Health Clinic in Nyitawuta, Ghana, signifies a collaborative endeavor between the Home of Care and Protection (HOCAP) and Westminster, aiming to provide vital healthcare services to underserved areas. The establishment of the Mama Alice Health Clinic showcases a shared commitment to accessible healthcare solutions to underserved and remote populations.

Introduced sustainable community programs

A significant focus for Westminster’s West African missions is helping girls stay in school until graduation. If a girl gets an education, she will have a greater chance for herself and her family to lead a healthier life with less poverty and more independence. Too frequently, young women miss school due to menstruation, causing them to fall behind in their studies and sometimes to leave school altogether. This leaves them open to early marriage and childbearing and a lifetime of menial work or no job at all. As part of our “Keeping Girls in School” initiative, we partner with HOCAP to provide menstrual hygiene training for girls, along with reusable MoonCatcher Project kits.

An additional successful initiative involves offering microloans to individuals who lack access to conventional support like bank loans. These loans serve as “seed money” for purchasing inventory to be sold in open-air markets, covering medical expenses, or meeting school-related needs such as supplies and uniforms for children. The repayment of these microloans has been outstanding and we envision extending this program model.

Provided access to sustainable safe water and sanitation

Fresh water is needed for drinking and cooking, food production, and various other uses such as sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness practices. It is also essential to the survival and development of children. One example includes a water provision project in the rural Nyitawuta area in Ghana, where a dam was constructed to provide year-round irrigation. The Nyitawuta community, as well as neighboring communities, are making use of the newly built dam. The good news is that the dam is one year old, and there has been water in the dam all year round! Westminster has provided specific grants for agricultural activities involving local labor, crop diversification, and other agrarian training and improvements. Our partner in Ghana, HOCAP, provided seeds and other farming inputs to the community.

West African mission offers emergency support

Westminster has also been called upon to provide emergency assistance for disasters such as mudslides, Ebola, drought, sudden economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic. WPC also supports food distribution events at schools supporting many who attend, both resident and day students.

This is just a sampling of the positive outcomes WPC and our West African Mission partners help deliver. Updates are posted regularly to the blog site on our website.

But there is still much work to be done. Through God, all things are possible. Glory to God Alone.

African Family Night

African Family Night is a great way for the community to come together and support mission projects undertaken with our partners in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. All projects aim to help build brighter futures for vulnerable children through vital health and education services. To continue offering these services, our goal is to raise $15,000 this year.

These events are special evenings with a time for:

• joining with old and new friends to enjoy fabulous food,
• dancing to African drumming,
• colorful fashion (traditional African attire encouraged), and more!

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).

And please 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.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE