One thing to understand about the cycle of poverty is that it is a cycle: it will continue on and on until it is disrupted in some way. Plan Canada has been working in Volta, Ghana to break that cycle by creating a self-sustaining economy to benefit the entire community. Part of the solution is education; in a country where half of the youth are illiterate, it is difficult for people to get good jobs to support their families.
Through Community Sponsorship, Plan has facilitated the formation of youth groups for skill development and income-generating activities. One project involved 72 youths in 3 groups in an aquaculture program, developed in collaboration with the Ghana ministry of food and agriculture. These young people learned how to build and manage fish farms using materials and fingerlings (young fish) provided by Plan. So far they have harvested and sold 15,000 fish to local buyers.
Global’s Seanna Collins was there to witness the first harvest.
“It was exciting to see the riverbank full of fishermen and their families as they celebrated their first bounty,” she says of the 50 young people who worked on the farm. She spoke with one of them, a young man named Lucky.
“Lucky was extremely proud of what he and the other workers had accomplished. He used to rely on others for employment and now he’s his own boss and can offer his experience to others.”
Elsewhere in the country, the formal job market is limited, leaving young people (especially young women) with low-paying or dangerous jobs. In order to provide better opportunities, Plan helped create a village savings and loan program that provided training and offered microfinance loans to begin income-generating activities. The savings and loan group meets weekly to disburse funds.
Seanna attended one of their meetings, where members encouraged each other and celebrated successes. With the support of the community, the loan repayment rates are very high — a sign that these businesses are thriving.
There is much more work to do to help the families of Volta generate a regular income – and many more families to help. You can help by being part of the Edmonton Challenge: Plan is looking for 800 individuals or families to support Plan Canada’s Community Sponsorship in Volta, Ghana. A pledge of $39/month helps the community develop the tools and skills to break the cycle of poverty and begin a cycle of progress. Learn more at plancanada.ca/edmonton-challenge .