By Yuki Akasaka | PR Team
Thank you very much for your continued support of the SMILE-Ghana Project. Your generosity has played a vital role in helping us protect children from hazardous labour and support their right to education.
In this report, we share an update on the event held in Ghana in June 2024 to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, along with stories and outcomes made possible by your contribution.
A Visit to Ghana – June 2024
In June 2024, ACE conducted a one-week field visit to monitor our SMILE-Ghana Project, which aims to eliminate child labour and support education in cacao-producing communities.
The visit coincided with the World Day Against Child Labour (June 12). To mark the occasion, we held a special event across two target communities, featuring:
Health Care in Remote Communities: The GHIP Impact
Our GHIP initiative brings public health officers to target communities once a year to provide free medical checkups and promote enrollment in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Why It Matters:
Most communities in the project area lack hospitals and regular healthcare services. GHIP offers community residents a rare chance to understand and manage their health.
NHIS Costs in Ghana:
This small investment can lower medical expenses, yet many families are unaware of the schemeor, even if they are aware of it, they assume that the cost of enrollment is much higher.
“I didn’t know health insurance only cost 24 cedis,” saidZenabu, a cacao farmer and mother of twins. One of her sons was diagnosed with malaria, the other with intestinal worms during the checkup.
She also shared how her husband once suffered a serious farm injury and, unable to afford hospital care, relied on herbal remedies and antibiotics from a pharmacy.
School Supplies & a Powerful Dream: Helen’s Story
As part of the event, we distributed school supplies to 80 children from economically challenged households.
Among them was Helen(pseudonym), a determined girl who now attends school daily thanks to the project. Her commute takes over three hours round-trip on foot, yet she shows incredible dedication.
We noticed she wasn’t wearing the new school uniform, and when asked why, she replied:
“I want to save the uniform for when I enter junior high school next year.”
At night, she studies with a flashlight. Her dream?
“I want to become a doctor so I can take care of my sick mother.”
Helen’s story came to light thanks to the Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC)— a group of community volunteers who monitor around the community to identify and prevent child labour. This local initiative is key to sustaining change after the project concludes.
The “Cacao Shock” and Its Effects on Families
You may have heard about the recent global spike in cacao prices— over three times higher than last year, a phenomenon dubbed the“Cacao Shock.”
But here’s the reality on the ground:
Despite the cacao purchasing price increase, many families are earning less and struggling to afford essentials — including school meals.
Can School Meals Continue?
Our project currently covers school meals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Parents cover Mondays and Tuesdays— but many are no longer able to pay due to poor harvests.
To ensure long-term sustainability, we have taken the following policies:
The School Management Committee agreed to try a new approach:
“We’ll collect meal fees once a year at the beginning of the cacao harvest season, instead of monthly.”
Even in crisis, the community is working hard to ensure children can continue attending school.
Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever
With rising poverty and child labour risks, the SMILE-Ghana Project has never been more crucial.
We are deeply grateful for your continued support and encourage you to spread the word. Every contribution helps us build a future where every child can smile, learn, and dream.
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