COVID-19 STATEMENT
The Covid-19 crisis is bringing about huge change to all of our lives, to our work here at ATE and the charity sector, whose role as society’s lifeline is now more vital than ever. With coronavirus being a truly global pandemic, we are extremely concerned about the people of Lawra Municipal in Upper West, Ghana, where the crisis continues to exacerbate the extreme poverty that many live in. We will continue to be agile and to use creative ways to continue our work remotely; particularly to ensure the most vulnerable people we support have access to food, healthcare and other essential basic needs. See our statement , Covid-19 Response Timeline and read about our appeal here.
Transforming communities through empowerment
We work to reduce poverty in Lawra, rural Ghana, where the majority rely on subsistence farming and food is scarce for months at a time.
What we’ve been up to
Special Needs Awareness Programme
Our normal SNAP activities may be postponed, but the needs of our members are more vital than ever. Our SNAP team have been making regular distributions of food, soap and masks to the families of disabled children, and providing hygiene demonstrations – in April they reached 76 families.
Small Business Development Programme ATE seamstresses Mercy and Theresa have made a total of 790 masks so far which have been distributed to ATE staff and the most vulnerable in the community. We’re thrilled to be able to support businesses to adapt, and even thrive, in such difficult circumstances.
Access to Education Programme We have distributed food, soap and masks to students at our most rural schools who have been significantly affected by the school closures. In rural communities, with the lean season in full swing, most children are only eating a maximum of once a day. Thanks to donations to our Emergency Appeal, and funding from Ghana School Aid, we’ve been able to support these communities.
Meet the team
Looking after our fantastic staff, particularly during this difficult period, remains our priority. We’ve ensured all staff have hygiene packs to make sure that they are as safe as possible whilst at work, and have weekly (online!) full team meetings to check in.
Our Impact
Provide 1000+ free
school meals per day
Helped 160+
disabled children
Provided over 100
business grants
How we work
We’re implementing a strategy of integrated programmes to tackle the cycle of poverty, which reach a broad cross-section of the community in defined rural areas. We call this strategy our ‘Hub Model’.
Our latest posts
In a time of fear, uncertainty and extreme hunger. We are proud to be doing everything that we can for the children we support, particularly those in JHS 3 who are now back in school to prepare for exams.
Our commitment is unwavering.
#atewontstop
Like so many other sectors, small international development charities are a great risk of collapse over the coming months and years.
Now, more than ever, we rely on donations from our loyal supporters to ensure that we can be there for the the people of Lawra. At this time of tremendous uncertainty, ATE has never been more needed.
Almost half of UK charities for world's poorest set to close in a year – survey
www.theguardian.com
Demand for services overseas has risen during Covid-19 but lack of financial support will force 45% to shut their doorsWe supported Paulina to begin school 2 years ago- access to education has transformed her life. This happy, enthusiastic little girl misses her friends and teachers whilst schools are closed, but is visited by our SNAP team regularly. Kaamil’s warm relationship with her shines through these beautiful pictures ❤️
Society finds it easy to ignore disabled children living in remote rural communities- we don’t. Our commitment to Paulina and her family is steadfast and sure.
Where does your donation go?
84p of every pound donated goes directly towards our project costs in Ghana, and the rest goes on making sure the charity runs effectively so that all that can happen. We are financially transparent and carefully monitor and evaluate our work to ensure that the money you donate is used in the best way possible.