There are times in life when you just have to get on and commit to do things, even though at the time you might not fully understand why.
My wife Janet and I committed to support ATE Ghana at its inception: financially through a monthly direct debit from our Company (SDS Consulting – www.sds-consulting.co.uk); and then subsequently by providing office space for its UK headquarters.
We had already witnessed the amazing work of ATE during our visit to Lawra in February 2014. Although I wasn’t fully sure why, I knew that I needed to return to Ghana this January. Unfortunately despite our best efforts Janet was unable to accompany me this time. Part of my trip was to re-visit ATE in Lawra, however during my visit to Ghana I was also able to arrange some business meetings in Accra, to give a lecture to ‘A’ level students about structural engineering, and to visit friends.
Stephen visiting Hayford, Carpenter
During this visit to Lawra I was able to spend time, one to one, with some of the small businesses that are supported by ATE. I chatted with Hayford (a carpenter) who lost one of his eyes a couple of years ago when a piece of machinery exploded in his face. Instead of his right eye now he has an eye socket and he therefore has to wear sunglasses permanently. In order to pay for his medical treatment he had to sell all of his equipment and materials.
ATE have helped him to re-establish his business, however he has had to learn how to work with a single eye. Hayford is obviously happy to be working again and able to support his family. He has a two year old daughter, and a four year old son who attends the local Catholic school. It was a privilege to enjoy talking together about our lives, our mutual experiences of construction, and to then pray together. Hayford is an excellent example of how ATE has helped transform a family’s life from despair to one of hope and enthusiasm.
Margaret with a photo of Nick Vujicic.
I was honoured to be asked to speak at the SNAP meeting (Special Needs Awareness Programme). I chose to speak on the subject of people who have succeeded in life despite disabilities. Approximately 80 people, parents and children, were captivated and amazed by the life story of Nick Vujicic (www.lifewithoutlimbs.org). They were excited to see that everyone is special no matter what their life circumstance. One of the most moving outcomes of the meeting was when Margaret, a mother whose severely disabled child had recently died, wanted to keep a copy of a photo of Nick which simply stated “Life isn’t about having, it’s about being”.
Hopefully, by reading this account more people will commit to make a difference by supporting ATE, thus enabling others to understand that they are valuable.