African Missions by Melissa Bean:

Ghana:

My daughter Ashley has said since whe was four years old that she wanted to have an orphanage. She would say at that young age that "those kids need me" and then she'd look at me and ask me what I was going to do about it. She's never wavered in her commitment.

 
At age 14, Ashley told Wayne and me that she wanted to go to Ghana for the whole summer. My first instinct was to say NO WAY!, but how can a parent stand in the way of such a high calling? Her trip became our trip. Ashley raised funds, collected medical supplies, formula, and other supplies. Our team went to work in Adullum orphanage, near Obousi, Ghana. I stayed one month, and Ashley stayed for 7 weeks. I've never seen such a desperate situation as I saw in there in Ghana, and also later in Kenya. There were about 200 children there at Adullum.  There was little to eat, and the orphanage had precious few necessities like diapers, formula, and clothing, much less medical care.  The children played with rocks and sticks they found as their only toy was a soccer ball.  We were able to love on these children, and build a play set for them. (pictured below)

We were told there is a child orphaned in Africa every 30 seconds.  Children as young as 18 months live on the street there, and it is agonizingly common for a young child to care for an infant sibling, as both parents are dead. I saw one baby sit and eat dirt to fill his stomach. The children are not only starving from lack of food but they are starving emotionally as well. It is so important just to have someone hug them and let them know they are loved.  I intend to go back to Africa once a year.

I went to teach at an International Leadership Conference in Kenya in January 2007. We visited an orphanage in a village at Kwabekenya, Kenya. In this orphanage there are 160 kids with one teacher. Outside the compound is the Nairobi city dump.  There are 800,000 people living in one square mile, and an endless supply of orphans, nearby. Below left are some street kids that come to the orphanage.  They have little food and frequently sniff glue to ease their hunger pains. Below center is a family we met. They were squatters, who didn't own anything except what is in the picture on the right. They have 4 children, they all sleep on the dirt floor in their 'home'. Only part of it has a leaky roof. A small garden is all they have to sustain themselves.

The children below are sponsored, for $11 per month.  They have food, clothes, and are getting an education.  Below is a school the sponsored children attend. There are often 40 children attending class in this tin building. 

There is a school (pictured below) that the local government started building years ago, but ran out of money. I am returning to Kwabekenya this summer (July 2007) with my family, and others. We will try to finish this school building, and will build many desks for the school.  We will also be providing food, clothing and again, lots of love for these children. Please keep our efforts in your prayers.

5th Generation and my family are committed to helping the children of Africa. I feel as if I've left part of my heart there with the children. You can help these needy children as well. 5th Generation will continue to donate a portion of our time, talents, and profits and to the children of Africa. You can help us two ways:  The first is simple...hire 5th Generation for your next remodeling, renovation, or painting project for your home or business, and refer us to your friends.  You can also help by making a tax deductible donation for our mission effort. Please call the our office at 770-509-2525 for more information.