Project Abroad supports FODACH

By Lisa Bogler

Silvana Donatsch and Michelle Herridge, two Project Abroad volunteers, make a big impression on FODACH, not at least by donating three computers and six drums to the NGO. 

Drums resound, dancers whirl across the floor. It is dark already and the lights reflect on the bodies and in the gleaming eyes of the performers. 

Dancers performing

What I am witnessing is a performance of FODACH, Foundation for Development of African Culture and Heritage, a farewell present for the two Projects Abroad volunteers Silvana Donatsch and Michelle Herridge, who worked with the group the last two months. Introduced to the NGO by Grant Appiah, regional co-ordinator of Projects Abroad in Cape Coast, the two volunteers had very different roles, but both made a profound impact on the group and its young members. Eric Manu, director of FODACH, says, since Michelle and Silvana joined the foundation, he experienced a better sense of unity and more discipline among the children. 

Michelle Herridge, mainly placed at St Joseph International School as a teacher, coordinated ICT classes in the FODACH Internet Cafe. She and her family also donated three new computers to the ICT centre. In 2010, FODACH was the first organization to bring an internet cafe to Kakumodo near Cape Coast, where it is situated, and aims to build up computer knowledge to the students of basic schools and JHS. This knowledge becomes increasingly important and will improve chances for a bright future for the children. Not only Kakumodo benefits from the ICT centre, even the neighboring towns begin to send classes to the internet cafe for ICT lessons. 

Silvana Donatsch and Eric Manu

Silvana Donatsch participated in the daily dancing lessons of FODACH. Two choreographers from Cape Coast teach a group of about thirty children aged 12 to 24 in traditional dance. As spectators can witness at performances and shows, the dancers enjoy the dancing accompanied by the drummers who are also part of the NGO. Due to fundraising among Silvana’s family and friends, the drummers can now practice and perform with six additional new drums. Silvana also donated money for clothes, food and drink, a total of 825 Ghana cedis. 

Both volunteers contributed to the educational lessons on Wednesdays and Saturdays. As Eric Manu explains, he was glad about their support as usually it is only him who teaches the children about topics like teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS or the importance of hygiene. 

The lack of personnel is one of the main challenges for FODACH. Especially for the ICT teaching, permanently employed personnel would guarantee the continuous availability of lessons for the classes from surrounding schools. Michelle Herridge and Silvana Donatsch were the first volunteers to come to FODACH and as it has proven to be a very positive experience, Eric Manu now hopes for more support from this side. Volunteers from different countries can bring the children perspectives of life that they would not get in their schools and show the opportunities. 

This is the main aim of the foundation, to “promote the sustainable development of youth in Ghana through a platform of cultural and heritage activities” as their brochure states. With its origin in the Harriet Tubman Davis Youth Foundation and founded in the beginning of 2010, FODACH started small with children of members and friends. They educated parents in the community about their activities and despite complications and difficulties in the beginning, the parents are now cooperating and are happy for their children to go to the dancing, drumming or educational lessons. 

These activities with the NGO keep the children from other less productive activities. Instead of roaming the streets, they come to the internet cafe in their spare time to meet friends, play and talk. They are encouraged to improve their talent and their academic performances are improving as they are more disciplined, focused, and committed to learn. 

Apart from these group activities, FODACH also supports rare talents individually and encourages the less privileged. Florence is a deaf and dumb young women, impregnated by an also deaf and dumb man who then left her alone. She has an extraordinary talent in painting and creates most beautiful art. FODACH supports her financially and gave her a place in the NGO. Sharing an office with the director Eric Manu, she now teaches students how to paint, thus sharing some of her talent with them.

The development of the NGO and the benefiting children is positive in general. However, challenges are to be faced. Aside from the lack of personnel, the foundation hopes for financial support. The group is funded through the internet cafe’s income, support from family and friends and performances outside the community. Now, the rehearsal ground is to be renewed and the small stage is planned to be roofed. The director also wishes to construct a small canopy at the front of the building to provide shade and a potential shelter from the rain. When it rains, the classes sometimes have to cancelled. 

The atmosphere at the send-off for Silvana Donatsch and Michelle Herridge was nevertheless cheerful. After the performance everybody dined together and warm words of thanks were spoken. It was obvious that new friendships have been created and this time will not be forgotten. New volunteers, so much needed, are already planning how to manage their time in order to come to FODACH.