The last few months have been very difficult for all of our friends in Ghana. John,
who cares for the others in many different ways, has been extremely ill himself and
has been in no position to communicate with everyone and to pass on the funds and
services that they need. When not actually in hospital himself he has been under
strong medication that makes him weak and drowsy. He has roused himself a few times
to handle emergencies but mostly he has simply not been able to do much for himself
or for others.
If it seems that we have been updating too much about John and not enough about
anyone else, that is the reason. John has been having his own challenges and he
could not be there for everyone.
But John is finally starting to recover so that is good news. He has left his own
home in the neighborhood of Buduburam and he is now back in Accra. Belinda and baby
Adom, Favour and little Donald and others have been asking for help and we will try
to handle them as we are able.
But our major concern is Anabel, the little girl who is living alone in a childcare
center in an area separate from Accra and Buduburam. With John laid low it hasn't
been as easy as usual to keep track of how she is doing, except for the notes from
the Matron there, and those are usually nothing more than informing John when she
needs more money for Anabel's care.
At the present time Anabel seems in good health, overall. She has been prone to
rashes and mouth infections but right now those seem under control. We have not
heard that she needs any more funds for school supplies or for clothing and so
forth. The monthly fees for her care are due and we will get those paid as soon as
possible. Hopefully when John communicates with the matron to pay those he will
learn more of Anabel's circumstances.
It is sad that Anabel is the one who is first to fall through the cracks when there
is a problem and we do our best to make sure that that doesn't happen, but
precisely because she doesn't have any adult- parent or otherwise- to advocate for
her when she is in need is why she sometimes gets left behind, despite our best
efforts.
We will update on her situation when we learn more.
