Mission Statement
World Joy’s mission is twofold:
(1) to improve the quality of life of villagers within the Atiwa District of Ghana, Africa by strengthening health and public education services (Ghana), and (2) to provide service and learning opportunities to individuals, groups, and partner communities (USA).
We will accomplish this by:
• Delivering Effective and Sustainable Programs
• Optimizing Resources
• Developing and Sustaining an Efficient Organization
In partnership with Atiwa District government officials, tribal leadership, and World Joy’s local field agents, we identify the most crucial needs and provide viable and sustainable solutions.
We insist on community ownership and ask for a commitment from village leaders and the community at large to provide (1) natural resources (timber, lumber, and gravel), (2) skilled and unskilled laborers and (3) water. The subsequent pride taken in each achievement (whether construction project or training program) provides for ownership and accountability.
World Joy remains steadfast in its focus and determination to serve and bring joy to this small circumscribed geographic region until such time as the area is self-sustaining.
Description
World Joy was founded in 2005 as a private, United States-based, charitable organization with its purpose to improve the lives of Ghana citizens living within a rural 13-village area of the Atiwa District (Eastern Region) of Ghana, West Africa.
Current ActivitiesHealth:
In January 2010 an initial launch of the Family Health Care Initiative was carried out by World Joy within the Atiwa District--the first of a coordinated three-phased program to be implemented over several years in three of the six sub-districts. Phase 1 includes the Abomosu sub district, comprising a population of 25,000 people which provides health services support through three health service outlets: (1) the Abomosu Health Centre; (2) the Asunafo health post; and (3) the Akakom health post. The Abomosu Health Centre is the major health service unit in the sub district and has a sizeable facility and numerous staff, including outreach nurses who, with the health posts, serve fourteen (14) smaller outlying villages.
Education:
In addition, a newly initiated World Joy Quality of Education Initiative focuses on strengthening classroom management skills and overall teacher effectiveness and preparation. Collaboration with another Utah based non-governmental organization, Inside Out Learning, made it possible to conduct a week-long workshop in April, 2010 to begin this effort. A team of educators from the United States, Kenya, and Uganda provided this initial training. Other sessions have subsequently been taught, resulting in more than 900 teachers trained across this district. During the summer of 2011, World Joy began a specially-designed Early Education Training program for KG (kindergarten) teachers and trained local trainers in the new curriculum along with 100 KG teachers in a matter of weeks.
Total Trained to date: 1000
Housing:
A major challenge associated with field support efforts in rural areas is the provision of safe and comfortable accommodations - a place for groups to live and to have clean, nutritious food and water. World Joy identified an available un-finished home in Abomosu, one of the main Atiwa villages, which was available to lease. The home is owned by a Ghanaian living in the United States and is now finished and furnished by World Joy through a generous donation by the Laughlin Anaya Foundation. World Joy has obtained a five year lease.
World Joy staff, University guests, and Excursion guests have all enjoyed the accommodations while supporting World Joy projects and programs.
