Regional President Larry McArdle with SVP Area representative for Tema/Battor Louis Atsiatorme outside development site for Day Care Centre for the Aged Day Care and HIV Centre Our first stop was with the SVP in Tema who are involved in the building of a Day Care Centre for the Elderly and HIV patients with financial help from Northern Ireland. The local Good Shepherd Conference is supplying the blocks that will go to build the centre (due to open in early 2007).   Building Block Unit   Seamus at foundations   Dam Project In the nearby town of Kordiabe the local St Vincent de Paul have embarked on an innovative project which will see a disused dam brought back to life. Once construction work is completed the dam will be used to irrigate acres of land including a plot for growing mango trees.   Rita at Dam   Mango Tree The fruit will then be sold on to local retailers, raising much needed funds for the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Already £5,000 has been earmarked from Northern Ireland to get this self-help project off the ground.

Three members from Northern Ireland including our regional president have just returned from a ten day visit to our 'twinned' country in Africa - Ghana.   Larry McArdle (Reg. President), Rita Mannion (Reg. Twinning Chairperson) and Seamus McMullan from St Bernard's conference Elmfield in north Belfast visited SVP counterparts in Accra, Tema and Tamale between 12th and 22nd August 2006.   DOWNLOAD MAGAZINE       Ghana Map   Downtown Accra   click on any image to enlarge   Visitation and Meetings We visited a shanty town in Accra and villages in Tamale in the north of Ghana where we met families living in poor and overcrowded conditions. We also had several meetings with members of the local St Vincent de Paul volunteers where we exchanged fundraising ideas and heard of their unique responses to the poverty surrounding them.     Rita with kids   Eating area   Newborn   Large family   National Council   Conference mtg

We have been twinned with Ghana for many years. Some recent projects we have also supported include the employment of a development officer, the purchase of transport and support for a school for girls with special needs.   These works are only made possible due to the continued generous financial support from you the ever-giving Northern Ireland public. Every pound sent to Africa goes a long way to ensure the best results for its impoverished people. We have been asked to convey the thanks of our fellow Vincentians in Ghana to the people of Northern Ireland and urge you to continue your support.   Rita Mannion - Twinning Chairperson

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