My Time in Accra: Beacon House

I started working at the Beacon House orphanage the first week of February and have gone nearly every Wednesday since. I showed up my first day not knowing what to expect or what to do. I had only met the volunteer coordinator once before, and she isn’t around the orphanage too much due to her busy schedule. She said a quick hello and told me to have one on one time with Stevie.

Stevie is an adorable young man at his ripe old age of three. He is almost completely blind and doesn’t talk quite yet, however he is very vocal! He loves to sing, whether he is making up his own tunes or copying someone else’s. He spends most of his days in the playpen with the babies, while the other kids are in school. Most of the days I volunteered I hung out with Stevie and the other babies, Emmanuel, Samuel and Daniela. I often built blocks, played a tiny piano with the babies while I cheered Stevie on as he spun in circles on his hands and knees. One of Stevie’s favorite things to do is find items around the playpen that he could then throw out of the playpen. I would often play fetch and put things back in, only to have them thrown out again. Stevie was certainly determined to have his place tidy and rid of any toys!

When there were no more toys to throw, he would find Emmanuel and bash heads with him or knock him over. Never a dull moment with this boy! I learned a few weeks in that Stevie was actually a twin, and that he was about Emmanuel’s age when he was sent to Beacon House. I guess he thought Emmanuel was his brother, which is why he often tried to play with him as siblings do.

It’s not common to give a child up for adoption in Ghana. Being a mother is considered a woman’s greatest privilege here and many women are looked down upon if they don’t have any children. If a mother is unable to care for her child, he or she is given to a close family member, or other members of the village to look after. Even those with disabilities are often given roles in the community that suit their abilities. However, because Stevie had a twin to, in a way, “replace” him, he was sent to Beacon House.

When I wasn’t with Stevie and the gang, I was helping out in pre-school or helping the older kids with homework. I had the privilege of hanging out with 7 little pre-schoolers and watching 4 of them head off to new homes. Gifty and Atule were the first to go. Gifty is one of the happiest kids I have ever seen with a laugh that would make the hardest of hearts melt. Atule is rambunctious and adventurous to say the least. I can imagine he will be a famous football player one day because can kick that ball around like nobody’s business. They are now in the wondrous land of Denver, Colorado. I can only imagine how exciting and nerve-racking it must be to leave everything you’ve known for a new life in a new place. I pray that it is everything they dream.

Shortly after Gifty and Atule were adopted, a nice family from the states picked up Sarah and Kofi. Sadly I can’t remember which state they are now in! I had known before hand that Gifty and Atule were being adopted, so I had time to say my goodbyes and wish them luck. Sarah and Kofi were gone in a blink of an eye. I showed up one week and there were only 3 pre-schoolers left. It was an odd feeling, having 2 kids I love taken away without so much as a wave goodbye. I am sure, wherever they are, they are having a blast and enjoying a life with their new family. I am also very thankful that they have each other, to share in this experience and adjust together.

So then there were three: Mary, Kwasi, and Michael. I love them all too much to describe. Most days I would come around 8:00 AM and play with Stevie and the babies for about an hour. Then the pre-schoolers would have their time outside and I would bring Stevie out to play. Some days we would play more educational games, such as finding things that are blue, or drawing triangles with sidewalk chalk. Other days we would play red rover or race just to tire them out.

More recently I have been able to spend time with the older kids. School is out of session now, but Beacon House still wants the kids learning to some degree. Some days I help with spelling, others I help with math, but my favorite is reading. Not only do I get to really see them learn, but I also get to hear a story!

Helen and Afia seem to stick close to me and I love their company. They are lively, funny and cuddly all of which I love. Helen is actually Mary’s sister, though their personalities could not be more different. I can imagine this makes it more difficult for them to be adopted, but it must also be nice for them to always have each other and to have a real piece of their original family.

I have loved my time at Beacon House and I am sad to let it go, but I know the kids are in good hands!