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GAHF in Action

 

GAHF in Jamiaca

On a 2005 visit to Jamaica, World Beat Center Executive Director Makeda Cheatom had the opportunity to visit the Our Lady of Hope Children's Home in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. She was deeply touched by her interaction with the children at the home. Upon her arrival at the home, Makeda was welcomed by children of all ages. She greeted each child with a warm smile and a big hug.

While holding a 6 month old baby boy named Romane, Makeda's heart opened with compassion as the baby responded with joy to her loving touch. During her visit, Makeda realized the tremendous value of human touch and its importance in the lives of small children. She left Jamaica feeling inspired to make a difference in the lives of these abandoned and precious Jamaican children.

As the originator of Bob Marley Day in San Diego, and one of the world's foremost reggae producers and radio personalities, Makeda is in a unique position to give back to the island that birthed the inspirational music of reggae. In many ways, reggae music serves as the sustenance which keeps the World Beat Center going. It is an honor for the Center to have an opportunity to pour blessings back into the land from which reggae music originates.

At present, the Give a Hug Foundation is providing financial assistance to help support the educational needs of the children in Our Lady of Hope Children's Home. The Home provides a safe and nurturing home environment for abandoned children to be raised in and cared for. The home was founded in 1996. At present, there are 35 children residing in the home, ranging in age from 6 months to 14 years. In the future, the Give a Hug Foundation hopes to bring art, music, and technology programs to the children
 
GAHF in Ghana, West Africa.
 In collaboration with Africa Aid, the Give a Hug Foundation is sending 15 computers to Buduburam Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana, to help establish a technology resource center and library for the refugee community. In addition, as part of Give a Hug's Solar for Africa program, in collaboration with DSH Solar Electric, Give a Hug will also send solar panels and batteries to the camp in order to run the resource center.

Buduburam refugee camp was established in 1990 to host Liberian refugees who came to Ghana to seek asylum in an attempt to escape the armed conflict in Liberia. Presently the refugee population in the camp is at approximately 52,000 people, and has overflowed to nearby villages. Life is a daily struggle in Buduburam Refugee Camp, where the basic necessities such as water, food, education, and healthcare, are very difficult to obtain. The general standard of living is below the poverty line.
Click the picture to the left to see a slide show of the recent trip made to Buduburam Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana, to help establish a technology resource center and library for the refugee community.
Special thanks to Africa Aid for taking the computer to the camp personally.
GAHF in Thailand
The Give a Hug Foundation is currently providing financial assistance to a preschool for Burmese children, located in Mae Sot, Thailand. The preschool was established in February 2004. Currently, there are 40 children attending the preschool. The majority of the children are Burmese orphans and children of Burmese refugees and migrant workers.

The program at the school includes instruction in reading, writing, singing, dancing and other recreational activities. The teachers in the school hold monthly meetings to discuss how to best nurture the students mental and physical development. It is hoped that with continued support, the preschool will be able to expand it's programs, and be able to accept more children for enrollment
 
For More info: Call us at 619-230-1190 or email us at gahf@worldbeatcenter.org