The year 2020 marks 20years of IMFH’s existence and dedicated service to the vulnerable especially children and young people in our society. As expected of any organization, we had plan and had set targets for the year to be achieved. Mortals as we are, we have even made plan to celebrate our 20th Anniversary in a grand style in September, 2020. However the GOOD LORD in His own wisdom has a Divine plan for the year which was not known to men.
A year full of expectations and of so much significance to In My Father’s House and all its Benefactors, Sponsors and volunteers had suddenly turned dark. Everything was shut down, it was a year of despair and uncertainty. The whole universe became VULNERABLE and the very existence of the human race was threatened.
This state of the world’s Vulnerability had presented each one of us with the opportunity to experience the life of helplessness and hopelessness. Perhaps the Good Lord had used the year as occasion to send a message to the world that, we should care more about the welfare of each other especially the vulnerable people in the society.
The year 2020 was indeed stormy but had really defined the work of ‘In My Father’s House. In our own discernment, we see ourselves relevant to the world now more than ever. In My Father’s House is needed to continue to “Witness the Gospel” to this Vulnerable world to keep the hope of people in the Lord for Help to come.
Thanks to the almighty, He has abided with us through the great tribulation and we are happy to inform you that all of us and the Children under our care have survived. The young people being sponsored, the workers, Lay people, Priest and all our collaborators on this Mission with us are all safe and sound.
Children’s Village: Before the COVID-19 Pandemic this year The Children Village was lively and full of joy. The Resident Children were 69, boarders 54 and the day-students 445 totaling 568. During the pandemic the school was closed and only the resident children and the children of some workers remained in the Village. The Children’s Village was closed to the public and with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols life in the village have been quite normal.
Health, Sanitation and personal hygiene were major concerns during the time and management had to invest a lot of funds providing the logistics to keep everyone in the village safe. Good nutrition and regular medication was provided to boost the immunity of everyone especially the children. The physically challenge were engaged in regular physiotherapy sessions and Special Children especially those who needed special health care were followed to other hospital for treatment and management of their conditions.
Spiritual life in the village was rather normal or very effective. Morning and evening prayers were observed in the multi-purpose building for sake of more space. Social and Psychological needs of the children were met as the children spend more time closer together. They tend to care about each other more and more and pay more attention to each other’s needs.
20th Anniversary Celebration: The 10th of September, 2020 was the 20th birth day of IMFH but the situation could not allowed us to celebrate but at least it was marked with a MASS Celebration on the 9th of September 2020. The Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese who celebrated the MASS prayed for God’s mercy and divine intervention in the pandemic situation in the world. During the MASS celebration 14 children and prefects had their Confirmation. This was the climax of the event. Some children also had their first communion on the day. Prayers were said giving thanks and praises to the Lord for how far He has brought us.
Our Basic School (Academic Work): Generally all schools in Ghana were closed since March, 2020. However by the specific orders from the presidency the Junior High School form 3 and followed by form 2 were allowed to go to school at different times. The JHS form 3 wrote the Basic Education Certificate Examination successfully and the form 2 also completed their remaining Trimester in the academic year successfully. Without receiving a stimulus package from government, as benevolent organization, IMFH strategically brought all these children into the Village to go to school for free. Each group stayed for three months and their feeding, utilities, tuition and others were taken care of by IMFH.
Outreach Programme: All our Outreach Programmes continue especially at the level of schools, scholarship and sponsorships, feeding and health programs, as well as the monthly subsidies to Teachers, and the Constructions. Considering the economic hardship in our communities as result of the pandemic, we could not lay off our teachers and workers in this difficult time so we continue to support them monthly to enable them to survive. Despite the devastating effect of the pandemic on us; ourselves, by divine providence, we were able to reach out to all manner of persons in need of our support. Our visit to the Out Station churches on Pastoral duty picked up following the lifting of the ban on social gathering. Our regular visit to celebrate MASS with them up lifted their Hope in the Lord in this difficult times.
Conclusion: The missionary journey we have done together all these years, the year 2020 appear to be the darkest but it is this same year that has brought us the true meaning of the work we were called to do. It is a war without end. We have witnessed the GOOD NEWS to many but yet many are still left unattended. IMFH as instrument of Evangelization is pose to continue to dedicate its services to those in need, especially, the Vulnerable in our society. This has been possible with you from the very beginning and together we shall continue until the war is won for CHRIST THE KING.
Thank you for walking with us and these children once again throughout this year.
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JOE RABBIOSI,
Comboni Missionary
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