Help Our Cause

Ataa Kado is 54 years old and resides in Ankaful leprosy camp with his wife, who has leprosy. For over 10 years, weeding on people’s farms has been the only source of livelihood for Ataa Kado and his family.

Ataa stated that prior to settling in the camp, he used to be a bicycle repairer. He would like to receive financial support so that he can purchase tools, and bicycle repair/maintenance accessories. This will enable him to establish a bicycle repair shop in the local community. 

Start-up Cost: $500. USD

Investors: Andel and Celeste Owens - $500

Cecilia Awuni is a 30 year old mother of 5 children. She lives in the Ankaful leprosy camp with her father, Thomas Awuni, who has leprosy. She has been taking care of her father with the little money she has been able to raise from the sale of charcoal. She would like to be supported to expand her charcoal business, so that she can generate more income to take better care of her father and her children.

Start-up Cost: $400. (USD)

$100. remains as of 2/15/2021

Investor: Jennifer Epps - $100.

Investor: Sandra Shum - $100.

Investor:  Laurie Chenoweth - $100.

Investor:  Eduardo Valente  - $100.

Fati Zabarma is a 68-year-old woman living in the Ankaful leprosy camp with her three children. She has been sick with leprosy for over 15years. Notwithstanding her condition, she sells groceries and other items for a living. 

Proceeds from her business have never been sufficient to support Fati and her family. She would like to expand her business to generate more income.

Start-up Cost: $200. (USD)

Investor: Anonymous - $100.

Investor: Anonymous - $100.

Alfred Amoah is a 51-year-old man who has leprosy and is residing in the Ankaful leprosy camp with his three children.  He currently tidies a rehabilitation center's compound when it gets weedy. 

Alfred would like to be supported to start a charcoal business. Charcoal is the most commonly used fuel for cooking in all of the households in the community. 

Start-up Cost: $500. (USD)

Investor: Marjorie Pierre - $500.

John Kwasi is 69 years old and a father of 9 children. He has leprosy and operates a table top soft drink stand out of his home. He needs support to expand his business and would like to purchase a greater variety of soft drinks, that are in high demand in the community. This will enable him make enough money to care for his family.

Start-up Cost: $100. (USD)

INVESTOR: VANESSA JIMENEZ -$100.

James Dadzie is a 58-year-old man who lives in the Ankaful leprosy camp. He is married and has 6 children. He is a cured leper who is currently seeking to find a way to support his family.

James wants to set up a grain milling shop in the community. He has been able to acquire the grain milling machine and some cement blocks.

He needs financial support to build the structure to accommodate the operation of the machine and to set up his shop. 

Start-up Cost: $1000. (USD)

INVESTORS: FRANK AND GENEVA RICE - $1000.

Even “cured” lepers, those who have completed the multi-drug therapy which treats the disease, are still very ostracized in Ghanaian society.  There is a huge social stigma present which often leads to complete isolation from mainstream society and feelings of extreme loneliness and despair. People who have been diagnosed with leprosy are generally rejected and abandoned by their families and left to fend for themselves.

In addition, it is often extremely challenging for individuals affected by leprosy to find ways to earn a living.  Many turn to begging on the streets to survive.  The micro-loan projects will provide opportunities for individuals to generate their own income by purchasing items such as a sewing machine and fabric to sew clothes or bags like the ones shown below, which may also be sold on the Surrender 365 website in the future.

In addition to providing a source of income for the individuals in the leper colonies, micro-loan projects also provide each person with an opportunity to regain their sense of self-dignity and self-worth, and to build their self-esteem.  It is our hope that by participating in the micro-loan pilot project, individuals with leprosy will begin to feel like they are valued members of society, rather than outcasts.

The Surrender 365 Inc. Team is also very excited to be able to support the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of people living with leprosy.  We will be sharing the love of Christ by offering a Christian retreat for the residents and staff of Weija Leprosarium in Accra, Ghana while we are there.  We will also facilitate a “Story Circle” at the Leprosarium, a space where people can share their stories and be heard, and listened to, with love. 

In addition, we will be providing healing touch through massage and the use of aromatherapy oils. And lastly, we would like to assist the Lepers Aid Committee with the repair of 2 boreholes in the leper colonies located in Ho and Ankaful, Ghana. This will provide a clean and safe source of water for all of the people living in these two colonies.

We cannot do any of this without your support!  Please consider making a donation to support the livelihood, and the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people with leprosy in Ghana!  Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!