Medical Mission:

As the bus pulls up to the villages we see brightly colored canopy, under the canopy are hundreds of men, women and children, all waiting for medical care. We are told that some of them have left their village before the sun was up to walk to this village because they were in need of medical care. It's rather humbling to know that these people who are sick will walk for miles to see the doctor, but then again, when you don't have quick and convenient access to health care, that's what you must do.

In 2008, the medical outreach treated 3,038 men, women and children all age groups in the villages of Buerko, Akwaabe, New Ningo, Oduman, Nsakina and Akramaman. As I looked at the scene I'm remembered the words I heard as a child.... 'news spread about him and the crowds came to hear him and to be healed of their sickness'. The days in the village brought home what it is we are to do for our brothers and sisters in Ghana. The people came, the heard the nurses, doctors, pharmacists, the prayers, the teaching and some were healed immediately while others will receive their healing in due time.

It is due to the generous support from donors like you that allows this work to happen. The people in the villages express their thanks, I'm taking this opportunity to pass their thanks and share the blessings received with you. My hope and prayer is that you will continue to support this medical outreach through The Branches of the Vine organization for surely the floodgates of heaven will be opened and so much blessings poured out that you'll have no room for it.

Written by Dolores Cummings

REPORT OF THE JULY 2008 MEDICAL MISSION TO ARCHBISHOP

Arrival
The team of 4 from USA arrived on Saturday morning, 19th July 2008. They were met on arrival by Rev. Fr. S. S. A Okai, Mrs. Sarah Middleton-Mends, Mrs. Elizabeth Addoquaye, Rev Fr. Bernard Antwi and daughter and Ven. Daniel Torto. However, Jimmy Myers arrived on Friday, 18th July and was met at arrival by Rev Fr. Cecil William who also hosted him for a day. On Saturday, Fr. Cecil William and Jimmy Myers joined the other team members to Sealane Hotel, Prampram. The 5 member team for the mission is Frank Myers, Jimmy Myers, Charles Schaffernoth Jr (Team Leader), Harold Vandeveer, Ashley Schaffernoth.
On arrival at Prampram the team took off to Ada for site seeing, Rev. Fr. Addoquaye welcome the team. He led the team to see one of the mysteries of life, (the Volta Lake and sea meets but they don't enter each other).

Medical Mission
On Monday 21July and Tuesday, 22 July, the medical mission took place at Buako, from experience the Akwaaba were asked to come over to Buako for treatment. Unfortunately, on Tuesday there was a heavy down pour which disrupt the mission. We have to close two hours after commencement of the programme.
On Wednesday, 23 July the medical mission was held at New Ningo. Attendance at New Ningo was very encouraging and overwhelming.
Medical Staff: Dr Ayer engaged the services of two doctors, two pharmacists, one medical assistant, and six nurses including nutritionist. 313 children and 309 adults were attended to.
The full detail of patients and treatment is attached

Prison Ministry
The team visited the Osamkrom Prison Camp in the Central Region. It has about 120 inmates mostly youth. The Warden/OIC and his officers performed a welcome ceremony (The welcome address of the Warden is attached). Bibles (English, Ga and Twi) were distributed to both inmates and officers. Blankets each was also given to the inmates. Jimmy Myers gave a word of exhortation. The inmates and officers were refreshed by the team. They reciprocated the good gestures by offering the team some lunch. On our return to Accra, we paid a courtesy call on the Director-General of the Prison Service, Mr. William Asiedu, we had a fruitful discussion and he assured us of his support and thanked the church for the good work she is doing.

Youth Rally
In the evening, the group met with some of the youth at the St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church, Mamprobi for a youth rally. Fifty-Two youth attended Ashley Schaffernoth was the coordinator of the programme. Rev. Fr. Samuel Ankrah, Frank Myers and Charles Schaffernoth spoke at the rally which lasted for about 2 hours. After the rally, there was light refreshment which was sponsored by the team.

Visit to Ga District
On Friday, 25 July the team visited Oduman, Obeyeyie and Nsakina to see the progress of work on the school building. They were happy with the work so far done and it is their wish that school begin next academic year in both places. Later the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief and elders of the people of Oduman. (Address of the Chief is attached). One significant remark made by the chief was that since we have fulfill our promise of building a school for the community, they are now convince of our credibility as a result, they are going to give remaining plot on the site to the church.

Returning to Accra, they had a meeting with some members of staff to discuss issues of interest to both the Diocese and the Branches of the Vine and the program for the October Mission. The meeting was fruitful and helpful. About 20 people have registered for the October mission including 5 youth.

Communication Center
Charles Schaffernoth and Ben Ayitey for 3 days (Wednesday ?Äì Friday) worked assiduously on the installation of the satellite dish and other accessories. By the grace of God, the Diocese has now got her own satellite dish, thus, making it possible now for Archbishop and staff to hold conference with the Branches of the Vine in-house.

The Diocese treated them to a farewell dinner at the Bishopscourt. They described their mission as very successful.

Submitted by.

Ven. Daniel Torto
Director of Program

Medical Outreach Program Overview

Dr. Nii Anum Ayerh, Lead Medical Doctor Mrs. Elizabeth Addo-Quaye, Coordinator

The Anglican Diocese of Accra (Ghana West Africa) in partnership with The Branches of The Vine started a Medical Outreach Program in October 2006. Medical assistances, clothes, food and toys were and will be provided to villages. The goal, break spiritual ground reach out to those in need.

October 2006 New Ningo Medical Fair, 394 Medical Cases, (257 females, 137 males) Dental, Eye Screenings - Kick-Off For the School of Oral Learning (T4Global) HIV/AIDS Education Old Ningo Medical Outreach (4 Villages) Akwaaba, 107 Medical Cases (57 females, 50 males) Buerkor, 131 Medical Cases (66 females, 65 males) Lakpleku, 74 Medical Cases (32 females, 42 males) Abekope-Faanaa, 247 Medical Cases (137 females, 110 males) Cost $20,000

July 2007 New Ningo Medical Fair, 57 Medical Cases, Dental, 281 Eye Screenings Old Ningo Medical Outreach Follow Up Akwaaka-Buerkor, 201 Medical Cases, 24 Eye Screenings Pram Pram, 149 Medical Cases, 8 Eye Screenings Casesu Faanaa Cost $10,000

October 2007 Akramaman Medical Fair 395 Medical Cases plus HIV/AIDS Counseling Oduman 1,155 Medical Cases (2 Emergency Births) Nsakinaa 839 Medical Cases Obeyeyie 716 Medical Cases Akramaman Outreach 55 Dental Cases 216 Eye Screening Cases Amasaman 18 Traditional Birth Attendants Trained / Graduated Cost $28,095

Teams are made up of church members, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistances, counselors, teachers, individuals with no medical skills but want to make a difference. They come from different countries, dominations and groups. The program has grown over the last two years. It will continue to grow as we continue to reach out to those in need.

“The program was successful to which we thank the Lord. Please be in prayer for the provision of medical and non medical personnel to join the

teams; for supplies and financial resources. Be in prayer for (brick and

mortar) medical clinics where people do not have access to medical facilities. Be in prayer for the continued success of the program.”

Mrs. Elizabeth Addo-Quaye

 

Could you make a contribution to help our efforts in Ghana?
As we are a 501(c)( 3) nonprofit organization, any donations made are tax deductible.
Thank you for any assistance you can offer.

God bless -
Frank Myers, Executive Director
The Branches of the Vine