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Community
Pastor Thomas Ayine is
actively involved in his community working in Bolgatanga and the surrounding
area promoting the needs of disabled people in churches, schools and at
public/national events.
During his time in England (2003-2005) whilst training
for his Diploma in Theology, Thomas visited Gary Knott and was very keen to
review the work of MRCT. He quickly identified the similarities in our vision to
ENABLE disabled people to serve
their local community, something which he wanted to introduce to his work in Ghana.
He also visited “Through the Roof” a Christian charity working with disabled
people in the UK
and oversees to review their extensive work with churches in all areas of
disability access.
All of this knowledge was
taken back to Ghana and
introduced into his work with disabled people which you can review below.
Ghana
Society of the Physucally Disabled (Youth Wing)
This work started
in 2006 and is an elected role and involves networking with organisations
working with people with a disability in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
It also involves
liaising with district assemblies and national / regional coordinating councils
in reference to inclusive decision making for all people, including those with a
disability.
Other working roles
include dealing with conflicting problems for and on behalf of disabled people
and seeking to resolve them amicably through meetings and discussions.
The work is voluntary and takes up between 1-2 days per
week including some weekend meetings. Thomas can travel up to 15-20 miles to
attend meetings as he seeks to promote the rights of disabled young people in
Ghana.
Resource
Centre - for people with a disability
The centre is situated in
Bolgatanga which is about 10 miles from where Thomas lives in the town. Thomas
visits the centre each week in his pastoral capacity and as a member of the
Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled. His work can include weekdays and
weekends in line with activities at the centre.
The Resource Centre
is open from 08.30 to 14.30 from Monday to Friday and on the occasional weekend
and is currently located in a very old building with limited access. The service
has been in operation for many years.
Users at the centre
include people who are blind and/or deaf, people with a physical and/or learning
disability and parents of children with a disability.
Most of the work
carried out at the centre is undertaken as part of a rehabilitation programme
which seeks to train and develop the skills of individual people with a
disability. This work includes:
Weaving,
Leatherwork, Fashion & Design, Information Sharing, Advocacy & Lobbying
Workshops, Vocational Training, Networking, Sports and a Research & Reading
Centre.
Windows and
orphans ministry
Thomas has been the
administrator for the local Widows & Orphans Ministry in Bolgatanga since 1999
which seeks to support people who have lost family members and need ongoing
practical and psychological help. This ministry is very valuable to the
community due to the current situation with HIV Aids in the country at the
present time.
Bible
translation work
Thomas has been working from 1989 on a Bible translation from English to the
Gurune language which he originally started with his previous church minister
who later died. This project is ongoing.
How can you support Thomas?
>> Read more
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