Thursday, December 3, 2015

Newsletter Fall 2015

Good News: Latrine for Chintu Completed

World Class board members Susan Kraeger and Judy Willsey were in Ghana the first week of November where they inspected the new micro flush latrine in Chintu completed in September. They were very impressed by the
new technology and amazed by the absence of any odor.  Composed of a block of 6 units for each sex (5 squat toilets and one western style toilet for the elderly) and  separated by a privacy wall, the facility is well-ventilated, tiled throughout, and connected to electric power.


Rita, Judy, Amanda, Attendant, and Rita's twins

         Odorless, fly-less, and sustainable!   What a difference!  

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Bad News: Latrine for Chintu School Put on Hold

Ghana has a reputation for stability among African nations, but it nonetheless has its share of challenges.  Internecine warfare frequently erupts within chiefly families and with others jealous of chiefly authority and of the comparative wealth chiefs have as the primary holders of land. The chief of Chintu who sought out World Class and with whom Susan and Judy met last year, was murdered last summer, the  victim of just such a rivalry. The situation in Chintu is, for now, volatile and unstable.  To commission the new latrine and avoid any problems, a police presence was necessary.  A new project could well be a flash-point for violence.  On the advice of our staff, our contractor, and the late chief's brother, who all voiced concern, World Class has decided to put the latrine project for the school on indefinite hold. We simply cannot guarantee the safety of our staff or of the workers in Chintu at this time.  We are very sad for the children and their teachers and for a community where a few people are pursuing private agendas at the expense of their own children. 


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Where One Door Closes....

With the success of the Chintu latrine, a number of communities have approached us in hopes of securing a latrine.   Akraman, located north of Chintu, is a community of about 1,500 people which includes many papaya farmers who feed the Blue Skies (the fresh fruit and juice pro-processor located in the region) supply chain.  In 2014, the Blue Skies Foundation financed the drilling of a well with submersible  pump which supplies  5- 2,000 liter poly tanks of water storage erected on a concrete platform.  The community   collects a per bucket fee and banks the proceeds to maintain the facility.  It is a small price to pay for avoiding outbreaks of cholera and other water-borne diseases which plagued the community.  With an established organization and ethic for collecting funds for maintenance, Susan and Judy believe that  Akraman is a good  prospect for a successful project. With the construction of a micro flush latrine in 2016,  Akraman, a small community on a dusty road, will have all of its basic infrastructure needs met. 


                      
                                                                              
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­         Akraman: Old and New: Antennae on homes built of mud, an old well not in use, and part of the new water system -water  storage tanks (new well not visible in this picture)

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Raffle Results


Our summer raffle was a huge success, meeting its goal of $15,000. The winners:

1st Prize  Jim Labrie    Portsmouth, NH
2nd &3rd Prizes  Eleni Odoni  Boston, MA and Joe Keefe Rye Beach, NH
4th &5th Prizes Seth Doane Harwich, MA and Steven Lichtenstein of Portsmouth, NH

Thanks to Ellen and Jim Labrie for their generous second gift which enabled us to meet our goal.  Thanks to all who bought one or many tickets.

Proceeds from the raffle will be used on the Akraman project.


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                                        New Face


  Gertrude "Gertie" Ankrah has been added to our board in Ghana.  Shown here lining up a putt at the mini golf course in Accra on our staff  Fun Day, Gertie brings a wealth of experience from her years with WomensTrust as the Director of Program Development..  A long-time friend of World Class, Gertie, with her vast knowledge of the workings of local communities, should prove a great asset as World Class seeks to establish community responsibility for the maintenance of the projects we build.­­­­­­

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GIVE A GIFT THAT IS WORLD CLASS!


Are there people on your holiday gift list who have just about everything? Consider a contribution in their honor in the amount of your choosing. 

Make your check payable to World Class and send it together with the address(es)
of the recipient(s) to:
World Class 
PO Box 325
La Grangeville, NY 12540    or via the donate button 


 (please indicate that your contribution is a gift and email the recipient's
 address(es):  jdwillsey@gmail.com )
                                                       
Our special holiday card acknowledging your gift will be sent to the recipient of your gift 
.
Name of Recipient:_______________________          
Street:_________________________________
City:________________  State:__________________  Zip Code:_____________

*( circle)  I do    do not     want the amount of my gift made known to the recipient.



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Make a Difference, Make a Donation

By Mail: World Class
               PO Box 325
                                     La Grangeville, NY 12540

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Thank You!