Improving the Living
Standards in Sirigu: The International Service/SWOPA Partnership
As
the fourth cohort of volunteers arrived, International Service and SWOPA
(Sirigu Women’s organisation for Pottery and Art) continue their collective
efforts to increase the incomes of women of Sirigu.
Bringing
fresh and creative ideas to the project, the volunteers have been given the
go-ahead from SWOPA’s founder Madame Kassise and the chief of Sirigu, Naaba
Roland Akaura the third, and are now ready to put their ideas into making an
impact.
Working
alongside director Madame Bridget and the rest of the SWOPA staff, the new
International Service team are fully committed to improving the incomes and the
livelihoods of the women, their families and the community.
Women
in Sirigu and the Upper East
Ghana
has experienced a continuation of economic growth, however the rate of poverty
reduction has substantially slowed within the last 10 years, keeping the
northern region especially vulnerable to deprivation. According to the FAO
(Food and Agricultural Organisation), the Upper East region, where Sirigu is
situated, 64 percent of people are affected by extreme poverty.
Women,
particularly in rural areas, face far greater difficulties in finding
employment and generating income than men. In the Upper East, 22 percent of
women are illiterate compared to 50 percent of men, and in labour employment
women are typically paid five times less than men. These factors often limit to
unpaid family work and low income self-employment activities.
The
struggle of women earning an income had been recognised in Sirigu, and an
organisation was created to foster greater financial stability for them and
their families.
SWOPA
and International Service
In
order to support the women and preserve the traditional crafts of Sirigu, SWOPA
was founded by Madame Kassise in 1997. Madame Kassise was inspired by her
mother, a traditional potter who sold her work so that she could send her
daughter to school and then on to university. SWOPA has since grown into a
fundamental organisation to Sirigu, providing a place for members to sell their
products and receive training to develop their skills.
In
2016, International Service had joined forces with SWOPA, and every cohort has
since dedicated their time and efforts to support and develop the organisation.
After adapting to the intense heat, the obscurer Ghanaian dishes and the
petrifying long drop toilets, the team are fired-up and ready to get involved
with the influx of work coming their way.
Meet
the Volunteers
Now
it’s about time to let the volunteers introduce themselves…
Name:
Rachel
Position:
UK Team Leader
Fun
Fact: “I’m so short that none of the bikes in Sirigu fit me!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I’m hoping that with my time in Sirigu
I see changes to SWOPA, aesthetically and deeper.”
Name:
Mohammed (a.k.a General)
Position:
In-Country Team Leader
Fun
Fact: I’m loyal, responsible, active, loving, caring, sharing,
kind-hearted, warm, accommodating, compassionate, tolerant, laid-back, filled
with honesty, but my greatest quality is my modesty!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “In this world we can only learn by
practicing and I believe that this project will be a great learning ground for
me”
Name:
Ella
Position:
UK Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I’m a peanut butter-holic, it gives me life. I can’t live without
it!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I joined to make an impact and work
with a youth organisation that empowers people.”
Name:
Patience
Position:
In-Country Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I have a crippling phobia of snakes. Even if I hear the word python
I get terrified as if there was one in the room!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I want to help others, but I also want
to learn new skills, new cultures, and other people’s way of life.”
Name:
Sasha
Position:
UK Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I can’t look at one of the babies in my host home without him
bursting into tears!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I want to make a difference to
someone’s life and I’d also love having the opportunity to live with a family
that has a totally different culture.”
Name:
Mariam
Position:
In-Country Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I’m addicted to playing Temple Run!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I have a passion for work, I want to
improve upon my skills and I’d love to have an impact on the lives of the
people within the community.”
Name:
Hannah
Position:
UK Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I have a progressive fear of long drops!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I feel that when you get out of your
bubble and actually do something to help someone else it gives you a sense of
pride and purpose.”
Name:
Matilda
Position:
In-Country Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “My teammates call me ‘Princess’ because I’m so faaancy!”
Reason
for joining International Service: I want to feel challenged, I also hope
to change the community in the small way I can with great efforts.”
Name:
Shardell
Position:
UK Volunteer
Fun
Fact: “I have a crazy irrational phobia of wrists, even looking at them makes
me queasy!”
Reason
for joining International Service: “I know my limitations as individual to
have real impact, but if being part of something larger makes even the smallest
bit of difference then I’m in.”
After
familiarising themselves with the SWOPA staff, getting permission from the
Chief, and integrating into daily life, the volunteers are eager to start
making the vital changes needed to continue making a difference.
The people of Sirigu have welcomed the volunteers into their community, and in return they have every intention of improving their livelihoods.
The people of Sirigu have welcomed the volunteers into their community, and in return they have every intention of improving their livelihoods.
