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Young Muslim woman’s life changes through involvement in Ghana YMCA peer education

Helpless and depressed, with a lack of self-confidence and difficulties in interacting with people due to a physical disability, Khadija Abdulai’s life completely changed through her involvement with the Ghana YMCA.

She had suffered great physical challenges and humiliation since a car accident at the age of nine in which she lost a leg and had to rely on wooden crutches to get around. Khadija was also in an extremely difficult financial situation, with no income for food or clothes.

Then in 2001 at the age of 21, this young Muslim woman was recruited by Hohoe YMCA, in the Volta Region of Ghana, as a peer educator for the Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) programme. She said, “I joined the YMCA because it was a good opportunity to interact with Christians and it also encouraged other young Muslims to see our Christian brothers and sisters as our friends and not enemies.”

Khadija’s self-confidence was boosted and developed through various trainings and encouragement in her role as a peer educator, which necessitated interacting with and educating her peers.

She was assigned to work as a peer educator among the Muslim group in the zongos (slums). “One of the guys had a base where they met to discuss various issues especially their sexual escapades and football. I used the opportunity to educate them on HIV/AIDS. They were willing to listen to me because I am a Muslim and they were also fascinated that I was volunteering for a Christian NGO. I met the young women every Saturday and share the message with them too.”

Her life took a further upward turn during a visit by the staff of CVJM (Germany YMCA), led by Eckard Geisler, Secretary for World Service and International Relations. He was touched by her efforts to climb the Wli waterfalls on one leg during a group outing. He also realised that she had taught herself skills in sewing but was unable to start her own business as her family was poor.

The CVJM raised funds and were able to help her get an artificial limb (prosthesis). They also assisted her to build her own shop in 2005 on identified family land.

“The first year after YMCA helped me to establish my shop, I paid the school fees of my youngest sister who was in Senior Secondary School, form one. She would have dropped out of school if I had not paid her fees. I helped her with her fees until she completed. I am also able to look after another younger sister’s two sons, who are eight and five years old. Then I also take care of my grandmother.”

So far she has trained four apprentices, two of whom have completed their apprenticeship. She has also bought a new electric sewing machine through her proceeds from the shop.

“My future plan is to train any orphan in our community who is will to learn sewing. I will not charge for the training. I intend to initiate this programme with the Chief Imam in the community.”

Still serving as a peer educator and very active in the YMCA programmes and activities, Khadija said the YMCA’s ASRH education has benefited the youth and the community in her area. “The general perception of the community before the intervention was that HIV was a curse on a person living with it. Through the programme, people have accepted that HIV is real and they understand how it is spread. It has changed the negative perceptions and misconceptions of curses.”

Now aged 29, she said that the YMCA really has shown the way in the community that all persons are one irrespective of their religious affiliations.

“After my accident, I thought there was no hope for me, but the YMCA reversed it and made me a whole being again. YMCA has given me hope and a future. I have embraced the YMCA principles of helping young people in need in Ghana and all over the world.”

By: Kwabena Nketia Addae, Development Secretary, Ghana YMCA

posted onMonday, September 7, 2009