Below are 2 students at the FDMTS. In August of this year past they were with us here in New York for about 1 month. Their trips are possible because of their sponsors. They have never traveled on an airplane nor have they ever left Ghana. It was an incredible experience for all of us! They arrived and returned with Fr Cletus Forson. See pics below of their trip!
Patience Emilia Sagada
Sponsor: Don Magnotta
My name is Patience Emilia Sagada. I am a young and energetic girl of twenty two years old. I am fair in complexion and about 5.1feet tall. I come from Kute, a town situated in the north eastern section of the Volta Region, Ghana. Soccer and Volleyball are my favorite games of which I am one of the best players.
I am an advanced student of Business Administration at the Fr. Dogli Memorial Trade School (D.M.T.S) New-Ayoma. My motive for doing this course stems from my working at a book shop just after my General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) due to financial problems. This explains, to a great extent, why I developed some interest in deciding to be where I am today.
I come from a family of eight and we all live at Kute in a very small family house. I am the last born of my parents. Mr. Thompson Quesi Sagada, my father, gave his soul to his creator eight years ago. He was a Cocoa buyer for the Ghana Cocoa Board. My mother is Felicia Sagada. She is also a peasant farmer. The death of my father leaves my mother as the sole bread winner of the family. She alone carries task of taking care of the entire family. Of course, my other siblings and I do many odd jobs to support my Mom.
As a student things have not been easy for me since I have to find all means to see myself through in my education. Thus, I am very delighted to be nominated by Fr. Forson as one of the beneficiaries of the 50% scholarship offer that the International Help of Missionaries has made available to us. My mother is the happiest person of all. Tears were all over her face when Fr. Forson came to my village to announce the glad tidings. You have no idea what this means to me and my entire family.
I am determined and promised to do all my best to ensure that I succeed in my education. This assistance will go a long way to reduce the burden on my mother and also help me to focus my attention on my studies.
Thank you.
Patience Emilia Sagada
Xonam Rita Opoku
Sponsor: Marthe Reynolds
I am Akosua Xonam Rita Opoku. I am a girl of eighteen years old. And I come from Santrokofi–Benua, a town in the Volta region. I am 5.5 feet tall.
Both of my parents come from poor homes. But by the grace of our Almighty Father they do all they can to cater for the family. I am the first born for my father. Unfortunately, my mother died when I was about two years old. It is my Auntie who has taken care of me from the time of my mother’s death.
At ten, I moved from my Auntie in Accra to my grandmother who lived at Ho. After a few years, my grandmother also passed away. A third time, my father moved me to another relative in our hometown, Santrokofi-Benua. My fourth resettlement came about two years ago when I moved again to live with my father and my stepmother at New Ayoma.
It is at New Ayoma that I completed my junior High school over April 2007. My performance at the basic certificate examination could have placed me in a better senior high school than where I am. But this was not to be as my father is financially incapable.
I some individuals in my family who can support me in my education, but none of my family feels attached to me and this makes me sad. But I am somehow happy because the principal has opened this opportunity to me to be educated and so become more capable in the future. Hopefully, my present course (Business Secretariat) will enable me see the light of day. It has not been easy with me from infancy to date; but I am confident your support and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead through the right path until I reach my goal one day. It shall be well with too by the grace of God. I am praying for you. I also ask for your prayers.
Thank you.
Rita
Some pics of Rita and Patience here in New York below. It was an amazing experience for all of us here as well for them. They left for Ghana on September 6th 2009 and they are really missed by all.
Below left; Rita, Fr Cletus and patience at the beach in Rockaway Below right Marthe Rita's sponsor with patience
Patience in my kitchen with me preparing my favorite dish that they introduced me to and on the right thats Patience, me Rita and Fr Cosme getting ready to stuff ourselves with this incredible meal!
Above left: Rita and Patience cruising the Hudson in NYC and on the right at the White house in Washington DC ..