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Archived Bulletins
July 2003
JOY FM SOUP KITCHEN
By
Charles Hanson-Quao
Class of 2006
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| Charles Hanson-Quao, Class of 2006 |
For the seventh consecutive time running, Joy FM -the Super Hits Radio Station in Accra, organized and held its annual charitable program at the Freedom and Justice Park. Dubbed the "Joy Soup Kitchen", its main purpose is to let the notable distinction of rich and poor be put aside so that people can come together for a greater good. Every year, this program puts smiles on many faces by providing food, clothing and healthcare for those who are less fortunate, and whose lives, can be described in Hobbesian terms as, are "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."
Taking into consideration that no society can flourish and be happy when the greater parts of its members are poor and miserable, we the students of Ashesi University made a conscious effort to lend a helping hand. For the second time since our establishment, students in equal distribution of freshmen and sophomores came together, and with help from the Administration, donated cash and offered assistance in every way possible. While some students brought old clothes and shoes, others helped make the program a success by providing their vehicles as modes of transportation to the park.
At the park, students from other secondary and tertiary institutions had also come to help out. We were put in charge of gathering and organizing all the donated clothes which were later donated in accordance with respective height and size. Students from Central University performed choreography for the enjoyment of the audience while children from the Osu Children's Home recited poems and performed skits with the theme, 'Irresponsible Parenting.'
Joy FM provided perpetual music for those who wanted to 'get their groove on' and forget their troubles and problems for a day. Paloma Fast Foods provided the masses with more food than they could handle. The needy, after filling their bellies, filled all the food containers they brought with them, but there was still more than enough food to go around. While the needy were being fed, so were the kind-hearted volunteers. Perhaps we do live to eat and not eat to live!
Volunteers from the 37 Military Hospital also came with cooked meals in addition to their reputable health paraphernalia. Although no one sustained injuries, those with sicknesses and illnesses were attended to by the health professionals free of charge. Most of the diseases and ailments included malaria, cholera and malnutrition. After treatment, they were taught preventive measures to help them from becoming re-infected.
The West African Aids Foundation (WAAF), who was proudly sponsored by Barclays Bank, provided contraceptives and intensive counseling for the sexually active. Free AIDS tests were also conducted, and in order to prevent any psychological trauma, those tested were asked to pass by the Police Hospital for their results.
Other individuals came and donated treats and monies to the poor. Some went as far as making arrangements to adopt orphans from their respective orphanages. In spite of the fact that there is the inevitable gap between rich and poor, I still believe that people in more fortunate situations are really good at heart. I guess this is because when we look back upon our lives, the times that really stand out, are the times when we did things in the spirit of love. Ashesi's participation in the day demonstrated the depth of compassion and caring we have for those who are less fortunate than we are.
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