In 2009, MMEG supported Vida Yakong, a nurse practitioner from the Nabdam district in northern Ghana, with a $12,000 educational grant to help her complete a PhD in medical anthropology at the University of British Columbia.
Today, Vida is an educator, researcher, and leader. She is significantly improving the lives of women and children in her community and having a lasting impact.
Vida is the Foundation Dean and a Senior Lecturer at the school of Nursing and Midwifery (student population 4,140), at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana. At UDS, Vida leads a research program on women’s and child health, which has produced some 25 published papers over the last 10 years.
Vida contributes to local and government-level health programs. As a member of the national Covid-19 technical team, she has advised the government on its Covid-19 response and management.
Vida founded Project “GROW” - Ghana Rural Opportunities for Women www.projectgrow.ca, a community development project, while at the University of British Columbia. GROW builds on the findings of Vida’s graduate research, i.e., poverty is the main barrier that prevents women in the Nabdam district from accessing health clinics. GROW works to foster women’s/girls’ economic growth and build health care and educational capacity. Some of GROW’s achievements over 11 years:
• projects based on Women’s needs that increase their self-sufficiency:
GROW has provided 1,230 goats, 100 donkeys, 100 donkey carts to women from 52 communities in the district. It has also supplied ploughs, a grinding mill and water barrels.
• fostering training and education of women and girls:
Some 200 women/girls have been trained in dressmaking and shea butter soap production, with 35 trainees supported with seed money to start their own production. GROW has supported a community school with 100 sets of tables and chairs, books, school uniforms and a 6-year free school meal program. 447 bicycles have been provided to the community making it easier for kids who travel long distances to attend school. Local leaders have been persuaded to allow pregnant girls to continue studying thus improving school enrolment for girls.
• building health care capacity and community resilience
GROW has set up and equipped a community medical clinic. It has built accommodations for nurses, enabling them to be on-hand to provide 24-hour health services to the community. Other actions include the provision of 5,520 mosquito nets to the community, the drilling of a borehole to supply potable water to the clinic, and the donation of an ambulance.
Vida’s accomplishments brilliantly showcase the multiplier effect of a MMEG grant. Know that your donations are well-spent - and greatly appreciated!
