Benedicta, Street Child Carer, Ghana

About Benedicta  

I am a 27 year old Ghanaian called Benedicta Adusa Pokuaa and I am a qualified health care assistant in Kumasi. I received my certificate following my health training at Sir Gibrine Health Care Assistant School.

I have worked with The Street Child Project since 2008, where I underwent street workers' training which has really helped me to understand how to interact with the children.  I work from Monday to Friday every week and while every child has very different needs, I try to keep to my basic routine.

Her work

Monday - I go to the street for health talks with the children  

Tuesday - I do one-to-one talks with children at the centre.  

Wednesday - I visit the crèches.  

Thursday - I do follow up with those children enrolled in school and in training.

Friday - I follow up with the children who are sick.  My interest is in caring for those who are sick and making sure that they do not contract diseases if possible.

The most challenging part of the work is when you think and believe you have taken good care of a sick child and their mother is not helping you; or when a child comes back to the street.  

What motivates me most is when we are able to help a child leave the street for good, perhaps to reunite with lost family, or to go to full-time education.  It makes all the difficult times worthwhile.