The Power of Community (Thank You ICCES!)

Meeting between ICCES, the Besease Community, and the Women

Since I left Ghana in July, the real work of Enliven Mama Africa has been occurring. No longer is Enliven Mama Africa about an obruni (white) girl and a Kumasi man talking to random single mothers in Besease.


Enliven Mama Africa is about the community of Besease. Enliven Mama Africa is about the wider community of Atwima, the district due west of Kumasi.

I lived in the Atwima District for a year, in the town of Boko. However much I write about Besease, Kumasi-town, and Nkawie, Boko is my home. Between Boko and Besease, there is a town called Twedie. Twedie is the home of a school called the Integrated Community Center for Employable Skills (ICCES).

Rosina Kwateng and her son, Christian

ICCES has offered Enliven Mama Africa their services. Five days a week, a teacher will travel from Twedie to Besease to teach 14 single mothers seamstress skills. ICCES is also providing chairs for the women to use during lessons. The benefits of ICCES are many: they will offer the women an official certificate, they are well-established in the Atwima District, and they teach five days a week, with school-time vacations.

I am astounded by the generosity of ICCES and their desire to partner with us. Because of ICCES, these women have the opportunity to receive a formal trade education.