Accra, Dec. 31, GNA – The Sarfo family, a Ghanaian based United States family, has brought festive joy to residents of the Weija Leprosarium with a donation during the Christmas season.
The family’s gesture aimed to provide relief and happiness to the residents, many of whom face daily challenges due to their condition.
The items included three boxes of sardines, three bags of rice, boxes of canned tomatoes and two gallons of oil, and 5000 USD.
Expressing their motivation, members of the Sarfo family emphasized the importance of giving back during the Christmas period, describing the donation as an opportunity to share love and compassion with those often overlooked in society.
Dr Kofi Kyei Sarfo, a philanthropist, said, “We believe in making a positive impact during the festive season, and supporting the leprosarium is our way of bringing joy to these amazing individuals.”
“They are resilient. You can see that they are very brave. I mean, despite all the difficulties that they are going through, their disabilities and everything, they still continue to enjoy life. Some of them are planting crops, you know, like maize and other things, and it inspires,” Mr Sarfo, aslo a Medical Director at Vista Associates in the United States, said.
Mrs Rose Safo, Medical Manager, Vista Associates, said seeing the strength and positivity of the residents, despite the challenges they faced, the family was touched in ways they never expected.
Their stories, she said, were a testament to the power of optimism and they reminded them of the importance of gratitude and compassion.
“It’s so beautiful, how they can come out of this adversity and be able to do this. We need to encourage them and give them the opportunity to be what they are. So we decided to help out, that’s our mission,” Mrs Safo stated.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, who oversees the leprosarium, expressed gratitude to the Sarfo family for their gesture, describing it as a reflection of the generosity inherent in the Ghanaian spirit.
Ghanaians, he said, have always risen to the occasion when called upon to support the needy.
The donated items, Fr. Campbell explained, would be distributed not only to the residents of the Weija Leprosarium but also to other leprosy centers in Cape Coast and other areas in need.
He stressed that such acts of kindness went a long way in addressing hunger and easing the burden on vulnerable populations.
“People don’t realize the profound impact of their generosity,” Fr. Campbell said. “It’s not about the material things you accumulate but the fulfilment and happiness that come from helping others. This donation will touch countless lives.”
Rev. Fr. Campbell further called for ongoing support for leprosy patients and other underprivileged groups beyond the festive season.
He noted that stigmatization against leprosy patients remained a challenge, with many neglected by their families due to unfounded fears.
He commended the media and public figures, including the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for their efforts in breaking the stigma, emphasizing that all residents at the leprosarium were cured and posed no risk of infection.
Fr. Campbell urged Ghanaians to adopt a year-round approach to giving, particularly during less visible times such as mid-year.
“Christmas is a beautiful time for sharing but let us not forget the dry periods when support is also desperately needed,” he said.
GNA