Rain means it’s a bad day. Sure they tell brides its good luck on their wedding …but I always thought that was just to make them feel better. It gets dark, its cold, its wet…it’s the same here in Kintam po.
I was holding Baby Ray in Mama Florence’s house. Saying goodbye…when the rain started.
I knew it was the last time I would ever craddle Ray, the last time I’d see him as a baby. What does it feel like for a mother to know her moments with her infant are far from forever? The only sounds were my thoughts, the rain…and the Jackie Chan cartoon blaring on the TV. It was surreal.
Kintampo, I loved you…I know I loved you because I hated you at times. I couldn’t understand your poverty, I didn’t always appreciate your people…but you showed me the power of the human spirit. I watched individuals from your community unite behind an abandoned baby boy. I saw you accept the ideas of crazy American girls who wanted to help. Dr. Damian said that even if we couldn’t raise the money that Ray’s mother is thankful that we cared enough to think about her, to do something.
Even if we don’t raise anything (though we already have $20!)…I’ll never feel like it wasn’t worth trying…
The rain stopped. The relentless heat that devoured us during the day slept. The sun came through the clouds…and we walked away from the hospital and left baby Ray.
I copied and pasted the contract for our agreement with Akua Yakubu (Ray’s mother) and Ray below for you to read…we all signed it…but Ray’s mother doesn’t know how to write (so she stamped it with her thumb)…
The Life of Ray Charity Fund
www.lifeofbabyray.wordpress.com
Official Contract Between the Life of Ray Charity Fund and Kintampo Municipal Hospital Regarding Raymond Adam Yakubu
This is a contract between the Life of Ray Charity fund run by Joanna Jean Parga and Stephanie Renee Staples and the Kintampo Municipal Hospital. For the purpose of this agreement, Kintampo Municipal Hospital specifically refers to the Medical Director, Dr. Damien Punguyire, the social worker, Mr. Okyeve Heuaku Godwin, the head midwife, Ms. Florence Atiah, and Ray’s mother, Ms. Akua Yakubu.
This contract outlines the agreement between said parties regarding the appropriate allocation of money raised from the Life of Ray Charity Fund. All funds raised will be sent to Kintampo monthly via wire transfer in an account at Ghana Commercial Bank opened under the name of Raymond Adam Yakubu. Upon the creation of the bank account, all information regarding this account, including but not limited to the account number, account balance and transactions, will be provided to Ms. Stephanie Rene Staples and Ms.Joanna Jean Parga. Dr. Damien will be the signatory to the bank account. Dr. Damien’s signature will be required for all transactions, including but not limited to deposits and withdrawals pertaining to the account. Ms. Florence Atiah will be listed as a second name on the account, and will therefore have access to all information regarding the account. Both Dr. Damien and Ms. Florence will be required to ensure that Ms. Akua Yakubu receives an appropriate salary subsidization from the charity funds.
Though entitled to the money raised by this fund up to 3,600 Ghana Cedis, Ms. Akua Yakubu should not receive this money as a lump sum. Instead, the funds should be dispensed as a monthly salary. This requires that the aforementioned parties (Kintampo Municipal Hospital) can ensure employment for Ms. Yakubu.
Should Ms. Yakubu default on the agreement and decide not to work, she will no longer be entitled to the funds raised by the Life of Ray Charity Fund. Instead, all funds will be diverted to Ms. Florence and under the supervision of Dr. Damien Punguyire and Mr. Okyeve Heuaku Godwin for the care of Raymond Adam Yakubu.
If fundraising is successful, she will receive 300 Ghana Cedis (approximately $200 US dollars) per month from the Life of Ray Charity Fund for the period of one year (May 2011-May 2012). This will total 3,600 Ghana Cedis, roughly $2,500 US dollars. Any amount exceeding the 3,600 Ghana Cedis guaranteed to Ms. Akua Yakubu will be distributed to the Kintampo Municipal Hospital for the funding of educational endeavors (subsidizing workshops, travel to training sessions, etc.) and purchase of supplies. If fundraising is unsuccessful, Ms. Yakua Akubu will be entitled to all of the funds totaling less than 3,600 Ghana Cedis for the care of Raymond Adam Yakukbu.
Allocation of these funds is contingent upon monthly updates provided in the form of e-mail with attached photos of Raymond Adam Yakubu, his mother and the hospital.
The Life of Ray Charity Fund looks forward to a successful relationship.
Maria Berenice Nava
Joanna Parga
Anne-Lise Paisble
Stephaine Staples
Dr. Damien Punguyire
Ms. Florence Atiah
Mr. Okyeve Heuaku Godwin
Ms. Akua Yakubu
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