An Interview with Edith Addo-Yobo, Founder of The Broom Street Children Project
February 2007
Born in Ghana, Edith has lived in the UK for 18 years. As well as being an Estate Manager and a mum to two lovely teenagers she also finds the time to run The Broom Street Children Project with her Board of Trustees.
They all can now make a positive contribution to their families, local communities and to society as a whole.
Q: When did you become aware of the street-children in Ghana?
A: I have for a long time been aware of the fact that some children and young persons sleep on the streets of many developing countries for various reasons, but did not know the situation was so bad in Accra until I visited Ghana in July/August 2002.
Q: What made you want to do something to help these children?
A: I decided to do something about it after witnessing the desperate poverty and deprivation experienced by the street children in Ghana and also the fact that the children themselves were asking for support to help them achieve their life ambition.
Q: When did you set up The Broom Street Children Project?
A: I set it up in July 2003. I registered it as a Non-governmental Organisation in Ghana in August 2003 and then registered as charity in the UK in February 2004.
Q: Has it been easy?
A: Not really. We have had our ups and downs but seeing the smiles and satisfaction on the faces of the children we support keeps us going. It is extremely rewarding.
Q: Did you find that others wanted to help you?
A: Yes, most people realise the need to help and are happy to help in whatever way they can. Every help/support is very much appreciated.
Q: What obstacles have you have to overcome?
A: I have had to overcome many obstacles, the biggest of which has been financial, but the joys far outweigh the obstacles.
Q: What difference do you believe that The Broom has made?
A: I believe The Broom has made a huge difference to many lives. It has actually brought hope to children who did not have a future living and sleeping on the street. We have helped many children most of who without the help of The Broom would still be without any hope of a future away from the streets. Yet with understanding, practical support and assistance, they are all on their way to realising their potential and achieving their ambitions. In addition to practical skills and academic qualifications, they have regained their self- confidence and self-esteem.
They all can now make a positive contribution to their families, local communities and to society as a whole.
Q: What are the highlights of the charity so far?
A: To the charity every child we are able to enrol in a school, apprenticeship or training or take off the street is a highlight for us, but perhaps our most unusual success story is that of Samuel, an 18 year old that Broom identified as part of its outreach work in August 2003 and who with our support has won the National Amateur Boxing Federation Featherweight championships and represented Ghana at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Q: Do you keep in touch with the children that you have helped?
A: Yes we do and they are willing to support us in various ways such as offering apprenticeships and sponsorships
Q: What would you like to achieve in the future?
A: I would like to be able help a lot more children, taking them off the streets and into our own hostel and vocational skills training centre for street children – not only in Ghana, but in other African countries – and seeing all them in gainful employment, making something out of their lives and giving not only them hope, but also their generations after them.