Service Learning
LCS students & ‘Prescribed Joy’
Eric Boateng, CAS Coordinator
‘Prescribed Joy’ (PJ) is a student-initiated youth organization that believes that a smile can be the best medicine. As a student volunteer group, they organize school-wide donation drives, fundraisers, and fun activities to do with the hospitalized children.
The project is dedicated to providing material, emotional, and mental support to underprivileged children in hospital wards across Ghana. Their goal is to make conditions more bearable by offering compassion, inclusivity, and transparency. They aim for children to find hope, parents to find solace, and volunteers to find purpose in our community, demonstrating the profound difference empathy and care can make in the lives of those facing adversity.
Through fundraising, they aim to provide materials such as, but not limited to, toys, blankets, books, games, personalized cards entertainment i.e. mascot costume parties, etc.”
Based on this narrative, PJ has embodied the learner profile traits of principled, caring, communicators, and reflective risk-takers. Accordingly, on Friday, April 19, led by founders Favour Nkansah Kyei and Abena Nyamekye Asante, and accompanied by Amira Bukari, Majed Sabbah, Malaak Husseini, Priscilla Ahiakpor, Dana Elimbe Ebele, Julian Laporte and CAS Coordinator Eric Boateng, they defied the stifling heat and high humidity to pay a visit to the Pentecost Hospital in Madina, a suburb of Accra. They brought along 2 big “Ghana must go” bags and 3 boxes filled with stuffed toys, towels, toothpaste, soap, nail clippers, toothbrushes, body lotion, diapers, changing mats, candies, and other fun toys.
During a brief ceremony at the pediatric OPD, the leaders explained the purpose of the mission. Dr. Mrs. Barbara Swanzy Asare, the clinical coordinator, received the items on behalf of the facility. When the pleasantries were over, the students were given the opportunity to share the items with patients. Our school driver, Mr Godwin Amedume was very helpful with the distribution process.
Sure enough, the smiles of the children and the warm glow of gratitude in the eyes of their mothers were like a rainbow after a bout of rain. A moment to engage in small talk with them also followed. It gave our students firsthand insights into the healthcare process, needs, and challenges. With this comprehension, they will build on future engagements with heightened awareness. This was an experience well worth its weight in service to the wider community.
“Through our engagement with this issue, we sought to raise awareness and inspire action, advocating for the rights and well-being of underprivileged children not only within our local community but also on a larger societal level.”
Abena (Class of 2024)
“Walking through the children’s ward, we couldn’t help but feel the absence of the vibrant, child-friendly atmosphere that is crucial for these kids during their hospital stay. It was through these interactions with the healthcare professionals that we discovered how essential items and emotional support could make a world of difference in the lives of these children.”
Favour (Class of 2024)
Lincoln Community School
#126/21 Reindolf Road
Abelemkpe, Accra
Ghana, West Africa
+233 302 218 100
Mailing Address
PMB CT 354, Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
