Carolyn A. Miller Elementary School
Carolyn A. Miller Elementary School (CAMES) was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a tuition-free education for the neediest children living on the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana. Many of these students are orphans or unaccompanied minors who were separated from their parents while fleeing the war. However, even families still left intact find it very difficult to feed their children on a regular basis, let alone pay for school tuition, supplies, and uniforms.
Adult Literacy Program
Many Liberian adults have completed little to no formal education due to the war or simply because they do not have the financial means to pay for an education. VAAFD provides a free opportunity for adults on the Buduburam Refugee Camp to learn and practice English. Teachers enable students to develop a basic understanding of English through written and oral communication exercises.
Youth Empowerment and Scholarship Program
It is estimated that 80-90% of the children on the camp do not attend school. Many do not attend because of tuition fees and basic school costs (books, writing utensils, uniforms, etc.). Although the Carolyn A. Miller schools are tuition-free, they cannot possibly accept everyone. This program provides limited scholarships to deserving children who cannot attend elementary or high school. Also works in collaboration with Two Steps Forward, an organization that sponsors selected children for their books, school supplies, exam fees, etc.
Orphan Assistance
Let's help the needed
Because of the war, disease and poverty, many children on the Buduburam camp have been left to fend for themselves. With little money or basic care, many orphans are out of school and trying to find a way to physically survive. VAAFD's mission is to help these vulnerable children by providing basic necessities (food, water, clothing, etc.) as well as an opportunity to receive an education.
HIV / Health
Health concerns plague refugees on the Buduburam camp.
With the assistance of Saint Gregory's clinic, VAAFD's initiatives are two-fold:
Provide counseling and support for those infected with debilitating and life-threatening illnesses. Orphans Against AIDS, a supporter of VAAFD, works to help children who have lost parents or family due to HIV.
Educate the community about STD's and other diseases inherent in camp-life through adult education workshops and school awareness programs.
NUCH, an initiative started by a previous volunteer, works with VAAFD to provide free basic hospital care to all teachers and students of CAMES.
