Doctor Ayeliya's family lost their home and all their belongings in in the recent flooding that has left an estimated 40,000 people displaced in the Upper East Region of northern Ghana.
Laura Hancock | University Advancement | (541) 962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu
7 September 2007
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) - As Doctor Ayeliya recounts the devastation that just days ago swept through his home in Ghana, Africa, his voice rings with earnest conviction.
When Ayeliya learned of the widespread flooding that occurred August 29 in the Upper East Region of northern Ghana, he sprang into action to help the reported 40,000 people who have been displaced - including his own family.
Ayeliya is a senior at Eastern Oregon University and he is working with EOU's Multicultural Affairs and Diversity offices to organize a drive for clothing and other items to send to the victims of the flooding. Clothing including t-shirts, shoes, sweatshirts, lightweight blanket and insect repellent are all needed, he said.
"This is a great opportunity to reach out to people in need and I'm glad the OMA and Diversity offices are able to offer help and support to Doctor and the victims of the floods," said Holly Arnson with the Diversity Office.
Drop boxes are located outside Inlow Hall, Room 106 and Room 114. Cash donations will go toward the cost of shipping the items. Any additional funds will be sent directly to the affected families to help them purchase food and other supplies. Donations need to be received by Thursday, Sept. 20.
"In Africa, we live like family. When one person is affected, everyone is," Ayeliya said.
Ayeliya estimates that more than 500 people living in his home village of Tampola, located in the Kassena / Nankana district, are homeless and seeking shelter in an elementary school building. Ghanaian newspapers are reporting six deaths as a result of the flooding.
In the entire region, many of the main arterial roads are washed out and major bridges have also been destroyed. And while the rainy season continues in Ghana for another month, Ayeliya is afraid that the long-term affects of the flooding will be equally devastating.
"It's still raining and if it doesn't stop, all the crops will be destroyed and there will be hunger," he said.
Ayeliya, who came to Eastern from Ghana nearly four years ago with the help of EOU alum Izaak Edvalson, is personally trying to save $1,000 to send to his family. With the money, his father and mother will be able to afford to build a new home with a concrete foundation.
For more information or to arrange to have donated items picked up, contact Ayeliya or Arnson in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 962-3741 or e-mail oma@eou.edu. Links to other news on the flooding follow:
www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=130290 www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=129968
Eastern Oregon University - One University Boulevard - La Grande, OR 97850-2899 - Phone: 541-962-3672
