Bishop Bowers School, a private school under the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra founded by the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit, has donated a bread moulder valued at 46,000 Ghana Cedis to the Archdiocese’s City of God project at Agbogbloshie.
The presentation formed part of activities marking the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations and is expected to support livelihood initiatives within the community.
Speaking to Catholic Trends after the donation, the priest in charge of the City of God project, Fr. Subash Chittilappilly, reflected on his mission in the area. “I came to Ghana in 2008. At present moment I am working in old Fadama Agbogbloshie in a place called Sodom and Gomorrah, the biggest slum in Ghana. About 150,000 people live there, and 99% are from the North.”
He explained that his work has largely focused on education and healthcare. “What I do there, mostly I am centered for education for the children and health care. Because in the beginning when I was there, very few children were going to school.”
Over the years, the project has developed initiatives including a day care centre for children aged two to five, youth programmes particularly for girls, community clean-up exercises and free medical support. “Whatever work I do there, is 100% free. No money involved in it,” he said.
The newly donated bread moulder will support both feeding and income-generation efforts. Fr Subash outlined the vision behind the initiative saying that, “The idea was, to be able to make bread for our children, if we make more, to make some kids free, able to sell. And they can earn some people, and the community don’t have jobs. So they can sell and get some profit.”
Beyond sales, the project also aims at skills transfer. “Also, I thought of teaching somebody, so that they can make their own bread, whatever they want, wherever they go. So that was the purpose.”
Expressing gratitude for the support, he said, “And I really thank God, Bishop Bowers School, donating the model for making bread. Thank you very much, and God bless you all.”
The City of God project, located in Old Fadama, traces its origins to 2002 when the Franciscan presence began in the community. Over the years, it has grown to include educational programmes, skills training, health outreach and community support initiatives aimed at restoring dignity and opportunity to residents.
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