On behalf of the Salih Self Development Center:
Greetings to the family, friends, donors, and supporters of The Salih Self-Development Center. If you are one of the many people who have been a part of our community over the past decade, or if this letter has come to you through secondary sources, such as being forwarded to you by the aforementioned community members, we would like to extend the greetings of peace and well-wishes of health to you and yours.
The Salih Self Development Center of Aboabo,Kumasi, Ghana seeks to distribute resources to meet the community needs and provide health education and vocational training. The Salih Center started as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2008. For the past 12 years, with the support of the international community and family and friends, the Salih Center has been able to establish two vocational centers, provide health education and free health and wellness clinics, help with environmental conservation, and distribute food and supplies to the community in times of need and dire circumstance, such as the covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns.Those of you who have followed and supported the growth of our organization know all of these things. With major growth for our organization on the horizon, I seek to provide regular updates on the execution of our mission and the impact of your support on the Aboabo community.
As we have reached a critical milestone and building block for the future of our organization, I’d like to highlight the major and sustaining pillars of our efforts. The two operational vocational training programs are the Salih Sewing Center and the Salih Center for Computer Design. Because of the continued support and generosity of our community, the Salih Sewing Center has been able to expand since our founding and now serves 20 young seamstresses who are being trained in traditional West African design techniques, as well as more contemporary sewing skills.The computer training program was instituted in response to not only the growing need for a tech workforce, but also the growing interest in technology and IT services as a career choice for young people in Kumasi.
Once again, through the support of our family, friends and gracious donors, in 2019 we purchased our second temporary unit and opened the Salih Center for Computer Design. Recognizing the interest and the need for flexibility in the workforce to meet the needs of companies and communities trying to adapt to a world post-pandemic, we expanded our program offerings to become the Salih Center for Computer and Information Technology Skills. Our center accommodates 12 students with 9 laptops and 2 industrial printers. We are currently working through plans to partner with Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, California to develop and implement a coding curriculum.
In the 12 years since our founding, we have grown year after year, and now have the opportunity to embark on the most critical part of our journey. Having our very own building has always been a dream, as it would allow us to integrate all of our programs under one roof. We have seen the impact of our work, and in order for it to be more sustainable in the future, we recognize the need for our own facility.
I am pleased to announce to you that we have found two available acres of land in Kumasi, about 20 minutes from Aboabo, and have begun to consider the future construction of the Center. Many of you have seen the artist rendering constructed by a student architect based out of Ellicott City, Maryland (to see pictures of the model center, please see pictures attached). The center will have two floors surrounding an open interior courtyard. The building boasts 2 large classrooms for vocational training instruction, bathrooms and storage rooms for medical supplies and other items to be used and distributed. There will be an administrative office and conference and reception rooms. Additional accommodations will be available on the second floor of the facility to welcome and host visiting teachers, doctors, pharmacists and volunteers. The inspiration for the design is drawn from ancient caravanserais traditionally found across North Africa. We envision a well in the center of the large courtyard, as well as a large entry that would allow the Salih Center transportation vans to pull right into the building and park in spaces available along the edges of the courtyard.
Wow! I am so happy that we have finally come to this stage of our development. The plan is to begin construction as soon as major funding permits. With such a big undertaking, we recognize that we have to start somewhere. Our initial fundraising goal is $30,000, of which $10,000 has been provided. We need the additional $20,000 to put towards the purchase of the 2 acres, the creation of the blueprints, the installation of a well, and the staking of the foundation of the building.
The Salih Center is urgently needed to support the public health education and vocational training of the local people of Aboabo Kumasi Ghana. Through your donations and support, the Salih Center helps many along the path to self-sufficiency, social mobility, economic independence, and the dignity of transferable and highly sought after skills in an ever-changing world. At this time we would like to thank the Fund for the Future of Our Children (FFC) and the Glenelg Country School, which have been cornerstones to the growth and success of our organization.
Friends and family, thank you for your support over the years. To see an artist rendering of the building or to make a donation, please visit our website at www.salihcenter.org.
As always, donations are tax deductible. Thank you friends for years of support. We hope you will continue to work with us through this next stage for our development.
Kind Regards
Wonderful!