By Bernice Bessey.
Persons with mental disabilities are often ignored and rejected by society, but the Weep No More Woman Foundation (WNMWF), a non-governmental organisation that seeks the welfare of the vulnerable, has come to their aid by donating food and clothing to inmates of the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital.
The donation cost well over GH¢2,000, and indeed, put smiles on the faces of the inmates, some of who have been abandoned by family and friends. Mrs. Grace Boateng, Leader and Founder of the foundation, said it pleased her heart to support women, children, and the vulnerable in society, adding: “We are reaching out to the less-privileged, through [the] evangelism of Jesus Christ, education, material support, and skills training”.
She noted that persons with mental disabilities are not given the needed attention, such as shelter, food, water, clothing, security, and medical care by both the government and citizenry. Mrs. Boateng indicated that lack of protection for mentally-ill persons, especially, the women, had exposed them to sexual and physical abuse by people who should know better.
We are here today to share our love with the inmates to prove to them that no matter their situation, there is hope,” he stated. Although the foundation is young, the Founder and Leader of WNMWF added that the donation would not be last, as the organisation had taken upon itself to provide social intervention incentives for destitute mothers, children, and the vulnerable in society.
The Pantang Hospital Principal Nursing Officer, Mary Kalawu, could not express any other sentiments than to thank the foundation for the love they had shared with the female inmates of the hospital. She, however, could not also end her speech without pointing out some challenges, such as lack of a feeding fund, water supply, and family members neglecting their relatives when admitted at the hospital.
She said when family members neglect their relatives at the medical outfit, “aside taking care of the mental illness, the hospital has to incur more cost to treat the patients outside”. Ms. Kalawu further added that some of the inmates had been treated and discharged, but their family members are not willing to accept and take them back.
On the water situation, she said the hospital used to have two water tankers, but the other one had broken down, making it difficult to access water for the running of the institution.She called for support from all sundry to assist the hospital address the challenges.