You Can Make A Difference: Joseph Asakibeem Shows The Way

Photo: Joseph Asakibeem

“Never underestimate the difference YOU can make in the lives of others. Step forward, reach out and help. This week reach to someone that might need a lift” –Pablo

A thoughtful little girl

An incisive story is told of a man who was walking along the seashore one day. He is said to have noticed that during the night many seashells and starfish had washed up on the shore. Thoroughly enjoying the morning sun and cool sea air, the man strolled for miles along the sand. Far off in the distance, he saw a small figure dancing; this got his attention. As he drew closer, however, it became apparent that the figure was not dancing, but repeatedly performing a particular act.

           

Approaching the small figure, the man noticed that it was a child. The girl was methodically picking up starfish from the shore and tossing them back into the surf. The man who was visibly startled, then asked, “Why are you throwing those starfish back into the ocean?”

“If I leave these starfish on the beach,” the little girl replied, “the sun will dry them, and they will die. I am throwing them back into the ocean because I want them to live.”

The man was impressed with the little girl`s thoughtfulness. Then he motioned up and down the miles and miles of beach and said, “There must be millions of starfish along here! How can you possibly expect to make a difference?”

           

The young girl pondered the man's words for a moment, then she slowly leaned over, reached down, and carefully picked up another starfish from the sand. With a gentle effort, she lobbed the starfish back out into the surf. She turned to the man and smiled. “You may be right,” she said, “but I made a difference for that one!” The story of the thoughtful little girl was culled from http://www.inspire21.com. This story is exemplified in the life of Joseph Asakibeem.

Joseph Asakibeem – Making a difference in the community

The exploits of Joseph Asakibeem, a resident of Sirigu in the Upper East region of Ghana is nothing short of admirable and exemplary. A bizarre phenomenon caught his attention when he became privy to a case were a deformed baby born to his uncle`s wife was given a poisonous concoction to terminate its life with the pretext that the gods of the land had sanctioned it because the baby is believed to be a ‘spirit child.’

Upon his interactions with the so-called concoction man who was responsible for terminating the baby`s life, he resolved to work tirelessly to ensure that such a thing never happens again. Suffice to state, this had become a widespread practice and not unique to his uncle`s wife`s baby – Many babies who were born with varying degrees of deformities  were considered ‘spirit children’ who could wreak havoc on their families and so were supposed to be killed and offered in rituals to the gods of the land.

Joseph began his campaign right from the chief’s palace as he sought an audience with the overlord of the land.  Once he had the chief`s consent, he mobilized a team of like-minded people with the singular aim of eradicating from Sirigu through education what has now been christened the “spirit child phenomenon.” As a consequence, durbars and sectional meetings were held, especially with women groups.

           

Joseph and his team also offered medical care and training to children with disabilities through the assistance of Afrikids Ghana. A beneficiary of this selfless labour opined regarding the difference Joseph and his team made on the life of Angela her deformed daughter: “For now, my child can walk from Afrikids to the market; she can go and fetch water from the tub, and she can wash bowls for me; she washes her own things. I have had help so much.

           

Through the conceited and determined efforts of Joseph and his team, the war on the “spirit child Phenomenon” has been won in Sirigu. Gabriel Adongo of the Ghana Education Service and a resident made this point: “Joe (Joseph Asakibeem) has been very influential to the public, to religious people, to elders and even to the chiefs of the area. He worked with them for so many years after which they all agreed, came together and declared the ‘spirit child phenomenon’ completely abolished.”

Joseph and his team are continually faced with the challenge of raising substantial funds to cater for some of the health needs of the disabled under their care. That notwithstanding they remain determined to make a huge difference in Sirigu with the project name “Operation Sirigu.” Joseph dreams of the establishment of a special school in the Kasina-Nankana West district to cater to the special needs of kids with disability. The prayer and wish of Victoria, mother of Richmond a boy with disability who found considerable help through the labors of Joseph is worth-noting: “May God help him and also push him into doing things so that any time he sees people like my son, he will also have the feeling to encourage them so that people will not see them go wayward.”

PS: Joseph Asakibim was one of the 10 final nominees of MTN Heroes of Change, Season 3, after 2,400 entries were screened.

Make a difference in ‘your world’

On a daily basis, we encounter people hemmed in by one need or the other. As a matter of fact, there are literally millions the world over who need a helping hand of some sought. This thought alone can feel overwhelming and seem a hopeless case. And this may make you wonder what in the world you can do? Here is where the mindset exhibited by the little girl in the first story becomes immensely helpful. You obviously cannot help everyone but you certainly can help someone.

You may meet someone who is in dire need of a word of encouragement. Another who needs a shoulder to cry on. Yet another will feel loved and cared for if only someone will look him or her in the face with a smile. At this point, perhaps all a friend or spouse may need is a listening ear. Another may require that sound piece of advice that will help him or her arrive at a decision regarding a destiny-altering course of action.

There is a youngster who will be eternally grateful to you if you show genuine interest in his or her welfare or offer the guidance he or she desperately needs. And the list is endless. In the face of the myriad of needs, you can definitely make a difference. The noble example of the little kid in the story narrated above should challenge us to make a difference in our little corners. This only begins with a choice. Make it a point to make a difference in someone`s life today. And yes, you can. 

Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo

(Freelance writer/editor, blogger & published author)

Blog: http://theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com