Madina: The Dyslexia Care Foundation, in partnership with the Madina Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organised a Christmas event for the elderly in Madina. The event, known as 'Sub for Santa 2025,' featured health screenings, gift distributions, and public education on learning disabilities for over 200 elderly attendees from the local community.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Emma Owusu-Ansah, the Founder of the Dyslexia Care Foundation, emphasized the foundation's commitment to raising awareness about dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The outreach was part of their annual initiatives designed to inform those who might not typically have access to such information. She explained that the focus on the elderly was intentional, given their significant role in supporting children, particularly those with learning challenges.
During the event, gifts were presented to the elderly, and back-to-school items such as school bags, books, and stationery were distributed to help children prepare for the upcoming academic term. Volunteer mobile doctors offered free health screenings and consultations as part of the programme. Additionally, insurance education was provided by Enterprise Insurance representatives, who discussed relevant insurance options with the elderly attendees.
A representative from Imperial Home Care addressed the gathering about home care services, highlighting the availability of professional support for elderly care. Mrs Owusu-Ansah noted the importance of informing the elderly about these services to alleviate the stress on family members who care for them.
The selection of beneficiaries was facilitated through community opinion leaders, including pastors and traditional figures, ensuring that those most in need received support. Mrs Owusu-Ansah shared her personal connection to the cause, recounting her own struggles with learning disabilities and her motivation to ensure that children receive the support she lacked.
The foundation conducts three main programmes annually: a back-to-school project, mid-year teacher training on learning disabilities, and end-of-year community outreach activities. While similar initiatives have been quietly held in the past, this marked the first significant outreach in Madina, and the positive public response was encouraging. Mrs Owusu-Ansah expressed satisfaction with the turnout, underscoring the real need for such initiatives.