Our Focus: Education & Community
A Place for Children to Learn and Grow
Volunteers for International Medical Aid (VIMA)was founded in 2009 by Francis Kwame Agbemafle. Now known as the VIMA Children’s Home, we continue our mission to serve the children of Ghana.
Throughout the years we have learned so much about the needs of those we serve, and how we can ultimately help them break free from poverty. Our focus lies heavily on education and raising the children who live at VIMA with a faith and community based approach.
The Location
VIMA runs two homes - VIMA Children’s Home MAIN at Saviefe-Gbedome, a highly deprived community in the south-western part of the Volta Ghana region and VIMA Home Annex, located in the mountains of Amedzofe, our founder’s hometown.
Our goal is always to provide for the 80+ children that live at VIMA. Our board and founder take no salary for their work - it is strictly volunteer. The amazing staff that runs VIMA on a day-to-day basis take a modest pay and we ensure that all donations made to VIMA go directly to the benefit of our children.
Our Approach
The VIMA Children’s Home encompasses a model that integrates the orphanage into the community. We believe our model is the best way for the child to feel the love of their people and acquire skills necessary to identify themselves with their culture, because cultural values are an essential part of the African child. We also promote this community-based child development model because all children, no matter their origin or circumstance, are worth every bit of effort it takes to help them overcome the pain of their early sufferings. They all deserve a warm, loving, and nurturing environment to call home.
The Future
Over the past 13 years, VIMA has served over 75 villages throughout Ghana. We have built classrooms, urinals, a library, and other structures. We have received generous donations of shoes, clothing, and books. Most of all though, we have been able to continue to provide a safe haven for the most vulnerable children at our home. Our volunteers, from all over the world have taken part in an affordable, grassroot opportunity to embrace a new culture and to become a member of the VIMA family.
Join Us!
We are PROUD of the work we have done, but there is still so much more we can do!
Our hope is that we can inspire others to get involved with VIMA, find out what joy these beautiful children can bring to this world and help us do it!
If you’re interested in donating or visiting, check out the “GET INVOLVED” pages!