When I was elected in 2022 to begin my second tenure as president of SOH USA & Canada Inc., my government and I set goals to transform this organization into a functioning nonprofit. Thus far, some of these goals have been met, and work is ongoing towards achieving the rest.
The goals already achieved are as follows:
- Transform SOH USA & Canada Inc., into a nonprofit organization.
- Introduce SOH USA & Canada Inc. to all Oshie Cultural & Development Association (OCA) branches In the USA/Canada.
- Working with other sister groups in the USA/Canada to learn new ideas.
- Officially create and launch an operational SOH USA & Canada Inc., website.
- We completed a second micro project i.e. providing sweaters to primary school girls in Oshie village.
- Expand SOH USA & Canada Inc., membership from 20 to 26.
- Planned and executed a successful working visit to the residence of a member residing in Canada.
- Invite the current Oshie Sisters in Development (OSID) National President to attend one of our meeting sessions.
- Invite a guest speaker to educate the group on some moral values.
Goals yet to be achieved:
- Officially launch SOH USA & Canada Inc., in the community as a charitable organization.
- Plan and execute charitable activities in our host countries.
- Conduct elections to replace current SOH USA & Canada Inc., Executive.
- Contact dependable and reputable individuals to serve as SOH USA & Canada Inc., patrons/patronesses.
Dr. Helene Oyebog-Tayong
President
Sisters of Hope Launching
Oshie Women Economic Empowerment Push
This project shall be housed in the building that housed the Oshie Women Farmers’ Cooperative many years ago, see image to the left. The core goal of this project is to introduce skills that SOH believes will positively impact our women. These women resident in Oshie shall be taught all aspects of tailoring, including but not limited to the knitting of sweaters, designing and producing hand-embroidered toghus, hair braiding, traditional African cuisine, weaving hair wigs, etc. Young graduates who cannot find jobs in their respective areas of academics can also come home and acquire these skills. Upon graduation from these skills acquisition programs, graduates can set up shops in Oshie to produce and market their products locally and beyond. We believe this project would allow our women to increase their income level, reduce unemployment, encourage entrepreneurial spirit and growth, and halt the exodus to urban areas where the job market is already tight.
