Invisible Safety Nets

Tuesday May 25th 2010

I always knew Canadians were fortunate. Although some of us complain that our government isn’t taking enough risk or playing a large enough role in international issues, I knew we were fighting a much smaller battle than some other citizens are with their nations.

To a certain extent, before coming to Ghana I was aware of how lucky I was to be Canadian. However, to a much larger extent, I underestimated what an incredibly powerful role government-run social programs play in the lives of Canadians. I took coming to Ghana to realize, in some small way, what life would be like without a safety net.

A few things have become quite obvious to me here. First, there are no mental health or addictions services in place to help those who are suffering. It seems that often mentally ill individuals are ostracized from their communities and end up living on the streets. There isn’t anything in place for rehabilitation, or even community housing available to keep the individuals safe. Literally they are left alone to take care of themselves day in and day out, without any source of income to speak of.

Birth defects are another prominent issue. I’ve seen a spectrum of individuals affected in this way– from small children with bow legs, to elderly men crippled by their own anatomy, unable to be mobile without the help of others. I’m not trying to make the case that this doesn’t also occur in Canada– certainly it does. However, it strikes me that the prevalence is lower due to the availability of quality healthcare from birth.

These are just two examples that I feel strongly about and have experienced in my Ghanaian community. Many more exist; from education, to unemployment, to waste disposal and everything in between. I encourage those who are interested to speak with JFs or APS and to ask about their experiences with these issues.

For now, my message to Canadians is quite simple– take a few minutes to be thankful for what you have. Not the high-speed internet, freshly oiled car, or diverse selection of food at the supermarket. While these things are lovely, it’s all just gravy compared to our social programs. Be thankful for the mechanisms in place that allow to you be safe, healthy, and a productive member of your community.

Thanks for reading,

Erin