LEARN
Who we are and what we do.
When founders Johnbull and Stacy Omorefe first came to Ghana - they had no idea just how big God's dream for their lives was about to become!
In 2006 we felt God leading us to start City of Refuge Ministries. In the beginning we had no real vision of what God was leading us to do besides "GO."
So we listened to His call and went back to Ghana where we had met and fallen in love 5 years earlier. We called this trip “a survey of the land” and trusted that God would show us what He was leading us to do.
During this time in Ghana we were certain that there was great need especially in the lives of the single mothers and orphaned and abandoned children. But by the end of our
time we were still uncertain as to what God was leading us
to do. We returned to the U.S. with our hearts open to do
whatever God had in store.
A few months later God opened our eyes to the issue of
child slavery in Ghana. Something we had never heard of
before…modern-day slavery. We both knew that this was
breaking God’s heart and felt He was going to use us to
bring FREEDOM to these children.
A few months later we went back to Ghana to see for
ourselves the issue of child slavery. Once we arrived at
Lake Volta, children were everywhere we looked. In every
canoe on the lake there two or three young boys casting
nets or pulling them in. Their eyes hollow, their stomachs
distended and their muscles overdeveloped.
There were two brothers that touched our hearts in such a
life- changing way. They had been working for their master
for so long they no longer knew who they were as
individuals. Their last name, age, the village where they
came from were all lost memories. Our hearts hurt so much for them.
Today, by the Grace of God, we have established the City of Refuge Ministries Children's Village in Doryuma, Ghana. The City of Refuge Children's Village is a place where children who have been orphaned, abandoned and rescued from slavery can call home.
City of Refuge Ministries is working to not only rescue children out of child slavery but also to prevent children from being sold. We are doing this by empowering single mothers who are vulnerable to selling their children.
In 2010 we began to take steps to try to eliminate one very specific component from the cycle of child trafficking, vulnerable single moms living in both lake and coastal communities. Our belief is that if we can empower single mothers economically and educationally they will no longer be vulnerable to selling their children to Lake Volta’s fishermen.
We are also working in several communities to provide education to the people about the issue of slavery and what is happening to the children once they are sent to work at the lake.
With love,
The Omorefes
"We are so excited to be on the adventure of a lifetime and welcome you to join us! Learn more and consider partnering with us to reach the big dreams God has set before us for the children of Ghana!"
THE FOUR KEYS TO OUR WORK
Prevention
Empowering families to stay together.
City of Refuge Ministries is working to not only rescue children out of child slavery but also to prevent children from being sold. We are doing this by empowering single mothers who are vulnerable to selling their children.
In 2010 we began to take steps to try to eliminate one very specific component from the cycle of child trafficking, vulnerable single moms living in both lake and coastal communities. Our belief is that if we can empower single mothers economically and educationally they will no longer be vulnerable to selling their children to Lake Volta’s fishermen.
We are also working in several communities to provide education to the people about the issue of slavery and what is happening to the children once they are sent to work at the lake.
Intervention
Partnering with IJM to rescue child slaves.
There are thousands of children along Lake Volta who are being used as slaves. These children are receiving no education or care from their masters.
Many of the children only receive one meal a day, which usually consists of gari soaked in the lake water.
Many of the parents are not interested in taking these children back as they have no means of taking care of them. Other parents see their children as a source of income, so if their children were to be returned home, they could be sold again.
We build relationship with the local community leaders to evoke the release of children currently enslaved in this region of Ghana.
Restoration
Bringing hope and joy back into their childhoods.
It is our goal to allow these children to have a childhood since so many of them come out of situations where they were working long hours on fishing boats or doing domestic chores. The children attend school during the day and in the evenings they are free to play.
Our vision is that the CORM Children’s Village will be a place of refuge for hundreds of children who are in need of a safe place to call home.
We also offer an on-site pre-K through Jr High bible-based public school called Faith Roots International Academy. Here we offer a high quality, Christ centered education to the orphaned, abandoned, and trafficked children of Ghana and to the children of the village of Doryumu.
Education
Because we believe that every child should have access to a quality education.
Faith Roots International Academy started off as just a home school for the children of City of Refuge Ministries but we felt like God was leading us to open the doors of the school to the people of our community.
In September 2011 Faith Roots International Academy was officially opened to the public with over 100 community children in attendance.
Faith Roots International Academy exists to offer a high quality, Christ centered education to the orphaned, abandoned, and trafficked children of Ghana and to the children of the village of Doryumu.
As a private Christian school, we are committed to providing an educational program that will root and establish our students in a love for learning and ultimately establish them with an understanding of God’s love for each one of them.
Through a bible-based curriculum, a positive learning environment, small class sizes, a focus on differentiation and small groups, classes that center on English acquisition, and extra-curricular activities, our hope is that students will be fully equipped to dream, discover, and fulfill God’s individual plan for their lives.
