Moving Beyond The Skies To Reach The Stars – The Seven (7) Year Journey Of The H4P Organization 

It is a common maxim that the ‘sky is the limit’. But for few, the sky is just the beginning. Paul Brandt once said, “ Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon”.

It all began as a dream. A dream birthed from the desire to make a difference. A desire to tell a different story from a different perspective to show the good and not the bad, the possibilities rather than impossibilities, the successes and not the limitations, the ability in spite of the disability and the achievements in the midst of myths and superstitions.

On the 8^th of January, 2011, the Here for Perfection (H4P) Organization was born with one mandate – to bring dignity to disability. Since then, the H4P Organization has reached out to over 1,000 beneficiaries through their community outreach projects including sponsorships for the various needs of persons with disabilities, Christmas Parties for children with disability amongst other philanthropic activities.

The H4P Organization through its life-transforming projects has over the past seven (7) years, been relentless in its pursuit of pulling down the socio-cultural barriers between the able and disabled. The organization successfully organized four editions of the H4P National Inter-Schools Disability Fun Games, an annual congregation where students with intellectual and physical disability partake in various sporting competitions. With seven schools from three regions partaking in the maiden edition of the event, the H4P Organization scaled up the number from thirteen special schools during the 2^nd edition, fifteen special schools from five regions in the 3^rd Edition to fifteen special schools from six regions during the 4^th Edition.

Akropong School for the Blind lifted the trophy for the visually impaired category during the 4^th Edition of the H4P National Inter-schools Disability Fun Games

The annual H4P Christmas party for special needs children has been another achievement of the H4P Organization as it serves as a platform for special children, parents, guardians and caregivers to be merry and joyful during the festive seasons. Institutions such as the New Horizon Special School, the Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre and ShareCare Ghana have been beneficiaries of these parties.

The H4P Organization through its Helping Hand Community Projects partner with and support Special Schools and Institutions. Donations in kind and cash are often presented to accentuate H4P’s commitment to persons in the disability community. The Autism Awareness and Care Training Centre, New Horizon Special School, Share Care Ghana, Dr. Seth Tetteh-Ocloo State School for the Deaf, Wa School for the Blind, to mention but a few are some special schools that have benefitted from the donations and assistance.

The Helping Hand TV Show, was initiated in 2012 with the mandate of throwing more light on the abilities of persons with disability. Serving as the only TV programme in the country solely dedicated to address disability issues, the Helping Hand TV Show showcases successful persons with disabilities to serve as a source of hope and motivation to other persons living with disabilities. The Show further demystifies the misconceptions regarding various disability conditions through awareness and education.

Apostle Charles Hackman, also known as ‘The Voice of Ability on air for Persons with Disability’ and host of the Helping Hand TV Show with Justice Henrietta Abban on set.

Disability affects hundreds of millions of families in developing countries and it is estimated that around 10 per cent of the total world's population, or roughly 650 million people, live with a disability. Having these staggering statistics in mind, the H4P Organization in September, 2016 organized the “Ghana for Peace Summit”. History indicates that wars and civil unrests are some factors that foster disability. The event brought together representatives of the various disability associations (the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Ghana Blind Union, Ghana National Association for the Deaf, and Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism) as well as representatives from the various political parties to pledge their commitment for peace before, during and after the December Elections.

Air Vice Marshal Griffiths Santrofie Evans (Head of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre) was the Chairman for the summit.

The H4P Organization is grateful to the Almighty God for seeing her through trying and challenging moments as it commemorates its 7^th Anniversary. The Organization further appreciates the CEO, Apostle Charles Hackman for his display of strength, compassion, dedication and commitment to the disability cause in Ghana over the years.

The H4P Organization extends its profound gratitude to all its partners, sponsors and beneficiaries. H4P wishes them all a happy and prosperous new year and assures the disability community of greater projects in the coming year. It has been an impactful and life-transforming journey but this is just the beginning. “Remember that nothing just happens by thinking. Even great thinkers are known by their works!” - Apostle Charles Hackman.