A dusty yet well-organized school park became a beacon of hope as over 16,000 children, women, and men gathered eagerly at 2 a.m. to receive medical care, back-to-school supplies, and more.
This was the heartwarming scene at LifeCheck 2024, the social outreach program organized by the Empowerment Worship Centre (EWC).
Spearheaded by the Empowerment Care Foundation under the leadership of its Global Lead Pastor, Pastor Gideon Danso, LifeCheck delivered on its mission to reach out to the needy with the theme “Compassion to Make a Difference.” The event, held at Camp 2 School Park in Teshie, attracted individuals from neighboring communities like Tse Addo, Baatsonaa, Nungua, and Spintex Road.
Inspired by Pastor Gideon Danso’s vision, LifeCheck has continued to transform lives through a comprehensive outreach program. This year, the event offered a wide range of free medical services, including eye care, dental care, ultrasound scans, minor surgical procedures, and medications.
Laboratory services were available for tests such as hepatitis B, malaria, prostate conditions, typhoid, and blood sugar levels. Additionally, about 500 people were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) free of charge.
A blood donation drive, supported by volunteers from EWC, resulted in the collection of more than 50 pints for the National Blood Bank. LifeCheck’s Back-to-School initiative also had a significant impact, distributing over 100,000 exercise books, more than 4,000 school bags, and thousands of stationery items to over 11,000 children.
An impressive 5,200 shoes were also donated, and nearly 100 children received haircuts and cleanups in preparation for the new school year. More than 10,000 families were treated to free meals during the event.
Pastor Gideon Danso highlighted that LifeCheck is EWC’s way of “being the arms and feet of Jesus.” This year’s theme, *Compassion to Make a Difference* (Jude 1:22), was evident in the dedication and enthusiasm of the 500 volunteers who took part. This volunteer group, made up primarily of EWC church members, was also joined by over 100 medical personnel who donated their time and expertise.
One volunteer expressed how rewarding it is to be part of something that creates a far-reaching impact on communities. She noted that the program not only blesses the people it serves but also enriches those who participate, allowing them to contribute to a cause bigger than themselves.
The one-day annual outreach, held on Saturday, September 28th, wrapped up around 4 p.m. This marks the 10th year LifeCheck has been organized. Since its inception, the program has touched the lives of more than 52,000 individuals, offering medical care to over 28,000 people, feeding more than 52,000, and providing back-to-school supplies to over 32,000 children.
Additionally, more than 11,000 individuals have been registered under the NHIS, with the 2024 edition exceeding its target of 15,000 attendees.
This is indeed being the “arms and feet of Jesus.”