Eric

Eric was born the youngest of three sons to Mr. Ferrel Akongyruide and Mrs. Julia Naa Akongyruide. The Akongyruide family settled in a village about 12 miles outside Techiman because Mr. Akongyruide’s older brother, Apeeyi-Ta Atanga had lived there for several years. Pastor Ofori-Amo came to know the family when they began attending his church in the village around 1998. In 2000, Eric’s father fell very ill with a “wasting” disease and died in a short time. He was never specifically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS but shortly after he died his wife fell ill and died a very similar death. Eric’s uncle became his legal guardian; Eric’s two older brothers are just 17 and 14. Eric’s uncle cannot afford to raise him because of his own financial responsibilities. Eric has been living part-time with Pastor and Mrs. Ofori-Amo who have four children of their own. Mr. Apeeyi-Ta Atanga, Eric’s legal guardian, was very appreciative of the work that Rafiki’s Children’s Center is doing. He and his extended family believe that Eric would greatly benefit from coming to live at the RCC.