{
  "id": 2408020,
  "title": "UniMAC students take ‘Project Dignity’ to Weija Leprosarium",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/unimac-students-take-project-dignity-to-weija-leprosarium",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T16:39:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/unimac-students-take-project-dignity-to-weija-leprosarium/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) students recently embarked on a community outreach initiative called Project Dignity, visiting the Weija Leprosarium to donate essential items and engage with the residents. The student-led project, under the ORAVOX Initiative, allowed the students to apply principles of development communication, resource mobilisation, advocacy, and community engagement. After discussing the facility's needs with its management, the students collected food items, bottled water, toiletries, sanitary materials, tissue products, and other essential supplies from various donors, including individuals, organizations, lecturers, and families.\n\nDuring the donation presentation, Group Leader Fafa Peace Bankas emphasized that the initiative had become more than just an academic exercise. The students learned that behind the residents' circumstances are people with stories, talents, and dreams worth acknowledging. The facility welcomed the students, and one resident shared the history of the Weija Leprosarium, offering the students a firsthand perspective on the community.\n\nUniMAC lecturer Dr Kodwo Jonas Anson Boateng encouraged the students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, and Rev. Father Andrew Campbell provided words of support, having spent considerable time helping people affected by leprosy and other vulnerable groups. The students also experienced the residents' talents, with a musician performing a song and requesting public support for his work. They toured an art gallery, viewing creative pieces including a self-drawn portrait of the Member of Parliament for the Weija-Gbawe Constituency.\n\nThe experience was transformative for the students, broadening their understanding of the community and reinforcing their belief that development communication involves listening, connecting, giving people a voice, and responding to real community needs. Project Dignity aims to promote dignity, compassion, social inclusion, and community support while offering students practical experience in resource mobilisation and community engagement. The students are currently working on a documentary about the initiative, highlighting aspects of the community that are often overlooked and encouraging the public to see the residents beyond their challenges and recognize their humanity, abilities, and dignity.",
  "summary": "Students of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) have taken a community outreach initiative, Project Dignity, to residents of the Weija Leprosarium, donating essential items and engaging with members of the community. The student-led initiative, undertaken under the ORAVOX Initiative, culminated in a donation presentation at the facility on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}