Monthly Archives: May 2017

GUMANI HASANIYA ISLAMIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

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Upon a good report from our representative Salifu Baako, we sent a grant of £440  to this school for metal doors and windows for 3 classrooms.  These have now been installed.  The Headmistress, Mrs Samiatu Attu, writes:  Coming on the heels of financial constraints in completing the remaining three classrooms by the PTA, your support was timely and a life-line to the school’s continued existence. … We pledge to maintain the doors and windows. Thank you.     

       A doorless classroom

        

The doors arriving…                                               … and ready to be installed 

HIA COMMUNITY LIBRARY, ASHANTI

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Rita De-Graft writes:  In February 2017, Kate Regan (GSA) joined Mary Owusu and myself, both from the Ghana Nurses Association UK and Development Missions Network Ghana, to travel to Ghana.  The aim of the visit was to follow up on the progress of the Hia Community Library which was started in November 2007 and to organise the set-up of the library (the books shipped out between 2008 and 2017, and shelving).  Whilst in Ghana, Agnes Nartey from the Ghana Nurses Association joined the team.  We made the long journey to Hia on two separate days.  On arrival  the Team had a meeting with the Chief of the village, Nana Wiredu.  With resources kindly donated by Kate Regan, most of the books were recorded and classified using colour coding.  The book shelves the Library committee had commissioned were modified for safety reasons, and this was done quickly and efficiently.  One of the teachers who had recently been on a Library course, volunteered to help set up and run the library.  A cross-section of Primary 4, 5 and 6 pupils were given a lesson on how the library resources could be used to enhance their learning. 

Webmistress Penny writes:  The above report has been slightly edited and abridged. Incidentally, past GSA grants have helped to install electricity and furniture in the library. GSA is is delighted that the end of a long journey is in sight and wishes to recognise the huge commitment and contribution made by the individuals involved.  THANK YOU!

ACTION THROUGH ENTERPRISE

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In February 2012, Sarah Albeboure left her job as a primary school teacher to spend a year as a VSO in Lawra in the Upper West Region of Ghana.  Sarah was so struck by the needs of people in that area, their efforts hampered by lack of resources, that she founded a charity she called ACTION THROUGH ENTERPRISE.  The main aims of the charity remain, they are -to improve school attendance; -to provide free school meals, -to help disabled children integrate into community life, -to provide skill training for owners of small businesses.  Responding to an application from ATE, GSA has provided funds for Gombele JHS to buy textbooks (see the entry under GOMBELE JHS).  ATE’s website is ateghana.org

Mrs. Barbara Baddoo

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Barbara Baddoo spent many years in the Gold Coast/Ghana, as the GSA Newsletter 2010-11 feature shows.  She recently passed away, and money was raised both at her funeral and online to be given to Ghana School Aid.  We thank all those who remembered Barbara in this way and assure them that the £1500 (including GiftAid) will be wisely spent to bring improvement to the education of young Ghanaians.

GUMANI METHODIST PRIMARY “A” AND “B”

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There are two Methodist Primary schools at Gumani and they are called “A” and “B”.  Mr. Sulley Yaro, Headteacher at school A paid a visit to Zawiatul Primary School and saw some nice new desks marked “donated by GSA”.  Information was exchanged between the Muslim and Christian schools, and word even spread to school B.  We call that the bush telegraph service!  A visit was then paid to our representative Salifu Baaku who in turn visited the schools, took pictures of the dire straits in which they found themselves, with pupils sitting 2 or 3 in desks meant for one, and helped the two schools to make their application for desks to GSA.  GSA was delighted to hear of the cooperation amongst the schools and awarded grants of £700 and £600 respectively for the purchase of desks.

GOMBELE JHS, LAWRA, UWR

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We were approached by ATE (Action through Enterprise) with a request for funds to support this school which faces severe drop-out and low attendance due to struggling living standards.  £1000 was awarded for the purchase of textbooks. To quote the ATE report:  The 77 pupils and the staff are overjoyed and extremely motivated by the support. 161 textbooks were purchased.  The school will keep hold of the books and pass them out to pupils to be used in class.  ATE (which will assist in monitory book use, ed.) will report on rates of enrolment, attendance, retention and later on, examination results.

ATE sent us a lovely picture of children and staff holding aloft the new books, clearly delighted with this new resource.  Mr. Abeo Emmanuel Baba wrote: with these textbooks I believe that the level of learning of the students will increase and improve their performance in their studies and their exam results.  We look forward to hearing about the school’s progress, Mr. Baba!