We
thought our readers would like an update on those original Western Heritage
Home Scholars. As “orphaned or vulnerable children” (a Ghanaian government
classification) they spent their early years in the WHH Children’s Home in
Axim. In fact, their care was WHH’s first substantial community project and our
first collaboration with WHH.
You
may recall that in mid-2011 the WHH Board moved the children into
kinship/foster homes, both out of their own concern about the long-term effects
of institutionalizing children, and also because of some governmental policy
changes.
Maryanne
visited with most of these children in February this year. She was told by Manye Academy staff that due to the extra tutoring and care in early years at the Children’s
Home, they have done well in their studies, considering they had few to no academic skills when they started at
Manye at various ages.
So
here’s an update.
Ben (P5) and Gladys (P2) attend in Brawie/Akyminim
Primary School, in north Axim, near the Community Development Vocational
Institute. They live with their Grandma. It’s a tough go, but the school
headmaster says as long as we provide uniforms and fees which cover exercise books,
pens, daily lunch, etc. they’re ok. We’re grateful to generous neighbors who
help out Grandma as best they can.
Philomena (Form 1 SHS) and Charlotte (Form 1 SHS) are on Tullow
Oil Company scholarships at Nsein Senior High School. They are both outstanding
students, and the oil company pays all of their expenses, so they require no
support from us as this time. Way to go girls!!! Way to go Tullow!!
Peter has just graduated
JHS, took his BECE exams, and is awaiting results. He will attend High School
in the Nzema East area, starting September, either with our help or, because
his academic work is tops, he is hoping for a scholarship. He likes math, science, business, and
computers, he says. Peter has moved from Mr. Bentil’s home (how can we thank you for your years of
generosity to this boy??) and is now living in the Heritage Volunteer
Quarters. He is helping Evans Arloo, the Manager, esp. with the One Laptop Per
Child Computers (he’s an early expert!). Peter not only lost his parents as a
young boy, but recently both his biological sister (sickle cell) and his
brother (typhoid).
Frederic is in P6 at Manye
Academy and living in a kinship/foster home in Axim.
Francis (JHS Form1) and Lamin (JHS Form 2) are living in
kinship homes and attend Manye Academy. Lamin still loves soccer and has become
an outstanding athlete.
Olivia, George, Isaac, and Eric are in JHS Form 1 at Manye.
Isaac dropped out for a
couple of years to join his older brother in traditional medicine work, but he
has been counselled by WHH board member Nana Adjow Sika (Queen Mother) to
finish high school before he makes career decisions and he has decided to
accept her wise counsel.
Eric also dropped out and
joined a fishing crew in Ivory Coast, but he decided he wanted to be back in
Axim, and learn driving or electrician work. But, to do that, he needs to
finish JHS first, so he has decided to resume his studies at Manye. (Thank you,
Manye staff, for being so flexible---you are true educators!)
George, Olivia, Ernestina, Isaac, and Eric are boarding at Manye Hostel. As they got older, between
helping their families with fetching of water, cooking, etc., and lack of electricity
so no lights, they had too little time for homework during daylight hours. In
the hostel, they have regular food, water, and a generator. It is crucial, in
Ghana, for students to finish junior high. Eligibility for senior high school
is based on junior high test results. Without JHS training, one simply doesn’t
have the skills to work in Ghana’s economy.
Gifty is in SHS in Beyim.
Joanna is with her biological
grandmother/auntie in the Takoradi area.
Mary is with family in
Accra.
Wahab and Adiza are in Tarkwa in kinship homes.
Emmanuela is at the Blind/Deaf
School in Cape Coast. She is doing well. Maryanne didn’t visit her because she
has adjusted well, per the teachers, and a visit would perhaps disturb that. We
pay for some of her expenses—all of her menstrual supplies, clothing,
toiletries, etc.
Godwin has been taken into
James Kainyiah’s family in Takoradi and is growing up with the Kainyiah
children. He still loves his OLPC and told Maryanne he is tops in his class in
ICT (computer studies).
We
save Dorothy Armoo for last! She has
graduated senior high school and is teaching at a small private primary school
just south of Axim. She loves teaching---English and ICT. She is earning her
own living. We are so proud! WAY TO GO DOROTHY!!!
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| Dorothy, second from left, with fellow teachers |
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| One of Dorothy's classes in their "bamboo school" |
These
WHH Scholars are still a primary responsibility for WHH and for Ghana Together. We
jointly continue to support them financially, on an individual, as-needed basis. Our
goal is to make sure that one way or another, all who have the academic ability
will finish senior high school, a high achievement in Ghana. We’d like to do
more for those who are academically capable
They
see each other as "extended family" and do look after each other. We are proud of them. Dorothy, the "senior sister" called at 2:00 am on Mother's Day to wish all the "Mums" on Ghana Together's Board a Happy Mother's Day from all the scholars.
We
are especially grateful to local leaders, especially James
Kainyiah, Isaac Bentil, Queen Mother Nana Adjow Sika, and the various teachers
and administrators at Manye Academy, especially Felicia Atta, former assistant
headmistress and current teacher.
And you
have helped support these children over the years. They and we thank you.
The
WHH motto is “Making Leaders of the Least” and so they are…
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