Wonderful
students you surely are!
On behalf of so many who have helped you students over the years in your schooling, especially to James Kainyiah and the Western Heritage Home NGO, the Axim headmistresses/masters/teachers, and so many American friends, we say we are proud of you Western Heritage Home students.
YOU INSPIRE US!
And we know if you were able to meet up face-to-face with this wonderful group of folks who have been supporting you, your shouts of thanks would be deafening (and maybe a little Ghanaian drumming and dancing, too)!
Congratulations to these Western Heritage Home Scholars on their graduations and more!!
Gifty graduated from Axim Girls Senior High School in 2017. She worked until this month in the market, selling various goods, such as scarves, shoes, jewelry, etc., earning her way and helping her Mom with her younger siblings. But James Kainyiah and other leaders in Axim saw her abilities and encouraged her to go further. She applied and as of this month was matriculated into the University of Education, Winneba, to study for her Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education. Wow!
Emmanuella graduated from Ghana National College, an academic senior high school with a special program for students with vision disabilities. She has been accepted into University of Education, Winneba, to a 4-year program in Special Education. This is especially wonderful, given that she has a vision disability herself. Winneba is known for its program for students with special challenges.
George graduated from the Community Development Vocational/Technical Institute, specializing in Welding and fabrication. He was accepted into the Engineering Department to study for a Higher National Diploma in Welding and Fabrication.
Peter
continues in his TTU program in Medical Technology. Earlier this year he
completed an internship at a hospital in Takoradi.
Larmin continues his study for a Higher National Diploma in Welding and Fabrication.
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| TTU Scholars George (far left), Ernestina, Larmin, and Peter |
Ben starts his first year of Junior High at Manye Academy, and his sister Gladys begins P6, her last year of Primary School.
ALL of the above students have been getting support from us, via WHH, since their early primary years. They started out as "orphaned or vulnerable" children in the WHH Children's Home.
At the Community Development/Vocational Technical Institute, Western Heritage Home has selected nine students who need assistance---5 electrical, 1 plumbing, 2 fashion/sewing, 1 catering. Two original Western Home Scholars ---Frederick (4th from left, back row) and Godwin 2nd from left)--- are learning electrical skills (much-needed in Ghana).
And we still support students in two privately-run schools in isolated fishing communities. Ghana has done a terrific job in making school K-12 tuition-free, but some children whose parents are involved in fishing and live right on the coast are not within reasonable walking distance from government schools.
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34 Students, Grades 4-6, Apewosika Village School (Christ the King Academy)
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| Maako Village School - students most in need |
So, while at end of 4th grade they have basic skills, we have given support to kids in grades 4-6 so they finish primary school. At end of grade 6, they are usually capable of walking the distance to a government junior high. They can read, do quite a bit of math, and other learning, which helps them to be capable of understanding what it means to be a citizen in a democracy, understand basic skills such as how to use a bank, read instructions, measure, etc.. And they are then eligible to attend Junior High and eventually Senior High.
And we are grateful that we are helping both girls and boys. Our favorite Ghanaian chief, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Lower Axim Traditional Council, inspires us by saying frequently, “Educate a girl, educate a family.” YES!!
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Chief Awulae, about two weeks ago, celebrating
his birthday and the Kundum Festival!
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Our readers know that over the years we’ve helped out with the Axim Girls Senior High. They were founded about 11-12 years ago, with around 20-25 students in two classrooms in an old abandoned school building. We gave them 25 scientific calculators as an “aspirational” launching gift. We followed that with a fairly modest set of science materials--- microscopes, human skeleton, measuring instruments, and much more---thanks to retired Skagit Valley College instructor Jerome Chandler and his “science friends.”
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| That first set of scientific calculators-in Jan 2011 |
And when the oil company provided a classroom building with computer lab, we worked with Unleash Kids to provide Internet-In-A-Box, with Wikipedia, Khan Academy math/science videos, health/medical info, and maps, and we bought and installed solar panels to power it. And then we helped out with a photocopier/printer, and fixed a damaged school bus.
Most of the real work was done by Ghanaians---especially Principal Theodora Appiah, and so many teachers---some doing their national service, required after graduation from university, because they have skills in science, math, etc.
Now, believe it or not, thanks to Ghana's government efforts, schooling is now TUITION-FREE, K-senior high at government schools! And even boarding supported, if distance is too far. They now have two large classroom buildings (with restrooms!), and a large dormitory building! Note: Their first dormitory was the Western Heritage Home building we funded, thanks to Boeing and so many others.
And from that humble beginning back a decade ago, they just enrolled almost 600 girls as of this term. Wow! We of Ghana Together helped them do a few things that were needed, but for which the skills or resources weren't quite available there.
This is one example of our efforts which are ongoing and targeted directly at local needs. Our approach is to figure out what they really want to do and what in their own estimation they really need. And if it’s beyond their own capacity—whether because of lack of funds or skills, or iin some cases, not even knowing what IS available---and if it stands up to lots of questions and listening from us, seems to make sense, is within OUR means, and has a chance of being sustainable, we try to help them do it. And no, we haven't had the funds for the "big" stuff, like a new school, but we've been able to help nevertheless.
We follow a fairly formal “project management” process: What is the goal (begin with the end in mind!)? How much will it cost? Is there a detailed budget? Who is going to be responsible for what? What are the specific steps/plans? What are the milestones?
It seems to work, thanks to hard work by the local Ghanaians involved. A good example of that is the WHH Operations Manager, Evans Arloo. Graduated from a two-year college-level program in education, supervising WHH day-to-day, and engaged in other work, with his beautiful wife who is a nurse and two beautiful girls, he makes it happen! Skilled in Whatsapp, Camscanner, photography, financial management and bookkeeping, and general business skills, he keeps it together!
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Arloo, as he's known, with two students.
He traveled to every school, met with students and administrators,
saw not only to tuition, but school supplies, personal needs, etc. Thanks Arloo!
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Our simple but totally felt ...
"Thank you."
_______________________
Ghana Together
808 Addison Place
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Website: http://ghanatogether.org (click "News" for earlier News Updates and to subscribe)
Email: info@ghanatogether.org
