Hope for Ghana is ready to build again! I am thrilled to announce Hope for Ghana’s plans to create its fifth library in the village of Ashiata this September, only months after the creation of The Fritz Cameron Library in Anloga. Ashiata Municipal Assembly Basic School, a kindergarten, primary and junior high school serving 800 students, will be the proud home of Hope for Ghana’s newest project.
Hope for Ghana’s fifth project was inspired by an emotional appeal by an entire community surrounding this school in Ashiata during my last trip to Ghana. A formal presentation, including drumming and dancing, was attended by the local Chief, school PTA, teachers and community members pleading for Hope for Ghana to help the educational standard at their school in the same way Hope for Ghana was raising that standard in nearby villages. The final speaker said, “This is a life changing day. Today there is hope.” Ashiata, a village starving for the opportunity of a brighter future, wanted its turn. Their plea was palpable and answered without a moment of hesitation.
Gifty is a teacher at Anloga Roman Catholic Basic School, home of Hope for Ghana’s most recent library and computer lab. She recently sent me a picture of a grade five pupil and wrote, “She reads at least two or three books every day after school before leaving, aside the regular school day readings. She is in love with the library and can’t stop reading. You will be surprised how these children are using the softwares. I don’t even know how to use some, but they’re always manipulating it and it’s improving their studies. Absenteeism has also been reduced, because of the library.” Teachers and headmasters promise me that the reading and comprehension levels of their students are significantly rising. And recently 2 full-time librarians have been placed in Hope for Ghana’s libraries and computer labs, allowing these libraries to serve the students and surrounding community after school, on weekends and during vacations.
Surrounding villages want their turn as well. More appeals are coming every day, with community leaders asking for a chance to have Hope for Ghana build a library and computer lab in their village. The impact is quite clear.
I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many people who share the same vision of improving the human condition in Ghana. Please join me in Hope for Ghana’s next chapter of offering hope and opportunity to children yearning for their “tomorrow.” Donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Your donations will continue to change the lives of thousands of Ghanaian children every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this incredible journey. There is so much more to come.
With love and gratitude,
Steve
