Building the road to success:
Akplamafu, Volta Region, Ghana
In 2008, MTC visited 22 communities in the Volta region, centered around the city of Ho Hoe. Many of these villages had never had a Westerner, not to mention a Caucasian Westerner, come to the village. Many of the elders had never even seen a white person before. They welcomed us with open arms and helped give us any and all information we could gather. Top priorities included researching health, water, agriculture, business opportunities, sanitation and education. With funding raised before the trip, MTC was able to successfully identify two communities they could significantly help.
Akplamafu, Ghana: A quiet community located about 45 minutes outside of Ho Hoe, Akplamafu's school had one "finished" school block, one Pavilion style school block with half finished walls, and one clay structure with a new roof. Because the Ghanaian government does not recognize buildings that are not plastered or suitable to their pavilion style, this third structure was not considered a proper facility. MTC worked with the community to form a plan to finish the building. Community members housed the workers, provided free food, and kept a constant supply of water to mix the concrete. They also came up with funds to purchase cement for the black boards. MTC was on site to help with a portion of it. The building was completed and Akplamafu received an additional paid teacher from the government. Afterwards the community celebrated in a traditional ceremony celebrating Cassandra and honoring her in the highest form as an honorary "Queen Mother," something never seen by many locals in the area. The community took such pride and ownership of the school that it became a top priority to replace the poles from wood to metal and to build proper shutters and doors to protect the desks and chairs inside from being stolen.
Fodome Ahor, Ghana: A community located approximately one hour from Ho Hoe, Fodome had a school that was literally ripping apart at the seams. Because of it's location at the bottom of a small hill, the terrential rains would flow down the hill, pooling at the foundation of the school. The local people did not recognize this and did not understand why the foundation was sinking, literally pulling the building apart. After negotiating with the Chief and Assembly Men, a mutual contract was negotiated where MTC was able to cover 60% of the cost to repair the wall, foundation, and dig a trench. The community stepped up more than was expected and showed just how powerful working together can be! The school is now repaired and the children who attend do not risk the ceiling collapsing on them.
Akplamafu, Ghana: A quiet community located about 45 minutes outside of Ho Hoe, Akplamafu's school had one "finished" school block, one Pavilion style school block with half finished walls, and one clay structure with a new roof. Because the Ghanaian government does not recognize buildings that are not plastered or suitable to their pavilion style, this third structure was not considered a proper facility. MTC worked with the community to form a plan to finish the building. Community members housed the workers, provided free food, and kept a constant supply of water to mix the concrete. They also came up with funds to purchase cement for the black boards. MTC was on site to help with a portion of it. The building was completed and Akplamafu received an additional paid teacher from the government. Afterwards the community celebrated in a traditional ceremony celebrating Cassandra and honoring her in the highest form as an honorary "Queen Mother," something never seen by many locals in the area. The community took such pride and ownership of the school that it became a top priority to replace the poles from wood to metal and to build proper shutters and doors to protect the desks and chairs inside from being stolen.
Fodome Ahor, Ghana: A community located approximately one hour from Ho Hoe, Fodome had a school that was literally ripping apart at the seams. Because of it's location at the bottom of a small hill, the terrential rains would flow down the hill, pooling at the foundation of the school. The local people did not recognize this and did not understand why the foundation was sinking, literally pulling the building apart. After negotiating with the Chief and Assembly Men, a mutual contract was negotiated where MTC was able to cover 60% of the cost to repair the wall, foundation, and dig a trench. The community stepped up more than was expected and showed just how powerful working together can be! The school is now repaired and the children who attend do not risk the ceiling collapsing on them.
Dr. Bediako? Emmanuel's journey!
MTC currently sponsors one child to attend one of the top Senior Secondary Schools in the country. For just $55 per month, Emmanuel Bediako receives top notch education, room and board, access to top educators and tutors, and round the clock activities. With both of his parents passed away, Emmanuel would work every second he could to pay his fees while in Junior Secondary School because as he told Cassandra when they met repeatedly for over two minutes, "Madam, I HAVE to go to school. I just have to go to school. I have to go to school!" While in the equivalent of 7th grade, Emmanuel was the first into the school, the last to leave and would spend his weekends selling toothbrushes and toothpaste on the streets. Any money he made he would pay to the headmaster every two weeks, despite it not being enough.
Emmanuel is very passionate about Science and is a dedicated learner/hard worker, finishing near the top of his class in subjects such as Physics and Chemistry. He aspires to become one of Ghana's 120 dentists (85 of which practice ONLY in the capitol city) by attending the University of Ghana Dental School. He hopes to be able to one day give back by returning to the rural areas and providing free and low cost dental care.
Emmanuel is very passionate about Science and is a dedicated learner/hard worker, finishing near the top of his class in subjects such as Physics and Chemistry. He aspires to become one of Ghana's 120 dentists (85 of which practice ONLY in the capitol city) by attending the University of Ghana Dental School. He hopes to be able to one day give back by returning to the rural areas and providing free and low cost dental care.
Toys for Tots...Ghana Style
What do you bring to Africa for a bunch of rambunctious, fun loving children? Children who are used to using seeds of papayas for soccer balls or if they have a ball, it's deflated but they still kick it around? Well we thought of all the fun elementary school field day games we played and though we couldn't bring plastic swimming pools, kiddie fishing poles, or rubber duckies, we WERE able to bring some new soccer balls and giant parachutes! And who could forget candy canes on Christmas? Well as a special Christmas gift, each of the kids at Golden Era International school got a candy cane for their first time! The kids were thrilled!
