Projects in the works currently include:
PAINTING POSSIBLITIES
Our group of 11 volunteer teachers from the Philadelphia and Boston areas returned in May after an inspiring and highly successful week at our sponsored school (Bishop Forson School Complex). SLIDE SHOW
This year, each child's unique voice was explored in workshops in creative writing, photography, mask, doll, book, and puppet making. The workshop nurtures creativity and bridges cultural differences. Students from Virginia sent letters and paintings to share with the JHS students who reciprocated with enthusiasm! We suspect this is the beginning of new and rewarding friendships.
The program has had a profound impact on all involved. Its success is largely due to the huge support we have received from the community through donations of supplies and funding. This support will allow the school to continue to work on projects with the children throughout the year. Planning for next year’s workshop is already underway!
If you want to help support or volunteer with this program, please see our Wish List or Contact Us for more information.
EDUCATION THROUGH SPONSORSHIPS
This is our third year of sponsoring children to attend the Bishop Forson School in Kpando, in Ghana's Volta Region. We currently sponsor over 80 children. 15 of these children are orphaned or in dire need and are taking temporary shelter at the school.
- Sponsorships can transform a community. Sponsorships cost $250 per year and sponsors get regular reports about their child.
Click here to read more about the school and sponsorships
SUPPORT OF BISHOP FORSON SCHOOL - ONGOING
In addition to sponsoring children for school we keep a fund for medical needs and gifts for teachers at Christmas (last year we gave a bag of rice and oil to cook with). We recently were able to send a school bus which provides transportation for students and teachers.
13 orphans have taken up residence at the school and are living in temporary shelter. They urgently need a permanent structure. A boarding facility will provide a home for these children and others who want to attend the school but live too far away.
As we work to help provide funding for this very important facility we invite you and your school or organization to join us!
REBUILD AIRFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Airfield School is meant to serve children from 25 rural villages East of Ho in grades K-4, but the conditions are deplorable. The school has been asking the government to build them a proper structure for 10 years but so far has only received promises. The school has asked numerous NGOs but so far, none has been able to help. We will!
Please read more.
COMPUTER LAB AND LIBRARY
Computers we sent last year are now being put to use in the newly completed computer lab! Currently we are building shelving and will soon organize the books so the children can have easy access. We have 2 volunteers that will work with older students this summer to help us in this task. The volunteers will also teach basic computer skills to teachers and students. MANY THANKS to all those who helped through financial donations and donations of time, goods, and services to make this project such a success! We are seeing great excitement in the school community as these facilities are made available.
Moving Towards Sustainability:
This is our 3rd year farming okra in the dry season and the harvest is complete! Next year our drip irrigation equipment, paid for with farm profits, will be used for farming and education projects at the Bishop Forson School. The Okra Project provided employment and meals for 35+ young men and women.
Click here to see pictures of this project
Students at the Bishop Forson School will soon be learning how to raise goats and small animals in the guinea pig and porcupine family called 'grasscutter'. Raising these animals at the school will prove educational and also provide food for the children. As the program grows, it may become a sustainable income source for the school.
PROJECTS IN PLANNING
MODEL PIG FARM
We are establishing a pig farm in the village of Kudzra. The project will benefit the nearby communities in the following ways:
- Pigs will provide low-cost high-protein food source.
- Pigs convert agricultural by-products and food residues from local food stands (chop shops) into edible protein.
- Provides employment
- Once the model is established and providing sufficient revenue, targeted organizations would be invited to apply for help (including training, funding, piglets, and general oversight) in order to start a similar venture in their community. This is a self-perpetuating project whose impact will grow yearly. Profits may also allow Pagus be somewhat self-sustaining.
The farm structure is built and we are looking for experienced volunteers to move this project to the next step.
PLANTING FRUIT TREES - Planting fruit trees and plants in rural schools helps prevent and heal malnutrition. Watermelon provides short term food. Coconut, mango, paw paw and other trees will be planted for a long term solution.
CLEAN WATER - Obtaining clean water sources for villages and schools now relying on dirty streams that cause sickness and disease is a priority. There are several solutions we can employ such as drilling boreholes, digging wells and providing systems to purify existing water sources. Current projects under consideration are at the Airfield School and the Bishop Forson School. Both of these schools currently collect rainwater and seek funding for additional water sources..
Our mission is to strengthen poor rural communities in Ghana, W. Africa through targeted projects in education, health, and poverty reduction. We believe the most effective ways to facilitate long term sustainable change is through education of children and through direct help and advice to local responsible non-profit organizations. We seek to empower communities to improve their schools, water sources, and health conditions. 100% of donated funds go directly to our projects - no salaries or rents are deducted. If you want to know how your donation will be spent contact us or let us know to which project you would like it directed.
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