Programs in rural Northern Ghana
Early childhood education in community schools
Our first early childhood school, in the community of Taha, opened in late 2013 with two classrooms. In 2017, we opened a second school, in the community of Kulaa, which currently has three classrooms. Local teachers, provide over 350 youth with a culturally rich curriculum focusing on early childhood skill development. At the upper levels, teachers and community mentors work with students to help them qualify for positions in private elementary and middle schools. Each student receives a daily lunch, a school uniform, and a pair of shoes, along with opportunities to participate in soccer, tree planting, arts, and other enrichment activities, at an average annual cost of $300 per student.
Our first early childhood school, in the community of Taha, opened in late 2013 with two classrooms. In 2017, we opened a second school, in the community of Kulaa, which currently has three classrooms. Local teachers, provide over 350 youth with a culturally rich curriculum focusing on early childhood skill development. At the upper levels, teachers and community mentors work with students to help them qualify for positions in private elementary and middle schools. Each student receives a daily lunch, a school uniform, and a pair of shoes, along with opportunities to participate in soccer, tree planting, arts, and other enrichment activities, at an average annual cost of $300 per student.
Youth scholarship programs
Older students can receive scholarships to attend private primary and middle schools and public high schools. Unfortunately, this region's public primary and middle schools face many challenges, and so the best current option for education is through private schools. To help qualifying students attend these schools, Engage Globally funds registration fees, testing fees, a bicycle or other transportation costs, books and school supplies, uniforms, and shoes.
Currently there are 52 students receiving private school scholarships, at an average cost of $600 per student, per year. Most of these students are in upper level primary and middle schools. There are four students enrolled in public high schools. Completing high school, in this region, is very unusual and we are very proud of these students success.
All students receiving scholarships are monitored by our community partners for attendance, grades, and annual test results. Community leaders mentor the youth and meet with their families to ensure that there is family support for attending school. Additionally, students in this program contribute to their community through service projects such as helping with homework support, planning community events, assisting with youth soccer programs, and tree planting. In March of 2018, 16 of the scholarship students traveled to Mole National Park to learn about Ghanaian animals and wildlife conservation. They also participated in a conservation through photography training, led by Kaila Drayton, a National Geographic Explorer. We hope to do further trips after the COVID situation has ended.
Older students can receive scholarships to attend private primary and middle schools and public high schools. Unfortunately, this region's public primary and middle schools face many challenges, and so the best current option for education is through private schools. To help qualifying students attend these schools, Engage Globally funds registration fees, testing fees, a bicycle or other transportation costs, books and school supplies, uniforms, and shoes.
Currently there are 52 students receiving private school scholarships, at an average cost of $600 per student, per year. Most of these students are in upper level primary and middle schools. There are four students enrolled in public high schools. Completing high school, in this region, is very unusual and we are very proud of these students success.
All students receiving scholarships are monitored by our community partners for attendance, grades, and annual test results. Community leaders mentor the youth and meet with their families to ensure that there is family support for attending school. Additionally, students in this program contribute to their community through service projects such as helping with homework support, planning community events, assisting with youth soccer programs, and tree planting. In March of 2018, 16 of the scholarship students traveled to Mole National Park to learn about Ghanaian animals and wildlife conservation. They also participated in a conservation through photography training, led by Kaila Drayton, a National Geographic Explorer. We hope to do further trips after the COVID situation has ended.
Vocational Training
For young adults, who are not able to participate in formal schooling, we offer vocational training opportunities. The first trainees participated in 18-month seamstress apprentice programs. Upon graduation, the three young women were given a grant to open their own seamstress shop. Community members volunteered to build them a shop, where they now make and repair clothes for local community members and create all the uniforms for Engage Globally programs.
After the success of this pilot program, many young adults asked if there would be opportunities for them to learn about operating a business and to open their own small businesses. And, community leaders including the local women's group and traditional chiefs emphasized how important it is to have local economic opportunities to reduce migration to southern cities. Other vocational opportunities include: bicycle repair training, furniture making, jewelry making, hair design, shop keeper, and batiking. In 2021, eighteen students are participating in our vocational training programs, at an average cost of $500 per year. Each student receives tuition, required supplies for their field, transportation funding, and mentoring by a local staff member. When they graduate, the students can receive a loan to open their own business, if desired.
For young adults, who are not able to participate in formal schooling, we offer vocational training opportunities. The first trainees participated in 18-month seamstress apprentice programs. Upon graduation, the three young women were given a grant to open their own seamstress shop. Community members volunteered to build them a shop, where they now make and repair clothes for local community members and create all the uniforms for Engage Globally programs.
After the success of this pilot program, many young adults asked if there would be opportunities for them to learn about operating a business and to open their own small businesses. And, community leaders including the local women's group and traditional chiefs emphasized how important it is to have local economic opportunities to reduce migration to southern cities. Other vocational opportunities include: bicycle repair training, furniture making, jewelry making, hair design, shop keeper, and batiking. In 2021, eighteen students are participating in our vocational training programs, at an average cost of $500 per year. Each student receives tuition, required supplies for their field, transportation funding, and mentoring by a local staff member. When they graduate, the students can receive a loan to open their own business, if desired.
