Every child has their own experience of school.
For some, school is where they discover a love for reading. For others, it is where they first realise they are good at mathematics, enjoy sports or begin to imagine a future as a nurse, engineer, teacher, soldier or pilot.
But for children to learn and dream about their future, they need the right support around them.
At Homeland Ghana, we work alongside schools and communities to remove some of the barriers that can make learning difficult. This can mean providing textbooks and basic learning materials, improving classrooms and school facilities, supporting girls with sanitary pads, or helping children understand their rights and feel more confident about their future.
Over the past year, we asked students in some of our partner schools to tell us about their experiences in their own words.
These are four of their stories.
DORA: “I BELIEVER IN MYSELF.”
Fifteen-year-old Akanpiinta Dora attends Siniensi Junior High School. She enjoys learning, taking part in sports and spending time with her classmates. One day, she hopes to become a nurse.
Before Homeland Ghana began supporting her school, Dora remembers learning being more difficult. There were few textbooks, no toilet facilities and some lessons were not regularly taught.
She remembers receiving textbooks, sanitary pads and new marker boards. She was also happy when a school washroom was built, making school a more comfortable place for everyone.
Dora also took part in Homeland Ghana’s child rights workshops, where she learned about child abuse and children’s rights.
Today, she says she enjoys coming to school because she is learning more and feels more confident about her future.
“It is my dream to become a nurse in the future because Homeland Ghana has helped me believe in myself.”
MAVIS: “I CAN NOW READ.”
Fourteen-year-old Mavis Anankpieng is a student at Kori Junior High School. She enjoys reading, playing with her friends and dreams of becoming a nurse.
She remembers learning in classrooms without doors or windows, which made school uncomfortable, especially during poor weather.
After Homeland Ghana repaired the classrooms, learning became more comfortable. Mavis also received textbooks, pens and sanitary pads and took part in child rights workshops.
For her, the textbooks have made a real difference.
“I feel comfortable and I can now read because of the textbooks they provided us with.”
ELISHA: A FUTURE SOLIDER
Thirteen-year-old Abui Elisha attends Kori Junior High School and enjoys mathematics.
Before Homeland Ghana supported his school, students had no textbooks and their classrooms had no doors or windows.
Receiving textbooks helped Elisha improve his reading, while repairs to the classrooms created a better place to learn.
One day, he hopes to become a soldier.
“I want to become a soldier in the future and they have helped me to believe in myself.”
OLIVIA: “I CAN BELIEVE IN MY DREAM.”
Thirteen-year-old Abu Olivia attends Kori Primary School and dreams of becoming an engineer.
Before Homeland Ghana began working with her school, she found it difficult to write because she did not have exercise books or pens.
Receiving these simple learning materials made school more enjoyable.
Olivia says she can now read and write better and enjoys learning much more than before.
“They have made me believe in my dream of becoming an engineer.”
These four students have different interests, different ambitions and different experiences of school. But there are many more children with stories still to tell.
