“Thanks to Homeland Ghana, many of these challenges are now things of the past.”

My name is Ali, and I was the headteacher of Siniensi Junior High School for three years.

Before Homeland Ghana started working in my school and community, we faced several challenges.

We lacked teaching and learning materials, including textbooks, cardboards, white marker boards and other educational resources. Teachers also lacked textbooks that matched the new curriculum.

There was no toilet for teachers, some school buildings were in poor condition, and we did not have a modern toilet facility or a changing room for girls during their periods.

Many students also did not understand their rights as children, which affected their confidence and participation in school activities.

When Homeland Ghana came, they introduced several programmes to support our school. These included:

• Child rights and responsibilities training for students and teachers
• Building an eight-seater toilet facility with a changing room
• Providing teaching and learning materials for teachers and students
• Painting the school buildings
• Organising educational trips for students and teachers
• Distributing sanitary pads to all female students every month

Together, these activities helped address many of the challenges affecting teaching and learning.

I was very pleased with Homeland Ghana’s work because I knew it would make a difference to our pupils.

The child rights workshops helped students become more confident and better prepared to face challenges inside and outside the classroom.

The monthly distribution of sanitary pads helped girls stay in school during their periods without worrying about embarrassment or missing lessons.

Students also learned about their rights and responsibilities, including who they could speak to if their rights were denied or violated. As a result, some students became confident enough to take on leadership roles in the school and wider community.

A lot has changed since Homeland Ghana began working in our school. Girls who previously stayed at home because they could not afford sanitary pads now receive them every month. Teachers and students have access to a modern toilet facility and changing room. Teachers have received textbooks that match the curriculum, the school buildings have been painted, and children continue to learn about their rights so they can speak up for themselves with confidence.

Before Homeland Ghana started working in our community, Siniensi Junior High School faced many educational challenges. Today, many of those challenges are things of the past.

To other educators, communities and partners, Homeland Ghana is one of the best things that can happen to a community that cares about children’s education and community development. I encourage donors, partners and philanthropists who want to support Homeland Ghana’s work to do so without hesitation.