Primary Education in Ghana

Alex, the fifty-something, volunteer teacher for the Pajaaf Foundation, wrote on the board: When to use “has” vs. “have”? What is the difference between “pit” and“pet”? Make sure you can pronounce your “ar” sounds…car, star, bar…etc. About twenty students sit in groups ordered by their English proficiency. Alex goes around and addresses each group, helping pupils (ages eight to mid-forties) complete the appropriate assignments. While they work Alex stands at the front of the class the conductor of a beautiful cacophony of English.

The students that benefit from the Pajaaf Foundation’s English classes commit to attending classes three nights a week(Mon, Wen, and Fri). The Pajaaf Foundation rents the schoolroom, the English lessons are free and open to whoever would like to attend, and all teachers are volunteers. The Foundation has been offering these classes for three years to over 65 pupils; one can sense the camaraderie in the room that has developed over years of traversing the complex English language.

Alexis and I talked with Hannah and Madam Dina, two ladies that have been learning English from the Pajaaf Foundation for two years. Both wanted to learn English so that they could be more competitive in the job market. They were shy at first, but after a few minutes they were speaking splendid intermediate English. Hannah who looks like she is in her mid-twenties sells tea, and Madam Dina hopes to open her own business as well as one day visit her brother in England.

The Pajaaf Foundation also gives scholarships to vulnerable children for them to attend private school (school with under 50 students per class). We met two of the four children who the Pajaaf Foundation currently support. In this post I will introduce Josilene. She is an orphan; and lives with her aunt who has four children besides her. Josilene has a mischievous smile, which is even more adorable since she is missing her two front teeth. She kept poking me while I was sitting at the desk and then running to hide. I believe she is only five or six years old, and can already say many simple English phrases. It is important to see the community taking care of its orphans.

Both Alexis and I strongly endorse the Pajaaf Foundation. Philip, the Ghanaian co-founder we met, was inspired to start the foundation because he had to work three jobs to support his own way through school. When he got out of school he wanted to reinvest in his community and give children and adults the opportunity that he never had – a free, quality education. The Pajaaf Foundation is grassroots development at its best, an individual who sees their community in need, and then takes it upon them self to help meet the community’s needs. If you are looking to invest in a worthy grassroots organization with little to no overhead expense, look no further.

Lorraine and four other In-the-Field Travelers are currently in Ghana before they are making their way to Mali and Burkina Faso. They'll be visiting more than 30 GlobalGiving projects in the next month. Follow their adventures at http://itfwa.wordpress.com/.

Dear Friends of Paajaf,

Once again, we here at Paajaf would like to thank you all for your generous contribution towards Paajaf Project. We would like to update you about the development and differences your donation has brought into the lives of underprivileged children and women here at Gbawe in Ghana.

As per our audited financial report and statements reported, last year 2009 and at the beginning of the year 2010, Paajaf was operating with a negative balance of GH¢ 63.17 ($43.59). When we had no hope and you came in to support the foundation to reach the children we intend to serve. We here are accountable to you and once again much grateful to you all for the care and concern demonstrated.

We have been able to pay the school fees for all the four kids we are sponsoring through education and settled all the salary arrears for our adult literacy education facilitators, we are much grateful to you again for this support . The total of school fees paid for the four children amounted GH¢ 202.00 representing USD $ 144.29 with the exchange rate of GH¢ 1.40 for January to this month April 2010 including an arrears of $50.00 making it $194.29 USD. Facilitators’ salary also amount $ 350.00 USD including arrears of $ 150.

We reported to you that the foundation wanted to setup a Thrift Store (Used Women and Children Clothing Store) in Gbawe community to serve as a mean to sustain our projects. We are much grateful to Leabo Vang, a volunteer in United States, who worked tirelessly to collect and shipped one box of women clothing to us. Leabo is still working on this volunteer project to collect and ship children and women used clothing to Paajaf. Apart from cash donation, Paajaf welcomes In-kind donations and our doors are opened to all who want to do the same. Paajaf is an inclusive enterprise and together we can make a big difference.

Our Challenges- among our challenges, the following are very urgent needs and we are appealing to the general public to come to our aid to reach the underprivileged children at Gbawe in Ghana.

1.Fund to pay the children school fees for the next term - which starts from May to July ending 2010.

2.Salaries for the teachers and project administrative staff

3.Fund to ship children and women used clothing and used goods (Paajaf has identified an organization who wanted to help but we have requested to $7000 USD for the shipping the goods to Ghana - We are in need of sponsors and donors.)

4.Lack of children used clothing and used goods for our Thrift Store

Other challenges include:

1.Sponsorship or partnership is needed for full implementation of the scholarship school project

2.Fund to buy plot of Land for putting up the building to accommodate the children or rent premises

Strategy

1.Creation of a Used Clothing and Small Household Goods Shop

2.Setting up Used Clothing and Small Household Goods Shop Run and Operated by youth and Women

3. Only using proceeds to provide scholarship and education for more underprivileged children

We the photos attached are the children Paajaf is sponsoring. You can also see them at our website: www.paajaf.org. Would you please, fill free to post our comment about this report and our project - Paajaf is inclusive enterprise and we accept and value all inputs.

Many, many thanks once again, for you support, care and concern.

Respectfully,

Philip Appiah