Letter from the Founder,
Linda Atwater
REPORT FROM GHANA 2019-2020
Greetings!
I’m excited to share new milestones for Ghana Community Pathways from the past 12 months
We continued to support the efforts and growth of Oasis Pathways Academy in the small village community near Tongo, Ghana.
I again, traveled to Ghana for three months to work with the teachers, administration and the children in the school. I was joined by board member, Dave Kmetovic who met the children, the community members and of course Dan and Hawa Bangrey.
While continuing our ongoing feeding program and support for proper teacher salaries, we witnessed the completion of the school composting toilets, hand wash stations and repairs of the furniture and classroom spaces we have been using.
An old residential space, was renovated with new floors, windows, doors, walls and toilet area. The nursery and kindergarten now have a space for interaction, resting, learning and a bathroom with running water. OPA continues to provide a heavily subsidized hot lunch for all the children. They each pay 60 cents a week. For some it is the most substantial meal of their day.
The big news is the progress on our new classroom block. Foundation was completed for a multi-storied classroom block. Electrical wiring and plumbing were laid, pillars erected and a decking was poured. As it is, it can be used as a temporary, covered classroom space which is much needed with our growing population.
As this school year closes and we await the rainy season to dwindle, adobe walls are now being erected. Ongoing teacher training will be implemented this next school year as well as some new curriculum materials and methods. We are always striving for the best in pedagogy.
Best of all, the children are thriving in our small classrooms with the amazing, loving, dedicated teaching staff. This learning environment is extraordinary and a blessing for the whole community.
Greetings!
I’m excited to share new milestones for Ghana Community Pathways from the past 12 months
We continued to support the efforts and growth of Oasis Pathways Academy in the small village community near Tongo, Ghana.
I again, traveled to Ghana for three months to work with the teachers, administration and the children in the school. I was joined by board member, Dave Kmetovic who met the children, the community members and of course Dan and Hawa Bangrey.
While continuing our ongoing feeding program and support for proper teacher salaries, we witnessed the completion of the school composting toilets, hand wash stations and repairs of the furniture and classroom spaces we have been using.
An old residential space, was renovated with new floors, windows, doors, walls and toilet area. The nursery and kindergarten now have a space for interaction, resting, learning and a bathroom with running water. OPA continues to provide a heavily subsidized hot lunch for all the children. They each pay 60 cents a week. For some it is the most substantial meal of their day.
The big news is the progress on our new classroom block. Foundation was completed for a multi-storied classroom block. Electrical wiring and plumbing were laid, pillars erected and a decking was poured. As it is, it can be used as a temporary, covered classroom space which is much needed with our growing population.
As this school year closes and we await the rainy season to dwindle, adobe walls are now being erected. Ongoing teacher training will be implemented this next school year as well as some new curriculum materials and methods. We are always striving for the best in pedagogy.
Best of all, the children are thriving in our small classrooms with the amazing, loving, dedicated teaching staff. This learning environment is extraordinary and a blessing for the whole community.
accomplishments of this past school year
- Completed repairs on our original 3 classroom spaces.
- completely renovated a residential space into a nursery and kindergarten block with bathroom facilities, fans lights and three activity spaces.
- Completed a bank of compostable dry toilets, hand washing stations and water taps on the school grounds.
- Completed foundation, adobe walls, electrical and plumbing lines, and decking for a multi-storied classroom block. The goal is to complete the two ground floor classrooms for start of the 2019-2020 school year.
FOUR NEW CLASSROOMS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Our donors have now made the first block of four first full-sized, complete classrooms a reality. We currently are constructing the first of these rooms for our fall term. These classrooms, along with an excellent new curriculum and other amenities (including playground equipment, click link button below), really have our students and the whole community excited!
Our donors have now made the first block of four first full-sized, complete classrooms a reality. We currently are constructing the first of these rooms for our fall term. These classrooms, along with an excellent new curriculum and other amenities (including playground equipment, click link button below), really have our students and the whole community excited!
water and sanitation improvements
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OPA children and teachers in front of the composting toilets. The bank of 6 toilets was partially funded by a Peace Corps Grant.
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Hand wash stations were added so that the children and teachers can wash after using the toilet and before meal time.
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pre-K and kindergarten space
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The pre-K and kindergarten levels now have their own space with a kid-sized toilet and washing facilities. Custom tables and small chairs render the space versatile enough for their learning needs. Donated board books and picture books provide contemporary literature experiences.
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This is Wilson, he took an assignment to create something from clay to a new level. The children dug clay from the school grounds and set about making sculpture. The children took inspiration from their environment.
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Child sized scissors from the US and colored straws give preschoolers practice cutting, working their fine motor skills. When they strung the pieces into a necklace, wow, something to wear and take home.
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WHO WE SERVE
We have formed an international family with the men, women and children of the Talensi tribe in Ghana. Love, respect and commitment has developed over the past 18 years. We see positive sustained results in the education, the well being of the children and in village life. There is always more to do... That keeps us returning and serving.
Why Ghana? |
volunteer opportunitiesWe can only do what we do in Ghana when we collaborate with you. There are many ways to be involved such as organizing a fundraising party. (We will come with everything you need to host a jewelry making or craft party.)
Volunteer at Oasis Pathways Academy in Ghana. Stay tuned for details on an upcoming volunteer trip in June 2020. We would love to hear from you. |
Oasis Pathways AcademyWe have partnered with the Talensi community, (Peal Deng NGO) to start a small village school this year, Oasis Pathways Academy. We now have a nursery, a pre-K and kindergarten, Primary 1 through P5 with five amazing teachers.
Your donations provide scholarships, school supplies and hot meals for these village children. |