Where Next?

It costs just 5 pence a day for a child to attend St. James' Anglican Kindergarten at Agona Swedru; too many children do not attend because their families can’t afford it and some are at risk of curtailing their education. I hope any additional money or specific donations can be used to sponsor some or all of the children through their initial education. 5 pence a day £8 a year £16 for two years of kindergarten education £20 upfront can pay for a child’s first two years of education, this in return entitles them to a head start in learning the English language and other enlightenment, a school uniform and the basic apparatus for their education to commence.

It is very important for a child to attend kindergarten in Ghana, not only for education but also due to the 47 different languages spoken there. In order for the people to travel and work within the country and be able to survive the English language is used as a lingua franca; it is taught and 'must be spoken' in the schools. If a child does not attend kindergarten they loose out on this benefit. Consequently if they are fortunate enough to attend primary school they will have to learn English from scratch. In February 2004 I became aware of the need for sponsored Kindergartners to have continued sponsorship through primary school. An additional £30 (totalling £50) will enable the child to attend 6 years of primary school (totalling 8 years education), this price includes additional school uniforms and aparatus. During my visit in July 2005 I was interested to learn that from 2006 the Government will pay for all children to attend school, when I discussed this matter with the Mrs Felicia Marfo the Headmistress she seemed somewhat anxious about this exclamation. I asked whether a full £50 was still needed to secure a childs education, she said - they provide the seat in a classroom but they will not provide real learning of life, they will not pay for school uniforms, apparatus, curriculum days, sports facilities - a much needed and desired asset.   It cost just 5 pence a day for a child to attend kindergarten.

This is Sandra, she is now 14 years old. Her family are impoverished and could not continue to afford to pay for her education. Sandra was lucky enough to be chosen as a child in need of sponsorship. It is through her sponsor that she has completed Kindergertan and is now in her second year of Primary school.