Ghana Literacy Project Pokuase Village, Ghana Ghanaliteracy.org March 2009
Dear GLP Supporters, The GLP moves into spring with inspiring momentum. This winter, Ghana Literacy Project director and co-founder Hannah Davis connected with philanthropy organizer Rudi Doku and opened discussion about his interest in raising funds for a community education center in Pokuase, Ghana. The community center, a collaborative effort of the GLP and Women’s Trust, aims to extend the success of the Girls Enrichment and Empowerment Club, GLP’s pilot program that introduced the concept of supplemental education to Pokuase in the summer of 2007. The project’s foundational idea was conceived in Hannah’s senior year of high school when she traveled to Ghana intending to broaden her global perspective and narrow the focus of her collegiate studies. While in Ghana, Hannah took note of the overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, and high-drop out rates, particularly for girls. Hannah discussed the issue with students, parents, and teachers in the community, fostering the idea of a more individualized learning experience for girls whose education was often overlooked. Hannah and Kathleen Keefe, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University, developed a curriculum focusing on selfresponsibility and critical thinking, empowering students to change the perception of their education in the community. Back home, Hannah voiced the need of Ghana’s schools and earned the support of the Jamestown Rotary Club and Women’s Trust, a non-profit organization providing microfinance loans to the women of Ghana. Now in operation for over a year, the Girls Enrichment and Empowerment Club is giving Junior and Senior Secondary School female students the opportunity to experience a learning
environment unavailable in public schools. The three year program introduces the girls to scientific principles through experiments, enhances literary and reading skills through a monthly book club, teaches practical mathematics such as budgeting and personal finance, expands their world view through lectures and field trips, provides careerbased mentoring, and reaches out to the community through service projects and end-of-term presentations. The program also includes computer and Internet training — a rare educational experience for girls in Ghana. The GEEC also provides help throughout the college application process.
Davis with GEEC students in Pokuase.