Promoting Education in Ghana

E-Readers Bring The World's Library to Rural Africa

2010-07-27T19:49:00.002-04:00

When I was volunteering in Ghana one of the things that struck me was the lack of access to quality books. The primary school in Sogakope had a library filled with Canadian legal text books and other extremely out of date books. It got me thinking about how people like Andrew Carnegie helped shape literacy & education in the U.S. by funding libraries. Worldreader.org is working to bring books to Africa through the use of eBook readers. With the costs of the devices coming down quickly, eBook readers are becoming a more economical option to printed books.

Check out this post from Read Write Web on World Reader's efforts in Ghana.

MIT Students and Alumnus Teach in Africa

2009-06-19T19:20:00.004-04:00

The following is a post from the MIT Slice of Life website.

If you think MIT students do interesting work during the school year, wait until you hear about their summer plans.

Founded in 1993, the Africa Information Technology Initiative (AITI) is a student-run organization that sends a handful of MIT students to Africa each summer to teach students about information technology and communications, as well as entrepreneurship. Previous groups have worked in Gambia, Ethiopia, and Zambia, however this year’s teams are teaching at Strathmore University in Kenya and (for a two-week pilot program) Kigali Institute of Science and Technology in Rwanda. Coursework will focus on designing and developing mobile phone applications—products that are considered valuable to many African consumers and whose projected and real growth is large and potentially lucrative.

Four students make up the 2009 Kenyra/Rwanda team:

Michael Gordon SM ‘02, CSAIL PhD candidate and president of AITI
Zachary Stauber, an undergrad who recently attended the Global Startup Workshop in Cape Town, South Africa
Cory Smith, an undergrad economics major interested in international development
Julian Yuen, a computer science undergrad with a passion for mobile application programming

You can follow the group’s adventures in and out of the classroom on their blog: http://aiti.mit.edu/blog/

AITI also accepts donations and notes that “100% of donations will be used for program initiatives.”

Brining the Internet to Africa

2009-02-03T16:27:00.003-05:00

From a recent NY Times article on bringing the internet to Africa:

In recent years the mobile phone has emerged as the main modern communications link for rural areas of Africa. From 2002 to 2007, the number of Kenyans using cellphones grew almost tenfold to reach about a third of the population, many of whom did not have land lines, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
But many of the phones were simple models made more for talking than Web browsing, and wireless data networks are slow, with sporadic coverage.
Satellite connections are faster and more stable, which is why they are attracting interest from the likes of Google, as a way to provide Internet connections to the estimated 95 percent of Africans who, according to the telecommunications union, have no access.

Higher Education in Africa

2009-01-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

While working in Africa I had numerous conversations with young people who were passionate about improving themselves but had no way to continue their education. By U.S. standards higher education costs in Ghana are modest, around $1,000. However, this is a truly unattainable number for somebody who makes $50 per month and has no access to loans. For this reason, there is a lack of university educated role models which is evident in the career aspirations of the primary school students. Most of the girls wanted to grow up to be a hairdresser or cook while the boys wanted to learn construction. They had little to no understanding of careers requiring education (as opposed to vocation).

This video is a great commentary on the situation of higher education in Africa.

Bringing Communications to Rural Africa

2009-01-27T14:18:00.002-05:00

One of the things that struck me on our trip to Africa was the lack of access to quality sources of information. In the United States we take it for granted that we can buy a book, access a library, or get on the internet. When these things are missing or too expensive, it becomes very difficult to learn and make informed decisions. For example, in Ghana the average salary was about $50 - $100 per month. A newspaper cost $0.50 - $1.00 and to get on the internet to check email was easily $2.00 or more. Consider the choice you would make if a newspaper or the internet cost roughly one day's salary.

Inveneo is trying to solve this problem by bringing low cost communication technology to rural parts of Africa. Check out this CNN video on their efforts and follow the link to their website to donate.

Give on Get One

2008-12-02T13:00:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again. The One Laptop Per Child program is running their give one get one campaign. When you buy a XO laptop for your family one will be sent to the developing world.

As you may know the XO was developed at MIT. I have had the opportunity to hear Nicholas Negroponte speak a few times and he has a wonderful vision. Unfortunately they aren't in Ghana yet but maybe they will be soon. For more info check out the project website or just buy a laptop on Amazon!

Alicia Keys African Documentary

2008-07-18T10:08:00.002-04:00

I just found out about a new website called SnagFilms that has full lenght documentary films for free. Unfortunately they didn't have any on Ghana yet but this one on AIDS in Africa is a good one.

Notes from our trip to Ghana

2008-05-16T17:54:00.006-04:00

When Kristen, Katie, and I traveled to Ghana in January to volunteer we had not clue the impact our trip would have on us. The warmth of the Ghanaian people had been described to us by our Ghanaian classmate & friend, Victor, but we could hardly imagine his contagious laugh magnified exponentially.

In the days leading up to our trip Kristen was a bit nervous about traveling to such an unknown destination. The experience of visiting such a different place was especially moving for her and upon returning she feverishly wrote more than thirty pages of her impressions. Below you will find some of her impressions on teaching in Sogakope.

When class begins, which seems to me a somewhat arbitrary time as there is no clock in the room, and no bells, the children sit on their wooden benches. Some, but not all, have shared tables in front of them. None of them have books, workbooks, or pens. There are no brightly colored posters, no alphabet painted around the room, no visual aids or fancy wipe boards. It is an open-air cement room with a dirt floor and a tin roof, a chalkboard, and thirty small children. This is grades 3 and 4- in one classroom. Garrett introduces me as his fiancé, and the class stares in bemused silence, smiling and wondering at me. I smile back and tell them I’m happy to be here. I watch Garrett begin the math lesson, slightly nervous. I have no lesson plan, no idea of the curriculum or level of the students. How can one possibly teach without a plan?

This summer we hope return the gift that was given to us launching a non-profit focused on helping the people of the Volta region. Check back later for more info on that effort.

Heifer Project gets $42 million from Gates Foundation

2008-03-20T00:42:00.002-04:00

The Heifer Project is an organization that is focused on relieving hunger around the world. They provided needy individuals with livestock, education, and micro loans. Today Heifer received a four year $42 million donation from the Gates Foundation. Heifer is doing a lot of good work in Ghana and they provide many volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Take a look at their website and see how you can get involved.

Kids' book on microlending

2008-03-20T00:18:00.002-04:00

I recent heard about a new book called "One Hen" that tells the story of microfinance efforts in Ghana. Through the micro loan, the main character, Kojo, is able to buy a hen, sell the eggs, and help feed his family. Boston.com has a write up of the book and you can also check out the book's website.

A wish list

2008-03-19T19:44:00.001-04:00

This week a group of MIT Sloan students are headed to Ghana for an educational trip. As I worked to prepare a package to send over to Living Faith I started to make a list of some of the things that would be most useful to the school. If you would like to help out Living Faith or a similar African school here are a few ideas.

Books (10-20 copies for readers) - It is so much easier to work on reading with the students when they are have the same book. The library at Living Faith has a few sets of books but mostly individual copies. Also, "readers" that have many short stories are really useful.

World Map - laminated to stand up to the elements.

Flashcards - English is the official language of Ghana but most students speak the local language at home. It would be great to have flash card to work on English vocabulary.

Soccer Ball - around the world everyone loves soccer (aka football)

Typing Software - the community center is setting up a computer lab and they could use a some good typing software for people to learn on.

Encyclopedia/Dictionary Software - always useful and much easier to ship than a book.

SAT/TOFEL study books - the library also serves the community and many students are trying to get scholarships to college.

I've started a list on Amazon. Unfortunately things can't be sent directly to the school through Amazon but you can send them yourself through the address listed on this website or I can help organize sending packages.

A trip to Ghana

2008-02-09T12:17:00.000-05:00

It all started when some friends and I hatched a plan to travel to Africa to promote entrepreneurship. As MIT Sloan students with the month of Janurary off we thought we would go help with business plans, maybe teach marketing or some other business subject. After a few potential projects fell through our good friend Victor convinced us to travel to his home country of Ghana. Through a connection with his mother we were put in touch with the Living Faith Prep School in Sogakope, Ghana. In mid January Kaite, Kristen and I set off for Ghana. It was a moment that changed our lives.

Coming from a middle class background in the U.S. it is hard to describe the first trip to Africa. We tend to think we have seen poverty in our own country. However, it has no comparison to the challenges many people face in a country like Ghana (one of the more stable and prosperous countries in Africa). The children at Living Faith live on less than a $1 a day. They are lucky if they have a workbook to study from. Mostly they just read from the lessons written on the black board each day. Despite these challenges they have a passion for learning. By brining attention to their community, fundraising, and mentoring we hope to help them have a brighter future.

Living Faith Donation Form

2008-02-09T12:15:00.000-05:00

English as a second language

2008-02-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

One of the interesting things about our trip to Ghana was the opportunity to learn a bit of the local languages. Ghana has many languages, English as well as 9 other official ones and a total of 79. However, Akan (and others in the same family) is the primary one for Accra and areas West of the capital. In Sogakope the local language is Ewe. All of the children speak English at school but in the village people mostly converse in Ewe. The children at Living Faith tried to teach me a few useful phrases. I can't say that I was a great student. Unfortunately, my keyboard doesn't have many of the characters so until I figure that out I can't post what I learned. Until then check out some of the Ewe story called Headless Crabs.

Ghana Statistics

2008-02-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of the interesting statistics I found about Ghana from the UNICEF and World Bank Sites. With a life expectancy of 57 years and an average income of $450, life can be a challenge in Ghana. Additionally, although primary school education is fairly good getting to secondary school, much less college, is very difficult.

Basic Indicators

Total population (thousands), 2005 22113
GNI per capita (US$), 2005 450
Life expectancy at birth (years), 2005 57
Total adult literacy rate, 2000-2004 58
Net primary school enrolment/attendance (%) , 2000-2005 65

Education

Adult literacy rate, 2000-2004*, male 66
Adult literacy rate, 2000-2004*, female 50
Number per 100 population , '2002-2004*, Internet users 2
Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2005*, net, male 65
Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2005*, net, female 65
Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2005*, net, male 39
Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2005*, net, female 35

Ghana Today

2008-02-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

A description of Ghana from the World Bank:

At 50, Ghana is a nation with tremendous opportunity to grow. Compared with South Korea or Malaysia, her contemporaries at independence, Ghana’s development story may not be exactly what Ghanaians wished it were. But viewed from another angle of recovery to democratic and economic stability among its African peers Ghana’s story is a shining example and that is cause for celebration.

Good results from the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy have enabled a stable economy, with inflation and interest rates nearing single digits. Ghana looks determined for economic takeoff. But with many tough challenges to deal with, a lot has to be fixed right and now. It is time to focus on delivering quality in several areas like education, health, water, sanitation, energy, transport; and corruption should be fought on all fronts.

2008-02-09T11:55:00.000-05:00

While we were in Sogakope we had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Moses Kakaw, the District Director of Social Welfare. We learned that there are roughly 26 NGOs opperating in the Sogakope district. Mr. Kakaw is also a board memeber of Living Faith. In addition to education, his department is focused on issues such as child labor and early marriage.

Wli Orphanage

2008-02-09T11:40:00.000-05:00

Aunt Aggie, the woman we stayed with while we were teaching, is trying to open an orphanage in her home region. She has already adopted eight children into her home and would like to be able to do more. Click on the image to read the full story.

Living Faith Projects

2008-02-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

Living Faith is currently in the process of raising funds for projects including new classrooms, computers, general repair, etc.

A good read

2008-02-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

Before leaving for Ghana I went to the bookstore looking for something good to read on the plane. I was hoping to find a good African travel story. As it turned out the first book I picked up, "Nine Hills to Nambonkaha," was written by a Middlebury grad (my alma mater). It is the story of Sarah Erdman's two year Peace Corps experience in Cote d'Ivoire. It is an excellent book that helped me understand some of the subtle cultural nuances that tourists are often oblivious to.

You don't have to take my word for it

2008-02-09T10:55:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting account from somebody else who spent time volunteering in the Volta Region.