Ayensuako is an isolated farming community which is a three-hour drive from the nearest city, miles from the main road and receives no aid or support from third parties. A majority of the villagers are subsistence farmers and live well below the poverty line. The community faces a constant struggle for survival and, without access to an education and future employment, the children’s options are confined to those of their parents – farming on arid land that is under the relentless threat of drought.

With support from Sarah’s Trust, Humanitas now runs a pre-school, primary school and community library and teaches 252 pupils aged 4-11 years. The school is registered with the Ghanaian government and our fully qualified teachers follow the state approved curriculum. Working in partnership with Book Aid International, the school library now stocks over 2,000 books, which is a huge development for a community that previously had no access to reading materials.

The teachers are excellent role models, particularly for the girls who have had no previous contact with educated women. For the first time in their lives, the girls in our school are being exposed to the possibility that they too could become teachers or professionals, something that they would not have considered before they came to school.

THE COST

It costs Humanitas $24,660 Canadian dollars to run their pre and primary school every year. This covers the costs of the teachers’ salaries, books, learning resources, school uniforms, lunches, building maintenence and administration costs. A full breakdown of costs can be provided.