Enchi Education Programs
Students preparing to read Harry Potter.
Building English Literacy Skills
Yonkofa Project has been working with educators at the University of Ghana to identify ways in which we can help kids in the remote areas we serve, eventually go to college and come back and be the leaders in their own communities. They have identified the single most important skill is having the English skills to pass the college entrance exams. Professor John Blackwell has headed a pilot program in Enchi, Ghana to address this…not only with English literature classes, but also with other types of educational enrichment, taught in English. Students are, of course, encouraged to explore their new interests in the local Yonkofa Public Library.
Student holding a chick at the Presbyterian School in Enchi.
Agriculture Enrichment
Two agriculture teachers went to Ghana this past summer to establish an agriculture program at the Presbyterian Middle School in Enchi, Ghana. Accompanied by Professor John Blackwell, former students of his and Alumnus of University of Mount Olive, Hannah Foust (‘20) and Lydia Pope (‘21) traveled to Enchi, Ghana. They brought the school 50 chicks and an incubator. The students were taught anatomy of the chicken, how to care for the chicks, how to use an incubator, and more. They were also supplied a chicken coop to house the chickens. The goal of the agricultural program is that the school’s canteen (kitchen) will benefit from the eggs and eventually the chickens will be harvested, helping with the malnutrition in Ghana. The next milestone they have set to accomplish, is establishing a school garden so that the canteen can have fresh vegetables on site to feed the students. This is an ongoing and continuously growing project at the Presbyterian School.
Canteen at Presbyterian School in Enchi.
Karmella playing the guitar while Headmaster Okutu plays the drum for the students at the Presbyterian School in Enchi.
Learning English through music
Karmella Sellers also travels to the Presbyterian School in Enchi, Ghana, to teach music to the students there. Many of the songs she teaches are old American songs that are rooted in Ghanaian musical tradition. Students love to sing along, and it helps them become more proficient in the English language. Karmella also teaches dances from countries around the world, and loves when the students share their music and dances with her.