The Doreen Andoh Book Farm in collaboration with the Opoku Gakpo Foundation have donated books and other school supplies to schools in the Ajumako Ba community in the Ajumako – Enyan – Esiam District of the Central Region.
Reading books, writing books, school bags, mathematical sets, pens, and pencils were some of the supplies donated to the pupils. Colouring books and teaching aids were also donated to the schools. Clothing, biscuits, drinks, and confectionery were also distributed to the children as part of the festive season.
“Since 2013, I set up the Doreen Andoh Book Farm. I collect used books and so I get friends to give me books. Reading books for children between ages 5 and 15. My niece here who lives in the UK also helped. She brought boxes of books to help us… We were looking for a less privileged town or village to come and support and that is why we are here,” Doreen Andoh who is the founder of the Doreen Andoh Book Farm explained.
“It’s been an interesting trip. I like the fact that the children were smiling and happy that they have new books. School starts in another couple of days and so for me, it’s a blessing to them. And for me too, my heart is filled with joy that other young kids will learn to read and broaden their knowledge,” she added.
Ms. Andoh is hopeful the donation will help improve the education of the pupils in the community. “I hope that children will be more interested in reading. Now, what reading does is that it broadens your knowledge. It takes you to places in your mind that you will rather not be able to go to,” she said.
“So, for me, it will be of great help to them if they will read, try to understand and try to learn new words. And overall improve their English Language. And also improve themselves as human beings. Because I guess that is what reading does to them,” the Joy FM presenter explained.
Reuben Quainoo who is the Coordinator of the Opoku Gakpo Foundation said the support forms part of the foundation’s overall goal to help raise the quality of education in rural Ghana and improve upon the lives of rural children.
“We want to put smiles on the faces of the children. We are also making sure that these children from deprived communities are not left behind as efforts are made to improve education in the country. We are confident this little support will go a long way to make these children great adults in the future,” Mr. Quainoo noted.
Cecelia Essuman who is a community leader expressed gratitude to the team for the donation. “The books, the bags, the things are many. This will help the future of the children. We are praying for more support. We have children here who are orphans who need school uniforms and other items. So, we are praying for more support,” she appealed.
