We believe a literacy rate of 5% for girls is unacceptable!
Tools for Schools Africa Foundation
We are a registered Foundation in the province of Alberta. Our work for the Damongo area began in 2003. We have made a ten year commitment to improve educational opportunity for girls in the Northern Region of Ghana where the literacy rate in 1996 was less than 5%.
The Damongo Project #1
In 2006-07 we delivered 66,000 pounds of school books to more than 50 primary schools in Northern Ghana. We set up three libraries, gave hundreds of kids books and conducted teacher training sessions reaching 300+ teachers. You can see that project at http://www.tfs-Africa.org. Please check it out - we think you'll be impressed!
The Damongo Project #2
In the summer of 2008 five Alberta educators presented training sessions to a total of 342 teachers. Each local teacher left with manuals to assist in the teaching of English and Math, and many other classroom support materials, especially African novels and readers. We also have given scholarships to allow twelve local girls of promise to attend school; three in junior high and nine in high school.
The Damongo Project #3
We are now undertaking a building project to assist rural village girls in getting schooling beyond the primary level. Many of them need an affordable place to stay, so we will be expanding the existing Boarding House dormitory. About 46 girls stay there now; another dorm would make space for an additional 24 girls. We will continue with, and expand the scholarship program, and in 2010 will be returning to do more teacher training.
Tools for Schools Africa is proud to say that we are all volunteers who pay our own airfare and medical expenses, etc., so that your entire donation goes straight to the project. Education is the only way to overcome the extreme poverty in the area. Please consider helping us help these fine girls.
Time magazine, Oct 28, 2008 says, "Every social and economic index shows that countries with a higher percentage of women with a high school education also have better overall health, a more functional democracy and increased economic performance".
Please support our project. As Margaret Mead said, "A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."