What I learned from my first #PoPFieldTrip
Xorsekope, Ghana
On a warm and humid June morning, the small, rural community of Xorsekope dedicated its new primary school, overlooking verdant hills and Lake Volta in northeastern Ghana, just a short drive from the borders of Togo and Burkina Fasao. Ghana, a West African democratic republic that gained independence in 1957, has experienced rapid economic growth, especially in Accra, its bustling seaside capital city.
But today, like all days for Pencils of Promise, we were serving the new Ghana. Xorsekope, a five-hour drive from Accra, is an hour beyond the regional city of Ho where PoP’s offices are located. It’s accessible only by dirt road, a skilled van driver and a keen sense of local knowledge.
Ghana has fee-free compulsory primary education — yet building capacity and quality in rural areas remains an overwhelming challenge. PoP works in the areas of greatest need — often in the most remote locations — where communities have the fewest resources and the children have the least educational opportunity.
Between the school children, parents, community elders, political and education dignitaries and our PoP staff, more than a hundred people celebrated the opening of a new, three classroom building and washroom.
As the new CEO of Pencils of Promise, this day marked the end of my first month with the NYC team and my first week in the field. The week had included a school build kick-off celebration, where we watched community members begin the hard work of mixing cement and shaping over three thousands blocks for their children’s new school.
At two other PoP schools, I observed students using their e-readers to improve English literacy, and watched a student led hygiene club demonstrate its WASH program. And, amidst 25 PoP teachers, I enjoyed a Teacher Support workshop on the building blocks of early childhood literacy, incorporating singing, dancing and crafts.
My emotions had been given a workout all week. Exhilaration, from the welcomes of so many grateful Ghanaians. Joy, from happy, curious children eager to meet me, introduce themselves and shake hands. Pride, in the tenacious work ethic of the local PoP team and the deep bonds they had formed with school staff. Satisfaction, that, so early in my tenure as CEO, it’s abundantly clear that this is my life’s work.
But, there was discomfort too. Uneasiness, with our team being the center of community attention. Regret, upon passing so many communities where children sat in class under shade trees rather than in a proper school. Sadness, while meeting a community member hobbled by a mine accident, unable to properly reset a broken foot. Embarrassment (with laughter), by my feeble attempts to mimic the local dance steps or handshakes (a four-step ritual punctuated with a mutual finger snap finish).
And, a touch of shame, I must admit, reflecting on how many have so little and how so few have so much. A recent report released by UNICEF said that 500 million young children worldwide are subjected to preventable safety and sanitary risks. The clean drinking water provided by our WASH program costs less than a penny a gallon.
How many children could have received the simple dignity of clean water with the pennies that have slipped through my fingers, just this week?
The ceremony spanned nearly three hours, including prayer, sacraments, speeches and a spectacular rhythm and dance performance from the students you can see here:
What I found most affirming about our work, like a thread stitched from one speaker to the next, was how the new school was another step in the strengthening of Xorsekope.
The celebration was as much about connecting the community building steps of the recent past (the first dirt road, the first latrine, the first school room under palm fronds, a thatched room school, electricity) to those hopefully to come (trained teachers, ambitious students, a junior high school, more community resources).
In the journey to establish and grow Xorsekope to sustainability, PoP is just one — albeit important — contributor along the way. The new primary school is one piece of a bigger community fabric, woven together over years and through the efforts of many.
I listened to the many words from speakers, most in Ewe, the local language of the Volta Region, then translated into English by our staff. What was the best thing I heard about the following quotes in the ceremony? All of them were spoken by local dignitaries:
- “There is strength in unity, so let us be united by this school.”
- “This was our dream and is now our reality.”
- “You are all now a permanent part of your children’s education.”
- “The edifice in front of us shows the work of our hands and the support of our partner, Pencils of Promise.”
- “Now, a request of our teachers and students. Pay us back for the school we have built for you with good results: learn, achieve and perform well on exams.”
Freeman Gobah, PoP’s Ghana Country Director, closed the ceremony with an impassioned talk urging parents that their work had just begun supporting education for their children:
“I would not be standing here today if my mother and father had not put my education above their own needs. They bought me books and paid for further schooling by doing with less for themselves. When I hear them say to others that they are proud of their son, I realize we have done this together, just as, together, we have built this school.”
One last act remained: the cutting of the ribbon. Symbolically, and as an accurate reflection of our respective roles: the community’s Chief held the scissors firmly and I simply helped guide the shears toward the ribbon. The work, again, was from the community.
The children instantly swarmed into their new building: trying out desks, breaking in new chalk, watching ceiling fans spin above their heads, giggling with excitement and disbelief that this was their new learning home.
In contrast to the struggles we face motivating students in the U.S. education system, I marveled at this place where students rush to school, eager for a front row seat.
There is no place but here that they would rather be.
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Note: When PoP Ghana began in 2013, over 800 primary schools had no permanent structure or roof. To date, we have built or commenced construction on 140 schools, with your generous support. 660 or so remain. In Freeman’s words: “This is the promise we believe in: that our children shall not have to study under trees nor have stretches of dangerous walking to arrive at school.”
Check out #PoPFieldTrip on Instagram to follow our adventures in Guatemala, Ghana and Laos.
To learn more about PoP’s work, visit pencilsofpromise.org
