Edgbaston Convention Rotarians are leading a £40k project to provide washrooms and toilet facilities at a Ghanaian school created in memory of the head teacher who inspired it.
Work has recently started on the toilet block, at Billa Mahmud Memorial Future Leaders School, in the deprived suburb of Labadi, Accra.
The two-storey building, containing 16 classrooms, provides free education to 300 of the poorest children in the area, including many from single parent families and a number of orphans. Enrolment will quickly rise to 480 students.
The school is named in memory of Ghanaian teacher Billa Muhmud who began teaching a few children beneath a mango tree. He was quickly overwhelmed with others seeking an education and so rented space nearby.
Although State Education in Ghana is free of charge, the basic equipment of uniform shoes, books etc. are unaffordable to many, so he determined to offer education and opportunities at no cost, allowing some of the poorest children to obtain an education and end the cycle of poverty in their families.
The school began life in a small number of ram-shackle classrooms but now enrols 300 children from nursery to 11 years of age. Today the project is being administered on site by the ‘host’ Rotary Club of Accra Ridge.
David Aspinall, Past President of Edgbaston Convention Rotary Club and project lead, said: “Originally it was known as ‘Future Leaders School for Underprivileged Children’. Sadly, although Billa initiated sourcing the land, funding its purchase and determining the design principles, he died from a heart attack, in December 2016, long before work had started on site. His wife, also a teacher, then took over the reins, supported by a team of teachers and Trustees from Superstars charity.
“In 2017, after the Club’s attention had been brought to the school by a local trustee, myself and my wife Diane, an Inner Wheel member, self-funded a visit to Accra to investigate their needs and see firsthand how our club could assist.
“We were met with great joy and enthusiasm by some 60 children being schooled in a series of ramshackle timber buildings and taught by a few dedicated teachers. Uniforms and equipment were provided together with a basic daily meal. School funding came from various charities and international students paying for the teaching experience.”
A Dutch charity had agreed to fund a two-storey classroom block and it became clear that there would also be a need for washrooms, and ideally, a small orphanage, vocational classrooms, volunteer accommodation and other supporting facilities.
A series of fundraising initiatives, including the Club’s annual Dragon Boat Festival at Edgbaston Reservoir, helped support the mission and the Club’s £10k donation was match-funded by a DDF from Rotary District 1060 and a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation.
The washrooms comprise 22 fittings comprising toilets, showers, urinals and wash hand basins with running water and electricity.
David added: “Work is progressing well and the school is very pleased with the progress to date. It should be complete in the Spring.”
To donate or find out more about the work of Edgbaston Convention Rotary, visit: https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1506