By Desmond Tinana
Friends of Adaklu, a non-profit organization, has trained and graduated 89 children from its computing program in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region of Ghana. The children, parents, trainers and staff of the NGO defied the heavy evening downpour to celebrate the graduation ceremony which took place on Sunday the 3rd of October 2024 at the Assemblies of God church in Adaklu Tsriefe, where community members gathered to recognize the achievements of young learners, including two girls who earned international certificates in coding.
Friends of Adaklu launched the computing initiative to address the lack of access to technology in local schools. Many children in the Adaklu District, including those from Adaklu Goefe, Adaklu Helekpe, Adaklu Dawanu, and Adaklu Kodiabe communities, had never used a computer before joining the program. According to Kingsley Elorm Kwaku Leh a volunteer ICT instructor at the facility the training covered essential skills such as navigating the Microsoft interface, using Microsoft Word, and exploring creative applications like Paint and Canva.
Stella Kudah, the Country Director of Friends of Adaklu, emphasized the organization’s mission to provide educational resources and training to children who otherwise have limited access. “We realized that children in Adaklu do not have computers in their schools to learn with,” she stated. The program offers flexible schedules, allowing children to attend sessions from Monday to Sunday.
Stella also outlined the next steps for the program, stating, “We are upgrading our curriculum to the next level. We want to ensure that every child in the school has foundational computer knowledge, and then we’ll build on that.”
The journey began with a small coding club that started with just six girls. Through collaborations with organizations like Girls Who Code, the program expanded to include both boys and girls, eventually reaching 89 graduates. Stella highlighted the importance of community involvement and the support from overseas, specifically noting a volunteer named Christina Randazzo and The Academy School based in California in the United States, were instrumental in funding the initiative and acquiring computers
Isabella Teikpa, a 15-year-old Junior High School graduate who is one of the only two African girls who participated in the Girls Who Code programme for girls all around the world shared her experience in the program. “I can now create different lines of code and design T-shirts and banners using Canva,” she said. She plans to further her education by studying General Knowledge in Art in Senior High School to enhance her skills.
Her counterpart Enyonam Awudi one the only two African girls to participate in the Girls Who Code programme from the facility designed a full website for Friends of Adaklu and displayed her coding skills at the event while others exhibited their computing skills to the delight of the community members.
Torgbe Edem a traditional leader from Adaklu Tsriefe was present at the ceremony and praised the program for its positive influence on the community. He noted a decrease in juvenile delinquency, stating, “The training program has really helped the community; kids are now meaningfully engaged, which has led to a reduction in social vices among others.”
Friends of Adaklu is committed to elevating community members from various socio-economic backgrounds. Stella mentioned a sponsorship initiative that supports academically talented but financially needy students. Currently, the organization sponsors 78 students across local schools, providing essential resources for their education with 6 graduating this year from different Senior High Schools all around Ghana.
Looking ahead, the organization aims to continue expanding its reach and impact. “We’re taking one child at a time, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to learn and grow,” Stella said. She expressed hope that as more children gain computer skills, they will be better equipped for future educational and career opportunities.
The graduation ceremony of 89 children in computing marks a significant milestone for Friends of Adaklu and the community of Adaklu Tsriefe. As the program continues to evolve, it not only empowers young learners with essential skills but also fosters a culture of learning and innovation in the region. Through ongoing support and dedication, Friends of Adaklu is poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of these children and their communities.
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