What is Awaso International Academy?
It is Father Paul Mensah’s dream of ending the cycle of poverty in his home village of Awaso, Ghana by establishing a private, independent, K-9 school that is open to all students regardless of their gender, ethnicity and faith. The school will help prepare Awaso children for higher education so they can ultimately compete for jobs within their chosen field.
Who is Fr. Paul?
Fr. Paul Mensah is an ordained priest, incardinated in the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese of Ghana. Fr. Paul has a B.A. degree in Philosophy and Masters of Arts degrees in Divinity, Spirituality and Educational Administration. Fr. Paul understands the needs of the children and the school is open to all children who are motivated to learn regardless of background.
Where is Awaso Village?
It is a small village located in the western region of Ghana, West Africa.
When will the school open?
Grades K-2 will open in the Fall of 2010. Construction will continue adding one classroom per year through 2017.
Who is helping Father Paul realize his dream?
Three groups have been established to help raise money to build and maintain Awaso International Academy. The first is headquartered in Drayton Valley, AB, Canada (http://awasoman.ca/contact.html) and the second in San Jose, CA. USA (http://www.awasohope.com/). The third group is the Awaso International Academy Steering Committee established in Ghana.
How is this goal being accomplished?
Funding for construction costs for the buildings, housing grades K-2, has been raised. Fundraising for current and future buildings will continue to be raised through the foundation. A future goal will be to establish an endowment for the ongoing expenses and maintenance of the school.
How can I donate to the Awaso Hope Foundation?
Thanks for your interest! A check can be sent to:
Awaso Canadian Academy Foundation
4308 43 Ave
Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 1G2
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, Our Charitable Foundation Number is: 83050-8354-RR0001
How much of the money I donate goes directly to the school?
The foundation is run by volunteers. Our administration costs are low with over 90% going directly to the school. Volunteers pay thru donation for their own transportation to Ghana and the vast majority of administration expenses are covered by separate offsetting donations.
Background:
Fr. Paul
Father Paul Mensah comes from the western region of Ghana. He is the youngest of seven children, the only one in his family to have gone on to college, receiving a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a Masters of Arts degree in Divinity. He was ordained and incardinated into the Sekondi-Takoradi diocese on July 28, 1990, in Ghana. Later he traveled to minister in Nova Scotia and Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada. Today he is in San Jose, CA.
Father Paul, the originator and anchor of this project, was born on January 15, 1961, in Awaso, Ghana. He continued his studies at Santa Clara University in California and received two more Masters of Arts degrees in Spirituality and Educational Administration. He will be moving back to Awaso permanently in 2010 to manage and oversee the project until completion and to administer it on an on-going basis.
Awaso Village
Awaso is a village of 6,000 people located in the western region of Ghana, West Africa. This is a community whose livelihood is provided mainly through substance farming. It also has a bauxite mining company. Those working in the mine are paid approximately $2.00 per day.
Water Scarcity
Awaso has no running water, but has a few community wells. Some families collect rain water from their roofs during the rainy season. However, during the dry season mine dust pollutes the water.
Education
Most children attend local village schools through Junior High but do not continue on to High School because they lack adequate academic preparation and because the high schools are located far outside the community.
Awaso International Academy will prepare students for Higher Education so they can ultimately compete for jobs in their chosen fields.
The academy is being built in phases with the first phase scheduled for occupancy in the fall of 2010. It is a family-friendly school that includes active parent participation. It offers parent workshops that emphasize the importance of education and gives parents tools to keep their children motivated.
Education continued
The academy will ultimately consist of 10 classrooms (K-9), a library, a computer lab, administrative offices, a playground, a kitchen and washrooms. Following the completion of the school, housing facilities for teachers and residences for Junior High students and orphans will be added. Additional plans for the academy include a self-sustaining farm which will also be part of the school curriculum.
The academy administration consists of a local Board of Directors, Director (Fr. Paul), Principal, Vice-Principal, Secretary and faculty staff. Additionally, the international steering committees and foundations (Canada and USA) are included.