A good education; it can be the kick-off of a career that matches your passion and personality and bring fulfillment and security in your life. For the majority in Africa it means so much more; an escape from poverty and a new chance for the entire family. The community will benefit from new talent making their entrance, eager to make a difference. But what are the odds when your family is too poor to send you to elementary school or even buy pencils and books for you? Dreams will remain dreams; the reality will be poverty.
That's why Charity projects like HIPS have such an impact in life: they provide free education for children.
I'm on a photo assignment for Interplast Limited in Accra, one of the sponsors of this project. The CEO, mr. Huberts, requested a special photoshoot of his pet project; he and his family are personally committed to make this project work.
We reach Weija, a suburb of Accra. The little town is covered with dust and sand due to the harmattan; from december till february everything will be powdered brown with Sahara-sand.
Between the dull colors of sand and bricks, small groups of children dressed in blue and orange uniforms walk by, chatting, the bright colors make them pop out like little butterflies.
On walking distance of the village we see the school; a kindergarten, an elementary- and Junior High school including toilets and facilities; built and expanded by Ballast Nedam.
The compound with playground is shaded with palmtrees and all buildings are decorated with graphic paintings; artistic impressions of native art. Thanks to German, Swiss and local sponsors the school expands and maintains a high standard: while the results for the annual nationwide acceptance test to Senior High Schools in Ghana are 50% , the students from HIPS proudly succeed 100 %-all are admitted every year.
173 children of underprivileged families from kindergarten till Junior High prove the sponsors right with their perseverance and dedication.
I do hope you'll be captured by the dedication and charm of this lovely children as I was; they stole my hart. HIPS will continue to need more sponsors to continue it's work with the help of both local and foreign companies and private donations.
For more information and sponsorship: http://www.hips-charity.com
HIPS Charity School Project in Weija-Accra, Ghana.
By Marion La Pierre, January 2012.
By Marion La Pierre, January 2012.
marion@matchline-consultancy.com
