As well, Christmas is the time for community harvest fundraisers. Villages collect a donation of produce from each individual’s subsistance farm. They often advertise this harvest with decorated envelopes inviting participants to purchase items as well as to donate generously to the community. These can be very successful and bring in over a 1,000 Ghana cedis/village, money that is used to pay for community needs.

Lastly, our Abono classroom caught the attention of the district educational directors who have deemed Abono a fit location to train all regional teachers in IT. CEIG Inc. did not permit the classroom to be repurposed to an IT facility. However, we did give support to the Abono board to use the local abandoned NGO building which is already outfitted with electricity and ceiling fans. We look forward to having Abono teachers and students experience hands-on learning of computers in this fast paced industry.

Lastly, workers from Dompa who helped in the construction of the KG school in 2011 impressed the architect and construction manager so much that they have continued to employ them. The men from this small village have since been employed to build a new clinic in the region. We are so pleased that these projects have forged new relationships and are providing new skills and revenue to the area.

We continue to look forward with hope and wish for more success in the future. All the best in 2013 as we enter another year.

Johanna has designed a pendant around the Akokonan symbol for nurturing and discipline (CEIG Inc’s logo). It follows the proverb that a hen treads over her chicks but does not harm them. Each pendant has the ancient Adinkra symbol on the front for a chickens foot and the Twi word Akokonan on the back. Here these pendants are displayed on a silver bracelet ($90), and silver silver necklace ($90), a single charm ($50) and cord necklace ($60).

140 Stranmillis Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2M 0K3

I find now I have an overwhelming response to children in the news and a powerful sense that I am a guardian of all children, that children are innocent and need our protection, guidance and support. I know I started my work in Ghanaian schools because I saw that these children had little opportunity to improve their quality of life. I wonder how much more my heart strings will be pulled on my next trip to Ghana in July 2013. The vulnerability of children and the unjust circumstances that some are born into can feel devastating. I have a new sympathy for parents who lack the tools to provide for their children and an intolerance of others who disregard the needs of the next generation. These feelings have reinforced my commitment to children in our global society and my optimism that by fostering these values we can bring change to our society.

We are planning our next trip to Ghana (summer 2013) to build pit latrines for the Dompa students now.  Once again we are excited about our Canadian volunteers helping us with this upcoming construction project!  Currently, there is no sanitation system in this remote village and we hope to encourage the care of our environment through proper toilets.

Any input or ideas with regards to this upcoming project are always welcome on our comment page!

For a Third World Country like Ghana, having an education starts with the availability of a school within walking distance, and then with a teacher.  Having the most basic form of education can only begin with the most basic infrastructure, a school.

The founders of CEIG, Inc. know the importance of education because having the opportunity for post-secondary education has allowed them to make this charity a reality.  Our awareness of the needs within the rural sector of Ghana comes from our ability to have an education = opening our minds to the world of travel via university = reaching out to assist the future generation of Ghanaians.

An educated future can only mean positive things for Ghanaians: ulterior livelihoods, nourishment, healthcare/medicine, less poverty, and substantial shelter, not to mention effects on the national economy, awareness and care for the environment, and better relationships with foreign countries.

We ask you to help us in our fundraising effort to provide more towns around Lake Bosomtwe with schools.  This rural area is still experiencing low literacy rates and high poverty.  With your help, we can change these children’s future for the better!

Go to canadahelps.org and search for “Canadian Education Initiative in Ghana Inc.” in order to donate online now!

Having known each other since high school, Johanna and Megan Otu have put their creative efforts together in order to host a Jewelry Party featuring these beautiful works of art.  Johanna has specifically designed a silver pendant with the Akokonan symbol on it.  The Akokonan (CEIG’s logo) is an Adinkra symbol of a chicken’s foot, meaning a mother hen treads lightly over her young without harming them.  This represents discipline and nurturing, which are prominent values in Ghanaian culture.

100% of the proceeds from these pendants goes to CEIG, Inc. and the building/maintaining of KG and primary schools in rural Ghana.  As well, 10% of the proceeds from Johanna’s other lines of jewelry sold at the party will be donated to CEIG.

We are excited to maintain this collaboration with Johanna into the future.  These unique pieces of jewelry will be available online and for purchase outside of the May. 3rd party date.

Get your silver Akokonan necklace, bracelet, or single pendant in time for Mother’s Day!

Stay tuned for photos…

Thank-you specifically to Richard Jung, who travelled with CEIG to Ghana in August 2011 to build a KG school from the ground up!

Good luck students on your final exams!!

Check out this event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/191341757650584/

Other progress made includes the cementing of the veranda pillars and arches, the plastering of the classroom walls, cementing of the floors and framing of the roof.

The construction crew has been extremely proud of the high quality of workmanship, with steel beams reinforcing the pillars, a deep set foundation and a steady stream of volunteer labour from the community. Not only will this structure be in service for many years to come, but the community pride that these construction efforts have generated has guaranteed that this facility will have a rich future to come.

Abono was also the recipient of much generosity by the St. Paul’s College Ghana Service Trip who provided a large donation of soccer balls and school supplies to the primary schools in both Dompa and Abono. This support gave both the students excitement to start another school year and the teachers bolstered support that is often lacking. In a society like Abono that is both undeveloped and exposed to a high degree of tourism, the attitude of many community members is to seek fast money and downplay the significance of an education. This attitude has eroded many of the teachers’ morale who not only need to convince the students of the value of education, but the parents as well. When CEIG Inc. and St. Paul’s College place an emphasis on education, they are exemplary role models to these impressionable youths who need to learn the value and independence that an education can provide.

Please note that the Canadian Education Initiative in Ghana Inc. will be using the new postal address:

Suite 180-3336 Portage Ave,
Winnipeg, MB Canada
R3K 2H9

The value of every donation was met 4-fold by the tremendous volunteer effort made by villagers. The town of Dompa is very isolated and vehicles were not able to get onto the work site.  All materials were carried down the crater walls by foot. This school was built by pure WO-manpower.  The women of Dompa carried sand, cement blocks and water in buckets on their heads, while the men dug the foundation, mixed cement and laid bricks.

Unfortunately, with gas prices and poor road access our transportation costs have escalated. To date we have spent just over $29,000 CDN on the Dompa classrooms. Unless we fund raise roughly $8,000 in 2011 CEIG Inc. will have to continue construction efforts in 2012 with the painting and installation of electricity. With the new school year starting Sept. 14th, we will have at least the roofing sheets on this week. We look forward to updating you on the completion of the school. Sincere thanks to all our donors, you have brought much hope to this remote community.