ATE Chief Executive Sarah Annable-Gardner becomes MBE in 2026 New Year's Honours!

Changing lives through education, enterprise and inclusion

We work with rural communities in Upper West Ghana, tackling poverty, creating opportunities and switching on hope

Switching on Hope

We’ve been switching on hope all year in Upper West Ghana! One thousand school pupils, 800 disabled children and carers, 34 entrepreneurs and farmers, 20 apprentices, 18 senior high school girls and hundreds of children at our new Technology and Learning Zones are all making the most of new opportunities, support and resources – to transform their lives.

And there’s more to come in 2026! We’ll be partnering four new schools, launching two disability groups and supporting even more people to grow businesses and learn skills. This is how whole communities are uplifted and change is real and long-lasting. This is hope..

Change through education

We work with 13 schools, providing meals, educational resources and sanitary products that enable pupils to learn on full stomachs and with dignity. So far, we’ve helped more than 4100 young people access education. Olivia (above) goes to Bagri Junior High and appreciates the monthly sanitary pads provision:

“It helps us come to school. We girls are much happier.”

Change through enterprise

We have backed 174 small businesses with grants, training and mentoring, enabling them to become sustainable and profitable. 82 girls (including 9 with disabilities) have learnt a trade through our apprenticeship scheme. Barikisu (above) runs one of 37 ATE-backed dry season farms:

“ATE gave me all I needed to succeed.”

Change through inclusion

We bringing disabled children into the light, challenging stigma and enabling them to learn and laugh. Our SNAP disability project supports almost 800 children and carers across 8 locations, providing education, equipment, medication, advocacy and lots of joy. Tierto (above, with Julita and Charles) says:

“The main reason I love SNAP meetings is I know I am not alone. I have learnt new things, I worry much less, life has improved.”

How we work

We’ve developed a unique approach to tackling poverty, integrating our key areas of work into a dynamic model based around community hubs. It puts local people and local leadership at the heart of everything – and is driving our expansion to new rural locations.

Where does your donation go?

We are financially transparent and carefully monitor and evaluate our work to ensure the money you donate is used in the best way possible.

84p goes directly towards project costs

Creating opportunities through education, inclusion and enterprise – such as our Dry Season Farmers programme which supports sustainable agriculture all year round.

11p is spent on fundraising

Giving us the resources to pay for projects, plan for the future and provide job security for our 27 school cooks and other staff.

5p is spent on administration costs

Ensuring we can deliver our annual report, be a responsible employer and fulfil our legal responsibilities in the UK and Ghana.

Our latest posts

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇭 Celebrate England V Ghana – whatever the score! 🇬🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Excitement is building for the game tomorrow night! To make the night a win-win, we’re raising funds to help children play sport, get healthier and thrive in school.

Please consider celebrating by giving the gift of sport, education and fun at bit.ly/4t8VfWe

⚽️ £14 buys a football
📚 £25 provides a set of exercise books and pens
🎒£50 buys a school uniform and shoes for a disabled child
🍚 £70 feeds a child at school all year
🚲 £100 buys a bike for a child who walks hours to school
🏐 £150 buys a volleyball net, cones and set of balls

Thank you so much - every donation makes a difference, every pound is celebrated.

Please consider sharing with friends to help us reach as many people as possible 💚
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Every contribution can make a real difference.

Beautiful video content Abdul-Gafar Cisse Umar

View more comments

We are proudly supported by the wonderful Rotary Club of Swindon who have been by our side for over 13 years. A long standing partnership that has enabled hundreds of lives to be made better in rural Ghana.

It was a joy to be with them today, a lunch full of gratitude for today and plans for tomorrow.
... See MoreSee Less

We are proudly supported by the wonderful Rotary Club of Swindon who have been by our side for over 13 years. A long standing partnership that has enabled hundreds of lives to be made better in rural Ghana. 

It was a joy to be with them today, a lunch full of gratitude for today and plans for tomorrow.

Comment on Facebook

Thank you @Rotary Club of Swindon for your continuous support.🙏

Inspirational work, ATE! 💪

Great and wonderful 👍

Thanks very much

View more comments

Lydia is one of our VocATE apprentices in Lawra, learning to become a seamstress. Her sewing machine broke recently, and she was horrified - scared her chance to learn a trade was over.

But, because of the wonderful flexible funding we have for this programme - we were able to step in with a brand new machine. She picked it up at her monthly tech training & support workshop at our Lawra Inclusion Centre this week, as well as period products, soap and essential practise materials. She's enjoying learning how to search for modern dress patterns, and advertise her products online!

Lydia is becoming a women who can earn a living, and look forward to a good life. We're so glad to be part of her journey, and so proud that this programme goes so far beyond vocational training, it's a package of support to ensure that everyone can thrive.
... See MoreSee Less

Lydia is one of our VocATE apprentices in Lawra, learning to become a seamstress. Her sewing machine broke recently, and she was horrified - scared her chance to learn a trade was over. 

But, because of the wonderful flexible funding we have for this programme - we were able to step in with a brand new machine. She picked it up at her monthly tech training & support workshop at our Lawra Inclusion Centre this week, as well as period products, soap and essential practise materials. Shes enjoying learning how to search for modern dress patterns, and advertise her products online! 

Lydia is becoming a women who can earn a living, and look forward to a good life. Were so glad to be part of her journey, and so proud that this programme goes so far beyond vocational training, its a package of support to ensure that everyone can thrive.Image attachment

Comment on Facebook

What an excellent example of good apprenticeship support 👏

View more comments

Load more

Registered Charity: 1149988