Paul is a 19year old boy from Amburi, a small community in Lawra in the Upper West Region of Ghana. He is a twin, and the fourth child of his parents; they are five children in total – three males and two females. Both his sisters have dropped out of school at the basic level and are now learning vocational skills. Paul is one of the only two of his parents’ children who is still in school. Paul’s dad is a private security personnel and his mom a petty trader. Knowing Paul personally for over 10 years now, he has always been a hardworking boy, who is determined to reach higher heights in life; and this determination and passion for excellence did not fate out even after he became physically challenged.
It is worth knowing that Paul was not born with this disability.
In 2015, Paul’s life took a dramatic turn when he fell from a mango tree, leaving him paralyzed. At a tender age, he was faced with the immense challenge of living with his disability. However, Paul’s resilience and determination have been nothing short of inspiring. Despite his condition, he has not let physical limitations stop him from pursuing his dreams. He continued with his education against all odds, and has been excellent in his academics.
Paul recently completed junior high school after sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination with an outstanding performance, emerging the best student from his school. With his great grades, he has secured an admission to go to senior high school. Paul was originally admitted to Ullo Senior High School. However, due to his condition (totally crippled and always bundled up in his wheelchair), his dad is lobbying for his admission to be transferred to Lawra Senior High School, where he can be closely monitored and taken care of. It is worth knowing that Paul’s dad has been the most supportive in Paul’s life; believing in his son’s dreams and doing what a good and responsible father does. I personally noticed and got inspired by his supportive nature towards his son when he first approached me about Paul; I could feel the passion and determination to see his son excel in his voice. According to the dad, “…. Paul is a brilliant boy who is determined to make a huge difference in his life”.
Paul’s family, though supportive, lacks the financial means to cover the costs of his high school education, especially the cost of transporting him to school and back every day. For Paul, attending school means travelling in a specially arranged tricycle, a necessity given his condition. The cost of his daily transportation is significant and beyond the family’s financial capacity to manage. For this reason, the family is seeking financial support from Action Through Enterprise to help see Paul through high school. This support will not only get Paul access to education but also restore hope to a family that has been tirelessly advocating for their son’s future. In addition, supporting Paul achieve his dreams will be a great source of inspiration for many others who are facing similar challenges. For that matter, by supporting him, we are investing in a brighter future – not only for Paul but for all those who will be inspired by his courage, determination and resilience.
If you’d like to personally fund this project, at a total cost of £25 per month, please get in touch with us.
By Kakpe Kuuse-Isaan