Madam Charity, a mother of three, wanted to be a teacher in order “to take care of the little ones and help them to come up like herself”. A local woman of Lawra, she returned to teach in her home town at Karbo Primary School five years ago.
She happily describes how Sarah first came to Karbo Primary, met with the headteacher and the next day with all the staff. The Headteacher informed them that Sarah was coming to help take care of the pupils in the school and soon after money began to be given to start preparing food for the children and it comes every month without fail.
Madam Charity explains that before ATE’s support attendance at Karbo was very poor, especially for the girls. Girls in particular used to refuse to come to school because they did not get to eat and had no school uniform, both of which are now provided to each child in the school.
“Before they came with hunger, they could not listen. Now they get fed, they come and eat and they go to the classroom again for the afternoon”. Not only do they now come to school but they also stay in school for the duration of the school day.
A key aspect of support provided by ATE which is having a positive impact on the children at Karbo Primary, is health insurance. Madam Charity says that when the children fell sick, the parents could not afford for them to go to hospital, and they would be off school for weeks at a time. Now the children can get treatment when they need it, they are healthy, they come to school regularly and this helps them enormously in their education.
The children’s weight is measured by ATE and the teachers can see that the children’s weight and health is improving. The teachers can see the changes in their bodies. Madam Charity says that it particularly helps the poorest children at the school, and those who have lost their parents, as for some it will be the only food they eat till the following school day.
Madam Charity described ATE’s initiatives as being very well received by parents and the community. Many value their children’s education but simply don’t have money to support it. Support in terms of books and pens and other resources are highly valued and prizes for best results in exams has generated healthy competition and increased motivation among the children, making learning a higher priority. PTA meetings are called every time Sarah comes to visit and the community, the school and the children are all aware of ATE’s work and they praise Sarah highly for what she has initiated and continues to do for them.
By Leela Shanti and Diedong Eric