Two vibrant non-governmental organizations, Kinda Velloza Foundation and Nana Adobea Sikapa Foundation, have taken a significant step toward narrowing the educational divide between urban and rural communities by donating essential learning materials to pupils of Gyakiti Presbyterian Primary and Junior High School.

The donation included books, pens, school bags, socks, water bottles, and sanitary pads, items aimed at improving both academic engagement and student well-being.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Kinda Velloza Foundation, Miss Kinda Velloza, an immigration attorney based in the United States, shared a deeply personal story of resilience.

Originally from Guyana in South America, she recounted growing up in challenging conditions, even more difficult than what many of the Gyakiti students face today. She credited her success to her mother, a teacher who ensured she received an education despite numerous hardships.

Velloza emphasised that education remains the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.

She encouraged the pupils to stay committed to their studies regardless of their circumstances and not allow their current situation to define their future.

According to her, her own experiences inspired the creation of the foundation, which seeks to support underserved communities with limited educational resources.

Also addressing the gathering was Nana Adobea Sikapa I, Queen Mother of Akwamu-Gyakiti Oframase, who urged the students to take their education seriously, describing it as a priceless inheritance that cannot be taken away. 

She expressed concern over the harsh learning conditions faced by many children, including studying under trees, sharing limited textbooks, and even writing on the ground.

She commended the foundations for their timely intervention and called on parents to prioritize their children’s educational needs by providing necessary learning materials. 

She further appealed to traditional leaders, including chiefs and queen mothers, to actively support initiatives that empower children to achieve their dreams.

In a strong message to parents, Nana Boafo Ansahprem IV, Chief of Akosombo, criticized the tendency to prioritize social spending, such as funeral expenses, over children’s education. 

He pointed out that the cost of a single bottle of beer could instead be used to purchase a book, urging parents to make more responsible choices that benefit their children’s future.

The event not only provided much-needed supplies but also delivered powerful messages of hope, responsibility, and the transformative power of education.