An Unemployed University Graduate is beating every obstacle life throws at him to bringing smiles to pupils learning under deprived schools in various parts of the country Ghana.
Samuel Kwame Mensah who completed African University College of Communications, a private university in Accra in 2017 has no job yet bent on ensuring that the little resources he gathered from friends and families are distributed evenly to pupils that lack basic amenities for effective teaching and learning.
Education Mr Mensah said is key for every child and as he was privileged to be educated the need for him to also extend that privilege to the younger ones in society.
Mr Mensah who spoke exclusively to A1 Radio, a local radio station in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region noted that he had made efforts to secure himself a job after completing the university but wishes they say are not horses.
“I made efforts, I wrote numerous applications yet no company was ready for me. There was one company that later called me but after working for some time my passion to support children could not help so I stopped. I knew I needed to focus on my purpose and to support children”, he said.
Passion
Mr Mensah narrated that he grew up in one of the worst communities in Lagos State, Nigeria (Ajegunle City) where children lack proper mentorship, opportunities and are easily influenced by the negative lifestyle of people in the area.
A situation that worries Mr Mensah so dearly that he made a covenant with God as his life mission to bring support to children who yearn for quality education at deprived schools.
“I have made it my life’s mission to help, support and connect children across West Africa with mentors in communities just like the one I grew up in”.
Achievements
Mr Mensah said despite the challenges of getting financial support coupled with getting the rightful partners, he has been able to chalk some success thanks to commitments from friends, families and some nongovernmental organizations with similar passions.
He noted that so far in Ghana, he has been able to reach out to 7 schools and supported over 600 school children in the North East and Ashanti Regions respectively.
“The materials we usually provide include writing materials, uniforms and standard desks that can make learning comfortable for the pupils. Also, my colleagues who have similar ideologies are helping me. I must say we are in a mission to provide the quality of education that African child deserves. Sometimes also, if we are lucky, we will get support from organizations who are doing similar projects”, he stressed.
Founded
After chalking some success, Mr Mensah has carved out a name for his passion called ‘Umbrella for the African Child’ to advocate for equality and equity education for rural children both in Ghana and Nigeria.
Umbrella for the African Child is now with a mission of seeing children in underserved communities across West Africa experience quality education and access to food.
“Our major objectives are Quality Education(SDG4) and Zero Hunger (SDG2). Projections for the future as an organization is to go to different schools in rural areas not just in Ghana or Nigeria, to support children with a mentorship program and the tools needed for quality education”, he added.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
