Social impact leader and education advocate Sandra Sore is calling for a shift in how rural youth are supported in Ghana. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and mindset transformation over sporadic donations, especially in underserved communities.
Speaking on the Equal Voices Program on Sunday, June 15, Sandra shared how her organization, Napiness, is working directly with children from Primary 4 through Senior High School, with a strong focus on the Nabdam District in Ghana’s Upper East Region.
“I’ve lived here. I’m a princess here. I know the people, I know their stories. I’ve sat with students like Regina—brilliant kids who simply lack the right opportunities or guidance. They’re not lazy or uninterested; they just haven’t been given a reason to believe in their potential,” Sandra said.
From Donations to Transformation: A New Model for Rural Education in Ghana
Sandra was clear that giving out books or school supplies, though sometimes necessary, is not the organization’s primary strategy.
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes—people come, donate books, then leave. Moments later, the kids are making paper airplanes out of them. It’s not disrespect. They just don’t know why the books matter. No one has explained it to them. For many, school is something you go to simply because your mother said so.”
Instead, Napiness focuses on mentorship, literacy engagement, and reshaping young minds. The organization has built a vibrant network of young mentors who share their own journeys, providing relatable role models from similar rural backgrounds.
“We tell them, we’re just like you. We’ve made mistakes too. But here’s what we’ve learned, and here’s what your life could look like if you take education seriously.”
The Star World Contest: Making Reading Fun and Competitive
To spark interest in reading, Napiness launched the Star World Contest in 2023—a district-wide spelling and literacy competition. The event brought together all 21 Junior High Schools in the Nabdam District, making it the largest literacy competition in the region, as reported by JoyNews.
“Reading is the foundation of everything in education. But you can’t just yell at kids to read more. That’s just noise. You have to make it exciting—something they look forward to,” Sandra explained.
The contest has quickly become a regional literacy success story, creating excitement around reading and helping children discover the power of knowledge.
A Quiet Revolution in Rural Education
With the growth of spelling competitions and the expanding circle of local mentors, Napiness is quietly transforming the educational landscape in rural northern Ghana. For Sandra Sore, this is not just a project—it’s a personal mission driven by her deep roots in the region.
“Napiness is more than just a youth initiative. It’s a quiet revolution led by someone who never stopped believing in where she came from.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Keziah Porepeya Nsoh|Bolgatanga
