The One Million Smiles (OMS) Programme implemented by AfriKids has recorded significant achievements in education, child protection and healthcare in the Mamprugu Moagduri District of the North East Region, transforming the lives of thousands of children and strengthening community development between 2022 and 2026.
The integrated programme, which focused on ensuring that every child is safe, healthy and in school, made remarkable gains in improving access to quality education, protecting vulnerable children and strengthening health services across 20 beneficiary communities.
In the education sector, the programme improved early childhood education by supplying teaching and learning materials annually to all 20 target schools, creating child-friendly learning environments for kindergarten pupils.
The programme also significantly increased school enrolment through its innovative Back2School Campaign. First-day enrolment of new entrants rose from just 49 pupils in 2023 to 560 in 2025, representing an increase of more than 91 percent within two years.
To improve the quality of teaching, AfriKids trained 114 kindergarten and primary school teachers in play-based and inclusive learning approaches.
Thousands of vulnerable children also received educational support, including 6,261 exercise books, 4,358 pens and pencils, 1,469 school uniforms, 1,323 pairs of sandals, 1,194 school bags and 40 bicycles to enable them to remain in school.
School governance was also strengthened through the training of School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), while grants totaling GHC100,000 were awarded to 20 schools over two years to improve academic performance.
The programme further promoted Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education by establishing STEM clubs that benefited 1,180 learners, training 46 teachers, providing science equipment, distributing 397 STEM T-shirts, organizing educational field trips and supplying 19 movable STEM tables.
As part of efforts to improve adolescent health education, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Clubs were established in schools, reaching 1,905 learners. The programme also trained 23 teachers and 582 adolescents in reusable sanitary pad and soap production while distributing 419 SRHR T-shirts.
Digital learning also received a boost with the provision of 180 curriculum-based tablets and accessories to four schools, accompanied by training for 40 teachers, headteachers and community leaders on their effective use.
To improve literacy, AfriKids donated 6,551 supplementary and curriculum-based books, established 20 library clubs, trained 49 teachers and headteachers in library management and supported 1,439 children through mobile library reading clinics and reading festivals.
The programme also promoted environmental sustainability by distributing and supporting the planting of 1,557 tree seedlings across schools and public institutions.
In child protection, the One Million Smiles Programme strengthened community-based child protection systems by training 100 members of Community Child Protection Committees across beneficiary communities.
The programme also revitalized the District Child Protection Committee through regular quarterly meetings and monitoring activities.
Eight children were rescued from child and forced marriages and successfully reintegrated into safer environments, while livelihood interventions strengthened household resilience among caregivers of vulnerable children.
These interventions benefited 224 women through Village Savings and Loans Associations, 207 caregivers in Shea Value Chain initiatives, 80 beneficiaries in Sorghum Value Chain activities, 72 households through goat rearing schemes, and 27 beneficiaries through microfinance support.
In the health sector, health screening services were provided to learners across all 20 beneficiary schools to facilitate the early detection and referral of health conditions.
The programme also supported rehabilitation services for 18 children living with cerebral palsy while strengthening local health systems by training 14 health workers in basic rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
To improve adolescent-friendly healthcare, five Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds were equipped with educational and clinical materials to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights education and service delivery.
The achievements of the One Million Smiles Programme demonstrate the transformative impact of integrated interventions in improving educational outcomes, protecting vulnerable children, strengthening healthcare delivery and building resilient communities across the Mamprugu Moagduri District.
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