By Benard Worlali Awumee
Benadzi, (V/R), Dec. 1, GNA – Madam Lawrencia Pinamang, the outgoing Secretary for Societies and Welfare of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), has collaborated with the Mama Hogbe Beauty Pageant to initiate a project aimed at improving the lives of children in the Kome-Shime area of the Anloga District, Volta Region.
The initiative, named “Study with Ease Project” was designed to provide swimming vests or life jackets to school children in Shime, a water-logged area, where pupils must cross the Nyakpati and Gorve streams daily to attend school at Benadzi.
Ten life jackets were donated to the students to ensure safer crossing as a safety measure to cross to school.
The donation ceremony, held on Thursday, at the Benadzi D/A Primary School, saw the three winners of the 2024 Mama Hogbe Beauty Pageant (Miss Sandra Andrea Delali Gakpe (winner), Miss Rita Sedem Amematror (1st runner-up), and Miss Stella Sewonumafe Sodzi (2nd runner-up)) join Madam Lawrencia Pinamang in encouraging the pupils to continue their studies despite their daily challenges.
Benard Worlali, the Director of Operations for Mama Hogbe Pageant and coordinator of the project, revealed that cost of the jackets and related expenses exceeded GHC3,000.
He urged the school authorities to ensure the life jackets were used responsibly to fulfill the project’s intended purpose.
Madam Lawrencia Pinamang, speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), expressed her satisfaction with the project, saying, “It has always been our priority to impact lives at the grassroots level, especially in underprivileged areas like this. I am personally happy that we are making a difference, as these children can now attend school with ease, without the fear of crossing dangerous waters.”
Ms Sandra Andrea Delali Gakpe, during her presentation of the life jackets, also urged the school officials to ensure the jackets are used properly for the safety of the students.
The items were received by Mr. Isaac Awumee, the headteacher of Benadzi D/A Primary School, along with Madam Mavis Kpeglo, the PTA Chairperson, and Mr. Awuku Isaac, a teacher at the school.
The students expressed their gratitude after receiving the life jackets.
“During the rainy season, we often had to skip school because crossing the water became too dangerous. Sometimes, when the canoe wasn’t available, we had to carry our younger siblings on our backs to cross. It was very embarrassing to miss class or arrive late because of this,” one student said.
Another student added, “We are very grateful for the life jackets. Now, even during the flooding season, we can attend school without the fear of drowning.”
At Benadzi D/A Primary School, approximately 300 pupils attend, with around 40 students aged between 5 and 15 having to cross the Gorve and Nyakpati streams daily.
This donation is expected to significantly reduce the risk of water-related accidents for these students.
Mama Hogbe, a pageant of the Hogbetsotso festival of Anlo as part of her project is to embark on live changing projects in the area.
Office of Society and Welfare at NUGS is responsive for championing the welfare of NUGS membership
GNA