By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, June 17, GNA – OVC Connexions, an NGO, has rolled out a one-year skills development programme for vulnerable children, including orphans, in Nkurakan, in the Yilo Krobo Municipality to augment their learning outcomes.
The programme aims at engaging 40 children and providing them with a comprehensive weekend learning experience that focuses on improving their academic proficiency, life skills, critical thinking and overall well-being.
It is part of the “Read, Feed and Lead Project” being implemented by OVC Connexions in partnership with KGL Foundation to nurture and guide the children and their caregivers along the paths toward self-sufficiency, knowledge and skills acquisition to thrive and excel.
Mr Eric Kwabena Amano-Mpianim, National Coordinator, OVC Connexions Ghana, said the project had been structured into a 3-hour weekend school, running for 40 Saturdays in a year where the children are taught for 10 weeks, recess for two week and continue in that format.
He said volunteer educators lead the competency-based activities and methods such as peer learning activities and group exercises to create a fun yet educational environment that focuses on literacy, numeracy and critical thinking.
“We launched the project on March 28, this year and started rolling it out immediately and the community has embraced it. We have shared story books and other reading materials to encourage reading. We have given them snacks and hot lunch and will do so each session to address nutritional needs,” Mr Amano-Mpianim said.
He said 10 weekly learning sessions had been delivered with an average of 36 children so far participating each week and about 400 parcel of hot meals and snacks had been served to 40 children.
“We have also distributed 680 exercise books, 80 school bags with each child receiving 2 bags and 40 pairs of shoes also have been distributed to the children to aid classroom work,” the National Coordinator said.
With 60% of beneficiaries being girls, a monthly tailored workshops on life skills had been put in place to build them up and help them address challenges specific to their development, boost their confidence, sharpen their problem-solving abilities and foster holistic growth.
The overall goal of the Read, Feed and Lead project is to improve academic proficiency in literacy and numeracy, life skills, and overall well-being of orphans and vulnerable children in Nkurakan, to help them succeed in school, develop critical thinking skills, and achieve personal growth in a supportive and safe environment by December 2025.
GNA
Christian Akorlie