Download - ROTARY CLUB OF NORWICH (ENGLAND) ROTARY CLUB OF HO (GHANA) ALL-INCLUSIVE MODEL SCHOOL PROJECT
ROTARY CLUB OF NORWICH (ENGLAND)ROTARY CLUB OF HO
(GHANA)ALL-INCLUSIVE MODEL SCHOOL PROJECT
THE NEED
• Traditionally, African children with disabilities have been stigmatised. They have either been excluded from school or taught outside mainstream education.• An opportunity has arisen to start from scratch an all-inclusive school
in Ho, in the Volta region of Ghana.• A combination of a Rotary member with close links to the area, a
receptive Club in Ghana, supportive local and regional authorities, and a charity working in the area offer this unique opportunity.• The local charity will act as our eyes and ears.
These have been stigmatised
Where is Ho?
• Eastern Ghana – former capital of British Togoland and now of Volta Region. Population approx. 100,000.
• Ho has an active and enthusiastic Rotary Club which is keen on water and education projects.
• Their initiative: “Lighting up Education in the Volta Region”.
KEKELI FOUNDATION
• The Ghana arm of a small American-based charity (Kekeli Inc) specialising in help for children with disabilities in Ghana.• Founded in 2008 by Carrie Brown. It was her dream to found a school
where able-bodied and less-able children are educated together.• Carrie will be closely involved in the project and will act as
coordinator between the groups involved.
A school where able-bodied and less-able children are educated together
THE NORWICH CONNECTION
• Anna Cottrell, a member of RC Norwich, has set up a number of small projects, helping villages in the Volta region of Ghana.• She has published an international award-winning book on traditional
Ghanaian storytelling, and visits Ghana regularly.• She has known Carrie since 2006 and remains in regular touch with
her. She has also met Rockson Dogbegah, President of the Ho Rotary Club. The Club is very interested and enthusiastic (their own focus is on education) and is in direct regular contact with the Rotary Club of Norwich.
LOCAL / NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES
• The Ghanaian National government has decreed that children with disabilities should be educated in mainstream schools, but it remains to be actioned. • As a result of Anna’s approach and Carrie’s enthusiasm, RC Ho has set
up a working group including members of regional government and several interested local and international charities.• Land/building costs funded by local charities/government/PPP and
other capital costs by Rotary.• Running costs – part fee-paying
part by PPP funding
PLANS
• 15 acre site• 8 classroom blocks, assessment and resource centre, a specially
equipped physio room, library, dormitories, transport• 200 pupils anticipated (25 per class) – likely proportion suffering
some kind of disability is 15%• Basic level (“JSS”) for all students
PLANS
PRELIMINARIES
• Periodic “sensitisation” of communities- understanding and support of parents / teachers- removal of stigma.• Periodic screening of children in the community to identify special
needs• Pressure on government to adopt best practices
The periodic screening of children in the community to identify special needs
FACILITIES
• The school complex to be built in a disability-friendly way
• Specialist training for everyone involved in the school is integral to the project
• Wide range of assistive devices (see later slide)
A school built in a disability-friendly way
SET-UP AND EQUIPMENT COSTS
£•Research / planning / community education 7,900•Sports park / playground 2,000•Initial training (1st year) 11,500•Furniture 2,700•Transport (school bus) 15,200•Consumables (initial stock only) 1,500•Special Equipment/ICT 11,500•Computers 9,600•Miscellaneous / contingency 9,200•Provisional TOTAL 71,110These items to be funded by Rotary
Equipment for Persons with Disabilities• The equipment and ICT for Persons with disabilities include: • Braillewriters for the blind• Embosser • Digital voice recorders for those unable to write/visually impaired• Electronic books • Software including open book software, jaws software for the blind,
writing with symbols for intellectual disabilities, picture exchange communication system (PECS)
FUNDRAISING (over 2 years)Club & District Global Grant Match
£ US$ £ US$
Norwich 22750 34471 11375 17236
Twin Clubs (£950 x 3) 2850 4318 1425 2159
Twin Club Districts (£950 x 3) 2850 4318 2850 4318
Ho Club 950 1439 475 720
Ho District 950 1439 950 1439
1080 District 9000 13637 9000 13637
Corporate 2200 3333 1100 1667
Trusts/grants 2375 3600 _______________ __________
Totals 43925 66555 27175 41176
43925 66555_______________ __________
Total Funds 71100 107731
£1 = USD 1.5152 (official RI rate)
OUTCOMES
• All but the most severely disabled children to receive an inclusive education• Children work on individual goals whilst participating in the life of the
classroom• Opportunity for able-bodied children to learn about and accept
individual differences• Reduction of harassment, removal of stigma, influencing the
community as a whole
THE FUTURE
• WHEN the PROJECT IS SUCCESSFUL:-• Repeat in other regions of Ghana
• Gradually roll out to other African countries
• Perhaps “Rotary Colleges” - a name for the FUTURE in ROTARY!
• THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, LET’S HELP LIGHT UP EDUCATION - WITH YOUR HELP, PLEASE!
THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED
Mawunyo’s journey from exclusion to inclusion should be available to every child. With your help, it can be so.