As of 16 May, Ghana has over 5000 cases, but only 29 deaths, most are in the capital city of Accra. They have an ambitious testing and contact tracing program, I am very impressed. This activity inflates cases and helps them manage the virus. We know of 2 cases in Elmina, but over 50 in nearby Cape Coast.
The lifestyle in Ghana makes it difficult to prevent spread. But there is progress on cleaning surfaces, washing hands and social distancing in areas like taxis/transport, markets and at home where many people sleep under one roof.
We will continue to watch the progress. For now schools are closed and we keep gatherings to a minimum with care in our interactions.
HANDWASHING STATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY
We have purchased tanks and stands and made large amounts of handwashing soaps and will be putting these “stations” in locations around the community. Tomorrow’s Stars has also helped fund masks for PIFs as well as making hand santizer available.
The handwashing stations were presented to the local chief before setting up. Solo’s Nsoroma Foundation is in charge. Tomorrow’s Stars gave Nsoroma a grant for helping with Covid-19. This grant is also being used to provide masks and other supplies. Leticia made a couple of gallons of handwashing soap. It is quite a team project.
Helping people in our community use the Nsoroma/Tomorrow’s Stars hand washing stations.
AUTHOR JOE BROWN DOES A ZOOM READING OF HIS BOOK “COME ON, GET IN”
Joe is a successful author of childrens’ books focusing on the power of IMAGINATION. He recently did a Zoom reading of one of his books for some students and PIFs in Elmina. We had some minor technical difficulties and will soon do another reading after some minor corrections. It was a big hit with the students (and Joe).
Joe Brown talking about IMAGINATION
FREDRICK ADEHE WRITES BOOK ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Our friend Fredrick was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at age 17 in 2013. As he has learned and improved his management of the disease, he has written a book. We are now printing some in Elmina to help him help “sicklers” in the community. In addition, he has his book as a kindle purchase on Amazon. It is titled: Sickle Cell Disease: Minimizing Crisis and Living a Happy Life.
Please check it out on Amazon and download a kindle copy for $3. Don’t forget about helping Tomorrow’s Stars at Smile.amazon.com.
Fred’s Sickle Cell book Fredrick talking about Sickle Cell Disease with our PIFs
We are continuing to change lives through education in Elmina.
Notes about life in Elmina and Cape Coast Ghana during Covid-19: by Solomon Ewusie
In this #Coronavirus era, moving from one place to the other requires a lot of due diligence and care. In our part of the world, our families will extremely advise you to be careful so you don’t contract the virus. In my area, people wear nose masks/covers made with the local fabrics, there are handwashing stands by the roadsides among others. Various assembly members are on the lookout for taxi drivers who take more than the required passengers. All of these things are done just to ensure that the spread of the virus is brought to the minimum. Fortunately for me, the area/town has not recorded any case yet though my municipal has recorded a few cases.
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As a young enlightened person, I take my health very seriously and I greatly consider the advice by the World Health Organization, Ghana Health Service among other institutions all aimed at making sure that I don’t contract the virus and I don’t spread it. My bicycle has been my major source of transport anytime I leave from my house to Elmina town for any errands. Traveling outside Elmina to maybe Cape Coast will require the use of public transport. In Ghana, traveling on public transport in this era can be very risky and your life will be on the line. Most taxi drivers simply won’t observe the social distancing, don’t have hand sanitizers, and other things all aimed to minimize the spread of the virus.
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Since the outbreak of the virus, I have been cautious with my engagements with the public especially the public transports. I always make sure I have a bottle of water and hand sanitizers with me anytime I decide to leave the house since the outbreak of the virus. It hasn’t been that easy adjusting to such a lifestyle. I must admit that this is one of the major things that will stay with us after this era. Myself and my good people of Ghana will get used to most of this lifestyle which simply connotes that life will never be the same even after a vaccine is found for this virus.
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Though difficult for most of the people in Elmina to practice the measures by the World Health Organization and the Ghana Health Services, my good people of Elmina have been trying their best to make sure the contraction and the spread of the virus are at their lowest.
Despite the numerous financial constraints which come with this, most of my good people in Elmina have placed buckets of water with soaps and tissues in front of their houses and stores. This clearly tells how my good people are ready to make sure that they support the government to minimize the spread of the virus. I haven’t made any major transportation out of Elmina for some time, since the outbreak of the virus. There are times that one is required to take a step no matter the issues at hand. Such was the case when I had some issues with my sim card and I had to visit the service provider’s office in Cape Coast, Central Region’s capital.
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As usual, I can’t go to Cape Coast with my bicycle because of the nature of the roads, the types of vehicles that ply the road, among other factors. In fact, plying the highway to Cape Coast with my bicycle could be more risky than the coronavirus. Before leaving the house, I properly have to adjust myself to situations outside my home and area. Across the various media platforms both local and national, I have heard of measures put in place by the various state agencies in Elmina and Cape Coast and stepping out, I was simply prepared for anything so I would not contract the virus and also to minimize the spread.
Finally, I made the decision to travel by public transport to Cape Coast for my errands. My errands lasted for about 2 hours. I made some few observations while on those errands which I would like to share them;
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1. From my house to Chapel Square, my temperature was checked once by a group of individuals called “Concerned Youth of Elmina”. They are made up of nurses and health personnel who are doing their best to help the government with services through public health services.
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2. Transport fares from Elmina Chapel Square to Cape Coast have been increased slightly. To my surprise I didn’t pay the usual Ghana cedis 3.80, but rather Ghana cedis 4.00. This is a result of ensuring that the drivers adhere to the social distancing directive. Taxis in Ghana normally board three passengers at the backseat. Since the various drivers’ unions want to ensure social distancing, they now board two passengers instead of the three and that’s the reason for the increase in the fares.
3. During my time at Cape Coast, I saw countless buckets of water, soaps, and tissues in front of business offices, stores, and houses. Before entering the service provider’s office, I was asked to wash my hands with soap (which was provided), my temperature was taken and I was given some sanitizer, all taking place while observing the social distance rule.
4. A lot of people were seen covering their nose with various types of nose masks; medical masks and those made with the local fabrics.
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At the end of the errands in Cape Coast, I left as a very happy person and I feel relaxed considering the efforts my good people are putting in place to support the government’s continuing fight against the coronavirus. I feel that if various individuals in various nations and the world all over try to practice all that has been suggested by the various health authorities, the global fight against coronavirus will be very victorious.
My motive for sharing this information is basically to help travelers prepare as they embark on any journey outside their homes and areas (i.e. if they are not under any restrictions). My information might not be accurate and precise but at least someone can find it very educative and useful. You can share to reach other individuals across the globe.
Solo Ewusie: Tomorrow’s Stars Program Director (Elmina) has been nominated for “YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR (SOCIAL) OF THE YEAR AWARD”.
Solo’s nomination in the “social” category is based on his community activism and service.
He has already won for Central Region and qualifies for the Ghana National Award to be decided by a panel in Accra in December.
Solo Ewusie: Our leader
He is the President and Founder of Nsoroma Africa, an NGO that operates a community Study Center.
At Tomorrow’s Stars, we are proud of Solo, he has extraordinary talents in developing people and finding common ground. He can manage many projects at the same time and is always trying to make life better for others.
This study center is a place where 45 students of Classes B3-JHS2 gather 3 evenings a week to do their homework with help from Solo and other “coaches”. These students come from 7 different school in the Bantuma/Elmina area. Solo involves their parents and teachers to assure the best outcomes.
Nsoroma evening class
Sharon helping with homework
Aggie helping with homework
George showing science “strand” in new curriculum to Addo twins.
Study center in evening
Doing homework
Studying at Kathy Weir Study Center
Congratulations and Good Luck Solo!!
But Solo does much more for the community
Managing Director Elmina for Tomorrow’s Stars: Changing lives through education. In this capacity he develops our Pay It Forward students to help them decide on future careers as well as helping them with public speaking, time and money management, working together on projects, learning to use word, excel and powerpoint.
Helping at Edinaman HS to coordinate scholarship students.
Our Stars journey to Abirem Essiam School to teach Jolly Phonics to Teachers.
After their February Jolly Phonics training (see previous post), our Stars have been empowered!! Using the letters and sounds and motion techniques, they see that young children are learning English better. AND THEY ARE HAVING MORE FUN DOING IT!!
Tomorrow’s Stars has a library at Abirem Essiam School and the teachers had heard of Jolly Phonics from PIF James the Librarian. They were interested in trying it in their classes, but needed training.
Our Stars: Solo, Helen, Faustie, Mary, Kate, Ayisha and Rolland
James called Solo who leads Tomorrow’s Stars in Elmina and our Jolly Phonics experts were excited to take a Wed afternoon road trip (about 1-1/2 hours) to do a Thurs and Friday training session for teachers. They found a local guest house for two nights and enjoyed the hospitality of Essiam village.
PIF Team preparing for lesson
Ayisha with Rolland and Kate
Sharon posting a Jolly phonics game
The girls prepared well, making learning materials showing the letters and sounds and the motions and songs that go with each. Teachers got to practice with Jolly Phonics and they know that James is there to help, and the other Tomorrow’s Stars PIFs are hoping it will be adopted well.
Sharon leading discussion
Teacher at workshop
Sharon taking a question
Teacher discussion
Kate having a laugh
Class discussion
They also had a chance to make friends in the village and tour Francis’s family farm and see how palm oil is made. Francis was our first “star” from Essiam and is now an optometrist doing his year of national service after graduating with honors.
Ayisha and Kate during Farm walk
Ayisha and Mary picking juicy pineapple
Making palm oil from palm “nuts”
Wiredu Farm tour for PIFs
Tomorrow’s Stars is very proud that James and our Stars took the initiative to plan for and carry out Jolly Phonics training at Abirem Essiam village school. But that is not the only benefit. They had a great road trip to see new things, meet new people, and share the joy of helping others. HOORAY FOR THEM!!
Tomorrow’s Stars and Abirem Essiam teachers. Making Education Possible!!!
On February 7-8, Tomorrow’s Stars brought Jolly Phonics training to Elmina, Ghana.
Jolly Phonics teaches Phonics methods of learning English letters and sounds to help children learn to read. Remember that small children do not learn English at home.
Nearly 2 years ago, Tomorrow’s Stars sent 3 of our Pay It Forward students to Jolly Phonics and they returned with excitement and we were able to implement the concepts successfully in our KG Resource Room. Scroll down to 3-Helping Children Read: https://tstarsorg.wordpress.com/2018-year-end-news/
Now we brought Janet Kyei (“Chay”) an expert Jolly Phonics trainer to Elmina. We invited 23 teachers and Pay It Forward students from the local area and they have learned and enjoyed the experience. They will do their best to help children learn to read at their schools and Tomorrow’s Stars will have ongoing meetings with them to help and encourage.
We continue to “MAKE EDUCATION POSSIBLE” in Elmina!!
At Tomorrow’s Stars, we believe in learning through play using phonics. It is difficult in Elmina, Ghana because most children come into Kindergarten with little knowledge of English. We have more information about our Resource Room/Center in other sections of our web site.
Aggie showing puzzles
Sharon helping write letters in sand
Sharon and Kate with sight words
Our Literacy Resource Center has great resources, including experienced Pay It Forward young women. These women are Sharon, Kate, Leticia, Esther, Elizabeth, and Aggie. Also we have many toys and games to help learning and small (12) class sizes. Over Christmas vacation our girls added many visual aids for learning. Check them out on the photos below.
An improved ceiling fan is always a welcome addition
At top: Beat the heat with our new ceiling fan!!
Other News!!! Tomorrow’s Stars Reading Club at Abundant Grace School. We are starting a library when the room is complete, meanwhile Solo, Faustie and Rebecca have started a reading club.
Solo introducing students to Tomorrow’s Stars. Librarian Faustie in the back.
A great picture of our Stars on PIF day. They are an amazing bunch!!!
At Tomorrow’s Stars, we are proud of our students. After they have performed well in Junior HS and Senior HS, we expect them to Pay It Forward.
And They Do!!
Daniel (yr 1-chem), Isaac (yr 2 law), Osborn (yr 1 edu) and Richard (yr 2 Med lab tech)
Joana (year 3 Bus) Emmanuel (yr 2 Bus) First in class. Esther (Yr 1 Bus)
After Graduating HS and doing well on their National WASSCE Exam, they come back. They work at Libraries, Labs, Resource Room, Girls Club and all the time they help the young ones learn.
Leticia (Yr 2 Edu)
Aggie (Yr 1 edu)
Valedictorian Lawrenda (Yr 1 Med)
After Paying It Forward for 2-3 years they are eligible to apply for Scholarship Awards to University. We now have 22 students in 6 universities. They are mature, bright and hardworking.
These 14 young men and 8 young women are amazing!!
Francis (Yr 2 Bus.) Justice (Yr 1 Med) Isaac (Yr 2 Law), Solo Grad, Emmanuel PIF
PIF Philo (Yr 3 Edu #1 in class at OLA teacher college)
Esther (yr 1 bus), Ruth teacher, Judith (Yr 2 Edu), Sharon PIF, Christina (teacher), Solo (leader), Justice (yr 1 med) and Rolland (PIF) at back
Francis (Grad w/ honors optometry, now in National Service, and Rudolph, Grad and Doctor
Bentil (yr 1 Law) and Helen (PIF)
Kate (Yr 1 Edu)
Otabil (Yr 3 Phys Asst.)
Joseph (Yr 3 Journalism, #1 in class)
We have known them all for a long time, they are leaders in their classes and perform well academically. We are VERY proud of them.
Nsoroma (En-so-ro-ma) is a start-up Ghanaian charity founded by our “STAR” Solomon. They intend to supplement the work of Tomorrow’s Stars in the Elmina area and they receive small grants from us to do this. Nsoroma focuses on local children who have parental support for their education and expects parents to provide study areas in their homes. Nsoroma also offers occasional events and excursions to enhance their education.
NSOROMA Study Center:
This project has 22 selected students from 3 schools from Grade 3-8 who meet 3-4 times/week, mostly in evenings at the Nsoroma study center at Christ Cares School. Students do homework there with coaching from Tomorrow’s Stars PIF students Justice, Rolland and Rebecca. Their grades are tracked and are already improving.
Evening homework session
Rebecca coaching students
Excursion to Elmina Slave Castle
(A World Heritage Site)
In March these students had a tour of nearby Elmina Castle, formerly a holding prison for slaves headed to the “Americas”. The tour is tasteful but unsettling, but they appreciated the history lesson, asked questions and wrote reports.
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The Black Panther Movie:
Another excursion was a day at the movies. The group went to nearby Cape Coast to see the movie “Black Panther” in a hotel theatre room. For everyone, it was the first time seeing a movie on the “big screen”, they were so excited. The movie day was funded by our volunteer (and “Star”) Fred Graham. Fred’s son was the stunt man for the actor who played the Black Panther, how cool is that? They enjoyed the movie and wrote reports on the excursion.
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Continued study center use and excursions are planned. They have also toured Kakum National Forest.
Solo was recently on the local radio station urging parents to provide a study area in their homes at a cost of about $12. He continues to “make education possible” every day all through Elmina.
You can support grants for NSOROMA by donating to Tomorrow’s Stars!!
Ruth, from GN Bank, talked to the the girls about her journey to becoming a banker. She told them to set goals, get a good education, don’t be afraid to take risks, have good working relations and always have a sense of humility . The girls were very inspired!
Thanks so much to Ruth for her time and wisdom. 🇬🇭🙏🏽👏🏾😍
“Always a Star” is an initiative devised by our Pay It Forward Leader Solo. It is intended to build leadership skills such and public speaking and self confidence.
This is how it works: Pay It Forward students (PIFs) or guests have an hour to present their story (background, accomplishments and hopes and dreams) by media and/or public speaking.
Volunteer Birgitta from Oslo, Norway recently visited Elmina and was invited to present her story to “Always a Star”. It was very well received by the PIFs, some comments below. Sorry for the small size photos.
She has been a Norway ambassador to China and other diplomatic assignments.
“As a leader, you need to listen and adopt the strategy of management by walking around and learning and discussing to make better decisions and get agreement.”
Thanks to Birgitta for sharing the wisdom of her heart and mind.
Tomorrow's Stars 