MKA's Sixth Grade Students Donate $1000 in Proceeds to Ghanaian Cocoa-Growing Communities.

The fund was released to SLF, ICI's Implementing Partner in Adansi South District to provide 30 dual desks to children who did not have furniture to sit on in Nsata Subriso D/A school.

ICI's Child-Centred Community Development Project started in Nsata Subriso in 2013. The project intensified awareness-raising on child labour and the importance of education, facilitated the development of a community action plan and supported its implementation with specific activities to improve access to education. The project contributed to a 16.3 percentage point increase in school enrollment and an increase in school attendance. There were some challenges as the capacity of the school was low since school furniture was needed to meet the increased enrollment.

School furniture is one of the essential classroom equipments that facilitates effective teaching and learning in schools. However, in Nsata Subriso D/A Primary School as many as 4 children were sharing one dual-desk due to inadequate furniture. Their hand writing was poor and the children were uncomfortable in the classrooms due to the situation. Teachers were not producing the needed result in teaching and learning.

The 6th Grade Students of Montclair Kimberley Academy donated $1000 to support child labourers and children of their age who were in difficult circumstances working to harvest the cocoa that becomes the chocolate they enjoy. The amount was used to address the inadequacy of furniture in Nsata Subriso D/A Primary school and 30 dual desks were built and distributed.

Following the provision of the 30 dual desks, 57 children now have good quality desks to use in class. The beneficiary classes and children have seen a significant improvement in their education. The headmistress of the school, Madam Marian confirmed 'Our children's interest in schooling has increased, they are excited and more punctual at school. Teaching in the two beneficiary classes have definitely improved, and the classroom environment is more conducive to learning. We are most grateful for this support'.