We have a lot to report from this summer's projects! While
the updates are being drafted on the donation to schools in Ho, our new Pencil drive, and the summer writing workshop I wanted to share a short story that highlights
the importance of programs like Book Club International to students in Africa.
The following message is from Sue Gonzalez our volunteer who ran programs in
Ghana this summer:
“I am trying to sponsor a girl who was in the book club two
years ago and wrote the teen pregnancy story last year. We got to see the
director of education. He told Portia that she wasn't smart enough, determined
enough or had the scores to attend school. We both pleaded with him that her
headmaster never gave her an application!
I told the director how she was a wonderful writer and
participated in the book club for the past few years. He told her that it was
too late and the time has passed. Finally, another guy came and said that if I
paid 5 Cedes ($3) I could get an application. We got the application! As we
walked out, I asked Portia what she wanted to study in University. She told me
that she wanted to become a storywriter, a journalist. That's the power of the
book club project!!!”
Imagine if you were told you were too stupid to attend high
school. Imagine if you were not allowed to go to school based on some old man’s
opinion. Our programs are geared to help just such students. We believe every
child has the right to an education, not just the privileged or high score
students.
