News from Gbassalon Town

Project manager Barbara Neppert and her colleague Joseph Konah report the following about the school project in Gbassalon Town: After the first week of October, the new school year began, and a lot has happened on the school grounds. The floors of the classrooms have been concreted, and the toilet block has also been completed. A photo of the toilet block during the construction phase is available.

At the start of the school year, photos were taken of students with their teachers in front of the school. Apparently, not all children have arrived yet; some of the older children in particular seem to be missing. They are probably still helping their parents with farming. Joseph has already been asked for more detailed feedback on this so that the situation can be better assessed.

The school's facilities have continued to improve. The teachers have received tables, some chairs, and teaching materials. School supplies have been purchased for the children, and the parents have built simple benches and seating for the classrooms themselves. However, there is still not enough money to buy tables and chairs for all the children. This remains an unmet need.

An important step in the school's educational development is the opening of a fourth grade class. A fourth teacher has been hired for this purpose, a young man from Bong Mines who recently graduated from college. With his up-to-date knowledge of the school curriculum, he is expected to bring new ideas to the classroom. Like the other teachers, he receives a monthly salary of $30. In addition, he must be reimbursed for travel expenses of $20 per month, as he has a longer commute to school. No other teachers could be found in the surrounding villages, and since urban teachers are generally reluctant to work in the village, it is gratifying that Anthony Tokpah is willing to teach at the school in Gbassalon Town.

In addition, evening classes are planned for adult villagers who still want to learn to read and write. Since it is dark in the evenings and there is no electricity, a simple solar power system will be purchased to provide light in the classrooms. Joseph is currently obtaining a cost estimate for such a system so that planning can continue in earnest.

At the same time, the implementation of a well project is being examined. An Afghan friend of Barbara Neppert, who worked as a teacher in Afghanistan, has saved some money and expressed his desire to invest it in a well project, as he considers education and clean water for children to be particularly important. Upon inquiry in Gbassalon, it was confirmed that the village currently does not have its own well. A well would be of great benefit to both the villagers and the school. A cost estimate is now being obtained for this as well.

Overall, progress in Gbassalon Town is slow but steady. Improvements to the buildings, the addition of a fourth grade, plans for evening classes, a solar power system, and a well show that the school project is continuing to stabilize and expand step by step. The Kinder Afrika association will report on further developments as soon as new information and decisions on the planned measures are available.