Planting Seeds of Possibility: A Fellowship Journey in Metsrikasa.

When we signed up as fellows with Lead For Ghana in 2016, we knew we were stepping into a space of transformation, but we didn’t fully grasp the depth of change we would experience and help shape. Assigned to Metsrikasa D/A Basic School in the Volta Region, my co-fellow Obed Nhyira Sam and I faced classrooms where many students struggled to read or write. What followed was a journey of learning, collaboration, and hope, a story of how purpose and perseverance can move the needle for underserved communities.

In September 2016, Obed and I began teaching mathematics and English, respectively, at Metsrikasa D/A Basic School as part of Lead For Ghana’s pioneering fellowship cohort. We joined a national effort to expand educational opportunities for all Ghanaian children, especially those in under-resourced communities like Metsrikasa. Despite a solid six weeks of intensive training at Ashesi University, nothing could prepare us for the magnitude of the literacy challenges we encountered. The first few hours in the classroom made it clear: many of our students were far behind. But we didn’t let that discourage us.

Over the year that followed, we witnessed incredible growth. We introduced an after-school reading program that served students across all levels, creating a consistent space for literacy development. Through a partnership with Yo Ghana, we launched a letter exchange initiative that connected our students with peers in the United States, helping to build their writing, communication, and global awareness. A successful grant application enabled us to acquire a printer and scanner for the program, and later, Yo Ghana sponsored our participation with two students in their annual conference at the University of Education, Winneba.

Lead For Ghana fellows with students at the Yo Ghana Annual Conference held at the University of Education, Winneba.

Livingstone guides students to read during an after-school reading time.

We also knew that learning environments mattered. In collaboration with volunteers from Everyday People GH, we gave the school a facelift by painting the classrooms and beautifying the compound. To further promote a reading culture, we installed 48 motivational placards on trees, encouraging students to dream, read, and believe in their potential.

    Students helped to paint the junior high school building.

Volunteers with the Metsrikasa students who participated in the school painting project. 

Livingstone and students designed placards with inspiring messages that were posted on the trees.
 

 

 

The school building after the painting.

As our time in the community came to an end, we came up with a sustainability plan. We led a library and computer lab project to ensure the gains we had made would endure. Through book drives, fundraising, and local partnerships, we built a facility that now serves over 350 students from the school and neighbouring areas. Students themselves were empowered to take charge of its management, cultivating leadership and responsibility with oversight from staff and the School Management Committee.

But this facility was about more than books and technology; it was about creating a safe, empowering space where students could grow, explore, and stay focused on their future. We hoped it would also serve as a deterrent to vices like alcoholism and illicit sex, which often derail young lives in rural communities.

In building the library, we weren’t just stacking shelves; we were planting seeds of possibility. This journey and experience taught us that when young people are given tools and trust, they rise to become change-makers.

     Students are making good use of their new library during reading time. 

New computers were purchased for the school with a grant won from Yo Ghana!

Community members and key stakeholders showed up in their numbers during the launch of the library and computer lab project.

Obed Nhyira Sam (left) and Livingstone Delali Agbo (right) checked out the books donated to the library to ensure they met the needs and level of the students.