Dec. 2006 Newsletter

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS LAUNCHED
The Kirsten Bosch Scholarship Award scheme for Nsaba Science Foundation was launched by the Agona District Director of Education, Mr. Dowuona-Hammond, on the 27th October, 2006. Four girls, Barikissu Alhassan, Beatrice Dadzie, Dorcas Nyarko, Felicia Addae; and five boys, Joe Atowu, Eric Addo, Ernest Incoom, Afeni Abdulai and James Korsah in the Foundation Programme who had gained admission to various secondary schools won tuition awards that covered school fees, PTA dues, computer classes, exercise and note books. Mr. Mohammed Dauda and Mr. Emmanuel Nyarko were honored with Prize Awards for excellent teaching of mathematics and science subjects respectively at the Foundation extra classes. And so were Barikissu Alhassan and Dorcas Nyarko for overall best BECE performance by Foundation girls as well as Joe Atowu for overall best BECE performance by Foundation boy and the Islamic JSS for school attended by overall best BECE student in the Foundation. Miss Kirsten Bosch who freely offered this scholarship scheme to Nsaba children, is a very modest young Canadian engineer of only 24 years of age. She stayed here at Nsaba as a volunteer for nine months, teaching computer literacy, science subjects and English Language to Nsaba JSS children who participate in the Foundation’s programmes. She has established this Scholarship Fund for the Foundation with the support of her friends, family, and neighbors from her community. Her advise to the first lucky recipients of the award is to “remember that it is now their turn to shine and help others reach their full potential.” Our readers can also contribute to this Fund. Kirsten’s commitment and contribution to Nsaba children through the Foundation are phenomenal. She and her sister Andrea single-handedly refurbished and revitalized the Nsaba Community library which had been totally neglected and abandoned for several years, and established the Kirsten Bosch Library Fund, so that a Library Assistant could be employed to keep the library open for Nsaba Children. There is also the Kirsten Bosch Reading Club to cultivate reading habit in Nsaba children. Yes Kirsten is a legend here in this rural Nsaba town.
AND THE DIRECTOR, in his welcome speech, says that this scholarship scheme marks a significant stage in the development of the Foundation. It indicates that we have come a long way, and we are going a long way. So what have been some of the achievements that have given us this honour. The Foundation still gives free computer training and free extra classes in science, mathematics and English language to girls in all the Junior Secondary Schools in the
Nsaba Traditional Area. It has organized a series of academic quiz contests, scientific trips, science projects, reading contests; established a Reading Club, an internet connection,
a Computer and Science Resource Centre; published a newsletter; engaged three of our pioneer Foundation girl-child members as computer instructors in our training centre on attachment; administers a community library; and now this, an administration of a Scholarship Awards scheme for Foundation children. If you remember that we started with one computer only three
years ago, you will appreciate this initiative. We appeal to you to offer us your contribution.

MARIT CAME BACK...Yes, sister Marit actually came back to Nsaba from her native country of Norway to reconnect and check on the progress of the Foundation. Her vibrant spirit was still intact, and so were the kindness and the bundle of life which characterized her first visit with us as a volunteer for six months at Nsaba. The computer programme of the Foundation, especially, means so much to her that she has spent an incredible amount of time, energy and resources
to make sure of its healthy survival. She came with loads of prize items for future winners of the many academic contests which the Foundation regularly conducts, as well as cash donations for equipment, programmes and whatever will bring quality improvement to the Foundation. This generosity was made possible with joint contributions from her friends, mother, father, brother, herself and Hafslund. And were the Foundation children thrilled. As usual she was on the computer with them virtually everyday, teaching them more ways to access the internet for more educational materials, including wikipedia, Googleearth and all, which enabled the kids to travel the cities of the universe from the comfort of our computer centre in our rural native home-town of Nsaba. Dearest Obroni Marit please come back again soon. We already miss you.

THE DANQUAHS AGAIN. This time they donated yet another one of the latest of them all, a P IV computer, during their last November visit to the Foundation. It was a very short holiday visit packed with lots of philanthropic activities in this Nsaba rural home-town of Mr. Alex Danquah; and of course he came with his supportive German wife Brigitte. In addition, they provided the Islamic Junior Secondary School with cement and building blocks which has enabled them to continue with the construction of some of their classrooms and offices. They also gave much-needed text books to both the Islamic and the Presbyterian JSS. For us in the Foundation, it is the third time around. Please accept our gratitude LIKE A DREAM We could not believe it when the Ghana International Bank handed out the check to cover the full costs of refurbishing our Computer and Science Resource Centre with electricity, water, 40 computer tables, 40 computer chairs, 6 long science tables and 20 stools. As a result of this generous contribution we are now ready to accept 32 more computers, and any number of science equipment or cash donations from individuals, organizations, businesses, agencies etc, so that all the JSS children can begin to use this new facility now. The old building had been allocated to us by the local Nsaba Presbyterian Church which we renovated. Thank you Ghana International Bank for assisting Nsaba children to turn their dreams to reality.