1. MISS KIRSTEN BOSCH ...In early February, Kirsten, a Canadian-born honorary citizen of Nsaba, and former volunteer of the Foundation, returned from her home country to revisit her second hometown, Nsaba, and all of the Foundation’s activities; but especially to re-establish confidence in the all-important Scholarship Award Scheme which she and her Canadian friends of the Foundation had instituted for the Foundation. She had been gone for a year. In her speech, she lauded the achievements of the first batch of the scholarship winners, and expressed her joy that they were a part of the unfolding history of the Foundation. She brought prize items for the Monthly Library Quiz contests, additional donation to the Library Fund, a whole lot of love and compassion to Nsaba township. She indiscriminately dispensed assorted gifts not only to almost anyone she had known on her previous stay in Nsaba
, but also to anyone whom she thought deserved help. Yes “sister Kirsten “ came back, and you should have seen the expression of happiness in the faces of the Foundation children for the return of their almighty legend “sister Kirsten”. She visited them in their homes and schools, shared small talks and snacks with them, and finally danced with them at the typically Ghanaian traditional- style welcome reception which was held in her honor on February 9th. (right...are Foundation girls and Queen—mother Mintaa watching as Kirsten drinks the traditional “bresuo” from a calabash)
2. THE GHANA INTERNATIONAL ... A nine member strong team of the top executive of the Trustees of Ghana International Bank Foundation, including the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Mr. Brian Hagger, the Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Joe Mensah, came from their United Kingdom and Ghana offices to check us over, and assess our progress for a possible additional assistance to complete our Science and Computer Resource Centre. They had previously donated 20Million Cedis (about $2,000) that enabled us to install electricity and water; and provide Computer and Science Lab furniture. Although the welcome reception took place on a Sunday morning at 9am, a most difficult day, especially for more than half the population of Nsaba, who must go to church. Yet on that Sunday 25th February morning, many of the townsfolk came to join us to welcome our honored quests from the Ghana International Bank and to lend their support, exhibit their commitment and express their appreciation. Specifically those who came to grace this wondrous event that looked more like a mini-durbar,
included Chiefs, Queen-mothers, Elders, Heads of schools, Teachers, Patrons, Volunteers, Parents, School Children, representatives from the Agona District Education, the Nsaba Christian Church Council, the Moslem Community, and the Nsaba grassroots. The Chief’s Okyeame (spokesman) poured libation. The Foundation girls performed two captivating dances. The parents of the Foundation children presented them with produce from their own farms. An appeal for more funds, made by the Director of the Foundation, to purchase more computers and lab equipment in order to make the Resource Centre project operational, was greeted with a positive response from the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bank’s Foundation. This team toured our future Resource facility. Nana Kwame Kra II, Nsaba Nifahene promised us land for a permanent building for the Foundation. The Bank promised to assist with the engineering costs. Last week, the Bank gave us 2,500,000 cedis to cover the shortfall against another 2,500,000 cedis raised from pledges.3. THE A&T STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS... Then came the six academic staff and twelve students from the Honors Program of the Agriculture & Tec
hnical University in North Carolina, USA, to celebrate the 6th of March with us. Wow, what an excitement for many of our kids, who for the first time in their lives, came face to face with so many beautiful young African-Americans. We were just so overwhelmed with the idea that they would rather choose to celebrate Ghana’s momentous occasion at rural Nsaba. We danced together, interrelated and exchanged addresses. Discussions of possible adoption of our girls and the Foundation by A&T University, were held between the Asst. Director of the Program, Prof. Andrea Williamson and our Director, Prof. Kojo Fosu. An anonymous donor from A&T gave us $100 right there.Salute to our Supporters...
As we pause to congratulate ourselves for oneyear successful publication of four editions of our Newsletter (this is the first edition for a second year), we take the opportunity to express our gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by the Board of Trustees, Patrons, Cognate Members, Parents, Donors, Friends as well as the multitudes who have supported us in diverse ways, inside and outside both Nsaba and Ghana, that have led to the growth of the Foundation from its infancy. Though no-where near maturity, the Foundation is on its way to becoming a promising future giant. Thanks to your careful nurturing of the ideals and the sincere devotion to the vision of the Foundation. It is gratifying to note that your unflinching and dedicated support have given us a firm grounding which emboldens us to grow from strength to strength. We salute you.
