In The News

Donations help open library in Ghana
B16 Capital News
Friday, December 14, 2007
Barry Gerding, Editor

On November 22, 2007, Smile Africa International in partnership with Ghanaian service providers and Canadian sponsors opened the first of six LearningSPACE libraries in Cape Coast, Ghana.

The Cape Coast library has over 1,000 books and offers literacy, learning and leadership material for the early, junior and senior reader. Resources include general, reference and college materials. An additional 40,000 books and resources await distribution to community schools in Ghana in the coming year.

Smile Africa Library Project was launched in 2005, with the support of Smile Africa directors, volunteers, Charles E. Fipke Foundation, School District #23, Chapters, Scholastic Book Fairs, Kiwanis Clubs in Division 7 (Kelowna/Westbank) and Okanagan College.

To date, five libraries and three computer labs have been established in South Africa, Angola and Ghana.

Chris Ellom, President, started developing the vision for Smile Africa in 1992 during a visit to his homeland in Ghana. As he arrived to attend his father’s funeral, the awareness of the dehumanizing poverty that existed in rural communities impacted him deeply. The overcoming realization was the lack of opportunity for children to learn and develop their potential.

Being thankful for living in Canada, Ellom decided to take action and Smile Africa International (Smile Africa) was established in 1996. Through trial and error, and often vigorous persistence, the organization has developed a robust vision and programs to build the capacity of children and youth via literacy and learning.

“For future generations of Africa to gain control of their own destiny and call no one their master, they’ll have to cultivate the kingdom of the mind, and for that they’ll need time,” says Ellom. “As such, we’re very thankful that Kelowna is stepping up to the plate with support and allowing us to grow with time to do this job right.” 

To read letters of appreciation and hope, or to find out how you can help, visit www.smileafrica.com

Photo: Contributed

Terresa Augustine, (correction ours) Smile Africa Special Projects Officer (left) with volunteer Luc Bedard (right) with Ghanaian school children who will benefit from the first of six new libraries opened through the Smile Africa LearningSPACE campaign.