On Saturday 27th July, the local community in Savelugu commissioned a new Spot in Savelugu – a fully equipped solar-powered library with books, learning resources and digital tools.

The ceremony included speeches from the Spot’s local founder, Nimatu Abdul-Rahman, the local district education representative, the local Assembly Man, an EduLit club member, and EduSpots’ CEO and Founder, Cat Davison. The event featured cultural displays, and a highly entertaining story told through dance, capturing the importance of parents investing in their children’s future through education.

The Savelugu Spot was founded in 2019 by Nimatu Abdul-Rahman, a local nurse with an avid passion for empowering her community through education. Her journey to establishing the Spot began when she secured a grant from EduSpots as part of our partnership with African Science Academy, to create a mini library for the underserved students at the school she once attended, Yoo Roman Catholic Junior High School.

Nimatu Abdul-Rahman,  commented: ‘I’m so excited to commission a new and spacious library with new eequipment to support students’ studies in the school and the local community. It’s going to open up more opportunities to the students to progress with their academies. I believe this Spot is going to be a very vibrant centre for people to unite and discuss issues that will add to the development of the Savelugu community, where we can come together and solve problems.”

This project was created with support from the Yoo Roman Catholic Junior High School’s Parent Teacher Association, the Chalk Cliff Trust, De La Rue Foundation, CB & HH Taylor Trust and Pignatelli Foundation, in this process, alongside books from Books for Africa and Book Aid International.

The Savelugu community have an active team of Catalysts, who consistently lead clubs in EcoSTEM and Ignite Equity alongside a range of locally-driven events and activities, in collaboration with the school on whose land the project is housed.

Since its creation, students have displayed remarkable growth in their vocabulary and writing skills as well as improved academic performance and increased interest in science and maths. This has been achieved despite challenges concerning the current learning environment, a small office in a government school.

One member of the EcoSTEM club, Yaw George Atsu commented: “It has boosted the confidence level of everybody and we have been able to work as a team which has been amazing. The new Spot is amazing and I see it to be something that we help us a lot. I will work hard in order to become a volunteer, so that I will help my community members and educate them on how to use the community library.”

Mrs Okomongye Diana (carpeted middle, below), a teacher and Catalyst said: “It’s a dream come true. When we started we were only using a small space. When we come for our Ignite Equity session, we have to wait for EduLit to finish, but now we have a spacious library where we can all work together, it’s so exciting and awesome. I’ve learnt a lot about teamwork in EduSpots – when you want to do a task, you don’t have to do it alone, you have to bring it together because we all have wonderful ideas to bring together to push the Spot forwards.”

The installation of solar power will serve as a source of sustainable energy for the center, enabling the operation of lights, computers, and other digital educational tools. This setup not only alleviates the burden of ongoing electricity expenses on the community, but also offers a reliable space of learning in an area where power outages are common.

Congratulations to the whole Savelugu team and wider Savelugu committee, for their commitment over the last 5 years. We look forward to seeing the Spot’s activities and outcomes move from strength to strength.