Every Spot in the EduSpots network has its own beginning. Woven together, these stories of aspiration, resilience and creativity form a living movement for community-led change.

At the heart of EduSpots is a belief that everyone has the capacity to shape their communities through education. We draw on Giroux’s philosophy that all citizens, young and old, are equally entitled, if not equally empowered, to influence the society in which they live. Storytelling has always been central to this journey, because the stories our communities tell do more than reflect reality, they actively create it.

The first Spot was founded in 2015 in Abofour in Ghana’s Ashanti Region by a team of local teachers led by the Addae family. Their vision grew from frustration with a neighbouring library locked within a private school, where donated books sat unused and inaccessible to learners, teachers and the wider community. In response, they created an open and inclusive space, grounded in community ownership, volunteer leadership, strong school partnerships and a shared commitment to educational equity.

From the beginning, EduSpots also reimagined the role of international supporters. Rather than leading on the ground, foreign students engaged remotely, learning about Ghana’s history, education system and colonial legacies, and standing in solidarity through fundraising and awareness. This shift aligned the work fully with community-led goals and a shared pursuit of social justice.

The very name “Spot” draws inspiration from Ghana’s drinking spots, lively gathering places found in every town, each with its own identity and character. Just as these spots create spaces for community life, EduSpots enables communities to create learning hubs shaped by local identity, powered by local assets and rooted in collective aspirations.

Two years later, in 2017, Gloria Addae launched the first EduLit Club, now DigiLit, blending formal and informal learning with a focus on student leadership. This innovation laid the foundation for the learner-centred and community-driven pedagogy that defines EduSpots today. From that single initiative, the model spread organically as students, teachers and partners joined the effort, growing into a network that now spans 12 regions of Ghana and Kenya.

Over 500 voluntary Catalysts have since co-created EduSpots’ programmes and governance. More than half of our staff and peer mentors are drawn directly from Catalyst pathways, embedding community leadership at every level. A Catalyst Committee plays a central role in shaping strategy alongside the Ghana and global NGO boards and the senior leadership team.

In 2025 our Global and Ghana boards are chaired by Professor Gloria Agyemang, former Executive Dean of the School of Business and Management at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Dr Richard Amoah, Head of Research and Stakeholder Engagement at Education Sub-Saharan Africa.

We are also proud to be supported by our Ghana Patron, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, who regularly engages with our Catalysts and actively champions our mission to reimagine future-ready education through community-led innovation.

You can read more about all the Spots here. You can also get the strongest sense of our volunteers and their activity through following us on Twitter and Facebook where we share live updates directly from community volunteers and registered volunteers can engage with our activities via our multiple WhatsApp platforms. Click here to read more about our vision and strategy.

Here are a few stories we’ve collected relating to our origin, with our EduSpots @ 10 Stories publication coming soon! 

“It started with just few individuals who shared in the Eduspots dream. But now, the Abofour team has a wider network of volunteers. I am highly impressed with the level of sustainability and growth even after some volunteers who were pioneers are presently not in the community but its activities are still ongoing. I’m very fascinated with the Eduspots’ approach which is community leadership. We are involved in all the activities of the designated groups and strive to partake in every challenge.” (Gloria, 1st volunteer in Abofour)

“ In Akumadan, EduSpots began with passionate individuals who identified gaps in educational opportunities and seek to address them. EduSpots believes in teamwork, and these individuals from the EduSpots team in Akumadan came together through our local initiatives, pooling their resources, expertise, and connections to make a change through EduSpots. As the initiative gains traction, it attracts more members and supporters from the community and beyond, fostering a network of educators, volunteers, and stakeholders dedicated to its mission. Over time, through collaborative efforts and community engagement, EduSpots has expanded its programs, and becomes a vital hub for lifelong learning, empowerment, and social enrichment within the communities and beyond.” (Carlos Adu Boahen, 1st Project Leader, Akumadan)

You can also watch this TedTalk with CEO/Founder, Cat Davison, who worked with the team to develop the organisation alongside full-time classroom teaching for the first 8 years before being appointed as CEO after an open recruitment process in 2024: