Join us in celebrating our January 2025 Spot of the Month—Sakasaka Spot!
Their unwavering dedication to building a vibrant, engaged community continues to inspire us all. Through an interview guided by Seidu, our Middle Region Coordinator, we hear from Catalysts in the Spot as they reflect on their experiences and hard work.
About Sakasaka Community
Sakasaka is a small community located at the heart of the Tamale district, home to a diverse and vibrant community of Muslims and Christians. We hear from Damba, the Spot Safety and EcoSTEM Lead, as he shares what life in his hometown community is like:
“The residents of Sakasaka are predominantly business-minded men and women, known for their warm hospitality and accommodating nature. Their caring attitude creates a sense of belonging, making the Sakasaka community a wonderful place to live, work and visit.”
The Sakasaka community is deeply committed to education, as evidenced by the presence of multiple schools within the area. This dedication to learning and development resonates strongly with EduSpots’ core values.
The Spot itself was founded by Janet in 2018, who built it up from the first few books to what is now a thriving community of Catalysts and learners. With an atmosphere fostering learning, growth and community engagement, the Spot has only been made possible due to the passion and commitment from the Catalysts. Sakasaka runs all four of the core EduSpots’ educational strands, DigiLit, EcoSTEM, Ignite Equity and EduKidz, with a special focus on their STEM projects.
A Day in the Life at Sakasaka
To get an insight into the everyday life at the Spot, we asked the Catalysts to outline the typical schedule of a busy day in Sakasaka Spot. The doors are open from 7am – 5 pm every day, inviting learners and community members in, as well as the Catalysts who begin setting up for the day, arranging materials and books in the space to prepare for the activities ahead.
From 12 – 1pm, EcoSTEM learning sessions are arranged, while activities in the other strands are organised around them. Educational projects have ranged from constructing vacuum pumps and cleaners to crafting locally-made Bunsen burners for the EcoSTEM strand. Additionally, the new Ignite Equity strand has featured creative initiatives like making homemade beads and door mats. Other scheduled sessions may include literacy classes, maths tutoring or science experiments, all of which are facilitated by Catalysts who offer guidance and support in students’ learning.
In the afternoon, from 1-4pm, a wide range of organised activities are hosted to engage the students in their learning even further. This allows the Spot to cultivate a positive educational atmosphere while embracing the essential value of play—a crucial balance for young learners’ growth and development. These activities include book clubs, art classes and community meetings, each instilling creativity and teamwork as part of the daily routine.
Spot of the Month
Sakasaka Spot has demonstrated exceptional innovation in using technology to create a more stable and collaborative learning environment. Their clear communications plan promotes efficient collaboration, and their introduction of a dedicated WhatsApp number on the tablets has resulted in seamless information sharing and increased community engagement. This has created a truly connected and effective Spot.
The Catalysts were invited to reflect on their January achievements, sharing their inspiring journey of leadership and dedication. Rashid, the Assistant EduKidz Lead, shared that winning Spot of the Month left them all “excited and motivated” for what was to come. In an effort to illustrate the secret behind simultaneously leading multiple strands, Damba also revealed that “teamwork, perseverance and tolerance” are essential for maintaining structure alongside consistent passion.
Seidu then raised the question: “What are you thankful for?” Some answered that the ability to learn and share their experiences was a huge privilege, others that it was the engagement of the EduSpots community that encouraged them. The main message that stemmed from their answers was that everyone was extremely grateful for one another’s devotion to equipping the community and promoting education. These responses highlight the power of gratitude in achieving goals and making a meaningful impact.
The positivity of this team is extremely inspiring for all of EduSpots and is something we would love to emulate in every aspect of our individual journeys, be that in our work environments or personal lives. The words these Catalysts have shared reflect their true sense of community and love for one another, and this provides a foundation upon which their passion for education is established. We are so proud to celebrate the devotion of the Catalysts in Sakasaka, and encourage everyone to take away some of the invaluable lessons they have shared with us.
Congratulations Sakasaka team!!