EduSpots is a Ghanaian and UK registered NGO that connects, trains and equips catalysts to drive community-led change using education as a tool for change. The organisation has built and supported 42 library projects or “Spots” across the country, training over 400 volunteers in different areas, also providing STEM, literacy, and IT resources to many projects in the process.
Over 100,000 books have been given to volunteers across five years in partnership with 40 UK and Ghanaian schools and Book Aid International, enabling them to advance literacy development in their communities.
The CLEd Academy brought together 15 committed volunteers from various communities and regions in Ghana for a 5-day intensive training in 7 core areas. Taking place from April 6th to 10th, the training aimed to enable catalysts to lead educational initiatives to address education challenges they are concerned about in their respective communities. The programme took place at the Abofour community, where EduSpots built the first library project in 2015.
The training covered the seven core topics such as Team Building and Community Engagement, Education Project Design, Fundraising and Social Entrepreneurship, Basic Literacy Development, Communicating for Change, Basic Project Management and Child Protection and Inclusion. The programme also included fun activities, a dinner event, a guest speaker session led by Amjad Saleem and a last day trip to the Kintampo waterfalls.
Commenting on the programme, participants said:
‘The programme has awakened the inner feeling of responsibility and has equipped me with more knowledge to carry out effective, consistent and more impactful programs at my spot [library]. Through CLEd, I have been to a different place, have met new people and have made new friends and have learnt a lot. I feel confident to steer change in my community regardless of all the difficulty I may encounter along the line.’
‘I realised from the Communication for Change training that I was not consciously communicating my ideas well enough to create the desired impact. I have learnt how to frame my message to get desired action or results.’
‘The programme was a source of empowerment, and I feel that I can do for my community. I am going back to my community to work with my team on projects to close the learning gap. I am grateful to EduSpots for the opportunity.’
The year-long CLEd programme aims to equip young people in partner communities to lead efforts at improving educational outcomes in their communities. This approach is in line with EduSpots’ community-led model. The programme involves a community needs assessment, training and coaching, developing and implementing interventions, monitoring and evaluation.
EduSpots is grateful to all individuals and organisations that contributed to the success of the training programme. Anyone interested in offering funding or sponsorship for future cohorts or collaborating on this or any EduSpots programme can email info@eduspots.org for further information.
The Abofour Spot, first established in a single classroom in 2015.
