Success Stories
A Second Chance at School
Kupu Tommi thought she had blown her chance at going to school. The 13-year-old from Grubagu, a small farming community in West Gonja District, Northern Region of Ghana, was not in school. Then she had the opportunity to take EQUALL’s literacy course for out-of-school children in 2006, known as the Complementary Education Program. But just before graduating, Kupu left and headed to the capital city Accra to find work. An aunt in Accra took her in and found her a dishwashing job. After a month of work at a grueling pace, Kupu decided to return home to get an education in Grubagu.
Though the local school tested and placed her in Primary 5, it was unlikely her family could afford school for her. Already, her father had taken one of her brothers out of school to help on the farm.
Then Kupu found that she qualified for EQUALL’s Complementary Education Scholarship Program, which provided her with 2 uniforms, sandals, exercise books and other supplies. In addition, her family receives food rations.
Now Kupu wears a big smile. She has not missed a single day of school. She says she and her family recognise the great opportunity that the Complementary Education Program and the scholarship have given her, and they are grateful to EQUALL and USAID.
