Projects

WHH Academy

In early 2009, Western Heritage Home launched the WHH Academy, operating in the second floor of the Children’s Home/Community Learning Center facility.

WHH Academy Mission Statement

Vision

WHH Academy is initiated by Western Heritage Home (WHH), a Ghanaian-registered and managed NGO based in Axim, Ghana, to aid in the actualization of the dreams of our forefathers Dr. Anton Amo, Paa Grant, Kwame Nkrumah and others, insuring that the citizenry of Nzemaland in particular develop fully to lead the good life and that the Western Region in general continue to project its accolade: “The best is in the West!”

Aims and Objectives

To provide a variety of educational opportunities and academic facilities for young and old.

Activites and Programs

Offers remedial classes for secondary students so senior high school leave-takers can learn on weekdays and Saturdays
Provides information, advice, and counseling—health, academic, personal, and career—to youth
Through its Reading Institute, sponsors Reading Camps and Forums, and provides a basic library of reading education resources for everyone
Offers adult literacy and self-improvement education
Offers classes in computer literacy and ICT training

Facilities

The WHH Children’s Home/Community Learning Center provides state-of-the-art classrooms, a computer laboratory, a conference room equipped with conference-style seating, a career/business and literacy library and reading room, and a temporary hostel for non-residential students.

Senior Secondary Remedial Tutorial Program

In March of 2009, WHH Academy launched the Secondary Student (SS) Remedial Tutorial Program for SS students who have graduated (comparable to U.S. High School level). After graduation, these students must pass a series of rigorous exams in every subject to qualify for entrance to the university or polytechnic level. Typically, they study with a tutor, a “Master Teacher,” for about six months in those subjects in which they failed the exam the first time.

Since there has never been an opportunity to study for the exam in the Nzema area until now, this program is very welcome as evidenced by the fact that 33 students have enrolled during the first month of operation. The Masters are senior teachers at Nsein Secondary School. In 2003, the Ghana Statistical Service reported only 2% of Nzema East District students went on to study at university level, for careers in teaching, engineering, nursing, computer science, etc., in part because there was no opportunity to study for the exams without living in another city—an impossible financial situation for all but a few.

The SS Remedial Program will be self-sufficient financially. We of Ghana Together feel a sense of accomplishment that the facility we helped build, and the “seed money” we provided, has led to this program that will provide expanded opportunities for students for years to come.

Computer Training

WHH Vocational Computing Laboratory (under construction)

OLPC Computers

Ghana Together deployed 24 One Laptop Per Child computers (OLPCs) in the WHH Children’s Home in April 2009. Each child 5 and older received his/her own OLPC. Tom, Leif, and Maryanne (GT Board members) delivered them in person, and trained the children during a three-week period. The computers are well-stocked with “activities” that are games, but each teaches some vital skill in reading, mathematics, researching, recording, logical thinking, etc. These computers were designed by MIT Media Labs especially for children in emerging countries. Our Ghanaian children are perfect examples of their target audience, and judging from our experience, the children are on a new path of learning and self-development, thanks to this new resource in their lives. We’re grateful for the generous Americans who donated their OLPCs to our WHH Scholars.