APN has long supported various charitable organizations near and far and encourage our staff to do the same. In late 2015, we decided we wanted to make a bigger impact to help those who needed it most. We then partnered with Pencils of Promise, an organization that works with communities across the globe to build schools and create programs that provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged children. To date, PoP has built over 300 schools and helped more than 30,000 students throughout Laos, Guatemala and Ghana.
In early 2016, we completed funding for our first project, building a school for 266 kids in the Volta region of Ghana. Work has progressed on the Aflao-Agblekpui Basic School throughout the year and we are pleased to announce that the building is nearly complete.
Currently, a tree near the road serves as a classroom for the KG1 and KG2 students in Aflao-Agblekpui — more than eighty students attend school under a mango tree every day. The weather in the community is extremely hot, which makes the learning conditions very uncomfortable for students and teachers. In addition, the 6-unit classroom for the primary school has no windows or doors and is not a safe structure. One of the classrooms simply consists of wooden boards supporting a zinc roof.
Despite these challenges, it’s evident that the community truly values the importance of education. Enrollment remains high and parents are very involved. The new school will add to that level of commitment and help ensure access to quality education for generations to come.
We are excited to share in this journey with the people of Aflao-Agblekpui and, like them; look forward to seeing the dream fulfilled as a culmination of efforts between the community, Pencils of Promise and APN Consulting.