Under the new theme, 'We Love To Smile', Goldcoast Literacy Program (GLP), a nonprofit that is into children's literacy that is on a quest to change the educational narrative in slums and rural Ghana has embarked on a journey to gift smiles to children of Mafi Yingor (Zongo) E.P Primary school.

Mafi Yingor is a village in Volta Ghana situated Northeast of Mafi Seva. The morning of March 25, 2022, saw the arrival of the team and volunteers of the Goldcoast Literacy Program led by the Founder and Curator, Miss Daisy Mina Antwi announcing their presence to the locals.

The shuttle was met with claps from the students and as the group disembarked the shuttle, they were greeted by the sounds of drums along with 'borbor' music. This was indeed an exciting moment as the group tried a few steps.

The team paid homage to Torgbe Headman Kwasu Ganu and his elders who in turn accepted the drink presented by the group, paving the way for the event to begin but before that Torgbe Ganu, himself lead the way to show the group the plot of land gifted them to build an ultramodern ICT lab of which Goldcoast Literacy has designated as one of their projects.

The children kept displaying their drumming, dancing skills as they sing melodious tunes. A prayer was said by Irene a student followed by Miss Daisy Mina Antwi giving a brief history of GLP and the purpose of the gathering.

A team member of GLP, Mr Bernard Owuade engaged the children in a 25-minute talk on the importance of reading.

A team member of GLP, Mr Prince Forson also spoke on the importance of education and why children must give it their best shot.

Miss Zenobia Beli who also doubled as the translator of the day engage the children in some rhymes and dance contests. The event was often interrupted by the raised of a melodious tune by a student that is happily sung by the rest of the pupils which gets the entire GLP group on their feet dancing.

The children also introduce the champing clap which miss Daisy watched in Awe. Soon it was time to gift smiles the children lined up smartly and orderly as the group shared stationeries, exercise books, doodling pads storybooks, instant noodles, drinks and biscuits.

The entire primary school section got gifted smiles including the nursery and kindergarten who ended up getting double because there was more than enough for everyone. The rest of the items were given to the Headteacher, Mr Seth Tsamenyi to share at his discretion. 

At the end of the event, the pupils started chanting for Goldcoast Literacy Program to stay. Saying they have a room available. It was an emotional moment for both the group and children of Mafi Yingor (Zongo) E.P Primary School.

The elders and teachers who they lack (4 teachers for the entire primary block and two for JHS) thanked the team for reaching out to them and prayed for them to come again.

Madam Beauty Afi Kutrornu mother of Julius Karl Fieve, Assemblyman for the area, and also the contact person between GLP and the community lead them to the group to her compound and served them some hot Akple and sumptuous Okro Soup. A meal the team enjoyed well.

“This is my first time in the Volta region and it is wonderful to experience. I am coming back soon,” Miss Daisy said and the rest of her team chorus an affirmative.

The next stop for we love to smile outreach this year is Dambai where the group intends to gift smiles all over again.