Sisters, Freditta and Francesca Apeagyei of the Nguvu Foundation are creating opportunities for disadvantaged children in the Gupanarigu community, Tamale, Northern Region of Ghana.

In collaboration with the UK-based podcast community "To My Sisters" (TMS), Nguvu Foundation has successfully built and semi-furnished the Bright Future Academy, a free preschool for these children.

This initiative aims to introduce structure and routine into the lives of young children by offering learning, play, and both indoor and outdoor activities that foster essential soft and hard skills. The school will provide a safe and secure environment with adult supervision, ensuring free childcare for the children of working parents in the community.

At a ceremony to mark this milestone, Freditta Apeagyei, CEO of Nguvu Foundation and Nguvu SheaCare, and the 2024 Forty Under 40 award winner for Best in Social Enterprise - Women’s Development, expressed her joy at seeing this dream come to fruition.

“It’s truly a dream come true to see the school, which we built from the ground up, now open for students. I’m delighted that we can provide children with such a beautiful, clean, and well-constructed facility for their education. My hope is that not only will the children currently enrolled benefit, but that many more children in rural Ghana will have access to free education in the future, allowing their mothers to work and be more productive.”

Nguvu Foundation’s mission is to empower thousands of women in rural Ghana by providing access to quality education for their children while helping to raise the standard of living in these communities. The Bright Future Academy is expected to provide education for hundreds of children across the region, creating opportunities for lifelong learning and development.

The project garnered overwhelming support from the global online community of "To My Sisters" (TMS), which rallied resources to bring the academy to life. Additional support came from companies such as Electroland Ghana Limited, Fon Ltd, Yedent Ghana, UNIFORMED by Kuparel, Ehi Anthonia Ministries, and The Watch Global Prayer Ministry.

Expressing her gratitude, Freditta, along with her business partners Francesca and Rita Dampson, thanked all their partners and supporters for their unwavering commitment to achieving this important goal.

NGUVU FOUNDATION: A VISION FOR EMPOWERMENT AND GROWTH

Nguvu Foundation, established on August 13, 2019, is committed to supporting and empowering women in rural communities, aiming to raise their standard of living. The name "Nguvu," meaning "Strength," reflects the resilience and hard work of the women who produce the foundation's shea products, showcasing their determination and resourcefulness.

BACKGROUND OF THE GUPANARIGU COMMUNITY

In Gupanarigu, a community in the Northern Region of Ghana, poverty is widespread, and women serve as the primary breadwinners and caregivers for their families. Children between the ages of two and five often accompany their mothers and grandmothers to work, as there are no nurseries or childcare facilities available, and families cannot afford such services.

The main livelihood in nearby Tamale is shea butter production. Over 1,500 women work in shifts at the Bandisuglo Shea Production Centre, producing pure shea butter and natural soaps. Unfortunately, this work environment poses a risk to the health and development of young children, as they are exposed to factory conditions rather than being in a safe space where they can play, learn, and develop essential skills.

FUTURE OF NGUVU FOUNDATION AND BRIGHT FUTURE ACADEMY

Nguvu Foundation is now entering phase two of its flagship project, the Bright Future Academy. This phase focuses on completing and furnishing the school to accommodate more children from the Gupanarigu community. Key developments include the construction of a baby room, a modern sick bay, a playground, and a dedicated staff room, all designed to enhance the learning and care environment for the children.

Additionally, the foundation plans to recruit more teachers, caretakers, and support staff to ensure a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for the children. Through these efforts, the Nguvu Foundation continues its mission to provide a brighter future for the children and women of Gupanarigu, offering them the opportunities they deserve.