Every morning, children from the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools stand anxiously at the roadside, their small feet hesitant as they face the chaotic Kwashieman road.

The fast-moving traffic, lack of proper crossings, and reckless speeding have turned their daily journey into a gamble with fate. Over the years, several pupils have been injured some fatally while attempting to cross. But now, a small yet life-saving intervention is offering a glimmer of hope.

For some pupils, crossing the road is nothing short of terrifying. “I get scared every time. Sometimes, the cars don’t even stop, even when they see us,” one pupil said.

The Kwashieman highway is notorious for its heavy traffic, and young pedestrians are often left to navigate the chaos on their own. The fear of accidents looms daily, as some children recall seeing friends hurt or narrowly escaping danger themselves.

A Lollipop Stand of Hope

Recognising the dire situation, the Accident Victims Support Unit, led by Rev. Cyril Crabbe, has introduced a simple but effective solution: a lollipop stand. Volunteers stationed at the stand hold up a lollipop-shaped sign to stop vehicles, ensuring children and pedestrians can cross safely.

“For many of these children, this stand is the only thing standing between them and a tragic accident,” Rev. Crabbe explained.

“But this isn’t enough. We need more of these across the city, and we need more support from stakeholders to ensure children get to school safely,” he added.

While the lollipop stand at Kwashieman is making a difference, the danger extends beyond this stretch. At Sakaman, pupils from Hynes Academy face a similar struggle, with no pedestrian crossing and vehicles zooming past. Students and teachers worry that without immediate interventions, more children could be harmed.

As students cautiously make their way to school each day, the lollipop stand serves as a small but crucial safeguard.