ETG Beyond Beans, in partnership with Child Rights International, has launched the School Mobility Project to improve access to education for rural communities.

The project, launched on March 19 in Atuagyebie and Nsata Mangoase/ Nsata Aboabo in the Bekwai Municipal and Adansi South Districts, respectively, provides a safe, reliable, and convenient mode of transportation for children in communities without schools, reducing the need for long-distance treks.

This is achieved by means of a specially designed tricycle, which will convey the children to and from school.

In preparation for the launch, the project team paid courtesy calls on the Coordinating Directors of the Bekwai Municipality and Adansi South District, introducing the project and seeking their support.

The launch, attended by Assembly members, traditional leaders, parents, and representatives from the District Assemblies, Ghana Education Service, and Social Welfare, was met with excitement and gratitude from parents.

Handing over the keys and registration documents to the communities, the Project Lead, Malek Appiah Affum, commended the partners for their commitment to improving the lives of school-going children. He tasked the Tricycle Management Committees in the respective communities to live up to expectations to prolong and sustain the project.

Paul Tweneboah Kodua, representing the partners, expressed delight that the project would address absenteeism, increase school attendance, and enrollment. He encouraged the community to ensure the culture of maintenance so that, based on the success of the project in the district, it could expand to other areas.

The School Improvement Supervisor Officer (SISO), Mr Atsu Azasco, the SISO for Subriso Circuit, commended the partners for the project. He said, “Witnessing the presentation of a tricycle to the Nsata Mangoase D. A Primary to be precise in my circuit is going to address the issue of absenteeism in the area, which is a major challenge”.

Mr Afram Prince, the Assistant Headmaster for Kwabenakrom M.A. Basic School in the Bekwai District, said there are more than 70 children in Atuagyebie and its surrounding communities who attend school at Kwabenakrom. But due to the distance between the communities to the school, many children do not attend school, especially the young ones. He added that the project will enable the children to report to school on time and increase enrollment and contact hours in school.

Receiving the keys and documents, the chiefs of the respective communities thanked the partners for thinking about the plight of their children and promised to put the tricycle to good use to serve the purpose for which it was donated.

The School Mobility Project demonstrates the impact of partnership and collaboration in driving positive change in communities. Child Rights International, together with its partners, plans to expand this initiative to other communities. "We envision a future where every child has access to safe, reliable, and friendly transportation, empowering them to succeed in education and beyond," added Mr Malek Affum.

For more information on how to support this initiative, please contact Child Rights International at 0302 503744/ 0302 790703 or childrightsghana@gmail.com.