In a significant stride towards ensuring quality education and access to clean water for children in the Ejisu Municipality, SOS Children's Villages, a non-governmental organization, has commissioned two water facilities for schools in the Ejisu and Assienimpong communities.

This initiative, part of the SOS Family Strengthening Project, is set to benefit approximately 11,000 people residing in these communities.

The commissioning ceremony, held in Ejisu, was attended by community members, school officials, and representatives from SOS Children's Villages.

During the event, Mr. Joseph Kudjo Yane, the Project Coordinator, highlighted the organization's commitment to enhancing the educational landscape within the Ejisu Municipality.

He noted that since the inception of the project in 2019, SOS Children's Villages has provided direct support to 6,352 pupils and 266 teachers in fifteen schools across the Ejisu and Juaben Municipalities.

Under the Family Strengthening Project, SOS Children's Villages has executed a range of interventions to improve education standards, including the provision of teaching and learning materials, construction of toilet facilities, boreholes, and classroom construction and renovation.

Mr. Yane emphasized the organization's dedication to capacity building for teachers, students, Parent Associations (PAs), and School Management Committees (SMCs) in child-friendly pedagogy and school management practices. This holistic approach aims to foster a conducive environment for quality education.

Mr. Bernard Kojo Amoako, the Programmes Director of SOS Children's Villages, highlighted the project's extensive impact in Ejisu and Juaben. Over the years, it has supported 1,110 children from 337 families and provided 172 youths with vocational training and start-up tools.

The newly constructed water facilities are a testament to SOS Children's Villages' commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 6. SDG 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all, while SDG 6 seeks to ensure access to clean water and sanitation.

These facilities, located at the Ejisu Experimental and Assienimpong M/A Basic Schools, address the challenges of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in these educational institutions and their host communities.

Bridget Yaw, the headmistress of the Ejisu Experimental School, expressed gratitude on behalf of her institution, noting that students would no longer have to trek long distances outside the school to fetch water.

This initiative is expected to greatly enhance the teaching and learning experience for both students and educators.

Students also conveyed their appreciation to the SOS Children's Villages, highlighting how the newly installed water facilities will significantly contribute to strengthening their academic endeavours.

SOS Children's Villages continues to be a beacon of hope, providing crucial support to communities and improving the lives of children in Ghana.

Through initiatives like these, they are fostering a brighter future for the nation's youth and ensuring access to fundamental rights such as education and clean water.