Fundraiser for Kokrobite School

Will Szalay is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Something really cool has happened-

Hey everyone, originally I'd planned a post summarizing everything this fundraiser has accomplished for the school so far, with photos, of course). However, I've recently discovered a completely unexpected and uplifting benefit of the fundraiser which I'm very excited to share, and is the reason for the updated goal. Alongside the school being painted, the toilet block being repaired and improved, and a new classroom being built, the fundraiser also contributed toward repairing the school's basketball court (which was admittedly also for personal reasons, as it would be the only functional court in Kokrobite). As it turns out, the fact that it is the only functional court in Kokrobite has attracted a local group of around 15 guys to come play every night.

Sir John, the headmaster of the school, is aware of this and states it as the reason he doesn't lock the front gate at the end of the school day - so that locals can enjoy the court. This is the same Sir John who has built much of the school himself to save on labour costs; who prioritized repairing the student toilet block as he described it as unhygenic for the kids; and who outright refuses to increase the price of school despite the struggles of the Ghanaian economy resulting in costs almost doubling around the country. He states that just as the school is struggling, so are the families who would be paying for their kids to go to school, and so he couldn't in good faith increase their payment. I was speaking to the local basketballers (many of whom play after they finish work for the day) about the struggles of the school, and they agreed that they all wanted to give money to the school that has provided them with this place to play, every day, and has never asked for anything in return. They agreed that they would be happy to pay a very small fee each time they come. So, my plan, (which I am very excited about) is that half of this collected money can go toward the school, and half toward improving the court (including buying lights so players can play into the night). With improvements to the court will come more players, which will generate more money for the school. The money can be collected by a security guard, who's salary will be paid by part of the money itself - therefore employing a local and protecting the school, which has previously had issues with burglary due to the gate not being locked. Further, if this fundraiser can establish a canteen to be built, the profits of that will also go to the school - this generates another job/jobs, creates a new food source for locals and the basketballers, and creates a self-sufficient and more ethical income source for the school.

Sustainable development is about supporting a community (or in this case a school) to get to a place of self-sufficiency, where support is no longer necessary - therefore avoiding any encouragement of dependency, which is a trap that many fundraisers and NGO's fall into. I believe that this final fundraiser is an opportunity to do it the right way, and support such a brilliant school to get to a place where no further fundraisers are needed - powered by the passion and generosity of the local community. I'm really excited about that.