SWOPA Vocational School
Donation protected
SIRIGU WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION FOR POTTERY AND ART – SWOPA
A COMMUNITY-BASED WOMEN EMPOWERING EFFORT PIONEERED BY AN INDIGENE.THE VISION IS TO PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF THE ART FORM AND TO MOBILISE WOMEN FOR GROWTH
Founded about twenty years ago, the organization had a two-pronged mission; firstly to mobilize the indigenous women to help keep alive and maintain the art and craft of the area with a double view of preventing its extinction and giving the women economic empowerment. The second leg was to provide avenue for alternative skills acquisition by girls and young ladies who have dropped out of the formal sector for varied and many reasons.
Over the years, SWOPA has chalked many successes; they continue to be curators of the Roman Catholic mini-basilica in Navrongo (OUR LADY OF SEVEN SORROWS), providing regular facelifts and the occasional change of motifs. The organization has also managed to construct a center, which houses training facilities, showroom, offices, a modest guest house and grounds for varied uses. Swopa is a spit away from the Sirigu Senior High School, which has an increasing student population. The management, all indigenous except for the occasional non-indigene professional have graciously opened their gates to the students for study by night as their electricity supply is questionable. Swopa has also undertaken to provide very affordable meals to the student population. A visit at lunch time is a beauty to behold, students in queue for well-balanced affordable meals. The grounds have been planted with trees and so it invokes the pictures of a picnic.
The showroom receives regular visits from locals and foreigners whiles the guest house is a destination-of-choice for eco-tourists in the north-east corner of Ghana. Swopa was chosen by the recently-deceased former UN Secretary- General for a working visit, a testimony to the organizations exemplary model and leadership.
Madam Melanie Kasise, Founder and, now retired, director, however, feels that she has failed the young ladies and girls. In her words, ‘the young ladies are not interested in the pottery and art, they say it is for old ladies’. It has thus become her all-consuming desire to set up a small Vocational School which will provide the young ladies and girls with skills that will both empower them economically and most crucially increase their self-worth.
SWOPA has been a game changer in the lives of the women of Sirigu and its environs. Swopa is also to be credited with the formation of the Sirigu Builders Association, comprised mainly by men and boys, to complement them in the art industry, for after all without buildings there cannot be wall paintings. The people of Sirigu have benefitted immensely from SWOPA and much room still exists for more development work.
The vocational training is imperative now to maintain the skill of the older women.
A COMMUNITY-BASED WOMEN EMPOWERING EFFORT PIONEERED BY AN INDIGENE.THE VISION IS TO PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF THE ART FORM AND TO MOBILISE WOMEN FOR GROWTH
Founded about twenty years ago, the organization had a two-pronged mission; firstly to mobilize the indigenous women to help keep alive and maintain the art and craft of the area with a double view of preventing its extinction and giving the women economic empowerment. The second leg was to provide avenue for alternative skills acquisition by girls and young ladies who have dropped out of the formal sector for varied and many reasons.
Over the years, SWOPA has chalked many successes; they continue to be curators of the Roman Catholic mini-basilica in Navrongo (OUR LADY OF SEVEN SORROWS), providing regular facelifts and the occasional change of motifs. The organization has also managed to construct a center, which houses training facilities, showroom, offices, a modest guest house and grounds for varied uses. Swopa is a spit away from the Sirigu Senior High School, which has an increasing student population. The management, all indigenous except for the occasional non-indigene professional have graciously opened their gates to the students for study by night as their electricity supply is questionable. Swopa has also undertaken to provide very affordable meals to the student population. A visit at lunch time is a beauty to behold, students in queue for well-balanced affordable meals. The grounds have been planted with trees and so it invokes the pictures of a picnic.
The showroom receives regular visits from locals and foreigners whiles the guest house is a destination-of-choice for eco-tourists in the north-east corner of Ghana. Swopa was chosen by the recently-deceased former UN Secretary- General for a working visit, a testimony to the organizations exemplary model and leadership.
Madam Melanie Kasise, Founder and, now retired, director, however, feels that she has failed the young ladies and girls. In her words, ‘the young ladies are not interested in the pottery and art, they say it is for old ladies’. It has thus become her all-consuming desire to set up a small Vocational School which will provide the young ladies and girls with skills that will both empower them economically and most crucially increase their self-worth.
SWOPA has been a game changer in the lives of the women of Sirigu and its environs. Swopa is also to be credited with the formation of the Sirigu Builders Association, comprised mainly by men and boys, to complement them in the art industry, for after all without buildings there cannot be wall paintings. The people of Sirigu have benefitted immensely from SWOPA and much room still exists for more development work.
The vocational training is imperative now to maintain the skill of the older women.
Organizer
Neahbagweie Kasise Pwamang
Organizer
England
