Empower 100 students with vital IT skills in Ghana

With the completion of the academic year, junior high school (JHS) graduates often face a gap period before proceeding to Senior High School. This two-month period (July - August) can be both an opportunity and a challenge. To keep these students engaged, we organized a coding training using p5.js and a career workshop at Sunbeam International School. The aim was to equip the students with valuable skills and knowledge, ensuring they remain active and productive during their break.

The curriculum focused on;

• Basic concepts of programming 
• Introduction to p5.js environment and syntax
• Basic shapes (circles, rectangles, lines).
• Colors and design elements
• Introduction to interaction (mouse and keyboard inputs).
• Students worked on individual or group projects, such as designing a digital poster or creating an interactive game.
• Emphasis on creativity and problem-solving.

Career Workshop: The career workshop was designed to provide students with a broad understanding of various career paths and the skills needed to pursue them. 

• Overview of different career paths (STEM, arts, business, vocational careers).
• information on high school programs, vocational training, and alternative education routes.
• Guidance on selecting subjects and extracurricular activities aligned with career interests.
• Resume writing and interview preparation.

Outcomes:

• Students showed a heightened interest in technology and programming, with many expressing a desire to continue learning.
• Through coding exercises and projects, students developed their problem-solving and logical thinking abilities.
• The use of p5.js allowed students to express their creativity through coding, resulting in unique and personalized projects.
• Students gained a clearer understanding of their interests and the educational paths that align with their desired careers.
• The workshop helped students develop essential soft skills that will benefit them in their future academic and professional lives.

These initiatives have kept the students actively engaged, preventing academic stagnation during their break and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Links:

• Grow Ghana Coding program

Dear esteemed supporters,

It is with great pleasure that we provide you with an update on the past three months of Grow Ghana's journey. We are excited to share the significant achievements and highlights that have defined our progress. Your steadfast support has been instrumental in driving our success, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication to our shared mission.

Goodbye and Hello!

We said goodbye to Michael in February, who wrapped up his stint at Grow Ghana after three months. Michael made valuable contributions here, especially in developing our curriculum and newsletter. It was a pleasure working and teaching alongside him!

Now, we're welcoming two new faces. Josef, a short-term volunteer from Germany, joins us after completing his master’s in engineering. We're excited to learn from his experiences and show him the beauty of Ghana. And we're happy to welcome back a familiar face: Jonas, who spent some time with us in 2022, is back for four weeks. It's great to have him back with us!

Women’s Day 8th of March!

On March 8th, we celebrated Women's Day in our lab at Langma. Focusing on role models, we were delighted to host two inspiring women, Janet and Ama, both thriving in their areas of expertise. It was truly uplifting to see these successful women take the time to inspire the girls who attended the workshop. They answered questions during the post-workshop session, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated.

Careers workshop at Nicholas Mission Academy on 27^th March 

On March 27th, we had the opportunity to participate in the St. Nicholas School Career Day. All the children were dressed in various occupations they aspired to pursue. With the assistance of our robot, Monica, we engaged the children in coding activities, sparking their interest in STEM fields. We aim to inspire more children, especially girls, to pursue education in STEM.

Meet Pascal!

Pascal, aged 17, currently attends Josec Senior High School in the Central Region. His encounter with our IT leader, Godfred, commenced two years ago at our partnered government school in Kokrobite. Since then, Pascal's passion for computers and technology has surged. He demonstrated his ingenuity by creatively transforming a standard bucket into an automated trash receptacle. Furthermore, armed with complimentary Python tutorials, Pascal's trajectory toward future success appears increasingly promising. During his breaks, he seized the opportunity for free Python lessons provided by our IT trainer, Janne.

Best Regards

Lucy

Links:

• Empowering girls through ICT