Africa benefits from Teabag

Rotary member Tom Yendell told a recent meeting of the Alton Club about his work with a small UK charity, Teabag, which supports the education of young people in Ghana.

Teabag stands for The Education and Book Appeal for Ghana, which provides equipment, books, and educational facilities to three villages in Ghana – Tom is a trustee of the charity.  His involvement with Teabag began when he sponsored a child through school, providing a school uniform, shoes and examination fees.

“In 2007 I made a life-changing trip to Ghana and saw how the school in Mankoadze was growing and developing – it now has more than 300 children,” said Tom.

He explained that once children had been supported through primary school, there was a need for higher education, and in 2009 Tom was involved in setting up a vocational training college in the village.

Last year, as a result of a kind donation from a supporter, the charity was able to install a solar array at the college to provide energy supplies and also a water purification plant and borehole to help with the college’s water requirements.

The village – Mankoadze – is on the coast and is a two-hour drive from the capital Accra.  The college now serves two other neighbouring villages, Onyadze and Abrekum, and the local economy is based on fishing.

Tom is now searching for sponsors for the students.  Twenty pounds will support a primary school pupil for a year, and sponsorship of £150 will support a college pupil for a year.  Find out more about the work of Teabag at www.teabagcharity.org