21-year old girl breaks family 'jinx'; becomes first to complete SHS but risks missing boat to college of education

“I love teaching. I know God will see me through to land my dream profession”, may sound very optimistic statement from a 21-year old woman.

For Lordina Amoah, however, this remains wishful thinking unless a miracle happens.

Despite gaining admission to St. Louis College of Education in Kumasi, raising Gh¢2,500.000 to pay admission means her dream of becoming a teacher could fizzle out or, at least, be put on hold indefinitely.

The former student of Armed Forces Senior High School, also in Kumasi, has been nursing an ambition to join the teaching fraternity and contribute Ghana’s human resource development effort through, in her own words, “quality teaching”.

Lordina’s sole sponsor is her 60-year old mother, Afua Serwaa, who saw her through basic and second-cycle education, as a single parent.

Though her spirit may be willing it’s obvious the body is becoming too weak to carry on, perhaps, when it matters most.

Madam Serwaa is a seamstress but without a shop of her own. She roams the streets of Abuakwa, mending people’s torn clothes, known locally as ‘oye ade3 yie’’ for a living.

On a good day, she makes Gh10, barely enough to support Lordina and her three other siblings.

It is not a proud moment for Lordina who has braced the odds to a family record of being the first to go beyond JHS education.

She has up to August 30 to pay her admission fees at the St Louis College of Education; and time is running out fast for her.

With no idea where help will come from, Lordina is already looking beyond three-year course to talk about accepting posting to deprived communities, if she clears the hurdle.

“It’s the teacher who taught the doctor, nurse, lawyer and all the professionals. The children out there will need education to develop”, she said.

For Madam Afua Serwaa, seeing her daughter in school will be her greatest miracle because even her church is unable to support her in her moment of need.

Lordina in school I love teaching”. Miss Lordina Amoah emphasized.

Story by Ghana/Nhyira Fm/Ohemeng Tawiah