Friends of Adaklu graduates 89 children in computing

Friends of Adaklu, a non-profit organization, recently celebrated the graduation of 89 children from its computing program in the Adaklu District of Ghana’s Volta Region.

Despite a heavy evening downpour, students, parents, trainers, and community members gathered on October 3, 2024, at the Assemblies of God church in Adaklu Tsriefe to honor the achievements of young learners, including two girls who earned international certificates in coding.

Friends of Adaklu launched the computing initiative to bridge the technology gap in local schools, where many children, particularly from communities like Adaklu Goefe, Adaklu Helekpe, Adaklu Dawanu, and Adaklu Kodiabe, had never used a computer before joining the program. Kingsley Elorm Kwaku Leh, a volunteer ICT instructor with the organization, shared that the program introduced children to essential skills like navigating the Microsoft interface, creating documents in Microsoft Word, and using creative applications like Paint and Canva.

Stella Kudah, Country Director of Friends of Adaklu, emphasized the organization's commitment to providing educational resources for underserved children. “We realized that children in Adaklu lack access to computers in their schools,” she said, explaining that the program offers flexible schedules, with sessions available from Monday to Sunday. Looking ahead, Stella shared, “We are upgrading our curriculum. Our goal is for every child to have foundational computer knowledge, and then we’ll build on that.”

The initiative began as a small coding club with just six girls. Thanks to collaborations with organizations like Girls Who Code, the program expanded to reach 89 graduates, including both boys and girls. Stella credited the program's growth to community support and overseas contributions, especially noting the efforts of Christina Randazzo and The Academy School in California, which helped fund the initiative and acquire computers.

One of the program's standout graduates, 15-year-old Isabella Teikpa, was one of only two African girls participating in the global Girls Who Code program. “I can now create different lines of code and design T-shirts and banners using Canva,” she shared. Isabella plans to further her studies in Art to enhance her digital design skills. Her fellow graduate, Enyonam Awudi, showcased a website she built for Friends of Adaklu, impressing community members with her coding skills and sparking interest among younger students.

Traditional leader Torgbe Edem from Adaklu Tsriefe praised the program for positively impacting the community. “The training program has really helped; kids are now meaningfully engaged, and we’ve seen a reduction in social vices,” he remarked, highlighting the program's role in curbing juvenile delinquency in the area.

Friends of Adaklu’s impact extends beyond computer literacy. The organization sponsors 78 academically gifted but financially challenged students across local schools, with six graduating from Senior High Schools across Ghana this year. Stella shared the organization’s commitment to making education accessible, stating, “We’re taking one child at a time, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to learn and grow.”

The graduation of these 89 students marks a significant milestone for Friends of Adaklu, which aims to continue empowering young learners and fostering a culture of innovation and learning. As the program evolves, Friends of Adaklu remains committed to providing opportunities for the children of Adaklu to gain essential skills that will open doors for their futures.