Accomplishments

Kuntu Village (Ghana) and the Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA

Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA Accomplishments

The Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA was incorporated in October 2003 as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation and certified as an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The website was registered in January 2004. Our mission is to assist education and self-sufficiency in Kuntu village. Our business plan is to solicit donations of money, school and student education materials, sponsors and advisors for KVNC-USA mission projects in Kuntu. We have made many information and fund-raising presentations to many organizations including church groups, senior citizens, and schools and as a result we are receiving support from many individuals and organizations. We will also submit proposals to foundations to support specific KVNC-USA projects. The following represent some of the projects that we are especially proud of. Many thanks to all of the noted supporters!

In addition to packages of school supplies and gifts mailed in 2003 and 2004, on October 29, 2004, the Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA filled a 20-foot ship container with over 1000 science text books, school supplies, computers and other education materials which were shipped to Kuntu.

Scholarships. In 2005 KVNC-USA helped 6 Kuntu students attend high school. In 2007 KVNC-USA created the Kuntu Nkosohen SSS Scholar program whereby individuals and organizations sponsor all Kuntu Junior High School graduates to attend Senior High School (previously known as SSS or Senior Secondary School). In the 2007-2008 school year, KVNC-USA arranged sponsors for 19 Kuntu JSS graduates to attending 9 different SSS schools. KVNC-USA will support 21 SHS students for the 2008-2009 school year. Other scholarship accomplishments include in 2002, KVNC-USA and Kuntu chiefs and elders paid JSS fees (in 2006, the government made JSS education free). In 2004 KVNC-USA obtained a scholarship for a Kuntu teacher to attend a workshop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately. the teacher did not obtain the necessary visa to travel to United States. The funds were returned to the donor.

Student Study Room in the Ahemfie (Chief's Palace). Kuntu did not have an ahemfie, or chief's palace, basically the municipal building for government of the village. The original ahemfie was destroyed in a flood in the 1980's and the chief of the village, Nana Brebo, now lives in the family home in nearby Saltpond. A new chief's palace is being constructed in stages as money comes available. In 2006 KVNC-USA helped complete the main floor to incorporate a student study room in the new chief's palace.

JSS Electricity. In 2002 we considered providing electricity to the JSS school building. At that time, it was a government priority and we did not act. Since electricity was yet not available in 2004, the computers that were sent were not usable. In August 2007, we contracted with Ato Eric, the village electrician, to install electricity in the JSS Nana Baffoe Library and in one classroom. They will be able to use the library for computers, evening study and reading. The classroom can be used for future TV-DVD education programs, including English. Computers, printers, TV and DVD player were planned for purchased in Ghana as funding becomes available.

Kuntu JSS Computers. In January 2008, KVNC-USA purchased 5 refurbished computers. Mr. Kennedy Owoo, a certified ICT (Information Communication Technology) specialist installed the computers and provided 8 weeks of computer training for the 6 JSS teachers. The computers are temporarily installed in the study room of the ahemfie awaiting improved security in the JSS Nana Baffoe Library. In September 2008, KVNC-USA purchased a wireless telephone modem and subscribed to a wireless Internet Service. Children and students in Kuntu, a remote Ghana village, have teachers trained in computer technology and access to the world wide Internet!

Safe Drinking Water. During the 2007 dry season, the fresh water stream through the village dried and a treated water pipeline to Kuntu was delayed. Nana Brebo was concerned. KVNC-USA noted that concern to many friends of Kuntu and they responded. Two large plastic storage tanks were purchased and installed. Safe drinking water is now trucked into Kuntu.

Village Street Lights. In December 2006, Nana Baffoe noted that there was only one street light in the village. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he committed the KVNC-USA to 5 street lights in the village. 4 lights were installed before leaving and funds were provided for the fifth light.

Supporter site visit. In July 2007, 30 supporters of KVNC-USA, led by Bucks County Chapter of the Links, Inc., visited Kuntu. They were welcomed with a durbar celebration, including drumming and dancing. On Sunday they worshipped at the Kuntu Methodist church. KVNC-USA and the supporters brought over 1000 pounds of education and humanitarian materials; met and awarded the Kuntu SSS students; and did a needs assessment of Kuntu. They made monetary donations to Kuntu and the Methodist Church (for a Methodist hospital in the Mankessim district that includes Kuntu).

A new Kuntu primary school (not really, but it looks new) In September 2008, the Kuntu Nkosohen Scholars organized a paint party to paint the exterior of the Kuntu primary school. The Kuntu primary school had not been painted since its construction in 1958, i.e., in 50 years! When the primary school students returned to school, they thought they had a new school!

An 11-year old boy in Kuntu had a deformed cleft palate upper lip. He had never attended school because of his appearance and he did not play with other kids. With the assistance of Bucks County Chapter of Links, Inc., arrangements were made with an organization "Operation Smile" in Kumasi and Dr. Peter Donkor. In December 2008, successful surgery was performed to give little Kwesi Nimoh a new life.