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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 mission projects in Kuntu. We make information and
fund-raising presentations to many organizations including church groups,
senior citizens, and schools. As a result we are receiving support from many
individuals and organizations.
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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. |
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Scholarships. KVNC-USA
has created the
Kuntu Nkosohen SSS Scholar
program whereby individuals and organizations sponsor Kuntu JSS
graduates to attend Senior High School (previously
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. Earlier, KVNC-USA and Kuntu chiefs and elders paid nominal JSS
fees but in 2006, the government made JSS education free in Ghana.
KVNC-USA also 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.
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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. The KVNC-USA helped complete the main floor and to incorporate a student study room in the
new chief's palace. |
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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.
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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. |
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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 and dispensed to villagers for a small
fee.
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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.
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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 include Kuntu).
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