Other KVNC-USA Projects, Plans and Accomplishments

In addition to our mission in education, Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA has responded to various needs of the village.  Check out some of our accomplishments in the left side menu.

School Supplies.  The Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA was founded by Dr. Perry Kirklin in August 2002 after he had been enstooled as Kuntu Nkosohene, i.e. Kuntu Chief for Development.  Prior to the enstoolment, Dr. Kirklin and his family and friends had donated school supplies to Nana Brebo, chief of Kuntu, for several years.  School supplies for Kuntu is an on-going activity of KVNC-USA.  In 2004, with the help of USAID and the U.S. Department of Defense, a 20-foot ship container with donations including over 1000 middle school science text books, laboratory equipment, notebooks, pens, pencils, desks, furniture, computers, etc. were shipped to Kuntu.

Every year various school supplies are sent to Kuntu.  More computers were sent in 2007 and for security, were installed in the chief's home.  Mr. Kennedy Owoo, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) specialist, installed the computers and taught an 8-week training course for the JHS faculty.   In 2009, the Kuntu JHS library was upgraded for better security and the computers installed in the converted JHS computer room.  An additional printer and computer projector were given to the Kuntu JHS ICT program.

Ideas we are working on now:

Kuntu Village Nurse Post. Health care is a major problem in Kuntu and will be the next major project for KVNC-USA.  Kuntu is over 2 miles from the main road and about 10 miles to the nearest hospital in Saltpond.  Since no one in the village owns a car, in case of serious injury or illness, it is necessary to call to Saltpond for a taxi.  Malaria is very common and "taken for granted".   The Mfantsman Municipal Director of Health is committed to providing a nurse to be stationed in Kuntu if an acceptable facility is available.  Kuntu will need to construct a suitable building containing basic medical equipment and minimum living quarters.  Kuntu village Nkosohen Committee-USA will partner with Bucks County Chapter of Links, Inc. for the Kuntu village nurse post.  Dr. Versie Johnson-Mallard, a board certified Womens' Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of South Florida has worked on similar projects in Panama (Central America) has volunteered to help our planning efforts.

A site has been identified in the center of the village to be cleared for construction of a health post.  A preliminary estimate for materials and labor to construct a building using communal labor, paid village workers and tradesmen will cost about $25,000.  The necessary equipment will be additional. 

Kuntu-based Taxi.  Kuntu villagers have limited access to jobs and services outside of the village, e.g., medical care.  Kuntu is 6 kilometers from the main road.  To leave the village, most villagers walk the over 2 miles to the main road to catch a trop-trop, the local minibuses.  Trop-trops do not come or pass through Kuntu.  Because there are no automobiles in Kuntu, in case of a medical or health emergency, villagers call for a taxi from Saltpond.  Limited contacts outside the village also contributes to the illiteracy since there is no incentive to speak or understand English in the village.   KVNC-USA has proposed starting a Kuntu based taxi business.  In addition to providing more convenient access to jobs and services outside of Kuntu, the taxi can earn money for KVNC-USA programs.

Fares for the Kuntu-based taxi business would be the same as other taxi fares in the region.  It is anticipated that the majority of trips will be between the village and the main road.  There would also be frequent trips to Saltpond, including the Saltpond hospital; the Mankessim market; and the businesses and services in Cape Coast, the closest major city.  The Kuntu-based taxi business would belong to the non-profit corporation with all profits going to Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee-USA projects.  An investment of approximately $12,000 would be needed to form the Kuntu Taxi Company.