About the Head Held High Appeal

Education reduces poverty, boosts economic growth and increases income. It increases a person's chances of having a healthy life, reduces maternal deaths, and combats diseases such as HIV and AIDS. In sum, education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future.

It's also not enough to get children in school, we also need to ensure that they receive a quality education that provides them with the skills they need to have a financially secure future. A special focus must be given to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups (including girls) who are most likely to be affected because of a lack of well-trained teachers, inadequate learning materials, and unsuitable education infrastructure.

Although Ghana is thought of as a growing African economy, nationally 17% of children are still estimated to be out of school. In the Northern Region – where Hope for Children focuses its impact and appeal funds will be used – a child is 4 times more likely not to have attended school than in other parts of the county.

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The causes of this range from the most basic lack of school books and uniforms, to the more endemic lack of quality education, leading to high drop-out rates. Child labour is still prevalent in the region, with 1 in 5 children (age 5-17) engaged in hazardous forms of child labour, another factor that contributes to a 30% drop-out rate of children before they complete their Basic Education.

All of the activities supported by Head Held High appeal funds will be used to improve children’s access to quality education in Africa. They will pay for some fundamental items like school uniforms, school books and even food packages for orphaned children to help them concentrate in class.

Funds will also be used for more long term impact activities such as teacher training courses to improve the quality of education available, and children’s advocacy groups that teach children to become advocates of their own education in their communities. These will also act as a forum to challenge gender equality barriers, and work closely with young girls to raise awareness of issues that may jeopardise their education, such as early pregnancy and a traditionally patriarchal society.

THe Head Held High appeal has now ended but you can still donate to support vulnerable children in Ghana and around the world. 

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