Professor (Mrs.) Alfredina Zebtor Penn Kuupole has constructed a multi-purpose building in her hometown of Tubogru in Nandom in the Upper West Region. The facility, designed to serve various community needs, has already become a hub of activity and learning.
One of the primary uses of the building is to support the Soŋtaa Women Group, a collective of local women engaged in soap-making and brewing pito, a traditional local beer. This initiative provides a space for these women to conduct their businesses and fosters economic empowerment within the community.
The facility also serves an educational purpose. A portion of the building has been converted into a library, stocked with reading materials primarily for Junior High School (JHS) students, with some resources available for Senior High School (SHS) students. This library offers a quiet space for students to study and access educational resources that are otherwise scarce in the area.
Additionally, a section of the building has twenty mono desks, transforming it into a classroom for private studies. This space is particularly useful during weekends and holidays, when students from Tubogru and nearby communities can attend extra classes. The goal is to provide students with the academic support they need to succeed, particularly in the face of limited educational resources.
Professor Alfredina’s vision for this facility goes beyond mere construction. She aims to empower the marginalized and vulnerable members of her community by equipping them with skills that will make them self-reliant. She also seeks to prepare the younger generation to excel academically, giving them the tools they need to climb the educational ladder.
Despite relying largely on voluntary service, Professor Alfredina occasionally offers small tokens of appreciation to the volunteers from her savings, underscoring her commitment to the project’s success.
The impact of this initiative is already being felt. Jessica Niyel, a form two student at Danko D/A Junior High School, expressed her gratitude for the facility. “I am very happy this facility is here. On weekends and holidays, I come here to have private studies. There are lots of books here, including storybooks. I am happy,” she said.
Similarly, Marius Dery, a final-year JHS student, shared how the facility has become a valuable resource for group studies. “On weekends, my friends and I meet here to discuss past questions. We also use the opportunity to discuss topics we have difficulty in,” he explained.
Community members like Mr. Joshua Zebtor have also taken an active role in supporting the students. “When I come home for holidays, I come to teach them a few things and also encourage them to take their studies seriously. I have also asked that they design their learning schedule and try to study on their own,” he added.
