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Senchi Ferry is a small rural community
in West Africa whose people have been subjected to events beyond their control.
The building of the Akosombo Dam, constructed to provide electricity to all of Ghana, displaced the entire
agricultural community of 80,000 people. They were forced to relocate and lost their ancestral homeland, sustainable
farms and family income.
Today, the population in the community of
Senchi Ferry is approximately 2,000 people with an average monthly family income of $50.00.
95% of the children
in the community attend school thru 8th grade (Junioe Hifh School) as there are no tuition costs for education through Junior
High School is government sponsored, public education.
However, less
than 20% of the children attend High School, which is NOT government sponsored and
therfore these poor rural families must pay a tuition fee of $500.00 in order for their children to receive a High School
Education. Clearly this is a sum far beyond the means of most of the families in this community. The
reason that tuition to high school is so expensive compared to the village's monthly income is because it covers: uniforms,
books (which are very expensive in Ghana), meals and all education supplies. For a family living in a city, such as
Accra, or for parents with reasonable paying jobs, this fee is not as overwhelming. But, for a rural village family
with limited opportunity to make money this fee is unattainable. However, once educated, these children will bring new
income and opportunity to the Senchi village increasing prosperity for all. This becomes the lifting of a community
out of poverty and into possibility.....this is a good thing.
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