District 418-Ghana of Lions International has fulfilled one of its core duties by donating boxes of books to several basic schools across four regions in Ghana.
On Monday, December 16, 2024, representatives and pupils from ten beneficiary schools, selected from four of Ghana’s sixteen regions, were presented with the books. This initiative aims to foster a culture of reading and enhance academic performance in the schools.
The beneficiary schools include Likpe Bala R.C. Basic School, Likpe Bala E.P. Basic School, Likpe Bakwa R.C. Basic School, Gamadzra R.C. Basic School, Klikor Unity Basic 1 School, Klikor Unity Basic 2 School, Pokrom Nsaba Presby Basic School, Asiakwa R.C. Basic School, and Ebenezer Presby Basic School, Kyebi.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the donation, Dr. Helena Asamoah-Hassan, PMJF, District Governor of Lions International District 418-Ghana, highlighted that the gesture was a personal project driven by her passion for ensuring children in underprivileged communities have access to books. These resources, she explained, would not only promote a reading culture but also contribute to the students' academic and personal development.
Dr. Asamoah-Hassan emphasized that the schools were deliberately chosen based on their lack of access to public libraries and other reading resources. By providing these schools with reading materials, the club seeks to expose students to books that will support their growth and learning.
“In Lion service, we have global causes, and there are eight of them. We strive to address as many of these causes as possible. This project aligns with our global cause of youth development. The aim is to improve the lives of young people so they can become better citizens. These schools wrote to us requesting books, and we decided to support those in need,” she stated.
She also urged the schools to take good care of the books, noting that her team would conduct random checks before distributing additional materials in the future.
“I asked them to take good care of the books because this is a project I have started and plan to continue annually. If the books are well-maintained, they will receive more in the future. We expect the children to read, which we believe will help them become more literate and sharpen their skills,” she added.
The beneficiary schools expressed their heartfelt gratitude to District 418-Ghana of Lions International for the donation. They acknowledged the value of the books in improving their pupils’ learning experiences and pledged to handle the materials with care to ensure they are accessible to all students.
This initiative underscores Lions International's commitment to youth development and literacy as key pillars for building a brighter future for children in underserved communities.
EK