Garden City Special School is one of the only special educational needs schools in the Ashanti region (4.7m population) in Ghana. At full capacity, the school hasn't admitted a girl in many years. Ghana Project 3 aims to increase the girls capacity of Garden City Special School by building a brand new dormitory for girls.

The School

Garden City Special School provides over 190 children with special needs an engaging and adapted curriculum with boarding facilities. The curriculum focuses on life and social skills, and vocational training to ensure the students develop to be self-sufficient contributors to their community.

Students at the school have a range of different needs including children with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, microcephaly and more.

The school trains the students in a range of vocational skills including woodwork, tie dye, life skills, leather work and weaving, and uses the sensory room, gym and therapeutic sessions to support the children with their needs.

A unique transitional programme works to re-integrate students to their community. Students are paired with carefully chosen service providers to gain experience in their preferred vocation and return to school to solidify their practical learnings.

The school also works on an important community sensitisation programme with local leaders, churches, mosques, radio stations and more to ensure the community is equipped to reintegrate students and is educated to dispel the myths and stigma that can surround children with disabilities and special needs in some areas of Ghana.

Because of this stigma, cases of mistreatment and neglect can be common, with many children discarded and parents ostracised from community life. Schools for children with disabilities and special educational needs provide a vital lifeline to ensure they get the loving teachers and nourishing experiences needed for their development.

The Students

The Problem

Unfortunately, the boarding facilities at Garden City Special School are at full capacity. Most children are from the remote areas of the Ashanti region in Ghana and the boarding facilities are imperative. Currently, 53 girls stay in the existing overcrowded girls dormitory.

The school is forced to turn away children seeking admission and has not admitted a girl for many years.

The Solution

Help us to build a brand new dormitory to give girls with special educational needs a vital lifeline.

The new dormitory will accommodate 40 new girls with special educational needs and disabilities. Facilities will include two large dormitory halls, toilet and shower rooms, dressing rooms, and two small apartments for the house mothers who provide 24 hour care to the students.

Sponsor a space for only £875. Only 40 spaces available!

Come together with family and friends to sponsor a space and leave a lasting legacy on behalf of a loved one. We will display a plaque with your name or name of a loved one for such memorable generosity.

You can see the full Video Library here and for full details or any questions, call Umar (the UK coordinator) on 07952407497.