ROTARY CLUB OF KUMASI-EAST PARTNERS ROTARY CLUBS OF KUWANA-NORTH AND ISE WATARAI, JAPAN TO IMPACT COMMUNITIES
The morning air in Kumasi was gentle with the promise of rain, carrying the scent of frangipani and fresh coffee into the Lancaster Hotel. In a sunlit room, the Rotary Club of Kumasi-East gathered not just for a breakfast meeting but for a reunion of purpose. We were deeply honoured to host our partners from the Rotary Clubs of Kuwana-North and Ise Watarai, Japan—a fellowship forged across continents, now strengthened over shared pastries and a common commitment to ‘Service Above Self.’
The conversation was a lively tapestry of laughter, translation, and meaningful discussion. We reflected on the journey of our collaboration, a journey that was about to culminate in a site visit later that morning. There was a palpable sense of anticipation; we were not just talking about project reports, but about the tangible change we had collectively sown.
That change became clear at the Great Talent Academy in the Ampabame environs. As we entered the new computer laboratory, a wave of pride and gratitude swept over us. Rows of thirty sleek desktop computers sat ready, their screens dark but full of potential. A printer, a projector, and a screen stood nearby—tools to open up vast digital worlds for young minds. Next door, the library shelves stood tall and orderly, fully stocked with essential textbooks and colourful reading materials. The silence in the room was not one of emptiness, but of quiet potential.
The true impact of this $48,000 project, however, was not in the equipment but in the wide-eyed wonder of the students who demonstrated their new skills. Their small fingers confidently operated keyboards, their faces lit by the glow of monitors and the emergence of new possibilities. This lab was more than just a room; it was a gateway to enhanced digital skills and a nurtured reading culture, a testament to the power of international partnership.
A Deeper Call on World Polio Day
Our fellowship continued the following day, October 24th—World Polio Day. As we strive for a world free of polio, we are reminded that our commitment to humanity takes many forms. This day of global health awareness became, for our partnership, a day of profound educational reflection.
We journeyed to the breathtaking Lake Bosomtwe, its serene waters a stark contrast to the challenges we encountered at the Nyinateasi R/C Primary School. Here, the reality was different. We were met by a dilapidated classroom serving a dual, desperate purpose as both library and computer lab. Spoilt computers, bereft of system units, sat like relics. Books were scattered, their pages worn. The learning conditions moved us deeply.
Yet, amidst the challenge, the resolve of the headmaster and the bright, eager faces of the pupils strengthened our own. Our interaction was not one of pity, but of shared resolve. It reinforced our collective commitment to make a greater impact.
As we stood there, the success of Great Talent Academy still fresh in our minds, we knew our work was not complete. On this World Polio Day, we were reminded that just as we fight disease with compassion, we must fight illiteracy with opportunity. Together, the Rotary Clubs of Kumasi-East, Kuwana-North, and Ise Watarai look forward to the next chapter—supporting and improving the learning environment for the children of Nyinateasi and continuing our shared mission of creating brighter futures, one child, one community at a time.
