Thankfully for Erica, Beatrice Sarkodie, is giving her hope. Madame Beatrice started a local community school – the Emmanuel School – to provide a low-cost quality education to children in her community who were unable to access state education. The school was held in a basic building with limited facilities but with a loan, training and support from Opportunity International Beatrice has improved the school. Her priority was to provide toilets and a well to get clean water so that her students’ health would improve. Since installing these facilities, students are staying in school longer and working hard to gain the qualifications they need to get successful jobs and a way out of poverty.
Erica says – “I always remember that we used to have to go outside the school to fetch water but now we have a well in the school so I feel safer. We used to only have one toilet but after Madame Beatrice went to Opportunity International we now have better toilets and more of them. Now I am proud to attend this school because it has toilets and water and it feels a proper school.”
Beatrice has not just provided a clean and healthy environment for Erica to learn and excel, but she has inspired her. She has taught her that women can run successful businesses and be independant. She has taught her that she is not only allowed to have dreams but has the opportunity and ability to achieve them. “If girls were given financial opportunities like Madam Beatrice then most of the girls wouldn’t follow men and have teenage pregnancies. Women can make their own money and be independent," says Erica.
One simple opportunity to invest is having a life-changing impact. It has given the opportunity to learn and work towards a better future - not just for Erica but for a whole community.