Transforming Education in Langbinsi: A Story of Growth and Resilience

This blog was originally published on edufinance.org.

In the heart of Langbinsi, a small community in the North East region of Ghana, lies ‘Charity Begins at Home Academy’. Established in 2003 by Moari Sulley, this school began with a simple yet profound vision: to provide accessible education to children who lacked the means to attend distant schools. Over the years, the academy has grown from serving a handful of students to nurturing the educational journey of 231 young learners today.

"When I started the school, there was nothing but just a seat for me," recalls Moari Sulley, reflecting on the humble beginnings of Charity Begins at Home Academy. "My vision was to impart knowledge and skills to my little brothers and sisters who couldn't afford private education."

Located far from the nearest government school, which was over a mile away, Moari recognized the need to bridge the educational gap in his community. "Children were sitting idle at home, with no access to learning," he explains. "My mission was to change that."

Across northern Ghana, the Government struggles to meet the increasing demand for education access. The fertility rate in this region is 5.2 compared to 3.2 in the Greater Accra region, which means growing pressures to provide more schools and more seats for children. The highest rates of women and girls never attending school in Ghana are all located in the northern regions of the country – exceeding 50% in many areas. Low-fee non-state schools in northern Ghana have the potential to help Government meet some of this growing demand, but often struggle to operate a sustainable quality school with minimal support.

Despite its noble mission and aims to help close this education access gap in Langbinsi, the academy faced significant challenges from the outset. Moari also had to visit each house in the community to encourage them to bring their children to school when he started in 2003. The response was immediate and supportive, starting with an abandoned building offered by community leaders. "Parents were excited to bring their children," Moari recalls. "They saw the value in education, even though awareness was lower compared to today."

A shortage of school furniture meant students struggled with basic comforts for learning. "Some of them find it difficult," Moari laments, pointing out the makeshift benches in use. "There were no proper writing places for them."

Partnering to Improve Education Quality 

In October 2023, Charity Begins at Home Academy joined the USAID-funded Advancing Partnerships for Improved Learning activity. Implemented by Opportunity International and partners, the school has started receiving  crucial support alongside 212 other low-fee schools in northern Ghana.

School leaders now have peer-to-peer learning opportunities through their newly formed school clusters. Leaders like Moari are learning to annually self-assess their school across 18 domains of quality and use this information to write school development plans targeting priority areas for improvement each year. Leaders are also accessing professional development workshops on key topics like financial management, parent engagement and child protection. "Before USAID support, we struggled to pay salaries and manage finances," Moari admits. "Now, with structured budgeting and community involvement, we've seen a turnaround."

Leaders also select teachers to serve as mentors that have the opportunity to attend trainings and build their skills in teaching and learning, classroom management and peer coaching . Elias Rashidatu, a teacher at the academy, highlights the personal impact of partnering with the Activity. "The teacher mentor program has been transformative. It taught me interactive teaching methods that engage students more effectively."

Looking ahead, Moari envisions a brighter future for Charity Begins at Home Academy. "I want to see our students excel, not just academically but in life," he shares passionately. "With improved infrastructure—more classrooms, better furniture, and maybe even a computer lab—we can further enhance their learning experience."

The success of Charity Begins at Home Academy is not just about its founder or dedicated teachers—it's about a community rallying behind the cause of education. Through Parent-Teacher Association meetings and community involvement, challenges like school fees and student absenteeism are tackled collectively.

As Moari reflects on the journey so far, he remains grateful for the transformative impact of partnerships and community support. "We've come a long way," he concludes with a smile. "And with continued collaboration, our school will continue to grow and nurture future leaders."

In a region where educational opportunities were once sparse, Charity Begins at Home Academy stands as a beacon of hope and progress—a testament to what dedication, partnerships, and community spirit can achieve.

Read about Daari Hawawu, a school leader in Northern Ghana, who transformed her school through effective financial management here!