Help United Way Ghana Equip Young Learners With Essential School Supplies

Our Improving Basic Education program supports underserved schools with age appropriate books, STEAM resources, and infrastructure improvements. Since 2003, over 100,000 young learners have benefited from engaging lessons that promote year round learning.

We also advance Financial Stability for Parents and Caregivers by providing entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and adult education. These interventions empower families to diversify income, improve financial management, and better support their children.
Through Youth Skills Development, we collaborate with tertiary institutions and community associations to train and mentor individuals aged 18 - 35. More than 1,000 young people have gained employability and entrepreneurship skills to prepare for sustainable careers.

Our Medical Outreach Programs increase access to healthcare by facilitating National Health Insurance registration and providing education on key issues such as menstrual health for girls.

Our Climate Activism initiative promotes sustainable practices, including waste management, tree planting, recycling, and renewable energy. Thousands have been equipped with green skills to foster environmental responsibility.

The Challenges

In many deprived communities in Ghana, children face significant barriers to education due to the lack of basic school supplies such as exercise books and stationery. This challenge forces many to attend classes unequipped, leading to low participation, poor performance, absenteeism, and in some cases, dropping out of school. The start of a school year, which should be filled with excitement and hope, becomes instead a source of anxiety and exclusion for these young learners. For United Way Ghana, this issue is critical because it directly undermines our mission to ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to learn and thrive. Without intervention, many children risk falling further behind in their studies, widening the educational gap between resource-rich and under-resourced communities. Funds raised will be used to purchase and distribute exercise books and essential stationery packs to 1,000 children across the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti regions. This support will ensure that learners can begin the academic year prepared, confident, and motivated to pursue their education.

Why it matters

Education is the foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, yet thousands of children in Ghana risk falling behind simply because they lack basic school materials. Without exercise books, pencils, or rulers, students cannot complete assignments, participate fully in class, or study effectively at home. This creates unequal opportunities, where some children thrive while others struggle due to no fault of theirs. The funds raised through the Back to School Campaign will directly impact 1,000 young learners by equipping them with the essential supplies needed to start school on equal footing with their peers. With GHC 50, a donor can sponsor a child, providing dignity, confidence, and readiness for the academic year. Beyond the immediate benefit of school supplies, this campaign fosters a sense of belonging and motivation among learners, ensuring they remain in school and engaged in their studies. By supporting this initiative, donors will help reduce absenteeism and dropouts while promoting inclusive education and brighter futures for children in deprived communities.

Solution

The Back to School Campaign seeks to address the urgent need for school supplies among under-resourced children in Ghana. Our goal is to improve student preparedness and learning outcomes for 1,000 children by providing each with 10 exercise books and a stationery pack containing pens or pencils, and rulers. By equipping children with these essential tools, we ensure they can participate fully in lessons, complete homework, and approach the academic year with confidence. The campaign also aims to reduce absenteeism and school dropouts, often linked to the inability to afford basic learning materials. Moreover, by responding to the needs of these learners, we motivate them to value education and encourage parents and communities to remain engaged in supporting their children’s schooling. This solution not only meets immediate needs but also contributes to longer-term goals of reducing educational inequality and promoting sustainable community development. With the collective effort of donors and partners, United Way Ghana will create a ripple effect that inspires hope, fosters equal opportunities, and strengthens the future of education in deprived communities.