The Love Project, a non-profit organization, in a remarkable initiative, has revitalized the library at the Mante School of Excellence in Afienya.
The once dilapidated space has undergone a major makeover, now featuring new books, furniture, and improved air conditioning.
The Love Project, dedicated to fostering reading and learning in underprivileged communities, chose the Mante School of Excellence as one of its beneficiaries.
Rebecca Lamptey, co-founder of the Love Project, sharing the genesis of the project during the unveiling of the first phase in December last year, said that their decision was birthed from their bi-annual trips to the school to provide career guidance and counseling to students.
“We identified Mante School of Excellence, and decided that we would be coming here at least twice a year, speak with them, do some career guidance and counselling with the JSS 2-3 students, so that at least they are sort of exposed to the many opportunities out there. Along the line, through our interactions, we realized that they were quite limited in what they knew, especially with exposure. They were very limited with exposure, and we had to think through how we could help bridge that gap. Books expose you to the whole world, a whole new world that you otherwise would not have known. So we decided to help them with their library and try and set it up for them,” she said.
The Love Project collaborated with friends and supporters who generously donated books and funds for the library’s renovation. The project received support from the Ghana Library Authority, Akenkan Bookstore, Beulahland Floral Products and Services, and SkodPro, which provided expertise in fabricating the furniture in the library.
Sally Aryee-Atta, a volunteer and educationist, expressed her happiness in being part of the project, emphasizing her belief in the power of reading.
“I have been reading since I was a child, and it took me far. We have come to dedicate a beautiful library filled with books. And these books have been dedicated by friends and loved ones, all part of the Love Project,” she stated.
George Tawiah Mante, the headmaster of the Mante School of Excellence, expressed gratitude for the transformation, emphasizing the positive impact on students’ knowledge and learning.
“..they changed the face of our library into what we’re seeing today. We’re saying we’re very grateful for all the partners and people who spent their money, their time, and their energies to bring this library to the state it has today. It has changed the face of our school and I believe that this school will have a lot of benefits from it and also other people who will come into the library, they will increase their knowledge in reading and learning.”
A few months after the first phase was completed, the Love Project returned to the school on Valentine’s Day 2024 to finish what they had started by providing louvre blades for the windows, tables, and chairs so that students could have a comfortable place to sit and use the library facility.
Students and teachers expressed their appreciation to the organisers of the project. Ibrahim Rashidat, the school prefect, promised the students will efficiently use the facility to improve their reading and vocabulary, thanking the Love Project for their generosity.
“We really want to say thank you. We really appreciate it. We also promise that we will visit this place and improve our reading and vocabulary. Thank you for everything,” she said with a smile.
Araba Abaidoo, a Love Project member, highlighted the essential role of reading for children and its impact on building vocabulary and exposure to new ideas.
Edwin Dawutey, a teacher, expressed his excitement about the project, foreseeing a positive impact on students’ reading habits for generations to come.The Love Project, having now completed this transformative initiative, aims to extend its impact to other schools and communities in need.
They invite more individuals to join their cause and share the love for reading and learning.
