Surbiton High school gives 200 books to Ghanaian school

Surbiton High School girls delivered 200 books to school children in Ghana to help promote literacy and reading in rural Ghanaian schools where books and resources are scarce. The Akenkan ('read along') book series has been written and illustrated by a team of Surbiton High School pupils who fundraised throughout the year to finance the project.

The project was inspired and led by teacher, Suzy Pett, (with support from colleague Sharon Stead) who recognised the need for relevant, up-to-date books in rural Ghana, and it has been nominated for the Outstanding Community Initiative at the Independent Schools Awards held in November.

Year 11 pupil Emily Clarke, who made the trip, comments: "Being part of the Akenkan project has been such an amazing opportunity and one that I will never forget. It was incredibly humbling to see how the series of books we made were received with such joy and happiness by the Ghanaian children…I didn't want to leave!"

Nana Osei Tutu, Ghanaian teacher and In-country Project Coordinator, said: "Helping to found Akenkan with Suzy Pett has made me incredibly fulfilled. Seeing our children enjoying reading is so wonderful. It is a dream come true to see how pupils from different continents can learn from each other. The Akenkan series of books really will make a difference to the children in the villages of Peduase and Aburi." 

The four books (with a fifth one on the way) in the Akenkan series, which are aimed at beginner readers in the UK, are available at Waterstones in Kingston priced £6.00 to raise money for further books to be sent to Ghanaian pupils.