FRIENDS OF TAFO: NEWSLETTER SPRING 05

Friends of Tafo is a UK Charity that facilitates and inspires sustainable development in education, health, employment and infrastructure in the town of Kwahu-Tafo, Ghana, West Africa.

Tafo's Development Council (KTDC) is mounting a major local campaign to support our efforts to enable everything from basic school fees to computer training. This will bring a step change in the delivery of education in Kwahu Tafo. See the following pages for current projects.

A year ago Tafo's only Senior Secondary School was failing, with just 10 pupils and volunteer teachers. With your help, we funded the refurbishment of classrooms, provision of power, installation of washrooms and the beginnings of a sports pitch. Enrolment is now up to 50 pupils and we are getting ready to install computers for the first time. We need more funds for the teachers' salaries until the Government takes over funding the school.

In order to improve standards of teaching across Tafo's schools, two generous volunteer UK Teacher Trainers have visited the town to assess the schools' needs. We now want to fund a series of teacher training workshops. One Tafo teacher said "We look forward to the workshops bringing modern teaching methods to Tafo".

digitalpartnership has offered Tafo 400 reconditioned PCs. The KTDC is planning a computer classroom in each of Tafo's Junior Secondary Schools. Rooms have to be prepared and electricity supplied: funds are urgently needed to take advantage of this amazing windfall.

The first twinning of a UK school with one in Tafo has resulted in an exciting friendship between Samuel Whitbread Community College and Tafo's Methodist JSS. Letters and drawings (see right) are being exchanged, and SWCC pupils have collected £1500, which is being used to help rebuild the school's kindergarten. We are very keen to find more UK schools keen to twin with Tafo schools.

With generous funding from star Robbie Williams' management ie:music, the Royal Music Academy has been established in Tafo. This provides daily classes in traditional and modern music skills to give local talent a chance and has added a marching band (see right) to the town's celebratory occasions.

We are continuing our support for the unemployed and unskilled in Tafo through a series of workshops in making beads, tie and dye fabric design and numeracy. These workshops have produced excellent results and have been oversubscribed. We are keen to fund further workshops and to find ways to introduce the products to new markets.

As part of wider programmes we have also established a series of skills workshops for Tafo's disabled and visually impaired community, which will provide the opportunity for them to support themselves, and are encouraging local artists and potters.

A marathon race was held in Tafo this Easter as part of the season's celebrations. It was easily won by Eric Amuzu. Eric (see right) has previously won the 800, 1500 and 5000 metres not only at his school but also in regional competitions, but is struggling to get noticed by the State athletics scouts. We have supplied him with running shoes, vests and shorts and will be reporting back on his progress!

Donations: join our list of generous friends! Donations by cheque, standing order or internet: www.givenow.org

Major thanks go to: Bombus Foundation - Christmas card customers - Crescit - Deloitte & Touche LLP - digitalpartnership - Echoing Hills - Ghana International Bank - Good Gifts Catalogue - Jan and Graham Dingley - ie:music - SAFE - and many others...

Following last year's fantastically successful fundraiser, we bring you another unmissable evening of laughter, dance and song in aid of the community of Kwahu-Tafo (see poster, right). The best black comedy and musical talent will be performing for you. May 1^st 7.30pm - Hackney Empire. Tickets from £12. Call Hackney Empire Box Office on 020 8985 2424. Click here for more details.

After its spectacular launch at the Ghana High Commission, Robert's insightful portrait of the people of Tafo is opening everyone's eyes to what the town is all about. Click here for details.

We have updated our website to include lots of new project information, including feedback from many of our funded projects and even a gallery of photos taken by Tafo school children in the photography competition. Click here to go to projects.

				Registered Charity No: 1096242
				email: info@friendsoftafo.org
				Friends of Tafo, PO Box 43826 London NW6 1XG

	Friends of Tafo Newsletter SPRING 2005 Friends of Tafo is a UK Charity that facilitates and inspires sustainable development in education, health, employment and infrastructure in the town of Kwahu-Tafo, Ghana, West Africa. Tafo launches Education Fund Tafo's Development Council (KTDC) is mounting a major local campaign to support our efforts to enable everything from basic school fees to computer training. This will bring a step change in the delivery of education in Kwahu Tafo. See the following pages for current projects. SSS Progress A year ago Tafo's only Senior Secondary School was failing, with just 10 pupils and volunteer teachers. With your help, we funded the refurbishment of classrooms, provision of power, installation of washrooms and the beginnings of a sports pitch. Enrolment is now up to 50 pupils and we are getting ready to install computers for the first time. We need more funds for the teachers' salaries until the Government takes over funding the school. Teacher training In order to improve standards of teaching across Tafo's schools, two generous volunteer UK Teacher Trainers have visited the town to assess the schools' needs. We now want to fund a series of teacher training workshops. One Tafo teacher said "We look forward to the workshops bringing modern teaching methods to Tafo". Computers digitalpartnership has offered Tafo 400 reconditioned PCs. The KTDC is planning a computer classroom in each of Tafo's Junior Secondary Schools. Rooms have to be prepared and electricity supplied: funds are urgently needed to take advantage of this amazing windfall. Twinning The first twinning of a UK school with one in Tafo has resulted in an exciting friendship between Samuel Whitbread Community College and Tafo's Methodist JSS. Letters and drawings (see right) are being exchanged, and SWCC pupils have collected £1500, which is being used to help rebuild the school's kindergarten. We are very keen to find more UK schools keen to twin with Tafo schools. Other News Music Academy With generous funding from star Robbie Williams' management ie:music, the Royal Music Academy has been established in Tafo. This provides daily classes in traditional and modern music skills to give local talent a chance and has added a marching band (see right) to the town's celebratory occasions. Skills Development We are continuing our support for the unemployed and unskilled in Tafo through a series of workshops in making beads, tie and dye fabric design and numeracy. These workshops have produced excellent results and have been oversubscribed. We are keen to fund further workshops and to find ways to introduce the products to new markets. As part of wider programmes we have also established a series of skills workshops for Tafo's disabled and visually impaired community, which will provide the opportunity for them to support themselves, and are encouraging local artists and potters. And also... A marathon race was held in Tafo this Easter as part of the season's celebrations. It was easily won by Eric Amuzu. Eric (see right) has previously won the 800, 1500 and 5000 metres not only at his school but also in regional competitions, but is struggling to get noticed by the State athletics scouts. We have supplied him with running shoes, vests and shorts and will be reporting back on his progress! What you can do: Donations: join our list of generous friends! Donations by cheque, standing order or internet: www.givenow.org Major thanks go to: Bombus Foundation - Christmas card customers - Crescit - Deloitte & Touche LLP - digitalpartnership - Echoing Hills - Ghana International Bank - Good Gifts Catalogue - Jan and Graham Dingley - ie:music - SAFE - and many others... The Empire Strikes Black 2 Following last year's fantastically successful fundraiser, we bring you another unmissable evening of laughter, dance and song in aid of the community of Kwahu-Tafo (see poster, right). The best black comedy and musical talent will be performing for you. May 1^st 7.30pm - Hackney Empire. Tickets from £12. Call Hackney Empire Box Office on 020 8985 2424. Click here for more details. Impressions of Tafo After its spectacular launch at the Ghana High Commission, Robert's insightful portrait of the people of Tafo is opening everyone's eyes to what the town is all about. Click here for details. Website We have updated our website to include lots of new project information, including feedback from many of our funded projects and even a gallery of photos taken by Tafo school children in the photography competition. Click here to go to projects.
				Kofi (above) was sent home from school for non-payment of 75p of his fees. There are many children in need of school bursaries.

				Esther (above) receives an annual bursary from FOT and attends the Senior Secondary School.






	Friends of Tafo Chair: Humphrey Barclay, Development Chief (Nkosuohene) of Kwahu-Tafo Secretary: Georgina Owen; Treasurer: Benjamin Ntim; Trustees: Crispin Leyser, Jules Leyser, Daisy East, Lizzie Pomeroy, Robert Taylor; Committee Members: Colena Abbosh, Jessica Dallyn, John Ofori