World Vision Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Preschool Facility at Diaso
By: Christopher Teye, Cluster Manager
World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with the Upper Denkyira West District Assembly and the Ghana Education Service, has commissioned a modern preschool facility for the Diaso D/A Basic School. The new structure, valued at GHC 712,794.00, equivalent to 46,141.84 USD is set to revolutionise early childhood education in the community.
The facility includes a two-unit kindergarten block, an office, restrooms, three toilet facilities, a bathroom, furnished classrooms, teaching and learning materials, and play equipment. The project is a significant step toward addressing the infrastructural challenges that have hindered the academic performance of preschool children in the area.
During the ceremony, the Queen Mother of Diaso, Nana Efia Gyamfuaa I thanked World Vision Ghana for its inspiration and commitment. She noted that the facilities rivaled those of private schools and urged the school authorities to adopt a robust maintenance culture to ensure their longevity.
Speaking at the event, Irvine Aboagye, the Southern Regional Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, highlighted World Vision's commitment to improving the educational landscape in the district. He explained that an assessment of the poor performance of the pre-schools revealed that inadequate infrastructure was a major contributing factor.
"This project is part of our broader commitment to addressing these challenges and empowering the next generation through quality education," he said.
Aboagye highlighted World Vision's extensive contributions to the Upper Denkyira West District in various sectors. In the area of health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), the organisation has constructed 35 boreholes and four limited mechanised water systems, established 35 Water and Sanitation Management Teams (WSMTs) with 67 pump maintenance volunteers, and supported 14 communities to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
In addition, World Vision Ghana provided handwashing facilities in 32 schools and 15 health facilities, and regularly distributed sanitary pads to over 9,000 girls.
In the area of education, World Vision Ghana has trained 123 Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilitators and 160 teachers. It has also printed and distributed over 70,000 readers, textbooks and workbooks, established 21 active reading clubs and constructed four nursery schools with associated WASH facilities.
In the area of community empowerment, World Vision Ghana has supported about 1,643 vulnerable children to obtain birth certificates, trained about 1,584 caregivers, including faith leaders, on creating child-friendly communities, and established more than 55 Savings for Transformation (S4T) groups in nine communities.
World Vision Ghana's Southern Regional Operations Manager emphasised the need for collective action to ensure the sustainability of such initiatives. "This facility is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration. We call on all stakeholders to join hands to reach even more children in need," he concluded.
The inauguration of the Diaso D/A Preschool facility marks a significant milestone in the development of the district and underscores the transformative power of partnerships in building a better future for children.
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.
We believe in every child’s right to a quality, safe, inclusive and transformational education that empowers children for life. Our work enables families, communities and schools to provide nurturing care with playful and effective pedagogy.