World Vision Ghana Presents 220 Pieces of Furniture to Lassie-Tuolu School in Wa West District

By: Francis Npong

In the heart of a vibrant community, Wenchau, the capital of Wa West District, stood the proud Lassie Tuolu Senior High School. This school had long been a beacon of hope and ambition, a place where students dreamed big and strived for excellence. On March 10, 2024, however, the atmosphere within its walls was thick with despair.

On that fateful day, students filtered into the dining hall, eagerly anticipating the warm meals that awaited them. The air was filled with laughter, the tinkling of cutlery, and the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food. Little did they know that within moments, the scene would turn into wailing and chaotic. 

Suddenly, a small flame erupted near the kitchen's edge, igniting a cascade of horrifying events. Giggling of students and tinkling of cutlery gave way to an unexpected chorus - fire, fire, fire, help, help. This cry echoed through the school walls and attracted villagers who stood powerless to salvage the facility from the raging inferno.

With the aid of savannah dry winds, the fire spread quickly, consuming everything in its path. Students, their appetites dashed, fled the dining hall, their faces painted with shock and disbelief as they ran outside. 

As the students Representative Council (SRC) president said, “in a twinkle of an eye, the heaven of nourishment and pleasure was reduced to ashes”. 

Teachers and staff acted swiftly, calling for the fire brigade and ushering students to safety while trying to quell the inferno, but the flames roared defiantly, licking at the wooden beams and dancing threateningly as they devoured the building. The raging fire could not wait for the snail-paced fire brigade. 

As the headteacher Mr Emmanuel Banongwie echoed “Within minutes, the multi-purpose hall that was once a bustling hub of laughter and nourishment was reduced to smoldering ashes. This has only halted teaching and learning but has destroyed few furniture the school has plaguing the school into difficulties. The school management quickly launched an appeal for support.  While a new multi-purpose dining hall is emerging, one need remains critical - access to furniture. As students struggle for sitting spaces on long benches, copying notes and doing classroom exercises became a nightmare. 

But in this tale of destruction, a gleam of hope emerged. World Vision Ghana, a humanitarian, relief, development, advocacy and child-focused organisation rushed to the school’s aid. 

In Wa West district, World Vision Ghana is already lightening up dark paths and brightening hopes of the poor and vulnerable with transformative programmes while at the same time extending hands of support to schools and communities in area of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) food security, economic empowerment, health and nutrition and children protection. 

The Northern Regional Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, Mr Francis Gumah recounted that, World Vision Ghana has already been retooling deprived schools in the district. It has since presented 960 dual desks to 10 schools in the Wa West District alone. Aside from this, 120 children who walk long distances to school have been provided bicycles that enable them to attend school regularly and punctually and in addition to this, World Vision Ghana has also donated over 600 school uniforms and school bags, 5000 exercise books, and some play-to-learn equipment valued at thousands of Ghana cedis to more than 1,900 schoolchildren in the Wa West District”. This puts World Vision Ghana top of development partners on the lips of both local authorities and community members.

On the day of presentation of new furniture to Lassie-Tuolu Senior High school, a festive atmosphere swept over the school. The District Chief Executive, the Member of Parliament for the area, students, representatives of parents-teacher association and authorities from the district education office, and teachers gathered to celebrate this day. The celebration reminds everyone that while they had lost a building, they had a reliable partner whose support had strengthened their bonds. This was portrayed through speeches of encouragement by invited dignitaries. It was more than just a space to drum, dance, it was a celebration joy.

The legacy of World Vision Ghana has overshadowed the trauma suffered from this inferno — a new chapter in the history of Lassie Tuolu Senior High School that would be recounted for generations to come has been opened. 

A reminder that in the face of adversity, hope, unity, and determination, a genuine and reliable partner’s support can blaze brighter than any fire ever could. We are World Vision Ghana, a reliable Christian humanitarian, development and advocacy organization focused on helping the most vulnerable in society especially children and women.