World Vision Ghana equips Lassie-Tuolu School
By: Francis Npong
In the heart of the vibrant community of Wenchau, the capital of the 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 strove for excellence. However, on 10 March 2024, the atmosphere within its walls was thick with despair.
On that fateful day, students filed into the dining hall, eager for the hot meals that awaited them. The air was filled with laughter and the tinkling of cutlery, mingling with the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food. Little did they know that, within moments, the scene would descend into chaos and wailing.
Suddenly, a small flame erupted near the edge of the kitchen, setting in motion a series of horrifying events. The giggling of students and the tinkling of cutlery were replaced by an unexpected chorus of cries: 'Fire! Fire! Fire! Help! Help!' This cry echoed through the school walls and attracted villagers, who were powerless to save the building from the raging inferno.
With the help of the dry Savannah winds, the fire spread quickly, consuming everything in its path. Students fled the dining hall, their appetites dashed and their faces painted with shock and disbelief.
As the president of the Students' Representative Council (SRC) said, 'In the blink of an eye, the haven of nourishment and pleasure was reduced to ashes'.
Teachers and staff acted swiftly, calling the fire brigade and ushering students to safety, while trying to quell the inferno. However, 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 slow-moving fire brigade.
As headteacher Emmanuel Banongwie said, "Within minutes, the multi-purpose hall, which was once a bustling hub of laughter and nourishment, was reduced to smouldering ashes. This has not only halted teaching and learning, but has also destroyed some of the school's furniture, creating difficulties for the school. The school management quickly launched an appeal for support. While a new multi-purpose dining hall is being built, one critical need remains – access to furniture. Students are struggling to find seats on long benches, and taking notes and doing classroom exercises has become a nightmare.
However, amidst this tale of destruction, a glimmer of hope has emerged. World Vision Ghana, a humanitarian, relief, development, advocacy and child-focused organisation, has come to the school's aid.
In the Wa West district, World Vision Ghana is brightening the lives of the poor and vulnerable with transformative programmes, while also extending a helping hand to schools and communities in areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), food security, economic empowerment, health and nutrition, and child protection.
The Northern Regional Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, Mr Francis Gumah, recounted that World Vision Ghana has already been refurbishing deprived schools in the district. To date, 960 dual desks have been presented to 10 schools in the Wa West District alone. In addition, 120 children who walk long distances to school have been given bicycles to enable them to attend school regularly and on time. Furthermore, World Vision Ghana has donated over 600 school uniforms and bags, 5,000 exercise books and play-to-learn equipment, all valued at thousands of Ghanaian cedis, to over 1,900 schoolchildren in the Wa West District. This makes World Vision Ghana the top development partner in the eyes of both local authorities and community members.
A festive atmosphere swept over Lassie-Tuolu Senior High School on the day the new furniture was presented. The District Chief Executive, the local Member of Parliament, students, parents' and teachers' association representatives, district education office authorities and teachers gathered to celebrate this occasion. The celebration reminded everyone that, although they had lost a building, they had a reliable partner whose support had strengthened their bonds. This was conveyed in the encouraging speeches delivered by the dignitaries in attendance. It was more than just a place for drumming and dancing; it was a celebration of joy.
The legacy of World Vision Ghana has overshadowed the trauma of this inferno, opening a new chapter in the history of Lassie Tuolu Senior High School that will be recounted for generations to come.
It is a reminder that, in the face of adversity, hope, unity and determination can prevail, and the support of a genuine and reliable partner can shine brighter than any fire. We are World Vision Ghana: a reliable Christian humanitarian, development, and advocacy organisation focused on helping the most vulnerable in society, especially children and women.