One of many tire repair shops in the cities. This one is at Twifo-Praso in the central region of Ghana, some 25 miles from where our school is located. This relatively short distance takes more than an hour to reach due to the numerous potholes.
OH-OH FLAT TIRE, NOT GOOD NEWS
Both our school vehicles, predictable broke down. The first one stalled with a report that something in the engine needed attention. The other one, while carrying some of our dear kiddos, had a punctured tire. Teachers from various areas were contacted and had to arrange for taxis to take the students to and from school, and they had to be reimbursed. I was called (woken up) at 3 am to respond to the problem. The picture on the left is a shop where a fairly used tire was purchased.
By rushing financial assistance, good news emerged that both vehicles were working and so 'aluta continua'. But, for how long? These are old decrepit vehicles prone to constant breakdowns. We are optimistic that help is on the way. Please donate today. Thank you.
This is the second school van I purchased as the student population increased steadily. On this fateful day, one of the vehicles developed engine trouble, and the other, unfortunately, had one of its tires punctured. It took waking me up at 4 a.m. to send money for fixing both vehicles, which also implied furnishing funds to make alternative transportation arrangements. Retirement is already hard, but my determination to ensure the success of the schools outweighs the minor financial discomfort I experience in the USA.
Vehicle Number 2 (Blue)
While conveying students to school, one of our favorite vans developed engine trouble and could not take the kiddos to school, resulting in a 911-like (emergency) trip to the city. Principal Owusu was able to go and bring a mechanic to come and take a look (See picture below). Alternative travel arrangements were made, and all went well, even if some students reached home 2 hours late that day. This is to be expected with much, much older vehicles. A newer, fairly used van would greatly help. There are a lot of such vans for sale in major cities in Ghana. You don't want to know their prices. This is why we make do with what we can afford. Let's change the situation for the kiddos. Donate generously, and many thanks.
Vehicle number one (White Van)
While conveying students to school, one of our favorite vans busted a tire. This resulted in a 911 (emergency) trip to the city, and in one of the tire shops, Principal Owusu was able to purchase a replacement tire. This brought a disruption in taking students home. Thinking on our feet, alternative travel arrangements were made and all went well even if some students reached home 2 hours late. A good-conditioned van would greatly help. There are a lot for sale in major cities in Ghana. You don't want to know their prices. This is why we make do with what we have. Let's change the situation for the kiddos. Donate generously, and many thanks.
This is the first school van I purchased. Fairly reliable and rarely breaks down. We lose tires periodically due to bad road conditions. Fuel costs and engine oil changes could be very expensive. Both vehicles were purchased in Accra, the capital of Ghana, and driven to the village some 6+ hours driving time.
Our school van is undergoing an ‘X-ray’ examination of the engine. It developed engine troubles, almost gave up the ghost, and needed resuscitation. Alternative arrangements tend to be more expensive, so we do all we can to repair both vans (the blue and white).
Serious Engine Repair
Here is one of our vehicles undergoing repairs. The picture speaks for itself. I see many yellow school buses grounded in the USA and developed countries, yet these are capable of serving our school excellently. It will take benevolent people with some level of connection and power, together with your donation, to enable us to ship one or two to save our school.
Buying Spare Parts is very expensive, but if we do not want the kiddos to walk the footpaths to and from school, we need to repair every breakdown. Here is one of our vehicles undergoing repairs. The picture speaks for itself. Many yellow school buses are grounded in the USA and developed countries, yet these can serve our school excellently. It will take benevolent people with some level of connection and power, together with your donation, to enable us to ship one or two to save our school.
Just purchased spare part.
Here are some of our vehicles undergoing repairs. The picture speaks for itself. I see many yellow school buses grounded in the USA and developed countries, yet these are capable of serving our school excellently. It will take benevolent people with some level of connection and power, together with your donation, to enable us to ship one or two to save our school.
