If you had met young Gloria Lardi Adakurugu and asked her what her ambitions were, teaching wouldn’t have been on the list. But as fate would have it, her father, after she completed her secondary school, nudged her into a teacher’s training college.

While at Mount Mary College of Education in Somanya, Gloria believed she was only there to please her dad and later pursue the dream of her choice.

However, teaching was meant to be her destiny when she was posted to Oterkpolu Presby Junior High School (JHS) in the Eastern Region for her teaching practice in 2011.

Being the last child of six, Gloria had a relatively stable childhood. Her father believed that education was the most important inheritance he could give his children, therefore, he put all his kids through school to the best of his abilities.

Having had a smooth educational journey, the now 35-year-old educationist from Binduri in the Upper East Region thought that children across the country have a similar upbringing until she encountered a different reality when she went to the small village of Oterkpolu which became a life-changing moment for her.

During this period, Gloria observed that even though tuition was free, most of her students absented themselves from school due to the lack of stationery and other minor items.

“When I got there, I realized that some of the kids don’t come to school, and when you ask them they will say ‘Madam, I don’t have pencils. I don’t have books, I don’t have a pen. My School uniform is torn, and I don’t have shoes,” she recalls.

These were basic necessities, often taken for granted, and were however significant barriers preventing children from attending school regularly.

What do the statistics say?

Absenteeism remains a significant issue in Ghana's education system, with various challenges affecting school attendance. The Ghana Education Service (GES) reports that a substantial number of students miss school regularly due to various factors including economic hardship and lack of basic school supplies. Ministry of Education also reports that many children in rural and underprivileged areas are unable to attend school because their families cannot afford necessities such as uniforms, books, and stationery.

According to UNICEF, there are notable disparities in absenteeism rates across different regions in Ghana. Rural areas, in particular, face higher rates of absenteeism compared to urban centers due to poverty and limited access to educational resources.

Changing the narrative

Seeing this heartbreaking reality, Gloria was moved to act. Despite her limited means as a student teacher, she decided to use her allowance to provide for her students in need.

“But I realized that a lot of these children’s parents couldn’t afford these things. So in my small way, the allowances I was taking as a student teacher, I decided to use that money to buy school uniforms, books, pencils, erasers, and all these stationery products for the kids.”

After completing her training, Gloria posted to her first station at Oyoko Presby School, where she encountered similar challenges. The sight of children staying away from school due to the lack of basic supplies spurred her to keep helping. Her efforts didn't stop there; they expanded.

Her next posting at Bonya King of Glory Presby Kindergarten also in the Eastern Region in 2014 marked a turning point. Here, her acts of kindness evolved into a more structured initiative. She formed a foundation, GLA Foundation to be able to help more needy students.

“From Oyoko, I was posted to Bonya King of Glory Presby KG, and that was where the foundation officially began," Gloria explains.

Her deep love for children and her desire to see them succeed in school fueled her determination to continue making a difference.

“My first beneficiary of GLA Foundation was a 6-year-old boy who had never been to school. So I followed up and went to his house and met his grandmother who said ‘I wish I could send my grandson to school but I don’t have the means. Even though it is a free basic school to get the necessities like books, bags, shoes/sandals, and school uniforms are my responsibility and I cannot afford them.’ This meeting happened on a Friday, on Saturday, I bought all the items and on Monday I enrolled the child in school,” she recounts.

Overcoming personal financial strains

Gloria's commitment to her students meant that she frequently spent her own money to buy school uniforms, books, pencils, and other essential supplies. And this decision didn’t happen without significant personal and financial challenges.

“When I started, it was incredibly challenging. I had to fund everything from my small salary. You know teachers and our small salary; it wasn’t easy.”

“At a point, the pressure was becoming too much. I couldn’t afford to help as much as I wanted to,” she recounts.

This financial strain reached a point where she had to make the difficult decision to select a few students she could help, leaving others without the necessary resources.

Community and social media support

Recognizing the limitations of her resources, Gloria turned to her close friends, relatives, and social media for support.

In 2021, she began actively posting about her project on social media platforms which earned her the nickname ‘Celebrity Teacher.’

“I had friends, relatives, and everybody coming on board to support me," she says.

The power of social media helped her reach a broader audience, garnering support from friends, family, and even strangers who were moved by her dedication. This network of supporters has enabled her to expand her efforts and help more children stay in school.

She has since embarked on a series of ‘Back to School Projects’. Helping many children in the Eastern and Volta Regions get the stationery and other items needed to facilitate teaching and learning.

Back to our roots

In 2022, Gloria, a native of the Upper East Region, embarked on a journey back to her roots. After she visited her hometown, Binduri, she decided to donate some stationery to the pupils.

At Binduri Basic School, Gloria discovered that children from kindergarten to primary three were forced to sit on the bare floor due to a lack of furniture. Overwhelmed with sadness, she knew she couldn't turn a blind eye to the plight of these young learners.

Determined to make a difference, Gloria took action. She captured the heartbreaking scene through photographs and shared it on social media, hoping to raise awareness and spark change. Little did she know, her plea would resonate with a generous soul named Michael Mensah.

Michael, moved by Gloria's passion and the urgent need at Binduri Basic School, reached out to offer his support. Eager to make a tangible impact, Gloria expressed the school's dire need for furniture. Without hesitation, Michael committed to assisting.

“After some months, we gathered furniture and he traveled with me up north and donated it to the school. And you should have seen the smile on their faces,” she reminisces.

Realising the transformation she has caused, Gloria couldn't help but be overwhelmed with joy. The once solemn halls of Binduri Basic School now echoed with laughter and enthusiasm as students eagerly took their seats, promising never to miss a class again.

For Gloria, this journey from tears to triumph marked the most fulfilling and happiest moment of her life.

UN’s SDG Goal

Gloria's story aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education. By addressing the needs of these marginalized students, she is contributing to the goal of ensuring inclusiveness and equitable quality education for all.

More efforts needed

Reflecting on her recent efforts to improve the conditions of students, Gloria acknowledges the progress achieved while highlighting the pressing need for continued governmental support.

“The government's initiative to provide free education from kindergarten to senior high school has undoubtedly alleviated the financial burdens faced by parents. However, there remains significant room for improvement,” she remarks

While access to education has expanded, the quality and adequacy of resources remain critical concerns.

“It's disheartening to see children still sitting on the floor in classrooms. Necessities like stationery and textbooks should not be luxuries,” she laments.

Recognizing the importance of a well-rounded education, Gloria emphasizes the need for comprehensive support from the government.

“The provision of textbooks is essential to ensure that students have the tools they need to excel. Investing in education is investing in the future of our nation,” she said.

Addressing the NGO myths

Gloria, founder of the GLA Foundation, opened up about the realities of NGO work and the importance of maintaining integrity in the face of misconceptions. With a steadfast commitment to serving marginalised communities, she stresses the true purpose of their efforts and encourages fellow NGO members to prioritize the cause above personal gain.

“Starting an NGO isn't a path to riches. This is something you do for people wholeheartedly.”

Addressing the ethical responsibility of NGOs, Gloria urges her colleagues to remain transparent and accountable in their endeavors.

“Donated funds are meant for the cause, not personal profit. We owe it to our donors and the communities we serve to ensure that every amount is put to meaningful use,” she advised.

Let’s break the cycle

Gloria is proud to witness the progress and resilience of her beneficiaries. Giving them a word of advice, the educationist believed in the power of education and its ability to bring about growth and transformation.

“I sometimes meet some of my beneficiaries and I become so proud of them. I keep advising them to take their studies seriously because our vision is to break the cycle of poverty and education is the best way to do that. So if the GLA Foundation is supporting you in breaking the cycle, they should also take their studies seriously. They shouldn’t let the opposite sex distract them. They shouldn’t also fear to seek help from people who can truly help them,” she advises.

In her unwavering support for their journey, Gloria encourages beneficiaries to prioritize their studies and resist distractions. "We're here to empower you," she assures them. "Don't be afraid to seek help and stay focused on your goals."

Gloria's story is one of relentless dedication. Her sacrifices have ensured that many children have the tools they need to stay in school and succeed. The 13-year journey has not been easy, but the impact she has made in the lives of her over 2000 beneficiaries makes it worth it.