Recent Events
NEWSFLASH! In October 2024 Hope of Children Academy was officially recognized by the Ghanaian government as the BEST Elementary School in the Nanumba North Municipality!
October, 2024: Lyn Burr Brignoli And Her Son Chris Brignoli Visit Hope for Children Academy
As Lyn and Chris enter the schoolyard for the very first time, a mob of exuberant children rush to greet them. What a delight!
View of Bimbilla just outside Hope for Children Academy.
Children in a nursery class welcome their visitors with a song.
Headmistress Sibri introduces Lyn and Chris to students in each of the classes, nursery through 6th grades.
Lyn and Chris meet with teachers and staff: Hope for Children Academy employs 16 people, including a night watchman and 2 cooks. Jacob Nantogmah, Assistant Principal (center, left) enjoying some snacks with fellow teachers and staff. Headmistress Sibri on the left.
A computer center, like this one at Hope for Children Academy, created with the support of our donors in 2022, is rare in rural Ghana.
Headmistress Sibri invites all the parents to school to welcome Lyn and Chris. A strong PTA, unusual for a rural school, contributes to its success.
Durbar In Bimbilla
Kpatihi Naa Azindow Nantogmah, Sibri’s brother, leader of his royal family, presides at a festival held in honor of Queen Kpatihi Maligu Naa Lyn and her son Prince Chris.
We are so grateful for this experience that demonstrated an outpouring of love and hospitality from the Bimbilla community for Lyn and Chris on their visit to Hope for Children Academy.
Kpatihi Naa Azindow Nantogmah surrounded by his royal family, presides at the Durbar.
Queen of Development Kpatihi Maligu Naa Lyn and Prince Chris at the Durbar.
August 2024: Art Lessons for Hope for Children Academy
In August 2024 Maya Coggeshall-Burr (17), a rising high school senior, headed to Hope for Children Academy in Bimbilla with her mother, Nadya Tkachenko, carrying 2 suitcases (over 100 pounds!) filled with colored pencils, paper and paint. Maya, an accomplished artist, was volunteering to give art lessons to about 300 children in each of the classes, nursery through 6th grades over four days.
Maya Coggeshall-Burr: Painting with nursery and kindergarten students
In Maya’s words:
“Art isn’t just about drawing or painting—it’s about fostering creativity, connection and inspiration. In giving what I can to the education of these young Ghanaian students, I want not only to enhance their resources but inspire them to think of a future beyond societal and geographical boundaries. Through art, I aim to convey what cannot be said in speech: that there is beauty and power in their imagination…. In a place where opportunities are limited, I believe creativity can open doors and empower these students to dream beyond their current circumstances…”
These very young children can already write the English alphabet!
Children are proud to display their artwork which will later be shown to their parents.
Later Sibri Nantogmah, Cofounder and Headmistress of the school in Bimbilla, expressed her gratitude to Lyn Burr Brignoli, Sibri’s Cofounder and collaborator here in the U.S:
“On behalf of my family, the school and the entire community I wish to express our profound gratitude for this wonderful opportunity to have this special time to interact with Maya and Nadya. …Although their stay was very short, the entire community here benefited so much from their visit. …We pray that from time to time you will help organize more initiatives for us to have interactions with family, friends and even other lovely people in your community …”
We agree with Sibri: It would be wonderful to have more students from the U.S., high school or college age, visit the school in cultural exchange programs—something to look forward to!