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.
Kindergarten girl welcomes Lyn to school.
Lyn and Chris met with teachers and staff during their visit. 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.
Teachers are enjoying the meeting.
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.
Sibri introduces Lyn and Chris to the parents.
Durbar In Bimbilla
A Grand Festival is held in honor of Kpatihi Maligu Naa Lyn, Bimbilla Queen of Development, and her son, Prince Chris: An Outpouring of Love and Hospitality from the Entire Bimbilla Community.
Kpatihi Naa Azindow Nantogmah surrounded by his royal family, presides at the Durbar.
Sibri's nephew Somed instructs Lyn on how to dance: Walk slowly and sway gently from side to side. Anything more than this is unbecoming for a Queen.
Prince Chris, however, needs dancing lessons. The day before the Durbar, Somed takes Chris out to the hotel patio to demonstrate his dance moves with music and videos on a cell phone. As Chris dances at the Durbar, a cheer erupts from the crowd, like when someone scores a goal at a soccer match. Chris was the best dancer at the Durbar! Sibri said. Sibri in yellow dress; Somed in striped "smock.
August 2024: Hope for Children Academy, Some Art Lessons
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 art works, and to show them later to their parents.
The whole school - grades pre-k through 5 - participated in the “300 Hands Project”, where each child chose a paint color, added their handprint to a long scroll, and signed their name—symbolizing unity and collaboration.
A Meeting With 100 Young Girls
Maya and Nadya meet with about 100 young girls in the Bimbilla community to hear their concerns and dreams regarding their own education and their future lives--a wonderful meeting!
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!