By Peter Agengre
FAWE Ghana, a Pan African Non-Governmental Organisation has offered a scholarship for little Benita Sampana, a Junior High School pupil of Nabdam Model Girls to support in her education up to the University level.
They also presented her with a bicycle, some sanitary pads, pampers, beverages, and a rechargeable lamp to assist in her daily life activities. In addition to the above, Benita Sampana will enjoy monthly stipends from the NGO beginning in July 2024.
In the last 16 months, the little girl has been combining the responsibilities of a BECE candidate, a mother to her child, and a caretaker to her siblings in the Nabdam District in the Upper East Region. The cruelty of poverty and hunger did not stop her from backing her child to school and back home daily.
FAWE Ghana intercepted a GBC News’ report of how the little girl is struggling with motherhood and education. This compelled a Senior Field Officer of FAWE Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Gazari, to follow up and later presented some items to Benita in her school.
“When we saw the video, everybody was touched. This is because Benita didn’t choose to be pregnant. She was forced to be pregnant, and that is what touched us. Upon all that, she decided that she would go back to school, and that is the thing that interests us so much. At FAWE Ghana, we give the best support we can to girls who see education as a priority in life. And Benita’s case is so important to us,” Mr. Emmanuel Gazari narrated.
“I also realized that there is a whole lot that lies ahead of her. Benita is above average in school and so -+you cannot allow someone like that to waste. And that’s why I followed up to the house, with the permission of my Country Director. Apart from these items we have for her, we are giving her a full scholarship from the secondary school up to the University. We will pay her school fees, her accommodation, and give her something every month so that no man will lure her with little things to get her back into this trouble again,” Mr. Gazari announced.
At a ceremony to present the items, Mr. Emmanuel Gazari also announced that they are considering supporting Benita’s father with some capital so that he can engage in some business to enable him to sustain the family and her siblings. This has made Benita excited, and she has promised to make a good grade in the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examinations.
The Nabdam District Director of Education, Madam Mary-Magdalene Wompakeah, commended FAWE Ghana for the intervention and challenged Benita to study hard and make the NGO and her parents proud.
Assembly Member for Logre-Damolgo electoral area Nicholas Bugroug, on behalf of Benita’s family expressed gratitude to FAWE Ghana for the support. He told GBC News that the support has come as a rescue to the family and his community.
