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Friends of Kpelelzo Community School
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Our eager learners...
About Friends of Kpelezo (pronounced Pay-lay-zo)
- Friends of Kpelezo is a charitable organization established to support the Kpelezo Community School in Ghana by funding campus improvements and educational resources. We are committed to helping students reach their highest potential by also supporting those that continue through senior high school, college and/or vocational training.
- Friends of Kpelezo works closely with the local youth foundation to fund programs that provide guidance and support to youth from the region’s rural communities.
- Friends of Kpelezo strives to strengthen the connection between the village, our partner local youth foundation and our friends in the US through outreach and trips to the village. A network of supporters in the US has been strengthened by the active participation of students and adults in projects on the ground in Ghana.
About the Village of Kpelezo (Ve-Kpelezo)
- Kpelezo (Ve-Kpelezo) is a small, rural village in Ve Agbome, located in the Afadzato South District in the Volta Region of Ghana, not far from the boarder with Togo. The closest city is Hohoe, located to the right of Lake Volta in this map. The drive to the village takes about 4-5 hours from the capital city of Accra.
- The population of the village, including outlying settlements, is approximately 500.
- The people of Kpelezo are mostly peasant farmers. Among the crops grown are yams, cassava, rice, palm, corn and various other vegetables, and fruits.
- Note: There is a large health center under construction across the street from the village, which is projected to bring workers and their families to the village.
About the Kpelezo Community School
The Kpelezo Community School is a public primary school for students in Kindergarten through Basic level 6. The campus consists of five (5) classrooms in 3 buildings. The school is staffed by a head mistress and 5 teachers. Currently 68 students are enrolled. The school was originally established to serve the children in the village who were too young to walk the long distance to other area schools.
Take a look at this presentation by Michelle Guvendiren (linked here) with slides of pictures from the school and community.
Experience getting water with the Kpelezo Village school children
VIDEO BELOW
The Kpelezo Community School is a public primary school for students in Kindergarten through Basic level 6. The campus consists of five (5) classrooms in 3 buildings. The school is staffed by a head mistress and 5 teachers. Currently 68 students are enrolled. The school was originally established to serve the children in the village who were too young to walk the long distance to other area schools.
Take a look at this presentation by Michelle Guvendiren (linked here) with slides of pictures from the school and community.
Experience getting water with the Kpelezo Village school children
VIDEO BELOW
Our Advisors on the Ground
Emmanuel Dzivor - Emmanuel grew up in the village and attended the Kpelezo Primary School. Friends of Kpelezo made it possible for him to attend senior high school and then Teacher Training College. Having graduated from college, Emmanuel is now a junior high school math teacher. Emmanuel cares deeply about the children in the village and the school. He has earned the respect of the Village Chief, the Elders and parents, and serves passionately and attentively as the liaison between Friends of Kpelezo and the school and village. Friends of Kpelezo could not be effective without Emmanuel’s consistent communication and follow-through.
Emmanuel Dzivor - Emmanuel grew up in the village and attended the Kpelezo Primary School. Friends of Kpelezo made it possible for him to attend senior high school and then Teacher Training College. Having graduated from college, Emmanuel is now a junior high school math teacher. Emmanuel cares deeply about the children in the village and the school. He has earned the respect of the Village Chief, the Elders and parents, and serves passionately and attentively as the liaison between Friends of Kpelezo and the school and village. Friends of Kpelezo could not be effective without Emmanuel’s consistent communication and follow-through.
Delali Benedictus Kwami Agbodza - Until fairly recently Delali was the local Assembly Man for the Afadzato South District where Kpelezo is located. He has coordinated the larger construction projects at the Kpelezo School, including two school blocks, a bathroom and most recently a new bungalow that houses teachers. Delali is well known and respected in the community, and has been a trustworthy facilitator for Friends of Kpelezo.
Our Community Partner
Nneka Youth Foundation
"Smarter to raise healthy children than to repair damaged adults"
Nneka's mission is to empower and inspire children in poor, rural communities to remain in school so that they are able to realize their full potential and eventually give back to the community.
Cecilia Fiaka (pictured here) is the founder and CEO of the Nneka Youth Foundation. Cecilia has a home near Nneka’s primary campus - less than a mile from the Village of Kpelezo. Cecilia graciously opens her home up to Friends of Kpelezo volunteers. Young alumni of the Nneka program help to host volunteers – preparing meals, driving them to and from the village, and accompanying them on fun local adventures. Without Cecilia, the Nneka alumni and the Nneka van, our volunteer trips would not be possible. Friends of Kpelezo recently partnered with another funder in the US to purchase a new van for the Nneka program.
Nneka Youth Foundation
"Smarter to raise healthy children than to repair damaged adults"
Nneka's mission is to empower and inspire children in poor, rural communities to remain in school so that they are able to realize their full potential and eventually give back to the community.
Cecilia Fiaka (pictured here) is the founder and CEO of the Nneka Youth Foundation. Cecilia has a home near Nneka’s primary campus - less than a mile from the Village of Kpelezo. Cecilia graciously opens her home up to Friends of Kpelezo volunteers. Young alumni of the Nneka program help to host volunteers – preparing meals, driving them to and from the village, and accompanying them on fun local adventures. Without Cecilia, the Nneka alumni and the Nneka van, our volunteer trips would not be possible. Friends of Kpelezo recently partnered with another funder in the US to purchase a new van for the Nneka program.
Our Board of Directors
Susan T. Monahan
Susan is the Friends of Kpelezo director and founder. She is currently the trustee and manager of several private foundations, including the Thomas Thompson Trust, The Ogden Codman Trust, the John W. Alden Trust and the William B. and Anngenette G. Tyler Family Foundation. Susan lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts and is an active member of the nearby Unitarian Universalist church of Essex.
Susan is the Friends of Kpelezo director and founder. She is currently the trustee and manager of several private foundations, including the Thomas Thompson Trust, The Ogden Codman Trust, the John W. Alden Trust and the William B. and Anngenette G. Tyler Family Foundation. Susan lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts and is an active member of the nearby Unitarian Universalist church of Essex.
Roger Tyler
Roger has spent his professional career owning and managing residential and commercial real estate throughout New England. He is a Board Member of the Essex Housing Authority (MA), a Trustee of the First Congregational Church of Essex (MA) and a Trustee of The William B. and Anngenette G. Tyler Family Foundation.
Roger has spent his professional career owning and managing residential and commercial real estate throughout New England. He is a Board Member of the Essex Housing Authority (MA), a Trustee of the First Congregational Church of Essex (MA) and a Trustee of The William B. and Anngenette G. Tyler Family Foundation.
Michelle Guvendiren
Michelle joined Friends of Kpelezo in 2023. She holds a Masters Degree in Early Elementary Education. For 25 years she had been involved in preschool and Kindergarten programs as a Teacher, Director of Child Care Programs and Home Child Care business owner. She currently works as a Children’s Librarian at the Ipswich Public Library.
Tudy Bartlett
Tudy is a retired social worker who has worked in both medical and psychiatric hospitals, then in emergency services and finally in a court room setting. She is now on the Finance Committee in her Unitarian Universalist church in Essex and on the Board for the Association of Great Neck in Ipswich.
Tudy is a retired social worker who has worked in both medical and psychiatric hospitals, then in emergency services and finally in a court room setting. She is now on the Finance Committee in her Unitarian Universalist church in Essex and on the Board for the Association of Great Neck in Ipswich.
Christian Jacqz
For 25 years, prior to retiring, Christian was the director of the Geographic Information System (GIS) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Christian now enjoys time sailing, hiking and doing construction projects on his house.
Cynthia Washington
Cynthia lives part of the year in Acton, Massachusetts and the other part in Accra, Ghana. (more to follow)
Cynthia lives part of the year in Acton, Massachusetts and the other part in Accra, Ghana. (more to follow)
Contact Information
Email: kpelezoschool@gmail.com or susan.t.monahan@gmail.com
Address: 6 Wainwright Street
Ipswich, MA 01928
Phone: (978)-500-0786
Email: kpelezoschool@gmail.com or susan.t.monahan@gmail.com
Address: 6 Wainwright Street
Ipswich, MA 01928
Phone: (978)-500-0786
Donations in any amount may be sent to:
Friends of Kpelezo Community School
6 Wainwright Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Or donate through PayPal HERE
Friends of Kpelezo is a 501c3 charitable organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
Friends of Kpelezo Community School
6 Wainwright Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Or donate through PayPal HERE
Friends of Kpelezo is a 501c3 charitable organization. All contributions are tax deductible.