Breaking the Chain: Back to School in Ghana

As we think about children going back to school, we want to highlight our grantee Evan Robbins, founder of Breaking the Chain Through Education (BTCTE). Evan is a teacher and every summer he travels to Africa bringing educational opportunities to children who are rescued from slavery and forced labor. He reports that he had quite a summer in Africa checking in on his program participants and meeting new potential students including Samuel, pictured below with Evan. Social services in Ghana brought Samuel to Breaking the Chain’s attention, and when they met him, they quickly understood why. Not only did they see his tattered shirt and broken shoes, but he also told them that he is cared for by his grandmother, who feeds him when she can… but not every day. His grandmother, who is in her 90s, was in the hospital at that time. Knowing his situation, they were surprised that he had been able to graduate from Junior High School (the equivalent of 9th grade in the United States). But when they asked how he was able to pay for his uniform and PTO fees, he told them that he worked construction jobs on the weekends—paying for his own education, and often his food. Samuel is now a part of BTCTE, has new clothing, and his education will be funded going forward. He will be able to choose secondary school or learn a trade.