You can help Every Child Ministries to Develop the Creative Powers of African Children

Haven of Hope Academy
Associated with ECM's Haven of Hope in Ghana, West Africa

Where can educationally deprived African children get a new start?  Haven of Hope Academy was started to develop the God-given gifts and creative powers of the children living at Haven of Hope, children who were severely behind in their studies or who had never had the opportunity to attend school.  Since the beginning of Haven of Hope orphanage, the home had operated an "in-house" nursery and preparatory classes to enable poor children coming from the streets and having little or no educational background to begin their educational journey.  As soon as they were able, the older children first attended the local village school. But it is quite an order to suddenly place that many children of the same class in a village school.  The teachers and administration worked at it diligently, but ECM soon began to realize that we needed a special school for the Haven of Hope children.  

Haven Academy was constructed in 2004 and opened in January 2005.  It has grown every year, and now offers Preschool through Sixth Grade, with emphasis on helping educationally deprived children catch up, develop their creative gifts and a lifelong love of learning.  As Haven Academy has grown, we have been able to admit some of the needy children of the surrounding area, in addition to the children at Haven of Hope.  ECM will begin construction in 2008 on the second set of buildings, which will allow us to continue adding classes.

A stronger school, A better educational opportunity
Establishing Haven Academy allows us at ECM the advantages of being able to control the teaching discipline, and general morale of the school, of being able to add enrichment classes and to offer the children the advantages of combining the strengths of both the Ghanaian and the American educational systems.  The Ghanaian system is very strong on memorization of facts and discipline, while the American system is stronger on creative learning methods, making learning fun, and applying knowledge to real life.  When you combine those strengths with a Biblical world-view and the motivation and purpose that comes from knowing that we were created by God and are valued by Him, well, we at ECM think you have a very strong combination indeed.  Our goal is to help the children build self-worth through discovering and developing the unique gifts God has given each of them, to enable them to contribute in a positive way to their nation, the African continent, the church of Jesus Christ, and the world.

To see Haven Academy's educational philosophy, click here.

Many will find help at Haven Academy
We at Every Child Ministries believe that there are many other poor children from the surrounding area who could also benefit from a school of this type.  In that spirit, we have admitted 20 children from the local community.  We want to see every child reach his or her God-given potential!

To see Haven Academy's Educational Philosophy, Click here.

Funding the Academy
The operating expenses of Haven Academy are basically met through educational sponsorships.  Each child needs one educational sponsor at $30/month.  This covers uniforms, books, teachers' salaries & benefits, classroom supplies, governmental relations, and incidentals.  The school seeks assistance in expanding its classroom facilities, hoping to add at least one class level each year. 

To donate for scholarships, for construction of the next set of classrooms, or to strengthen the school in general, click here.

American Teaching Assistants (Volunteer):
We are glad to consider applications from Americans who hold teaching credentials and desire to serve as volunteer teaching assistants for one to two years.  Click here to request further information. 

Laura Gillaspy
Laura Gillaspy, a teacher from the state of Delaware in the U.S., served as an ECM missionary in Ghana through the end of the 2004-2005 school year, helping to make sure that Haven Academy gets a strong start.  Laura used her gifts of writing, organizing, and teaching as well as interpersonal skills in this challenging venture.

Ashley Ducommun
Ashley Ducommun served the 2007-2008 school year at Haven Academy, teaching phonics as a reading tutor at all levels and helping the Ghanaian teachers learn to make fuller use of American teaching tools that have been donated to the school.

To give a gift to Haven Academy in honor of Ashley, click here and designate your donation, HA in honor of Ashley..

Lindsay Hendrix & Elise Messner
Lindsay Hendrix and Elise Messner are serving at Haven Academy for the 2008-2009 school year.  Lindsay is teaching third grade and Elise a nursery class, in addition to helping with outings and activities. 

VisitLindsay Hendrix' blog, www.lindsayhendrix.blogspot.com

Visit Elise Messner's blog, www.elisemessner.blogspot.com

Other American teachers have helped as classroom assistants for short times and have conducted in-service training workshops for the teachers at Haven of Hope, which were received very positively.

To learn how you can do the something similar, send us an email here.

Teachers Welcome
American teachers who can raise missionary support are welcome at Haven of Hope for one year terms or longer, or for shorter terms to teach specific units of their expertise.  Such teachers can make a real contribution by helping to enrich the students' educational experience and helping develop the strengths of the American system.  Ghanaian teachers are also sought for paid positions to ensure that the school meets all the expectations of Ghanaian society and prepares its students well to continue their education to higher levels if that should be their goal.

To contact ECM for information, click here.

Donations of books, educational games, software, and educational materials of all kinds are welcome.  Right now we are looking for a good digital camera to capture those special moments at the Academy.  Contact our International Mission Central for more information.

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