WAVO

• January 2026 - We are expecting 4 volunteers in January as well as hoping for a small visit from Mike Beer for his 3rd visit. This promises a great start to 2026!!

• December 2025 - we have agreed to support the local clinic with a donation that will be used to purchase essential supplies critical for accurate diagnosis, safe deliveries in maternity unit and general patient assessment. The clinic will also look to use any spare funds to support referrals of the most vulnerable and poor members of the community.

• December 2025 - We have committed to support four brilliant female students by supporting their college and university fees. Ivy Owuso (Winneba University), Erzuah Dorcas (Cape Coast University) and Asiedua Susana (Presby University) and Owusua Ruth (Kumasi Technical University). We wish you all good luck!!

• October 2025 - Under brother Christians great management - Mpraeso RC JHS School won regional school quiz against fierce competition!!

• October and November 2025 - We had Marit, a dutch volunteer come and spend two months with us. As a qualified teacher, she has made a really wonderful contribution.

• September 2025 - Financial support granted to 4 boys, Danquah Prince, Nkansah David, Ofori Henry Jason and Asare Justice for the school fees and supplies as they move into Further Secondary Education. Good luck young men!!

• Summer 2025 - Three volunteers came for short visits but gained long lasting memories. Irene, Flaminia and Maxime. Thank you for the visits. We organised some summer 'school' activities to ensure great time experienced by all!!

• June 2025 - Nic (NHS Nurse) spent one month in Tafo volunteering with the local clinic. This was a life changing' experince for Nic working in such a low resource environment. But the professionalism and dedication of the clinic staff inspiring and we will aim to support the clinic in future with resources/ volunteers.

• June 2025 - We funded the Under 15s and 17s football teams to participate in the regional Colts tournament in Koforidua. As expected our under 17s went on to win the tournament! Congratulations boys!!

• May 2025 - We have funded students Francisca, Janet Mensah and Julian Adade with continued education.

• April 2025 - a sad day as Albane departs back to France after 6 months volunteering with us. No doubt has contributed to much in the community in this period

• April 2025 - Purchase of a new vehicle for the project to support day to day operations and special events

• January 2025 - Mike returns for the second time to our projects - kudos for returning and giving so much to the education and reading groups!!

2024

• December 2024 - We will have had 11 volunteers visit during 2024 which is fantastic new beginning after the difficulties of Covid-19. 

• We also have 2 or 3 volunteers already lined up to visit in 2025 - including the return of Mike!!

• November 2024 - the after-girls club has in Tafo has gone from strength to strength and Madam Mary making us proud.

• October 2024 - Albert and Isaac (our volunteer football coaches) continue to support and train the football academy boys and continue to develop their professional training skills through official courses

• September 2024, a new school year begins with many of our students performing so well and moving on in their academia! Our relationship working with the local schools has flourished through the year as they see the huge benefit of additional support.

• August 2024 - Armen our volunteer from the US spent much time with the Mpraeso science dept, running lessons and competitions. 

• June 2024, we have had a change in 'the boardroom'. A big thank you to Is for helping us get established in the US. 

• And a huge welcome to Harry who will replace Is. Harry is Ghanaian studying in the US and brings great experience and enthusiasm as well as plenty of local knowledge.

• February 2024: Sekmonds - our afterschool club for girls and young women is expanding to Tafo; to be run be Madam Mary under the guidance of wonderful Irene 

• January 2024 - Funding allocated to support 21 students to continue/ begin in the secondary senior schools (SSS). This includes 15 young women and 6 young men with each receiving on average $150 to cover school fees and essential supplies. 

• January/ February 2024: a further two volunteers, Mike and Max visit our projects

• December 2023: We receive two volunteers - Flora and Lucie, our first since Covid 19 - please read their stories!

• November 2023: Incredibly sad news for our project as former UVO student and professional footballer Raphael Dwamena passes away

• October 2023: Over $2000 in funding allocated to replace the Computers in Mpraeso School and provide projector

• September 2023: We link up with Workaway website to enable us to find motivated volunteers. We have agreed to waive all fees in the interim period to encourage volunteering at our projects.

• Autumn 2023 - Funding allocated for Mpraeso school science lab with a range of resources as well as renovations to the building and furniture to create an exciting new resource and conducive learning environment

• Aug 2023: We're hosting a virtual meeting about volunteering in West Africa. Register here (via Evite)

• Jan 2023:

  • Culture Center video

  • Health and Wellness education, Mpraeso R/C Basic School

  • Many more photos posted to our facebook page

• December 2022: We were able to provide a lot of support and accomplish a lot this year!

  • Reviving the culture center has gone well and they have regular performances at public events now

  • Despite rising costs we have made improvements to the boys' hostel and increased funding to support food purchases every month

  • Irene continues to run Sekmonds Girls' club and has seen a lot of interest in the new school year that started fall, 2022.

  • Mpraeso R/C Basic School had a lot of success this year, being designated a model school for the region. We are proud supporters of the school, providing supplies, improvements, and equipment to have a better education experience for students and teachers (books, writing supplies, computers, projector, water improvements, maintenance, and others).

  • We had some special cases to deal with this year, including a serious injury to one of the boy's knee. Medical advice was sought and we were able to provide an operation that has mostly corrected the issue. David is doing well and in physiotherapy to help heal.

• April 2022: We are super excited to restart and fund Sekmonds Girls' Club, which is run by a woman named Irene who teaches in the nearby town (Mpraeso). She is dedicated to helping young women learn, grow, and be successful in a difficult environment.

• March 2022: We are proud to be sponsoring a series of projects for the 300 students of Mpraeso Roman Catholic Elementary School, including:

  • Improve the facilities to meet basic standards (hygiene)

  • Provide better learning materials for students and teachers (digital projector, textbooks, computers)

  • Provide materials for better school-related activities like sports, STEM clubs, and music

• February 2022: Greg visits Tafo to reconnect the UVO, 16 years after first meeting! Photo album here. He visited Collins, Albert, Bannah, Foster, and Isaac, a few of the boys who have been with the program for almost 20 years (and are all grown up).

• February 2020: Rory visits Tafo; photo album here. Below, hear from Collins and Raphael, two of the boys who grew up at the hostel and have now begun their adult careers.

• December 2019: We are an officially registered charity of PayPal's giving fund. Anyone can now make a donation to WAVO and pay no fees! bit.ly/2PaQCdG

• November 2019: Lots of new photos sent over by Eric

• October 2019: We are officially registered as a 501c3 public charity. Our work can officially begin in raising funds and finding volunteers.