From Despair to Dreams: How a School Struggling to stay open became a Beacon of Hope in Ghana".
A School ignites hope.
Just a year ago, Tarikom KG/Primary School in the Upper East region of Ghana stood as a symbol of struggle. With crumbling classrooms and scarce resources, teachers often taught under the scorching sun, improvising lessons with what little they had. Then came a new challenge: waves of asylum-seeking children fleeing insecurity in Burkina Faso arrived in Tarikom, seeking safety and education.
The school, built for just 250 pupils, was suddenly expected to welcome an additional 600 children in September 2023, including 320 girls brought in by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). With no extra space, no new teachers, and barely enough learning materials, the situation felt impossible.
The arrival of these children should have been a moment of compassion and unity. Instead, it raised urgent questions: Where would they sit? How would they learn? Would they ever feel safe again? Headmistress Madam Zainabu and her team were overwhelmed. “Our school, for years, needed more classrooms, but we lacked the resources. We could not respond to the increasing demand for education,” said Mr. James Atibilla, the Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
A Lifeline of Hope
Then came a lifeline. UNICEF, with funding from the Government of Japan and in partnership with the Ghana Education Service, the Bawku West District Assembly, and partners came together under a 90-Day Emergency response plan to construct in record time, a six-unit prefabricated classroom block—fully furnished, powered with electricity, as well as School in a box kit packed with essential learning materials.
The transformation didn’t stop there. Recreational facilities were added, and teachers received training in psychosocial support to help children heal from the trauma of conflict. Other organizations have also supported voluntarily and stepped in to rehabilitate the old school buildings, provide furniture, and improve the water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
The change was immediate and profound.
We no longer have to sit under the sun or run for shelter when the rain starts. Now, we can learn in comfort,” her eyes shining with joy.
A Future Full of Possibilities
The impact rippled through the community. Kindergarten enrolment alone jumped from 156 to 221 in just one year, a clear sign that parents now believed in the school’s future. Teachers, once exhausted, found renewed energy. “With electricity, we can now use audio-visual equipment to make lessons more engaging. Learning has never been this exciting,” shared a class four teacher.
The school-in-a-box kits helped reduce absenteeism dramatically.
Before, many children missed school because they didn’t have books or pencils. But now, they come every day, ready to learn.
But perhaps the most powerful change is the one you can’t see on a chart: the spirit of Tarikom. What was once a school on the brink is now a beacon of hope.
This school now stands as one of the most beautiful in the district. It fills us with pride
For the children of Tarikom, these classrooms are more than just buildings—they are sanctuaries of possibility. Here, learning is no longer a privilege, but a promise. Thanks to the generosity of UNICEF, the government of Japan and its partners, these young learners are not just surviving—they are thriving.
