History

In 2003 Lloyd and Karen Clewer of Fareham, England, visited Jamestown in Accra, Ghana, and were struck by the desperation of people living there. They believed that due to lack of education and schooling, many in this area of the world would always be caught in the poverty trap. They felt called to do what they could to help.

They started a charity, making many sacrifices along the way, and one of their many projects was building a new school in the village of Krokoshwe, in Ghana. Education4Life Academy was completed and opened its doors in early 2016.

Tragically in January 2019 Lloyd passed away. Without the means to fundraise in order to provide ongoing support to the school sadly their charity was wound up within the following year.

Pastor Hugh Chalk of Mossvale Community Church has been bringing teams to Ghana since 2006 supporting the charity Osmond Rescue Aid Mission. We know Krokoshwe well, having worked alongside Pastor Reuben of SonRise Church, which is adjacent to the school. The imminent closure of the school was brought to our attention when travel restrictions allowed Hugh to return to Ghana in November 2021. We decided to intervene, and the facility was brought back to life, and as we were required to re-registered with the authorities, the school was reopened as Mossy International School.

Short term funding was assigned from a legacy gift to help pay salaries of all the employees. Ongoing training and supervision has provided by Diamond Hill Montessori School, on the new Ghanaian curriculum to ensure the children will receive quality schooling. The children are given a nourishing meal each day as this encourages attendance. In 2022, Woman2Woman ministries raised money to buy each child a tailor-made school uniform and PE kit.

We have now launched a Staff Sponsorship Programme to provide all employees with a secure regular income including contributions to the National Pension Scheme.

The ongoing running costs of the school will vary dependent upon numbers attending the school, (88 children as at June 2023) the exchange rate between GB pounds and the Ghanian Cedi, (14.62 cedis to the pound as at June 2023) and also inflation affecting the cost of raw materials (42.2% as at June 2023).

The approximate cost per month for salaries including bank charges for transferring money internationally is currently £600. Other regular costs include deliveries of water, teaching materials, and uniforms for new pupils. These costs will increase again shortly due to the new Ghanian Income Tax Act. We also need to urgently improve the facilities including installing an electricity supply and toilets. All monies are sent bank to bank as per Mossvale’s Anti Money-Laundering, Terrorist Financing And Bribery Policy.

If you are wishing to make a commitment to sponsor a staff member, or contribute to ongoing costs, please get in touch with us at mossvalecommunitychurch@gmail.com

Donations processed by both parties in Scotland and Ghana will form part of annual accounts and be appropriately audited according to the guidelines of the governing bodies.