Grace Anim, fondly known as Maa Adwoa by family and friends is a 15-year-old girl from a small township in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. She lives in a household of six, including her mother and four younger siblings. Life has always been challenging for Maa Adwoa’s family. Her mother, Felicia, works as a petty trader, selling vegetables and fruits in the local market. Felicia struggles to provide for her large family, and the little income she earns is barely enough to feed them, let alone cover other expenses. Maa Adwoa’s father abandoned his family, leaving her mother to carry the burden of raising all five children on her own. As the eldest child, Maa Adwoa often takes on the role of caregiver for her younger siblings, helping with chores and looking after them when her mother is at the market.

Maa Adwoa enjoyed school and has a real passion for learning; however, increasing financial pressures made it impossible for her mother to continue paying her school fees. Despite being a hardworking and intelligent girl, Maa Adwoa was forced to drop out of school due to the family’s inability to afford the required fees and associated costs like uniforms and textbooks. Being out of school was heartbreaking for Maa Adwoa. She knew that education was the only way to escape the cycle of poverty that had gripped her family. However, with her mother’s income stretched thin, it seemed unlikely that she would ever return to the classroom.

Determined to pursue her education, Maa Adwoa began looking for ways to return to school. Through a local community leader, she learned about EOA Foundation, who provided financial support to underprivileged children in Ghana. EOA Foundation, focused on improving access to education for disadvantaged children, had a small office in the nearby town. One afternoon, after completing her household chores, Maa Adwoa made the hour-long journey to EOA Foundation’s office. She was nervous but hopeful as she approached staff, explained her situation, and expressed her desire to return to school. Our team, moved by her story and determination, requested some documents from her family to assess their financial situation. After a few days of assessment, EOA Foundation agreed to pay for Maa Adwoa’s school fees and cover the cost of her uniform, textbooks, and other school supplies.