Dutch volunteer builds schools for Banko

Banko (Ash), June 18, GNA - Miss Anja van der Valk, a Dutch volunteer, on Thursday handed over two schools and a library she personally funded to the people of Banko near Effiduase, in the Sekyere East District.

The school projects, library, the provision of a transformer and other items estimated to cost about 500 million cedis were financed through sponsorship from two Dutch organisations, Rotary Club of Papendrecht and National Academic as well as other philanthropic individuals in the Netherlands.

Speaking at the inauguration and handing over ceremony, Miss van der Valk said she was touched by the deplorable state of the Local Authority and the Presbyterian Junior Secondary School blocks when she was attached to teach English Language there in 2001.

As a result, she said, she decided to solicit funds from organisations, philanthropists, well-wishers, friends and family members who responded favourably to her appeal.

Nana Adjei Manu Berchie, Adontenhene of Banko, expressed his subjects' gratitude to Miss van der Valk for her initiative and hard work and pledged that the people would maintain the projects regularly to ensure that they last longer. 18 June 04