16-year-old New York student supports safe water access for two Akuapem North schools

A 16-year-old student of Saint Catharine Academy in New York, USA, Jahzara Boateng, has supported two basic schools in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region with polytanks to improve water storage and access.

The beneficiary schools are Kwamoso Presbyterian Basic School and Otareso MA Basic School.

The initiative, dubbed the “Safe Water Project”, was undertaken in collaboration with As I Grow Organization (AIG), a Ghanaian nonprofit organisation focused on supporting underserved communities and improving access to basic social amenities.



AIG coordinated the project through its Chief Executive Officer, Debrah Bekoe Isaac.

The intervention followed efforts by AIG to identify schools and communities facing challenges with access to and storage of water.

Under the project, polytanks were provided to the two schools, while gutters and pipes were constructed to facilitate rainwater harvesting and storage.

Speaking about the project, Jahzara Boateng said children in underserved communities deserved access to water for drinking and other essential school activities.

She said the initiative was intended to provide the schools with a practical means of harvesting and storing rainwater for use.

The 16-year-old said the project reflected her desire to contribute to improving the welfare of children despite living outside Ghana.

The beneficiary schools expressed appreciation to Jahzara Boateng and AIG for the intervention.

At Otareso MA Basic School, Headteacher Annolf Obuo Anhwiren thanked Jahzara for the donation and commended AIG for identifying the school's needs and facilitating its inclusion in the project.

She said access to water was essential to maintaining a healthy and conducive learning environment for pupils.

At Kwamoso Presbyterian Basic School, Headteacher George Koranteng also expressed gratitude to Jahzara for supporting the school.

He said the polytank would provide the school with an important means of storing water and support its daily activities.

The pupils of the two schools, led by their school prefects, also expressed appreciation to Jahzara for the gesture.

Members of the School Management Committees (SMCs) of the two schools also participated in the presentation.

They commended Jahzara for the initiative and acknowledged the importance of partnerships among schools, communities, nonprofit organisations and individuals in addressing local development challenges.

The SMC members also praised AIG for identifying community needs and facilitating interventions to support schools.

As I Grow Organization said the project formed part of its efforts to improve living conditions in underserved communities, particularly through initiatives focused on water, sanitation and other basic social amenities.

The organisation said inadequate water infrastructure in schools could affect hygiene, health and the general learning environment of pupils.

AIG said its collaboration with Jahzara demonstrated how young people could contribute to addressing development challenges and support communities beyond their immediate surroundings.

The Safe Water Project is expected to provide the two schools with additional capacity to harvest and store rainwater, while supporting efforts to improve water availability for pupils and staff.