A small group of rowers from Cardiff aim to row the distance from Cardiff to Accra, Ghana (5113k) to raise funds for Mati Montessori School.
by Josie Quartermaine in Cardiff, , United Kingdom
The challenge
We need your help! A small group of rowers from Cardiff are taking on the monumental challenge of rowing the distance from Cardiff to Ghana (5113k) to raise funds for the Mati Montessori School in Accra. The group are aiming to complete the challenge within 12 weeks, putting in endless gruelling hours on both the ergs and water. We'll be putting our physical and mental resilience to the test, showing grit, strength and dedication to achieve our goal. We'll be rowing on through the blisters (of which there are many already!), sweat and tears in the knowledge that it will absolutely be worth every stroke for these underprivileged children and families.
Background
Education in Ghana is not free. The reality? - very young children work long hours to fund their own education. A sight we fortunately do not have to see here in Wales.
The Mati Montessori school was set up by local builder, Kofi, to benefit the local community in 2018. Recognising his fortune to have been the first generation of his family supported through education, Kofi wanted to give something back. Using the skills and funds gleaned from having had an education himself, Kofi purchased land and built the school and began to fund pupils. Opening with just 36 pupils, the school numbers have quickly grown and it now serves over 200 pupils.
Mati, founder of MATICO studio (cue Cardiff link explanation!) works part time on her textile business, and part time as a Nurse. Whilst nursing in Ghana in 2017, Mati was introduced to Kofi, and inspired by his passion to help others she agreed to co-fund the school. Mati achieves this through making personal donations from her nursing salary and donating a percentage of all profits she makes on her textile business.
Families who can afford it pay a contribution pay towards their education (which is a lower cost at the Mati Montessori School than for local government schools). The fees for children whose families are not able to contribute are paid entirely through donation...... This is where the rowing challenge and YOU come in! The school desperately needs funds to finish building additional classrooms to house the growing number of pupils, pay staff, and provide hot meals, resources and education to the children.
The ask of you - A little kindness
We know the financial strains that many are facing in the UK and that's why we are stressing that ANY donation, no matter how big or small would be incredibly helpful and gratefully received. Your donation will make a difference to these children, their families and the future generations.
As a guide, here are some guides as to what we can purchase using your help:
£20 can buy 100 building blocks for the unfinished classroom construction
£20 will pay for a teacher's wage for 1 week
£25 will provide school and textbooks for a child for 1 year of their education
£30 can pay for 100 hot nutritious meals for the children
£80 will feed every child at the school for one day
£275 will fund a child's education, including their resources for 1 school year.
Final words
Within the discipline of rowing, we train our bodies to get comfortable with suffering. We want to do our bit for humanity with the resilience we have been fortunate enough to learn. Help us work together to help these children and their families access education and the opportunities that follow. A little kindness goes a long way.
We will be sharing updates and media throughout the challenge.
Diolch o galon/Thank you so much.