Break the Cycle: Nurturing Success Beyond the Classroom
An integral extension of the Back2School program, Break the Cycle was conceived to elevate retention rates by actively monitoring and supporting sponsored children throughout their educational journey. This initiative is compulsory for all sponsored children and plays a pivotal role in shaping their lives, facilitated by our dedicated team of social workers and mentors. Engaging in diverse activities such as homework sessions, extracurricular pursuits like STEM, music, dance, reading, and group discussions, Break the Cycle goes beyond traditional sponsorship to ensure a holistic development experience.
SOCIAL INTERVENTION | at Nana’s House
While sending children to school is our primary responsibility, the challenge lies in keeping them there. Since our inception in December 2000, BASICS has provided over 3000 sponsorships. However, success requires more than just financial support. Children need comprehensive assistance, encompassing support, nurturing, love, discipline, resources, and motivation to thrive in their educational journey. In Ghana, many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face the risk of falling through the cracks.
BASICS is unwaveringly committed to BREAK THE CYCLE that perpetuates poverty! Through a strategic blend of intervention, sponsorship, and leading by example, we aim to foster self-sufficiency.
Our Intervention program, operating under the roof of Nana’s House, mandates tutoring and mentoring for every sponsored child after school. This commitment is crucial as it fills the support gap that many children lack at home. A significant number of the children in our program represent the first generation in their families to attend school, requiring special attention and support. Often, their parents may not grasp the importance of education or lack the means to assist them.
Mentored and tutored by a dedicated team of local and international staff/volunteers, our children are immersed in a spectrum of activities designed to nurture creativity, enhance problem-solving skills, and broaden their educational horizons beyond the limited national curriculum.
Break the CYCLE with us! Together, we are shaping a future where education is not just an opportunity but a transformative force, breaking the cycle of poverty and paving the way for self-sufficiency.
A typical day at Nana’s House
When children enter Nana’s House, their schedule is jam packed with activities. Most importantly there is homework time, which is just that, time for the children to do their home work with the guidance of a tutor. In addition the children partake in meal time, music, library, computer, arts & crafts, dance and much more. Break the Cycle integrates creativity, problem solving and leadership opportunities into its programing.
THE STARS ARE THE LIMIT
The Stars are the Limit is an uniquely designed program to encourage attendance,, punctuality , good behavior and better grades. Children are rewarded stars, which are then redeemed for items in our incentive store.
The Stars program, has long lasting effects, it facilitates a child’s interest in something they they originally did not have interest in, It allows students to acquire new skills, knowledge and habits.
INCENTIVE STORE
Children earn merit stars for their attendance, performance, behaviour and achievements, which can then be redeemed for items in our Incentive store. Children can purchase everyday necessities including food, hygiene products, clothing and shoes. We also have games, knick-knacks and music available at the store for those who are savy enough to save.
This has proven to be a great incentive for children to be consistent in attending school, along with parents who now encourage their children to try their hardest, with hopes to also benefit from the store themselves!
The Stars are the Limit has also proven to be a great way to teach the children how to budget and save money!
All items in incentive store, are acquired through donations.
FEEDING PROGRAM
Nearly 30% of Ghanaians still live on less than US$1.25 per day, which the World Bank defines as “extreme poverty.” Approximately 2 Million Ghanaians have limited access to food. Children are especially vulnerable, with approximately 12% of Ghana’s children under the age of five currently underweight.
THE REALITY
Each day children in Chorkor seek for means to find a meal as part of their daily survival. Many make choices to work hauling goods in the market, or even engaging in commercial sex. Despite the long hours families put in working as petty traders, fish smokers and fisherman, it is very difficult to provide a balanced meal for their children, let alone three meals a day for an entire family.
A HOT MEAL, EVERYDAY
In 2005 we began providing hot nutritional meals to the children of BASICS everyday. Nourishing food is essential for every child’s development. Trained cooks provide freshly local dishes in a sanitary kitchen. Clean drinking water, is provided with each meal. Our kitchen runs year round, also providing meals when school is out of session.
Our nutrition program, also teaches children about food protection, which has decreased the cases of Cholera and other bacterial diseases in the community.