RURAL COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT CENTER: In 2002, RCEC obtained NGO status in Ghana and US with registered charity 501(c) (3) status in 2003. In 2004 the first RCEC one-stop-shop Community Resource Center (CRC) was established in Apirede providing four core services: library, ICT facilities, mentoring programs, and women and adolescent girls’ empowerment skills programs; followed by the second CRC in Jumapo in 2008. The CRCs are in the eastern region of Ghana. As the Chief of Apirede said at the inauguration, “We are proud to say that our citizens now have all the tools needed for self-help, development, and to catch the 21st century train.”
*100: What inspired you to start RCEC?
RCEC: The inspiration to start RCEC came over a period of time. Each time I visited my home town (Apirede) in Ghana, I saw the deterioration of education standards, lack of teaching resources and learning facilities. On those visits, teachers, schoolchildren, and parents stated the urgency of having books, teachers’ resource materials, and what they considered the modern way of getting information – (ICT).
The visible need of the people in the community was further reinforced by conversations with my parents. They would talk about the needs of the children and our conversations always ended with, “never lose sight of where you come from.”
Several conversations with family and friends reinforced educating the next generation, empowering a community with skills for economic independence for girls and women.
*100: What is RCEC’s mission?
RCEC: Empower underprivileged rural communities with literacy tools and skills for economic development so citizens can take charge of their lives and break the cycle of poverty.
*100: What have been the greatest challenges to accomplishing RCEC’s mission?
RCEC: As with any venture, success was not immediate. It was a slow and uneven process of growth over the years, changing management (rural communities are not equipped to take on such projects), hand-holding, evolving rules and policies, dedication, communication, and the hard work it takes to keep the CRCs running well.
We also continuously face the growing demand on the CRCs as more families become aware of the potential for their children. For example, since we started the mentoring programs for the 13-17 year olds there have been complaints from the staff of the CRCs that there is simply too much demand for the activities! I suppose this is a wonderful “high quality” problem to have.
*100: What has been the single most gratifying experience/victory you’ve had since you’ve been at the helm of RCEC?
RCEC: There are several gratifying experiences:
o Over 2,000 school children, teachers and adults have been given introductory classes in ICT. More than 3,000 have learned and used the Internet.
o Interest in reading has increased sharply with over 20,000 people, mostly schoolchildren and teachers using the library facilities.
o Gender equality is on the rise. Women are now better articulating their needs and those of their children.
o Adolescent school drop-outs are receiving training in tailoring which has led to the inception of the burgeoning Naana B. handbag and clothing line.
But the most gratifying and humble experience is seeing broad smiles on faces of adolescent girls who through RCEC mentoring programs of Math, Science, and English have passed the Basic School Certificate Examination and have obtained admissions into some of the better public high schools. Competing with their urban counterparts -- something they never dreamt would happen to them.
The lesson for me is that empowering communities with the strength to foster and manage their own development is the greatest gift you can give, and that “empowerment starts one community at a time.” Also, providing children and youth a chance to dream is equally powerful.
For more information on RCEC go to www.rcempowerment.org.
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