We are so proud of our beneficiaries Sarah, Gifty, and Harriet. They joined our program in 2014 when they were selling on the streets of Ashaiman. In September, they finished writing their final exams in Senior High School (WASSCE). The results will be out later in the year, but we are sure they'll do great. These hard-working rays have been an example for us all.

Here are some photos of a small celebration in our First Contact Place in Ashaiman, and also a throwback to 2015, when Sarah, Gifty, and Harriet performed in the opening ceremony of our centre in Ayikuma.

Akwaaba to Justice Mensah Boto, our former beneficiary, currently living and studying in Germany.
Justice joined Rays of Hope Centre in 2003 after he had dropped out of school and was repairing footwear on the streets of Ashaiman. Now, 19 years later, he has a Bachelor in Biology from University for Development Studies in Ghana, has graduated MBBS bachelor of medicine and surgery from Qiqihar Medical University in China, and currently is doing a Biomedical Master's in Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University while working in Medicare Laboratory in Bonn, Germany. 

We are extremely happy to have him visiting Rays of Hope and used the opportunity to ask some questions:

- Justice, what brought you to Ghana?
Two reasons: I had to take an exam for a medical license to practice as a doctor in Ghana, and I wanted to visit my homeland. I miss my home, my family, and Rays of Hope.

- How does it feel to be back in Rays of Hope?
It feels really good! I'm really happy to meet the past and present beneficiaries and to be able to encourage them to fight hard and perhaps even some to study medicine.

- Name one important life lesson that Rays of Hope has taught you?
Perseverance. To never give up.
After Senior High I was supposed to go to university, but unfortunately, at the time my mom died and I also did not get accepted to study medicine in Ghana. At this point, I wanted to give up and went to Rays of Hope, thanked them for everything, and asked to resign from the program. I remember I was crying all the way going home from the centre. Educational Officer Bro Evans, after a discussion with Manager Bro Bonney, came on the same night to my place to convince me to continue. Rays of Hope saw potential in me and they wanted me to proceed to the university. They even reached out to my sister and together were able to convince me.

Justice - you as a true inspiration to our beneficiaries with your achievements - what is your advice for them?
My advice to all the boys and girls is that they should remember that once they set their minds on something -- they can do it. Even if the beginning is difficult, do not doubt yourself. If I was able to make it, you will do the same.

It has been an extremely exciting week at our First Contact Place in Ashaiman!
On Monday and Tuesday, we took our 9 pre-schoolers to St. Peter Methodist school, on Wednesday they were engaged in teaching and learning activities in Holy Gabriel Anglican school, and on Thursday in Blessed Clementina Roman Catholic school.

For some of our pre-schoolers, it was the first time ever attending a formal school! One of them is Roberta (11 y), who will be enrolled into class 2. She said: "It was not difficult and I liked how the teachers were nice and patient with us." Bless (13 y), dropped out from class 6 about 2 years ago. "I'm happy to be back. I learned so much and made so many friends!"

We are grateful to the personnel of the schools for the patience and care they are providing to our children in their journey of education.

Our 9 beneficiaries, who were enrolled into our First Contact Place for Pre-Shool last year, are working hard to finish their studies to join basic school in September 2022.

Our Social workers (Pre-School Class Teachers) agree that the children have made progress within the 10 months they have been in Rays of Hope Centre (RoHC). "They have advanced most in Maths. When they arrived some even didn't know how to write numbers," said Ms. Amegashitsi.

Now pre-schoolers can do addition, subtract, multiply, and divide. English is something they still need to practice. "In September 2021, most of them didn't know the alphabets, they hadn't been to school before. Now they can identify short words," commented Mr. Amadu.
The children have also learned to behave and communicate in society.

In August 2022, pre-schoolers will take the RoCH test and in September will enroll in a suitable Primary class.