A Year of Smiles: Looking Back at 2025

One of the highlights of our year was when our Ghana team packed their bags and headed to the Netherlands. Meeting our partners at Hermann Wesselink College face-to-face, sharing ideas over coffee, and planning the future together, these moments remind us why partnerships matter in making an impact. Later in the year, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting the Hermann Wesselink College team right here in Ghana. Showing them our communities, introducing them to the students we work with, and seeing their genuine excitement, it was special, really special.

We have always believed that every child deserves access to quality learning tools, and this year we made significant strides in that direction. Krutiase D/A Basic School now has an interactive display screen that's transforming how students learn. Watching the kids gather around it with their faces lit up from curiosity was all we need to see.

Mampong demonstration school for the deaf’s interactive and digital learning experience was improved and uplifted through the donation of smart digital tools; interactive screens, laptops and other visual aid materials. A testament to our pledge to make quality education accessible to all deprived kids without exclusion.

Pillar Academy also joined us on this digital learning journey. We're working together to empower young minds with technology, because we know that today's students are tomorrow's innovators.

Education doesn't stop at basic school, and we recognized that many of our tertiary students were struggling without laptops, an essential tool for higher education these days. That's why we launched our laptops donation drive for tertiary students. The response was overwhelming. Seeing these young adults receive laptops, knowing they can now complete assignments, do research, and compete on equal footing with their peers which we believe is a way of investing in Ghana's future professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders. For many of them, this laptop isn't just a device; it's a door opening to opportunities they thought were out of reach.

Partners Who Walk the Talk

Speaking of innovation, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Delta Electronics EMEA. Their commitment to education in Ghana has been remarkable. They even organized a charity fitness challenge that directly benefited two communities that is Adenya and Korkomu. Sometimes the best partnerships come from unexpected places, and this is definitely one of them.

We also connected with Jenaplanschool de Brug, another fantastic partner supporting our mission. It's amazing how schools that are thousands of miles apart can come together for children they have never met.

Going the Extra Mile – Literally

Luuk Thijs decided to support Smile at School in the most Dutch way possible, by cycling! His dedication and the awareness he raised for our cause touched our hearts deeply. It's these individual acts of kindness that often make the biggest difference.

The students at Hermann Wesselink College also laced up their running shoes for the "Dem to Dem" charity run and participated in the Phena exchange program. Seeing young people care about other young people across the world gives us so much hope.

Education isn't just about classrooms. This year, we sponsored the Dawu Festival interschools quiz competition, watching students compete, support each other, and showcase their knowledge. The energy was electric.

We also had the privilege of visiting the Demonstration School for the Deaf. Every school we visit teaches us something new about resilience, potential, and the different ways children learn and communicate.

Stories That Matter

Our Future Readers Program launched its Median edition, continuing our mission to get books into the hands of children who love them. There's something magical about watching a child discover the joy of reading.

Ending the Year with Joy

As Christmas approached, we spent time at Tutu Presby A, celebrating with the community and spreading some holiday cheer. The smiles, the laughter, the sense of togetherness. It's moments like these that fuel us for the year ahead.

We also want to acknowledge the generous anonymous donors who have stepped up to support our future projects. Your belief in our mission, even without seeking recognition, means more than you know.

As we close out this year, we are not just counting the schools we have reached or the equipment we have installed. We are counting the relationships we have built, the communities that have welcomed us, and the children whose futures look a little brighter.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey especially our partners in the Netherlands, our supporters across Ghana, and especially the communities we serve. Here is to another year of smiles, learning, and growth.

The Smile at School Ghana Team