Sketty Methodist OnLine

In 2002, Mary and her son Kwesi, visited their family in Elmina, Ghana. Whilst there, Mary used her skills and talents as an artist to teach the children of ETSIAPA METHODIST PRIMARY SCHOOL. Although the children have little of material value, they produced excellent art work and made models. They used art materials supplied by the members of Sketty Methodist Church, Swansea. The church also sent paper and toys for the children.

Unfortunately there are so many children needing education that the school did not have enough classrooms for the children to spend all day in school. Instead they had to work a shift system, only spending half a day in school. This means that for the remainder of the time they are left to their own devices and become bored. Also they are not able to go to school unless they have shoes to wear.
Since returning from Elmina. Mary has continued similar art work with several schools in the Swansea area, telling the pupils about Elmina and showing the Swansea children the art work from Elmina.
When the members of Sketty Wesley were told of Elmina’s difficulties they readily agreed to raise money to enable new classromms to be built. The whole Swansea and Gower Circuit (11 churches and chapels) joined in as well. To date over £4000 has been raised. New classrooms have been built and the final stage is to add the corrugated roof.
As well as raising money, the Swansea Methodist Churches and Parkland Primary School collected shoes and school bags for the children of Elmina. A crate the size of a single bed was completely filled with shoes, bags, toys and stationery items for the school.
In August 2005 another £150 was sent to Elmina to complete the roof of the school. The latest news is that the headteacher will probably be leaving the school soon to begin training for the Methodist ministry - this is great news for the church, but it means that the school will have to appoint another headteacher.
In September 2005 £55 was sent towards the school building. In November we received four new photos of the school. Only a small part needs a roof and then the outside will be complete!
Our Epiphany Party raised £245 towards the school building work. Thanks to everyone who so generously supported the party and hope everyone had a great time.
We welcome a new headteacher, Hannah, to the school. We hope to make contact with her soon. Paul is now training for the ministry and we pray for him at this new stage of his life.
More news from Elmina - only 6 doors and 12 windows are now needed plus plastering the walls inside and outside and painting. This should be completed in no time! Great news!
Another £170 has recently been sent, plus another £55. The roof on the last section of the new classroom block is now complete - GREAT NEWS!
Etsiapa School has a new head teacher - Hannah. We are now in touch with her about the progress of the building.
Excellent news - a donation of £3,000 has been received for the school building project.
Work on the new classrooms has been completed - May 2008. Later this year a plaque will be unveiled to commemorate this project.