It was this persistence and strength of character that prompted The Sabre Charitable
Trust – a small charity based in Surrey, which focuses on supporting rural education projects in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem
(KEEA) district in Ghana’s central region – to approach the Snow Leopard to be their patron.
The charity is currently involved in its biggest project to date, the building of a prototype kindergarten school which has the
potential to change the way young children are taught in the local government system.
Kwame explained: “When Sabre approached me I was immediately interested in getting involved because of the Ghanaian focus, when
I did a bit more research into their work and discovered they focused on an area I know well, I knew it was an organisation which I
could fully support.
“In my own family background education was always a priority – in fact my parents both work and live on the Cape Coast
University campus near Elmina – and I was brought up to believe that getting a good education was the number one priority - from
this starting point anything is possible.
“On my last trip to Ghana I went to see Sabre’s latest project in Dwabor and was very impressed with their long-term commitment
to the local community. I am hoping on my next trip not only to roll up my sleeves and get building – but to involve one of the local
TV stations to follow the work regularly as it develops to get the support of local banks and businesses. I have also been approached
by international TV companies who are interested in my own story, and intend to make sure the Sabre project is included.
“As my skiing career progressed, I struggled with funding and sponsorship in order to train and compete seriously - fundraising
was a huge challenge but it taught me a lot. I started the Snow Leopard Challenge – an annual skiing fundraising event - in order to help
kids who wouldn’t normally be able to afford skiing equipment or lessons so that they could get involved in the sport, so I do have some
understanding of how difficult it is for charities to generate funds and support.
“I realise that an African competing in the Winter Olympics is a novelty but I take my skiing career very seriously , if I can use
some of the amazing world-wide support I have been lucky enough to create to help an organisation like Sabre achieve their goals, I will
be very happy.”
Sabre’s Charitable Trust’s Development Director, Dominic Bond added: “We are delighted to have Kwame join us – he has shown a real
interest in our work, and has been able to use his local knowledge and connections to our benefit.
“The prototype kindergarten school which is being built in Dwabor is aiming to provide a high-quality teaching environment,
optimising daylight, acoustics and temperature using local, sustainable materials. The design of the building makes use of outdoor space
and emphasises learning through play – a new concept for the local education system.
“The building work will be done by local people together with volunteers from Davis Langdon and Arup, two UK construction firms which
have provided pro-bono support to design and build the kindergarten. Skilled local artisans will train community members in new techniques
being used in the building design, allowing for maintenance of the building in the long-term, as well as transferring knowledge to other
community projects.
“As a means of scaling up our projects and supporting the Ghanaian Government's education reforms, the Sabre Trust is working closely
with the District Education Office, the body responsible for 183 basic schools across the KEEA District. We have recently signed a formal
Memorandum of Understanding with the Education Office, cementing our partnership and joint goals.
“We are very excited about this kindergarten – hopefully the first of many – which is being made possible by our very generous
fundraisers and supporters.”
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