Given the scarcity and outline of the textbooks that were recommended by the state to assist teaching and learning of the new curriculum, children often find it difficult to understand some of the concepts. In one biweekly meeting, some of the teachers complained of the tiny nature by which some of the words are written especially in maps where a lot of information needs to be captured. Fortunately for LLC, a talented teacher and artist, Mr. Mustapha, asked that teachers submit the aspects that pose the challenges, and he volunteered to sketch them large enough in the classroom walls for now and future use. It was agreed that PAMBE Ghana would resource him to buy the paint, brushes, pencils and any other material that he may need to do create the images. Mustapha promised that he would do a good job and use some of the students as his assistants. Different topics were covered in each classroom, depending on the needs of the classroom according to the syllabus of the national curriculum. In some classrooms, he drew the map of Ghana and indicated the regional capitals. In other classrooms, he indicated the rivers, mountains, vegetation or climate conditions of Ghana. In others, he showcased occupations. The children were happy to part of this exercise and posed for a photo.
Click on the “LLC Field Reports” to see more photos and read about other activities at LLC.
 June 2024 Field Report: from the Teachers on the burial of Tom's ashes in Ghana:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
We gather to honor the memory of Tom Temple, a cherished board member of PAMBE Ghana and a steadfast supporter of the La'angum Learning Center.
Tom was a beacon of dedication and generosity. His tireless efforts in raising funds were instrumental in shaping the success of both PAMBE Ghana and our beloved La'angum Learning Center. His passion and commitment made a lasting impact on our community and the lives of countless children.
 Tom's legacy will forever inspire us to strive for excellence and compassion in all we do. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and will continue to honor his memory through our work.
Thank you, Tom, for your unwavering support and for believing in our mission. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
With heartfelt gratitude, Rest Well!!!”
Partner with our Teach 2 Teach Campaign to support the continued training and growth of our La’Angum Learning Center (LLC) teachers and quality education for LLC students. Donations will provide a year’s worth of tuition, lodging and living expenses for 2 current LLC teachers; the teachers will now go to Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Program near Chicago.
As Ghana lacks an accredited training program in elementary level Montessori instruction, our goal is to bring 2 LLC teachers to the U.S. for additional training. Upon their return to LLC, these teachers will help build local capacity and impart expertise in Montessori education both to other teachers at LLC and in nearby schools in northern Ghana.
You can contribute to this campaign using our DONATE button or by joining our GoFundMe campaign. Any donation will be matched, dollar for dollar up to US $5,000. This challenge grant for the Montessori teacher training is provided by “the learning tree” in Oklahoma City!
Make your donation count double! Thank you for your support.
Last year's event was a big success with children at the La'Angum Learning Center (LLC) in Northern Ghana and Albrook Montessori School in New Jersey walking to honor their founders and raise money to help PAMBE Ghana fund teacher salaries.
 2nd grade Mustafa Abdul-Rahaman Our fundraising goal of $5,000 is enough to cover the average annual salary of two LLC teachers. These dedicated educators are our greatest resource, many of whom have been teaching at LLC since our first class in 2008. This initial class of students has just now graduated high school, and we are so proud! None of it would have been possible without the staff and teachers at LLC.
 1st grade Ernestina TA To put our $5,000 goal in perspective, we need to raise just $625 for each of the 8 classes at LLC or just over $20 per student. A small donation can have an outsized impact in Ghana where US dollars go far to provide quality education to hundreds of children. Listen to the words of our most senior teacher, Mary Azure. Please join us in supporting our LLC teachers as they create a model of education in Ghana!
We also will expand participation this year with an event in Bluff Creek Park in Oklahoma City at 9am on Saturday April 29 for our local volunteers and supporters.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/pambe-ghana-2023-5k-fundraiser
One tenet of the Montessori methodology of education - that working together fosters independence – was vividly demonstrated when more than 200 bicycles were delivered to the La’Angum Learning Center (LLC) in remote northern Ghana.
The project grew out of a pen pal relationship between the students at LLC and those of the community Montessori by the Sea in Saint Pete Beach, Florida. The Florida-based students learned that the 250 LLC children in Kindergarten through 6th grade have to walk long distances from their homes in scattered villages to attend school every day, and that having access to bicycles could make a big impact on the daily lives of these new friends. The students of Montessori by the Sea were inspired to help, and together with one of their teachers, Ellen Selvidge, began planning to purchase bicycles for their pen pals.
In Spring 2022 Ellen and her husband Logan Gelsie, on behalf of the Montessori by the Sea community, started raising funds via the GoFundMe platform to purchase bicycles, resulting in over $6,600 generated by the Florida school community and friends.
Armed with the funds, Ellen and Logan travelled to LLC this summer to support LLC teachers and to facilitate purchase of the bicycles, their distribution to the community, and training children and teachers in their use and maintenance.
The arrival of Ellen, Logan and the bicycles was met with great fanfare by LLC students and parents because access to a bicycle is transformative in the lives of the LLC students. Children with access to bicycles greatly reduce their commute time and spend more time on their education. Many of these children aspire to go on to high school and potentially, a university program. The commute time particularly impacts the girls attending LLC, who are expected to help with domestic chores, which often involve collecting and hauling water from local wells. Having transportation creates time for learning and opportunity.
One local student, who has great difficulty walking independently, persuaded the team distributing bicycles that he should receive one – and quickly learned to ride, gaining a new measure of control over his day-to-day activities and greatly increasing his ability to travel to and from LLC. Working together truly does foster independence.
On behalf of LLC, please join us in thanking all those who participated in the fundraiser, and Ellen and Logan. If you are inspired to join the bicycle project, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-pambe-bike-project
 La'Angum Learning Center (LLC) students in Northern Ghana participated in a 5k relay run on April 14th, 2022, alongside students at the Albrook School in New Jersey. The "Better Together" theme for the event was appropriate as it united the students at these two schools in a common goal while honoring their respective founders.
The gofundme campaign of PAMBE Ghana raised over $4000! This amount will nearly cover the equivalent of two teacher salaries for an entire year. Each donation helps continue the high quality Montessori education that Alice brought to her home area in Northern Ghana back in 2008 with an initial pre-K class of just 35 students. Today, LLC has blossomed into a school with 8 classrooms, 13 teachers, and 3 administrators operating with deep community support to maintain a current enrollment of over 249 students (pre-K through Grade 6).
You can continue to donate until April 30 at this Go Fund Me Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pambe-ghana-5k-fundraiser.
A confident New Jersey Montessori student named Sebastian dedicated his tenth birthday to raising funds to support La’Angum Learning Center (LLC) located in northern Ghana and founded by PAMBE Ghana. Setting an initial goal of $1,000 via the GoFundMe platform, Sebastian quickly exceeded it, and raised $2,765! This astonishing sum will pay the salary of an LLC fourth grade teacher for an entire year. In the course of the fundraising, Sebastian met virtually via Zoom with LLC students, which all the children enjoyed very much as they were able to see one another and learn how much they had in common. The fundraising project also provided Sebastian a hands-on education in communication and fundraising skills.
 Sebastian (r) and LLC students engage in the everyday classroom work of
a Montessori student. LLC teachers and support staff provide a safe and nurturing learning experience to each and every student, and further, maintain a healthy, dynamic relationship with the parents, extended families and communities that LLC serves. Sebastian’s initiative and the incredible gift resulting from it affirmed the importance of their work, and it was encouraging to them to learn that a young student - just like those they teach at LLC – had spread the news of their work to friends and family, and dedicated his own birthday to supporting LLC.
 Yapoa began pre-K at LLC in 2008, and is now in senior high school. It takes a village to raise a child, and often that village is global. The OKC based board of PAMBE Ghana works to find revenue sources to support the students at La’Angum Learning Center (LLC) – both during their younger years at LLC and after they move on to the next stage. With funding from the Paul Milburn Gift Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, graduates of LLC who enter junior high school (grades 7-9) and senior high school (grades 10-12) are offered support to help continue their education. Students are provided uniforms and school supplies including notebooks and pens, a set of math instruments and a scientific calculator. Nearly all LLC graduates go on to junior and senior high school, with the inaugural pre-K class of 2008 set to graduate from high school next year. Yapoa, who began pre-K at LLC in 2008 as a shy youngster, is now a confident high school student. “La’Angum Ka Toom” – “Many hands make light work”!
 Junior and senior high school students receive school supplies from Head Teacher Majeed Salifu.
Offers consumers a chance to shop locally and give globally
The annual Global Market - opening this year October 17 through December 24 - offers shoppers an opportunity to purchase beautifully crafted meaningful gifts made by artisans who have been paid a fair wage.
Additionally, as Sara Braden, market manager noted, “Best of all, every purchase also benefits the school kids at La’Angum Learning Center in rural northern Ghana; it’s a win-win-win: for the artisans, for the school kids, and for the customers!”
La’Angum Learning Center (LLC) has taught hundreds of village children in northern Ghana. The teachers use a student-based teaching model, starting them out in their own language and gradually teaching English. LLC was born out of a dream of Oklahoma City University Graduate Alice Iddi-Gubbels to return to her home in Ghana and create a school of high quality for the elementary-level children in the area.
“PAMBE Ghana appreciates all our partners from the village families and teachers to our Global Market volunteers and customers in Oklahoma City, said Jane Wheeler, Board President.
We invite you to visit us at the Sailor and the Dock marketplace, 617 W. Sheridan, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-6pm. https://sailorandthedock.com/pambe-ghana/
For more information on PAMBE Ghana and Global Market merchandise, go to pambeghana.org or view us on Instagram and Facebook.
The location of the 2023 Global Market: “Sailor & The Dock” 617 W. Sheridan, Oklahoma City.
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Donate Today
Your Donation Today Will Help PAMBE Ghana Provide:
-- Teacher's salary
-- Children’s health insurance
-- Montessori materials
-- Teacher education
PAMBE Ghana is a 501(c)(3)
registered charitable organization.
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