 With love and gratitude, we remember the many ways in which our friend and Board member Kathy Carey contributed to the mission of La’Angum Learning Center. As school founder Alice Iddi-Gubbels began to realize her dream of a school in her home village of Bumboazio Ghana in 2008, she tapped experienced OKC Montessori teacher Kathy Carey to train local teachers in Montessori education principles for children age 3-6. Kathy traveled to Ghana in 2008 and worked with the Ghanaian teachers, including four who are still teaching at the school. Kathy went on to serve as the first Board president of PAMBE Ghana. The impact of Kathy’s work is coming full circle as one of those initial teachers, Mary Azure, is set to travel to the U.S. next year to take a teacher training course in Montessori education for children age 6-9. We will deeply miss Kathy’s curiosity, independent spirit and zest for life!
Further information about Kathy Carey
 Namawu was in the very first class of pre-K LLC students in 2008. Namawu recently contacted us to update on her progress at the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana. Namawu is currently a political science major in the second year third trimester, and she aspires to be a lawyer. [Listen to Namawu in the video YouTube]
In her words:
“As part of our course schedule, we normally go to a village at the third trimester of the first year to collect data on health, population and all aspects of the community, including the number of men and women, their natural resources and the problem they face in their community. In the second year, we go back and update the previous data and also write a proposal to the district to help solve their problems, This is our second term in the village, and we will be spending one and a half months to complete the data collection and written proposal. The university has chosen a coordinator who will supervise and assess our work.
"Through our data collection from the community, my group members and I have found out that the problems of the community include poor roads. The community members complained that their roads are very bad especially when it rains. They cannot transport goods and services from their farms to their  homes. It is also difficult to move easily from one community to the other. The community also complained about the inadequate water supply in the community. The lack of market in the community also makes the selling of their farm produce less costly as compared to the prices of same farm produce on other communities with markets. They also complained about lack of agricultural support for farmers and inadequate toilet facilities.
"As a group, we suggested possible solutions that could help solve their problems. We also suggested that the community should appeal to the district assembly to support them with finances so they can (1) drill more boreholes and water wells to solve the problem of the inadequate water supply, (2) construct roads, (3) establish a community market and provide them with infrastructure and resources, (4) provide agricultural training and resources to the farmers, and (5) build many toilet facilities. We have compiled all of these ideas into a report. We shall print and share one of these reports for their assembly man, and the district as well, so that shall put it into action.”
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Dear Friends and Supporters, I hope this message finds you and yours in good health.
I am writing with deep gratitude and appreciation, and with an important update, regarding the fund you helped create to support Montessori elementary training in the United States for two of our dedicated teachers.
Thanks to your generous contributions, we were able to complete the necessary applications, secure training placements, and prepare our teachers for this incredible opportunity which was to begin in early June. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and thorough documentation, both teachers were denied U.S. student visas.
While this outcome is disappointing, we want you to know that your support is still making a meaningful impact. We are actively exploring alternative ways to achieve the same goal—equipping our teachers with high-quality Montessori training. This includes:
- Identifying reputable Montessori training programs in Africa or Europe that may be more accessible
- Exploring hybrid or online options with U.S. institutions
- Reallocating the fund responsibly to ensure your gift still supports professional development aligned with our original intent
We remain committed to honoring the spirit of your contribution and will keep you informed as we finalize the next steps.
On behalf of our entire staff at the La’angum Learning Center, and especially the two teachers who remain inspired and determined, we thank you once again for believing in this vision. Your support continues to be a source of hope and encouragement.
Warm regards,
Alice Azumi Iddi-Gubbels,
Interim Program director, PAMBE Ghana
 The local region is experiencing prolonged periods without significant rainfall. In the Basic 6 class, Camara is teaching about climate change.
To help mitigate these changes, the students are planting and caring for trees around the school and their homes. At La’Angum Learning Center, trees also will be planted to honor those on the PAMBE Ghana Board of Directors, or their family members, who have passed away in the last few years.
A collaboration of La’Angum Learning Center and Albrook Montessori school
Please join us in making a difference! We are raising money to benefit two Montessori schools: The Albrook School from New Jersey and The La'Angum Learning Center (LLC) from Ghana. Donations of any amount will help make a big impact!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cq2emt-fundraiser-for-the-albrook-school-and-pambe-ghana
 The LLC students are planning a 5K Walk on May 16, 2025 to raise funds from their community. The goal is to build a standard volleyball court and purchase sports equipment for the LLC.
The Albrook School students are raising funds to purchase science/STEM materials. The Upper Elementary students are also pledging to raise funds for LLC.
The Upper Elementary students from both Montessori schools have participated in this annual fundraising event for four years (2022-2025). The teachers and students from the two schools are planning to meet via Zoom to organize these events.
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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
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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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