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The
population of Ghana is around that of Australia at 23 million. It has
just about the same area as the Australian state of Victoria. It is a
Constitutional Presidential Republic. The official language is English.
Dormaa is a straight-line distance of around 365kms north-west of the
nation's capital
Accra on the coast, 500 kms by road. (Click map to enlarge.)
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The
foundation Brothers (l-r):
George, Thomas, and Jayseelan.
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Happy
students in the smart blue & blue uniform.
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When
the Brothers first arrived they were given the use of the parish hall.
Using donated funds from overseas this was significantly refurbished.
But work on the new buildings began very swiftly.
Again, with substantial assistance from overseas aid, the new school
rose from the clay. It will be ready for in September, 2009.
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As
the Brothers did in Galway, Ireland, in the early 19th century, a meal
is provided for the students who might otherwise go without.
Superior General Br Jerome Ellens addresses a school assembly and, as
usual, has the students
in the palm of his hand.
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2009
Delany Academy staff
with the first school in the background.
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Early in July, 2007, Superior General Br Jerome Ellens arrived in Ghana
as a vanguard, by the end of the month two of the three pioneer
Brothers from India had arrived.
For the first twelve months two of the Brothers taught in an already
established school while one Brother organised the establishment, from
scratch, of the Brothers’ school at Dormaa.
The school year begins in September in Ghana, and by September, 2008,
Delany Academy, Dormaa, was able to take in its first students, two
junior classes totalling just over seventy students. The academy was
and is housed in the parish hall which had been extensively renovated
to accommodate the staff and students.
The Brothers, Br Thomas Kuzumbil, Br Jeyaseelan Savarimuthu, and Br
George Mangara, were and are accommodated in a purpose-built monastery.
Being only two classes at this early stage, and having the services of
three lay teachers, only Br George is involved in the school full-time
as Head Teacher which at this stage is mainly about getting the rest of
the school built. He does this with the help of Br Thomas as building
project officer.
Brothers Thomas and Jeyaseelan work in the parish helping in six of the
twenty-six outstations of the parish. They also help in the organistion
of the local HIV/Aids Awareness programme in the area.
Subjects taught in the school are your standard ones for junior
students. Computer Studies is taught from the beginning as is French.
The building programme has been a struggle and is very expensive, and
apparently despite their best efforts the builders do not always get it
right and some structures have had to be demolished and rebuilt eating
very heavily into available funds. Water of course is a must. At first
it was thought this would be supplied and plentiful, but in the end a
twenty-two metre deep well had to be dug. This is adequate for the
school’s needs.
But despite the struggles, the expense, and the rebuilds, it all seems
to be on schedule for September 2009. The school will double in size to
over 140, but it seems they will be well accommodated in their new
classrooms.
This is thanks to the hard work of the Brothers, the co-operation of
the local Bishop and priests, the support and good-will of the staff
and parents, and the financial support of many international sponsors,
ranging from the Little Way Association of London to the family and
friends of the Congregation. Brother Jerome’s own family have
contributed more than 500 pounds; an anonymous Sydney friend has
donated $10,000. Our own Br Peter Higgins here in Sydney raised money
which was used in the renovations of the parish hall which included a
new ceiling, lights, and fans.
Through these donations Delany Academy is rising out of the jungle and
thousands of Ghanian boys and girls will have the opportunity of an
education over the years to come. Four students in the school and three
girls in the local orphanage are also sponsored each year with the
monies given. Children are being given the opportunity of a better
life. Their dreams and the dreams of their parents now have the
opportunity of coming to fruition. Well done to Br Jerome for having
the vision, to the three pioneer Patricians for putting in the hard
work, to all those who have helped and are helping along the way.
___________________
If you feel inclined
to assist the Brothers' ministry in Ghana (or Kenya or Papua
New
Guinea) then please phone Br Matthew Mahoney, the Australian Vicar
Provincial, on (02) 9600 8184. Or send an email to
delanyfoundation@patricianbrothers.com.
Delany Foundation is a
government recognised fundraising body administered by the Patrician
Brothers of the Australian & Papua New Guinean Province. $200
Australian is enough to educate Ghanaian child for a year.
Related Links
USA Patrician Ghana
Website
http://www.patricianbrothers.org/ghana/
Generalate Bulletin on
Delany Academy Opening bulletin
Br Jerome Ellens,
Superior General, saying a few words on YouTube re Delany Academy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z889dFmEJ8
Delany Academy
newsletter produced for the opening of stage 2 newsletter (2Mb pdf)
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