After arriving late Thursday we made our way with our old friend, the taxi driver Mr. Frank, to Anani Memorial International School. I first visited this school in Nima five years ago, and it is a remarkable place. Scholars of development and a bit of observation tell us that slums in developing countries are full of hopeful, hard-working people who often succeed against great odds. Anani School is one of the reasons that they do. It is one of Nima's strong institutions that provides a very strong education in both the fundamentals of education and the arts; its children are skilled dancers, for example. They have also, for the second year, been the leaders in letter exchanges, this year sending five sets.
Lots of fine dancing was on display for Wendy, Lucy, and I. The welcome was a bit overwhelming. Then we had the pleasure of presenting the school's Principal, Mr. Kofi Anane, with his Yo Ghana! star award, as he was one of six awardees this year. Mr. Anane started attending the school as a child; his father started the school to educate children from poor families after being cheated in a financial transaction. The school survives against great odds, somehow offering a first-class education to families who struggle to pay the fees. The students embraced the award as their own, and shortly after the presentation poured onto the floor in a celebratory dance.
It was a special occasion for a wonderful and unique school and person.
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