Witnessing your gift at work
By Crossroads International Program Officer, Ambra Yirenkyi
I’ve been part of the Crossroads International family now for a little more than five years. I started as a volunteer Crossroader in 2012, then I worked in Ghana as a liaison officer. And as of May 7th of this year (2017), I have been the program officer for two years. Throughout this entire time, I have witnessed your donations at work daily.
I see it in on my trips twice a year to meet partners, observe programs, scout new areas, and create new initiatives that fight poverty and spread equality and justice. I also see how donors are making a difference from my desk in Canada.
When I’m in the office, I regularly check sites like BBC Africa or GhanaWeb so I can keep up-to-date on important news that impact the work of our partners in the field. Sometimes the results of our work filter up into newsworthy events. Those are some of my favourite days at the office!
This happened again recently. I read a story about a girl in Ghana who had just achieved the highest score in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a standardized test written by students from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.
The score is remarkable in and of itself. These exams are very rigorous and in a country where only 65% of women are literate (vs. 78% for men) and many people do not value the education of girls, this young woman’s achievement is deeply meaningful.
When I read the article further, a smile spread across my face that was obvious to anyone passing by my desk…, the girl with the top mark was a graduate of a Crossroads International Girls’ Empowerment Program!
For me, it was proof of how your donations are having a real and positive effect on girls in our partner countries. I’m proud of the incredibly positive and lasting change Crossroads can make thanks to your generous gifts. Your donations are spreading justice and equality for girls and women, men and boys. Thank you for your loyal support!
