Empowering Journeys.....from Dodomo to the world!

My name is Georgina Tifiretey, and I hail from Dodomo, a community nestled

within the Wechiau District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. I am twenty-

three years and the third among six siblings. Today, I stand with immense pride

as a third-year Midwifery student at Presbyterian University, Ghana. Reflecting on

the journey that has brought me to this point, two defining principles emerge

most prominently; gratitude and resilience.

My early educational years were marked by considerable hardship. During my

Basic and Junior High School years, I trekked approximately one hour and thirty

minutes daily to reach my school in the Western North Region. My parents, who

served as caretakers of another individual's cocoa farm, faced persistent financial

difficulties, yet remained steadfast in their commitment to securing a better future

for me. There were occasions when I was dismissed from class due to

outstanding school fees. Despite these challenges, I devoted myself

wholeheartedly to my academic pursuits, and that unwavering dedication

ultimately yielded fruit; earning me a coveted placement at St. Monica's Senior

High School in Asante-Mampong.

My journey to St. Monica's was significantly influenced by a teacher at my alma

mater, Kerstin Catholic Complex School (KCC), who was also a former graduate

of St. Monica's Senior High and an acquaintance of my brother. This individual

encouraged female students to consider St. Monica's as a preferred choice for

their secondary education. Heeding that counsel, I listed St. Monica's as my first

choice, and by God's grace, my placement was confirmed. Given the

considerable distance between the Western North Region and Asante-Mampong,

arrangements were made for me to reside with my uncle in Techiman, where I

would spend my school vacations rather than returning to Western North region.

A transformative opportunity presented itself during my Senior High School years

when Smile for Child Ghana (SFCG), a non-profit organization - dedicated to

supporting underprivileged but academically gifted youth - announced a

mentorship and financial aid programme to selected students. Following a

rigorous and meticulous selection process, my personal story distinguished me among the candidates, and I was selected as one of six girls out of seventy-two applicants, an honour I hold with deep appreciation.

The support extended by SFCG transcended financial assistance. The

organisation served as a foundation for my academic and personal development,

instilling in me the values of resilience, resourcefulness, responsibility, and

refinement, all grounded in a reverent fear of God. During vacation periods, we

were assigned novels to read and required to submit written reports, an exercise

that significantly enhanced my confidence and communication skills. We also

participated in community service initiatives, during one of which I assisted an

elderly couple. The wife being a stroke patient, was unable to perform daily

tasks. I would rise early each morning to complete household chores for them,

fetch water from the borehole, and gather firewood from the farm before

accompanying my uncle to his own farm.

During my second year in Senior High School, my father suffered a stroke,

placing the full burden of family expenses on my mother. I returned to the village

in the Western North Region to assist with farming, and together we cultivated

and harvested eight bags of maize to support the household.

The investment that Smile for Child Ghana made in my development did not

conclude at the secondary level. Their continuous mentorship and guidance were

highly instrumental in securing my admission to Presbyterian University, Agogo,

Ghana, a milestone that represented a beacon of hope for my future.

Furthermore, through the generous support of Black Star Excellence (BSE), each

beneficiary girl received a brand-new laptop to facilitate her continued education.

I stepped onto the university campus and carried with me not only my aspirations

but also the values and principles that Smile for Child Ghana had so carefully

nurtured within me. The collective impact of Smile for Child Ghana and Black

Star Excellence on my life has been profound and immeasurable. Their

unwavering belief in my potential and their dedication to uplifting underprivileged

youth have shaped me into the resilient and compassionate individual I am today.

As I continue my academic journey at Presbyterian University – Agogo, Ghana, I

remain firmly anchored in those values. With every step forward, I honour the

legacy of empowerment that these organisations have built, striving to fulfil my

dreams not only for myself, but for my family, my community, and beyond. The

path was far from easy, yet through determination and the support of others, I

have transformed every obstacle into a stepping stone. It is my sincere hope that

my story will inspire others to become living testaments of resilience and hope

because indeed, anyone willing to persevere can rise above their circumstances,

just as I have.