School children in the small, remote community of Avadre, Ghana, no longer have to attend class and study their lessons outdoors under the trees. Thanks to a newly completed project funded and managed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, kindergarteners through junior high students at the school now have not only a new classroom building where they can learn and study, but also new sanitary facilities to help safeguard their health and wellbeing.
President Lovell and traditional leaders cut the ribbon signifying the official handing over of the new facilities on 6 February, 2026.
President Lovell and traditional leaders cut the ribbon signifying the official handing over of the new facilities on 6 February, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Avadre Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School, established in 1978, had become inadequate to support the student population of the community and had fallen into disrepair over the years. Students regularly met outside under the trees, which not only deprived them of instructional facilities like chalkboards and desks to write on, but also left them without classes during the rainy season. Additionally, the lack of clean drinking water and proper sanitary waste disposal exposed children and community members to waterborne and sanitation-related diseases. Children had to walk nearly half a kilometer to get water from a source shared by livestock, and the absence of proper toilet facilities posed serious health risks.
To address these issues, The Church constructed a five-classroom building and furnished the classrooms with desks and chairs; constructed an automated community borehole with a mounted water storage tank that includes a water filtration system to provide clean drinking water; and constructed a six-seater toilet facility for the students. The facilities were handed over to the school and community in a ceremony on 6 February 2026.
The ceremony brought together community leaders, municipal authorities, education officials, Church representatives, and local traditional leaders. Residents of the community also turned out in large numbers to celebrate and support the event.
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- The-new-5-classroom-building-constructed-and-donated-by-The-Church-on-6-February,-2026.
- President-Lovell-addresses-the-audience-at-the-handover-on-6-February-2026.
- Reverend-Kuvor-praises-the-efforts-of-The-Church-during-the-handover-on-6-February-2026.
- Dignitaries-in-attendance-inspect-the-water-filtration-system-donated-by-The-Church-on-6-February-2026.
- School-children-perform-a-cultural-celebration-during-the-handover-on-6-February-2026.
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Speakers and participants in the ceremony all gave abundant thanks to God and to The Church for the new facilities. Torgbe Gbena IV, a traditional ruler of Avadre, expressed gratitude on behalf of the community, saying: “We are deeply grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this wonderful gift. Our children will no longer study under trees. This facility brings dignity, hope, and a brighter future for our community.”
Reverend Dr. Francis Samuel Kuvor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Education Unit praised the efforts of the Church, calling the project an example of compassion, and encouraged parents and students to “value this opportunity and use these facilities to strengthen teaching, learning, and character.”
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly, speaking on behalf of the Government of Ghana, expressed “our heartfelt appreciation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this noble gesture. Your continued investment in community development is a clear demonstration of practical faith and genuine concern for the well-being of our people.” Other officials followed suit, with one emphasizing the spiritual foundation of education, stating, “When buildings are dedicated to God, they become places of learning and light. A school is more than a place for academic excellence — it is where truth is taught, talents are discovered, leadership is guided by love, and God is honored.”
President Darren A. Lovell, President of the Ghana Accra North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and presiding authority at the event, highlighted the Church’s broader commitment to education and community welfare: “The Church believes education is central to the progress of individuals and society. We are grateful to partner with community leaders to support learning and overall wellbeing. Through collaboration, we create opportunities that uplift families and future generations, and we remain committed to supporting meaningful efforts that promote growth and development.”
President Lovell’s comments echoed the continued teachings of The Church. The gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes the value of education as a tool toward self-reliance and as a means of blessing the lives of others. President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled that “You must get all of the education that you possibly can. … Sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of [this] world. … Train your minds and hands to become an influence for good as you go forward with your lives.” Projects such as the Avadre school project are examples of The Church’s efforts to help underserved communities and disadvantaged students fulfill this prophetic mandate.
Community-residents-dance-in-celebration-of-the-handover-on-6-February,-2026.
Community residents dance in celebration of the handover on 6 February, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.As speakers continued to give thanks and praise God for the blessings they were receiving through this project, schoolchildren expressed their gratitude through various cultural displays interspersed throughout the program. Traditional drums and dances exhibited their excitement and gratitude for the new facilities, and the general feeling of joy was infectious, prompting community members in attendance to frequently dance their own unscripted and spontaneous dances in celebration of the occasion. As one of the community residents noted, “Education transforms lives. What has been provided here today will bless generations. We thank the Church for investing in our children and in the future of this community.”
The handover ceremony marked more than just new classrooms and facilities. It highlighted a shared vision of faith, service, and educational progress that will positively impact the residents of Avadre for generations to come.