Students at Old Lashibi Jr. High School in Tema, Ghana, will no longer have to interrupt their studies to seek shelter from the rain, thanks to a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a ceremony on November 7, 2025, the Church handed over a newly renovated six-classroom block and a new three-classroom building.
President Abu and school leaders cut the ribbon completing the handover of the renovated and newly constructed buildings on 7 November, 2025.
President Abu and school leaders cut the ribbon completing the handover of the renovated and newly constructed buildings on 7 November, 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The school, which serves approximately 570 students from three surrounding communities, was in dire need. Severe overcrowding had forced administrators to accommodate students in less-than-ideal conditions. In the original six-classroom block, more than 60 students crowded into each small classroom, often sitting four to a desk. The rooms lacked insect screens, ceiling fans, and adequate lighting, while severely leaky roofs made classes impossible during rain. Furthermore, the absence of doors and burglar-proof windows left valuable equipment and supplies vulnerable to theft. Conditions in the washroom building were similarly poor, with broken or missing faucets, crumbling ceilings and floors from water damage, and toilets in disrepair.
After the Church’s humanitarian arm received a request for help, it initiated a project to address these critical issues. Upon the project’s completion, the existing six-classroom block was fully renovated and outfitted with 60 dual desks. A new three-classroom building with 180 new desks expanded the school's capacity, and the toilet facilities were completely renovated.
At the handover ceremony, Mrs. Francisca Eshun Aidam, a former headmistress of the school, expressed her gratitude: “We are here today enjoying this beautiful edifice because of a plea we made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were facing challenges and reached out to them. Within a short time, they decided to come to our aid. What we requested was something simple, but you went beyond the imaginable. You have given us a beautiful edifice; you have renovated. We are more than happy. In fact, what you have done for us is incredible!”
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President Stephen Abu, President of the Tema Ghana Stake, explained the Church’s motivation. After referencing scriptures about the Savior's charge to care for the sick, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, he cited the command to “go and do thou likewise.” He highlighted Church programs in West Africa, such as the All-Africa Service Project and BYU Pathways, as manifestations of this commitment to service.
He then commended the teachers and administrators for their vital role: “We have provided the structures, but the work itself—the most difficult and far-reaching impact on the children—is what the teaching and non-teaching staff are doing. The students are here to learn and to become like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Your impact, your work, is far richer in their lives than what money alone can do.”
In her vote of thanks, current headmistress Mrs. Christiana Oppong Asare echoed the sentiments of her peers: “Indeed, this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. We are so grateful to God for this wonderful opportunity to benefit from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are so grateful, and God bless you. We thank you for the opportunity to see this nice edifice. It is by grace and through your own effort that this has happened. We thank you.”
Following a closing prayer by the school pastor, ceremony participants walked to the new building for a ribbon-cutting.
The Church's renovation of Old Lashibi Jr. High School is a direct application of its doctrinal commitment to education. This commitment, outlined in the General Handbook (22.6.2), encourages members to support educational access for all as part of the mission to help God’s children achieve their divine potential.