The School

The village of Bagri (pronounced Bari) is in northern Ghana, along the banks of the Black Volta river, about seven miles north of the town of Lawra. It is in one of the poorest regions in the world.

Until recently, the nearest school was a long walk through the savannah and most village children received no education.

Bagri Baptist Primary School has been built through a self-help programme. It has been constructed by the local community, using local materials. The whole village is in no doubt that the school belongs to them. A borehore, funded by the Trust, provides clean water for the school and is also available for the villagers to use.

The Trust is working closely with government, represented by the Ghana Education Services (part of the local District Assembly). The government have agreed to fund the ongoing costs of teachers. The first pupils started in September 2005 and there are now over 300 pupils.

The project has been managed by a small community committee. The school is affiliated to the local Baptist church but will be open to every child in the surrounding area, irrespective of religion. The education is free.

While the main school building is now complete, work continues on the ancillary buildings: notably a nursery, teachers' accommodation and a toilet block.