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 TV personality, Sarpong, who was appointed a MBE for her services to broadcasting and charity and has been a passionate advocate for human rights causes including Make Poverty History, said:

 My education is the foundation my whole life was built on and when I think about the potential that is wasted because children are missing out on school, it’s a no brainer to me that we need to fix that.

 The Time to Shine appeal is about us telling thousands of out of school children that we believe in them and are going help them get an education to build a better life for themselves.

 According to Ghana’s Ministry of Education, 65% of children in Ghana are forced to drop out of primary education by the pressures of poverty, and it’s even higher in the rural north where AfriKids works. Common reasons include children needing to work to make ends meet at home and girls being forced to marry and have children young. AfriKids’ works with families to improve financial security; with communities to change beliefs and practices that are preventing children from completing school and also with Ghana Education service and civil society to improve the quality of education being provided. 

 International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, announced that the UK will be supporting more children in northern Ghana to complete a quality basic education, by matching public donations to AfriKids’ Time to Shine appeal, up to £2 million.

 International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:

“Every time the British public reach into their pockets and donate to a UK Aid Match charity their generosity directly changes the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.”

 “Every child, no matter where they are born, should be able to go to school and have a happy childhood. And every parent wants what’s best for their child. But for the world’s poorest families, they often feel they have no choice but for their children to marry or go into work before they’ve even completed primary school because they cannot afford to feed them or send them to school. Access to education can change that – and can change lives.” 

“UK aid’s support will double the impact of the British public’s voluntary donations and help AfriKids to reach some of the world’s poorest communities to keep more children healthy, safe and in school.”

 AfriKids Chief Executive, Charlie Hay said:

 We are delighted that the British public’s generous donations to our Time to Shine appeal will be matched by the UK Government.

 A basic education shouldn’t be a luxury, but it’s beyond the reach of the very poor families we work with in Ghana, who work incredibly hard to make ends meet and do the best for their kids. Together we can help them to transform their own lives and give their children the best possible chance of escaping poverty for good.