Educating the Next Generation

In Ghana, State Education is free, but the basic costs of school materials—such as registration fees, uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery—are often beyond the reach of families living in poverty. This financial burden makes education inaccessible for many children, leaving them with few opportunities to break the cycle of poverty.

Future Leaders School – Our History

Future Leaders School was founded 26 years ago by the late Billa Mahmud, originally known as the Underprivileged Children’s Centre (UCC). Billa grew up in Labadi and, despite his own humble beginnings, had the opportunity to attend school and pursue higher education. As he walked through the streets each day, he noticed the many children who were not in school.

After work, Billa would gather these children under a Mango tree and teach them basic English and Maths, using the money he earned to provide them with notebooks, pencils, and erasers—ensuring they had the tools they needed to learn. What began with just five children quickly grew, and Billa eventually transitioned into full-time teaching.

As the school grew, Billa moved to Teshie, where he rented an apartment to serve as the school building, eventually expanding it into a primary school with 161 students, all from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Sadly, in December 2016, Billa passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. In 2017, the school was evicted from its rented space. However, thanks to Akwaaba Volunteers’ fundraising efforts, we were able to build a new wooden structure and three toilets for the school. The first phase of the new building was completed in 2019, which almost doubled the capacity of the school. Today, Future Leaders School serves 450 students, offering them the education they deserve and helping them reach their full academic potential.

About Future Leaders School

• Children Enrolled: 450
• Age Range: 4 to 18 years (Many students start school later, so Year 6 students can be up to 18 years old.)
• Classrooms: 16
• Children Per Class: 35
• Teachers: 18
• Other Staff: 3 Cooks, 2 School Bus Driver

At Future Leaders School, we go beyond simply providing free education. We ensure that students receive:

• Books, uniforms, and transport to and from school, completely free of charge.
• Two meals each day to ensure that no child goes hungry and is ready to learn.
• Ongoing support through higher education, so children, especially girls, are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to reach their academic potential.

The school is currently supported by Akwaaba Volunteers, who contribute additional funds and teaching through our volunteer programme, enhancing the educational experience for all students.

Volunteering at Future Leaders School

This is one of Akwaaba Volunteers’ most popular and rewarding projects. As a teaching volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to help provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with the education they deserve. You’ll work alongside local teachers, helping to support their teaching efforts and directly impact the lives of the children in the classroom.

Whether you’re an experienced educator or someone looking to gain teaching experience, your involvement will make a real difference in the lives of these children, helping them to access opportunities and build a brighter future.