Airtel Ghana’s corporate social responsibility initiative Evolve With STEM (EWS) which seeks to demystify the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in basic schools and inspire the pupils to cultivate insatiable interest in such subjects has reached some public schools in the Central and Brong Ahafo Regions of the country engaging and inspiring young minds.

As part of its regional tours to meet and engage customers, retailers and other stakeholders across the country, the management of the Smartphone Network took their mind transforming project to the William De-Graft Preparatory School and Boahen Korkoor Presby Junior High School in Cape Coast and Sunyani respectively where Lucy Quist and the Airtel team met and interacted with the pupils of these schools.

Her discussion with the students focused on self-belief, hard work and focus which, she described as key elements they need to attain their dreams no matter how big or small they may be. Lucy Quist explained to the attentive pupils in both schools how she was able to pursue a course and a successful career in STEM. With this, the CIMG Marketing Woman of the Year challenged the young ones to apply the same approach in their studies.

EWS at William De-Graft Preparatory School in Cape Coast

Inspired by Airtel Ghana’s Managing Director, Lucy Quist, about 60 Junior High School pupils of the William De-Graft Methodist Preparatory School in Cape Coast have pledged to believe in themselves and pursue their abilities to achieve their dreams as well as eliminate all fear they associate with studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The students made these promise when Lucy Quist engaged them in an EWS mentoring session during the visit.

The team from the Smartphone Network also made a donation of over 500 books on Science, Mathematics, History, Grammar and Social Studies to the school to improve teaching and learning.

Pleased with Airtel’s support and charitable gesture, Mrs. Dorothy Effie Slippe, Headmistress of the school expressed her sincere gratitude to the Airtel delegation, saying, “it is one thing for young children to be told to believe in themselves and another for them to willingly make that pledge, as an educationist I know that the effect of the latter is more profound and long lasting. The words of encouragement and experiences that have been shared will go a long way to fully unleash their potentials, and, for this, we are most grateful”

At Boahen Boahen Korkoor Presby JHS in Sunyani

The headmaster, teachers and pupils of the Boahen Korkoor Presbyterian Junior High School in Sunyani prepared adequately for Airtel’s visit thus organizing a very engaging EWS mentoring session which left all participants excited, informed and inspired.

At the end of the session, the pupils believed in their ability to become greater than the great men and women who went through their school. They also admitted Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are easy and not as difficult as they once thought.

EWS also donated about 300 books on Science, Mathematics, Grammar and Social Studies to the school to improve teaching and learning.

The Headmaster and teachers of the schools were elated and expressed profuse gratitude to the Smartphone Network for undertaking such a mind transforming and education improving corporate social responsibility activity in their school.

The Headmaster, Mr. Agyeman Yeboah said, “We’re lucky Airtel decided to undertake this project in our school and we’re very excited our school is the first in Brong Ahafo region to start it. Indeed, Airtel came at the right time, a time when we’re expanding our facility to house an ICT centre with the objective of improving the teaching and learning of Science and Technology in our school.”

Explaining why Airtel took the project to these schools, Lucy Quist pointed out that, “since the launch of the initiative, its impact has been felt in our flagship schools in Mataheko, Accra, and on social media. This month we decided to widen our reach a little more because these messages of encouragement which we hope will demystify STEM is meant for every developing mind. We hope to find more creative ways to reach more and more children as this initiative grows.”

Led by the Managing Director of Airtel Ghana, Lucy Quist, Evolve With STEM has impacted the lives of over 1000 pupils and some teachers through inspirational talks, experiential exercises and capacity building for teachers.

All these exercises have sought to demystify the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and ultimately encourage these young minds to reach for their dreams. The pupils have also had the opportunity to attend events that have challenged their thinking and inspired them greatly such as the Microsoft DigiGirls Day and TEDx Accra, both of which were organized in partnership with Airtel Ghana.