St. Nicholas Charity Foundation gets new classroom block
Mytilineos S.A., a Greek-based industrial conglomerate and the parent company of Metka Ghana, has inaugurated a three-classroom block for the St Nicholas Charity Foundation to augment the school’s current units.
The project, which cost GH¢200,000, is the latest support Metka is offering the school and goes to show the company’s strong commitment to the educational project of St Nicholas Charity Foundation and the development of the Tema Manhean community.
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The opening of the classroom is in fulfilment of a promise made by Mytilineos S.A. through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with St Nicholas Charity Foundation, a school based in Tema Manhean, to finance the construction of the classrooms.
The agreement was signed on July 11, 2019 at the Bridge Power Plant in Tema.
Inauguration
The inauguration was undertaken by Ms Marianna Gabriel, a Director of Mytilineos Ghana and honorary Consul of Cyprus in Ghana, with support from a representative of the Paramount Chief of Tema Traditional Area, Nii Osangnaa Adjei Kraku II.
The support also follows Metka’s extensive social responsibility project in 2018 which included the building of a canteen for St Nicholas Charity Foundation which now enables the children to sit together and learn from one another while having a meal.
Metka also undertook a socio-economic investment in the Aboadze ultra-modern market.
The event took place as part of St Nicholas Day Celebrations, which saw the pupils and students of the school undertake Greek and Ghanaian cultural dance, brass band, recitals and Navy Cadet Corp displays.
The ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries, including Ghanaian celebrities — Adina Thembi, Lydia Forson, Pascaline Edwards and Princess Lankai.
In December 2013, Nii Adjei Okraku II, announced that Tema Manhean will embark on a US$500,000 expansion project to benefit the community of Bankuman and surrounding areas.
Establishment
The establishment of St Nicholas Charity Foundation, which currently has 157 children, was initially funded by the Maria Tsakos Foundation and spear-headed by Madam Deborah J. Eleazar and Capt. Kappas.
The pupils of the school are being given Ghana Education Service certified lessons with extracurricular activities including sports, navy cadet corps, cultural dancing in addition to lessons in French and Greek.
The school is an oasis of hope in the heart of Bankuman, a suburb of Tema New Town.
Each September, the school accepts 15 to 20 children into their nursery and advances the highest class to the next level, but due to the challenging environment in which the school finds itself and the struggle to build new classrooms, Mytilineos learnt of the predicament and wished to further assist as they recognised the wonderful education that these vulnerable children are receiving.
Since then, the dedication and commitment of Mytilineous has been truly a miracle for these marginalised communities. What is encouraging about their support is that they maintain a contact with the children and some of their own staff volunteer to teach the children in their spare time.
METKA is the business unit of Mytilineos S.A. that undertakes the construction of large-scale Engineering Procurement and Construction projects, as well as high-value-added industrial manufacturing activities used for applications in the energy, infrastructure and defence sectors.
Power project
The company is currently working on a 200 MW power project with five General Electric Gas Turbines type TM2500, five Once Through Steam Generators and one custom-built steam turbine in combined cycle (CCGT) configuration, located in Tema, 16 miles east of Accra. The plant will be capable of being fueled by LPG, Natural Gas and Diesel.
The school also receives regular support from many other local companies, individuals as well as international donors including the Tsakos Group, Baltic Caledonian London Association, Chaffinch Trust, (Patron, HRH Princess Royal), Sea and Shore Ghana.
A prominent medical professional, Dr John Moissidis, also spent one week examining all the children and staff and gave some valuable advice to the community.
Crew members of a leading airline also supports the charity by donating new uniforms, clothes, toys and books.
With its motto EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION, St Nicholas believes in working with other charities for the benefit of all.
