In the heart of Ntonso, a small village tucked within the Ashanti Region of Ghana, a determined teacher named Ama Owusu begins each morning by ringing a rusty bicycle bell to call children to class. But there is no school building, just a giant mango tree, under which she arranges makeshift benches carved from broken planks and tree trunks. The only “classroom tools” are a single chalkboard, a few worn-out exercise books, and sticks used in place of pencils.

Despite this, every child in the village flocks to Ama’s tree-classroom. Her voice is warm, her energy magnetic, and her belief unwavering: “Education is the sun that can rise over any darkness.”

Ama teaches over 60 children, split into age groups, all in a single day. Many of them walk over 5 kilometers daily, barefoot, just to sit under the mango tree. Her biggest challenge? She has no permanent teaching materials, no salary, and no support from local authorities. Yet, her passion for teaching is fuelled by her journey, once a village girl who defied the odds to become the first to complete secondary school in her community.

When IDCC documented Ama’s story, it struck a powerful chord with viewers. Within weeks, NGOs, faith-based groups, and private donors reached out. The result was astonishing:

• A 3-classroom block was constructed within four months.
• A borehole was added for clean water.
• Books and uniforms were donated, and a trained assistant was sent to support her.
• The number of girls enrolled in school increased by 65%, breaking traditional norms.

Today, the children of Ntonso no longer learn under a tree. They learn with pride, seated in real classrooms, with dreams in their eyes and education in their hands.

Tagline: Sometimes, it takes just one chalkboard—and one brave woman—to rewrite the future of a village.