Africa is home to more than half of the world’s out of school children – those who have no access to education – and nine million girls between the ages of six and 11 will never go to school.
More than 50% of primary schools on the continent do not have drinking water or access to a consistent electricity supply.
For many of the girls at the ASA, a scholarship represents an opportunity to learn key STEM skills that will help transform their communities. But for others, studying at the school means they will avoid having no other choice but marriage or working as a young teen.
SThree, as a leading global STEM recruitment company, is passionate about creating opportunities, removing barriers and ensuring talented people can develop the careers they deserve, regardless of geography, gender or geopolitics.
The money raised by SThree has been used to buy modern textbooks and physics lab equipment, as well as funding the education of eight girls at the school. And a state-of-the-art ‘innovation lab’, complete with BBC microbits and Arduino kits, has also been created to equip the students with STEM skills that will help solve common problems with energy, technology and education across Africa.
Throughout April, 42 teams from SThree’s offices in Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, competed to turn £50 into as much money as they could for the ASA as part of the Take 50 Challenge. The teams raised £37,000 in just four weeks through event nights, bake sales, book swaps, food deliveries, charity auctions, professional photoshoots and much more. And two members of the winning team, from Chicago, will now visit the ASA in Ghana.
Gemma Branney, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at SThree, said: “We are very proud and excited to be supporting the African Science Academy as our charity partner.
“In just six months our people have raised an incredible £121,804 for the school, which includes £50,000 donated by the SThree Foundation.
“With our help, the ASA is creating opportunities and empowering students to solve community challenges with STEM solutions that will transform lives across the world.”
Efua Adabie Head teacher African Science Academy, said: “On behalf of the African Science Academy, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to SThree for their commitment to the school.
“Their contributions will significantly help to make our vision a reality, ensuring more high achieving disadvantaged girls in Africa are given the opportunity to continue their education in STEM and go on to transform their communities with the skills they learn.”