By  Janet Assibi Sawalbil, Founder of Val Charity Foundation 

In the heart of Ghana’s Eastern Region, nestled in the bustling town of Akim Oda, I have had the privilege of making a difference in the lives of many underprivileged children. My name is Janet Assibi Sawalbil, but in the corridors of the schools where I’ve worked and on the lips of the children whose lives I’ve touched, I am affectionately known as Ama Val, The Sewing Teacher. At 25, my journey from the quaint village of Sunyani in the Bono Region to becoming a beacon of hope has been both challenging and rewarding.

My childhood, spent in a small village with limited resources, taught me the importance of ambition and perseverance. As the third of four siblings, the idea of giving back to the community was instilled in me early on. This belief has guided my steps, leading me to pursue a Diploma in Basic Education at Berekum College of Education. Now, I find myself in Akim Aboabo, Eastern Region, dedicating my life to teaching children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The transformative moment in my journey came during my National Service when I was confronted with a reality that deeply moved me: children attending school in tattered uniforms. Borrowing a sewing machine, I began repairing their uniforms, an act that not only restored their dignity but also their enthusiasm for learning. This initiative earned me the nickname “The Sewing Teacher” and led to the birth of the “One Student, One Uniform” project.

To further my mission, I established the Val Charity Foundation in 2019, aiming to combat educational poverty in Ghana. Funded mainly by my salary of GHS 599 ($105) as a National Service Personnel and the amazing support from people on social media, we have made a significant impact. I’m eternally grateful for their support and the difference it has made. The Foundation has provided over 665 newly sewn uniforms, 600 pairs of shoes, 2,000 pieces of sanitary pads, 300 school bags, 1,700 exercise books, 40 notebooks, 12 mathematical sets, 5 boxes of pens, and 288 pencils to students in need. Our goal aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030.

My efforts and the impact of the Foundation have been recognized through several prestigious awards and nominations, a testament to the difference we’re making in the community:

  • Ghana Young Achievers Awards awarded us “Best Charity Foundation of the Year 2021,” a recognition I hold dear.
  • Africa Music and Business Awards honored us with three awards: “Best Charity Project of the Year,” “Best NGO of the Year,” and “Humanitarian of the Year.”
  • Humanitarian Awards Global presented me with a “Certificate of Achievement” for our humanitarian work.
  • Nsoatre SDA Basic School and several other institutions, such as St. Immaculate R/C KG & Primary and Addai Boreso Basic School, bestowed upon us “Citations of Honor” for our contributions.
  • Additionally, I was humbly nominated for “Shero of the Year” and “Woman in Education” by the Ghana Outstanding Women’s Awards 2022 and for “Volunteer of the Year” by Women’s Choice Awards Africa 2022.
  • UMB Ghana Tertiary Awards also awarded us a Certificate of Recognition in 2023.
  • In 2023, we were recognized among the “100 Most Impactful” by the Humanitarian Awards Globally, an honor that underscores our significant impact on the education and lives of underprivileged children.

As I reflect on these accolades, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities to serve and make a difference. These awards are not just for me but for every child whose life we have been able to touch. They serve as a reminder of the work that lies ahead and the potential for even greater impact. The title “The Sewing Teacher” symbolizes much more than sewing uniforms; it represents mending hopes, stitching dreams together, and weaving a brighter future for the children of Ghana. Together, we can create a tapestry of change, empowering the next generation to rise above their circumstances and achieve their fullest potential