On December 4, 2024, a transformative new scholarship initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable young people in Ghana will be launched in Accra by SOS Children’s Villages Canada, the Steele Family Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, and the Head of State Award of Duke of Edinburgh International.
The Youth Thrive Project is set to enhance educational attainment, employability, life skills, and personal development for young people, while fostering active community engagement.
Supported by the Steele Family Foundation and its cutting-edge WISE Scholarship Program™, the project targets 150 ambitious young people, referred to as WISE participants, across four years, focusing on those aged 14-18 years in junior high school.
It will be implemented across four SOS Children’s Villages Ghana Programme locations—Asiakwa, Kumasi, Tamale, and Tema—and in public schools within the Dodowa community in the Shai-Osu Doku Municipality.
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Building Futures Through the Youth Thrive Project
The Youth Thrive Project directly tackles challenges faced by young people in Ghana, such as limited access to educational opportunities, high unemployment, and a lack of mentorship and life skills. With its phased implementation, the project is poised to deliver:
· Scholarship Access & Academic Success: WISE participants will benefit from comprehensive academic and career guidance, ensuring access to scholarships and improved academic performance that prepare them for higher education and career paths.
· Enhanced Employability: Through internships, mentorship programs, work attachments, and digital skills training, participants will boost their readiness for the job market.
· Holistic Development: Mental health and psychosocial services, physical recreation, and experiential learning will support the personal growth of participants.
· Community Engagement: WISE participants will actively contribute to local decision-making and development, positioning themselves as changemakers in their communities.
By 2028, the project envisions its 150 beneficiaries transitioning successfully into employment, entrepreneurship, or higher education, while driving positive socio-economic change in their communities.
The World-Impact-Scholarship & Education (WISE) Scholarship Program™: A World-Class Opportunity
At the heart of the project lies the WISE Scholarship Program™, powered by the Steele Family Foundation. This innovative initiative uses the WISE Platform, a proprietary, technology-driven tool designed to streamline scholarship management and empower participants to track their progress.
The program’s unique “Earn to Learn” system evaluates participants through a three-part point structure—Academic Performance, Extracurricular Activities, and Social & Non-Formal Experiences—supplemented by Reference Letters and a Final Essay. These metrics determine the level of scholarship support participants receive, providing equitable access to education opportunities in Ghana and abroad.
Beyond the four-year scholarship period, the Steele Family Foundation ensures a lifelong impact through continued mentorship, career counseling, job placements, and AI-driven support tools.
About the Steele Family Foundation
For over 17 years, the Steele Family Foundation has championed grassroots initiatives that empower communities. Through the WISE Platform and its holistic mentorship approach, the foundation continues to create socially responsible global citizens who inspire positive change.
Visit www.thesff.ca to learn more and join us in developing “Stranded SuperStar” elementary and secondary-level students worldwide into socially responsible, global citizens.
About Head of State Award Scheme
The Head of State Award Scheme is a non-formal education and experiential learning program that empowers young people aged 14 to 24 regardless of their location or circumstance, to discover hidden talents, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their communities.
The Award Scheme is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations. Operating in Ghana since 1967, the program engages over 15,000 youth and 2,900 adult volunteers annually across eight regions, working through schools, universities, youth groups, and community organizations.
By encouraging participants to set goals and step outside their comfort zones, the Award builds confidence, resilience, and life skills, complementing formal education with a recognized certificate that reflects character and personal development.
Visit www.hosaghana.org for more information.
About SOS Children’s Villages Ghana
SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has been supporting children and young people without parental care and at risk of losing since 1974. Our mission is to build families for children in need, help them shape their own futures, and share in the development of their communities. With a team of competent staff and volunteers across 6 regions (Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti, Eastern and Northern) and 22 districts, our initiatives have impacted the lives of over 2.5M children, young people and families over the past five decades.
SOS Children’s Villages Ghana delivers comprehensive programs and services tailored to meet the unique needs of the communities it serves. These include child-centered alternative care, family strengthening, youth empowerment, education, advocacy, mental health and psychosocial support, child protection, and community empowerment initiatives. The organization also integrates green projects to promote sustainable development.
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