For many children in Ghana, the path to an education is blocked by barriers. Sometimes that barrier is poverty. Sometimes it’s cultural norms. And sometimes, it’s a simple flight of stairs.

At the Sawyerr-LaBrie Foundation, we believe that every child deserves to learn and grow, regardless of their physical or intellectual challenges. Our mission to “advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities by empowering and supporting them” is at the very heart of what we do.

This is Kofi’s story.

The World from a Window

When our team first met eight-year-old Kofi in his family’s village, his world was largely confined to the view from his window. Born with a condition that affects the use of his legs, Kofi was bright, inquisitive, and desperate to learn. He would watch his friends run to the local schoolhouse every morning, and his mother would try to teach him what she could from an old textbook.

The school, a simple one-room building, was not equipped for a child who couldn’t walk, and his family couldn’t afford a wheelchair. Kofi was at risk of being left behind permanently—a bright mind locked away by a physical barrier.

More Than Just a Device

Our founder, Henrietta Rema Sawyerr, with her extensive background in Special Education, has instilled in our foundation a core belief: “Equitable opportunity” isn’t a passive idea; it requires active, dedicated advocacy.

Providing Kofi with a durable, all-terrain wheelchair was the first step. The look on his face as he moved independently for the first time was a victory in itself. But our work didn’t stop there.

Our advocacy team met with the village elders and the school’s head teacher. We discussed simple, low-cost ways to make the school accessible, like building a small wooden ramp over the single step at the entrance. We held a small workshop with the teachers, drawing on Ms. Sawyerr’s 26 years of experience to provide strategies for inclusive education, ensuring Kofi wouldn’t just be at school, but part of the school.

A New Chapter: Kofi the Student

Today, Kofi wheels himself to school every morning alongside his friends.

He is no longer just “the boy who can’t walk.” He is Kofi the student, Kofi the friend, Kofi the artist, who amazes his class with his detailed drawings. His presence has not only changed his own life but has also taught his fellow students powerful lessons about empathy, diversity, and inclusion.

Kofi’s mother, once fearful for his future, now speaks with pride about his report card. He dreams of becoming a teacher himself one day.

Advocacy Makes the Difference

A wheelchair is a tool. An education is a right. But advocacy is the bridge that connects the two.

Kofi’s story is a powerful reminder that “empowering and supporting” individuals with disabilities unlocks a world of potential. His success is shared by his entire community, which has learned that inclusion makes everyone stronger.

There are countless other children like Kofi waiting for their bridge. Your support can help us build it.