Their World is Changed Through Education

The Omorefe's moved their family to Ghana in January 2010. At that time the children who lived at the City of Refuge Ministries Freedom Center in Tema attended a private school. The children had little to no prior education and many of them were not able to write their names or recite the alphabet. After several months of education at the private school there wasn't much improvement in the children's education. At that point the Omorefe's knew that the best option for the children was to homeschool them and then eventually start a school that would be open to the public.

Autumn arrived in Ghana in June 2010 with the intention to tutor the children at the Freedom Center for six months to 1 year. Pastor Johnbull and Stacy went to pick her up from the airport and on their way home the Omorefe's shared their dream of homeschooling the children. Although Autumn had only been teaching for three years and knew nothing about starting a school she agreed to help take on this large project. In September 2010 Autumn began to homeschool 19 children in one room.

Stacy and Johnbull Omorefe, Autumn Acheampong

In November 2010 City of Refuge Ministries relocated from Tema to Doryumu. 40 people merged from two houses in Tema to one house in the bush. They rented a second building to be made into a school house, about a mile away from the house. The school house was split into three classrooms and three teachers were hired to help Autumn with the teaching responsibilities.

In January 2011 they began building the new school structure at the City of Refuge Ministries Children's Village, where the ministry is currently located. Within nine months the school building was ready with 5 classrooms, a teacher's lounge, and administrative offices. The walls weren't plastered yet, no windows, lights or fans but there were walls with roofs and whiteboards and that was enough to start providing quality education to the children who desperately needed it.

First year of school at Faith Roots International Academy.

FRIA School Assembly 2011

In September 2011 120 students, 7 teachers, an administrator and the Director of Education, Autumn Acheampong, began the first school year at Faith Roots International Academy. The classes offered at that time were Kindergarten through 6th grade.

The school building construction was completed in 2014 with 15 classrooms, administration offices, teacher's lounge, library and computer lab.

Football Match Outside FRIA.

Today the school is made up of creche through JHS3 (the equivalent of 9th grade). Approximately 250 students, 24 teachers, administration and the Director of Eduction.

Since 2014 many of the classrooms haven't been updated. The desks are old, the concrete floors have holes and need tiles and the walls need painted. If your organization, school or group are looking for a project for this summer or this next school year we are in need of partners to help us with our "Classroom Makeover" project.

On July 13th the City of Refuge Ministries will be celebrating their fifth graduating class from Faith Roots International Academy!

Other ways to get involved with Faith Roots International Academy:

Volunteer

Champion a Child's Education