Every child deserves access to quality education in a safe and supportive learning environment. Yet for many children in rural Ghana, that opportunity remains out of reach because of inadequate school facilities and limited educational resources.
After watching a documentary on social media that highlighted the educational challenges facing children in underserved communities, Loretta Adu, a Ghana native, felt deeply moved and inspired to take action.
With only $100 and a vision to make a difference, Adu founded Smile Smile, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve educational opportunities for low-income children in Ghana by helping build safe and sustainable school facilities.
Adu started the nonprofit from her bedroom, using the small space as her first office. Without staff or financial backing, she began raising funds through cookie dough sales, farmers’ markets, selling her children’s book The Rocking Dog Between the Door and other merchandise, organizing a GoFundMe campaign, and conducting door-to-door community outreach. Every dollar raised represented another step toward creating better educational opportunities for children.
In September 2025, Adu traveled to Ghana’s Eastern Region to visit the school she hoped to support. Seeing the condition of the school firsthand was heartbreaking. The deteriorating building and limited learning resources confirmed the urgent need for investment. Rather than discouraging her, the experience strengthened her commitment to helping children in her home community.
Educational Disparities in Ghana
The need for improved educational infrastructure is supported by global research. According to UNESCO Ghana, many children continue to face barriers to quality education because of overcrowded classrooms, inadequate sanitation, and limited learning resources. These challenges disproportionately affect children living in poverty, girls, and children with disabilities.
Likewise, UNICEF reports that safe classrooms, clean drinking water, and proper sanitation contribute significantly to improved educational outcomes and student attendance. The UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programmed (JMP) also reports that millions of children worldwide attend schools without basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, placing their health and education at risk.
Building Schools Provides More Than Education
The UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) emphasizes that strengthening educational systems through quality teaching, early childhood education, gender equality, and inclusive learning is essential to improving educational outcomes across Africa. In addition, the World Bank continues to identify education as one of the most effective investments for reducing poverty, improving public health, and strengthening long-term economic development.
Building schools is about much more than constructing classrooms. It is about creating safe spaces where children can learn with dignity, teachers can provide quality instruction, and families can believe in a brighter future. When communities invest in education, they invest in hope, resilience, opportunity, and lasting change for generations to come.
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program. Your voice, ideas, and engagement are important to help us accomplish our mission. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It,” which can earn a nonprofit that you champion a $1,000 donation from the Make It Better Foundation and eligibility for a Philanthropy Award, grant content partnership, and greater engagement with our audience.
How to Help
Individuals can make a difference by supporting organizations like Smile Smile that improve access to education, strengthen school infrastructure, and provide safe learning environments for underserved children. Volunteering, donating educational materials, contributing financially, or advocating for equitable educational opportunities all help ensure that every child has the chance to reach their full potential.
Loretta Adu is the founder and executive director of Smile Smile, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities for underserved children in Ghana. Originally from Ghana and now residing in Burien, Washington, Loretta is passionate about creating lasting change through education, community engagement, and service. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Loretta is an author, community advocate, and passionate supporter of education. Her vision is to build safe and sustainable schools for low-income children in Ghana while promoting access to quality education, community development, and equal opportunities for every child.
