The Yonso Project collaborates with many organizations both in the US and in Ghana, from schools and universities to civic clubs. Some of our partners are profiled below.
Booomers
Booomers is a subsidiary social enterprise of the Yonso Project whose mission is to train workers in the developing world to build high-quality bicycles from bamboo, thus providing good paying jobs and valuable skills for artisans. The Booomers office is joined with the Yonso Project building in Apaah. Furthermore, Booomers donates 15% of their annual profits to the Yonso Project.
University of Pennsylvania
In 2008, we began working with an intern from the University of Pennsylvania to prepare for the launch of our bamboo bicycle venture. We now have a formalized relationship with UPenn as a field partner for the university’s International Internship Program. Each summer, a team of UPenn interns travels to Ghana to work with our staff on a variety of projects. UPenn’s remarkable interns have increased the effectiveness of our programs by gathering invaluable information on the ground and compiling reports to assist the Yonso Project.
International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) invests in communities around the world to improve the ability of young people to lead, work, and learn. In 2010, Yonso Project Country Director Kwabena Danso was awarded a fellowship from the IYF in recognition of the work he has done in creating and sustaining the Yonso Project.
WomensTrust, Inc.
WomensTrust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating in the Ghanaian city of Pokuase (poe-KWA-see). WT seeks to empower women and girls in Pokuase by providing them with improved access to education, health care, and credit. When we began planning for our microlending program, WomensTrust assisted the Yonso Project by sharing knowledge and training our managers in Yonso.
First Presbyterian Church of Barre, VT
The First Presbyterian Church of Barre has helped the Yonso Project with fundraising and our pen pal program, and its youth group has lent us much assistance with our activities in the US. The church has also provided us with material supplies for tabling and other YP events. We are very grateful for their efforts!
Kiwanis Clubs of Greater Boston
Kiwanis International is a global organization dedicated to helping children in need. We have received much-needed support from many Kiwanis clubs around the country, but several clubs in the greater Boston area have been especially supportive. Among other things, Kiwanis organizations in Boston assisted in the operation of our pen pal program. Thank you, Kiwanis.
Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation
Dedicated to early-childhood literacy and library development, the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation partnered with the Yonso Project during its library development initiative. The Hong Kong-based organization has been making grants since 2003.
Educational Institutions in Ghana
We partner with many different institutions in Ghana to ensure our scholars get an education, including the Mampong Municipal District Department of Education and a variety of schools. The schools below are divided into Senior Secondary Schools (the equivalent of high school in the US) and Junior Secondary / Primary Schools (the equivalent of middle school and elementary in the US).
SSS:
- Agona Sec Technical
- Amaniampong SHS
- Boakye Tromo SHS
- Bonwire Sec Tech
- Dadiease Agric School
- Effiduase SHS
- Gyamaa Pensan Sec
- Jachie Disabled Voc School
- Kofi Agyei SHS
- Kumasi Anglican
- Kumasi High School
- Nsutaman SHS
- Osei Tutu SHS
- SDA Sec. School
- St Joseph Seminary
- Westphalian SHS
JSS/Primary:
- D/A J.H.S.
- Methodist
- Presby
- Salvation Army
- D/A Primary
- D/A 1 J.H.S.
- D/A 2 J.H.S.
- School for Deaf
- United Primary