Village by Village - Eradicating poverty in Ghana, one village at a time

Little Steps, Big Futures Initiative

 The NCCT have partnered with the charity Village by Village whose mission is to reduce the needless suffering and deaths of children living in poverty in remote rural African villages. Since 2006 some of the achievements of the charity include building 18 schools and preschools, 56 wells and 6 health clinics.

In Ghana, rural preschool enrolment rates stand at just 43% (UNICEF, 2020), in contrast to 94% in Europe. This significant disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted investment in early childhood education.

"The first five years of life are critical for brain development. During this period, the brain undergoes substantial changes, and it is challenging to compensate for a lack of stimulation at a later age because many essential building blocks are already established by the end of these formative years. Access to early education has the potential to profoundly alter the course of a child's life.” —Dr N.P. Swift MA(Cantab) MB BChir MRCPsych DOccMed, NHS Doctor - Psychiatrist & Chair of Village by Village

Early childhood education represents a vital pathway to improved long-term outcomes. In the remote villages of Ghana’s Eastern Region, children under five often lack access to structured learning and play environments. Socioeconomic challenges and prevailing traditional norms may lead parents to undervalue education, perpetuating a cycle where school attendance becomes an exception rather than the rule.

The Little Steps, Big Futures initiative is designed to address this cycle by establishing local crèches and preschools managed by respected community members. These facilities aim to support the developmental needs of children under five, preparing them for primary education while fostering an appreciation for learning among both children and their parents. Research indicates that participation in early childhood education programmes increases the likelihood that children will remain in school, achieve academically, and avoid poverty. Their objective is clear: to embed education as a cornerstone of every family’s future. By equipping parents with the understanding of educational value and providing children with foundational skills from an early age, this project aspires to drive enduring, generational change.

With your support, Village by Village can employ two local crèche staff, provide comprehensive training, and supply essential classroom resources and infrastructure for one year. Together, we have the opportunity to effect meaningful transformation within these rural communities—one child, one classroom, one dream at a time.

£334 will provide one child under the age of 5 who is living in a remote rural village in poverty with the following for one academic year:

• Early Years Education
• 1x Healthy Meal a Day
• Educational Toys 
• Safe space for learning
• Teaching staff 

With the MS Hebridean Sky sailing down the West Coast of Africa in late 2025 and 2026, the NCCT have committed to donate £3340 to help 10 children in 2025 and 2026. With your support we can increase the number of children we reach.