On November 15, 2024, FASUL convened an important meeting at the organization's office, chaired by the Director of FASUL Dr. Alexander K. Eduful. Acknowledging the importance of regular consensus and the perspectives of individuals within the organization, the meeting included Coordinator Mr. Ignatus Kpobi, Accountant Mr. Benjamin Adu Agyei, Assistant Research and Business Development Officer Mr. Paul Kwaku Cheremeh, and two interns and beneficiaries of FASUL’s education projects, Nicholas Annan and Miss Patience Adubofour.
This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss several key topics, including an overview of the organization's project reports and interventions initiated in October of this year, projections for the coming year, office maintenance, plans for the Christmas break and staff appreciation, and other important priorities.
Meeting Recap: Agenda and Discussions
Field and operational reports
The meeting commenced with updates from Mr. Ignatus Kpobi, the coordinator, on FASUL's key initiatives for the current year and the forthcoming year. One significant initiative is centered on the recovery of the half-seed capital allocated to the inaugural cohort of 2023 entrepreneurship training participants. To date, fifty percent of the capital has been successfully recouped from 10 of the 15 recipients, with commitments from the remaining recipients indicating that full recovery is anticipated in the near future. This will enable funding for the second cohort, supporting both current and aspiring entrepreneurs. FASUL is actively identifying candidates for the second cohort and engaging with the community to determine total participants. Testimonials from beneficiaries illustrate financial success and enhanced educational support for their children, highlighting the impact of these initiatives.
Additionally, FASUL aims to enhance human capacity through apprenticeships and vocational training, targeting 10 youth in underserved communities to combat high unemployment rates, particularly among individuals with disabilities. Currently, five youths have been enrolled in fields such as hairdressing and auto mechanics.
In education, FASUL will continue the Kiphart Eduful Scholarship scheme, sponsoring two students from Kiphart Community School (KCS). One candidate has been selected, and efforts are currently underway to identify the second candidate. Plans to provide library facilities to selected Kiphart-built schools are in motion, with engagement from school heads and teachers. The meeting concluded with a consensus to seek support from other communities and philanthropists to expand these initiatives and improve school infrastructure.
Projections for Upcoming Month and the Subsequent Year
In the upcoming month, we aim to recoup half of our seed capital and launch an apprenticeship and vocational training program. We will also evaluate additional candidates for the Kiphart Eduful Scholarship and enhance libraries at selected Kiphart-built schools. These initiatives are scheduled for completion within the next month and following the Christmas holiday. Additionally, we recommend the organization of a workshop for FASUL staff centered on the Office of the Research and Business Development, featuring expert training on writing effective proposals and securing research grants through collaboration with aligned institutions. FASUL will also conduct workshops for educational authorities and stakeholders of Kiphart schools. Furthermore, FASUL scholars and partner organizations will engage with students in the Kiphart community, sharing success stories to inspire resilience and academic excellence.
Maintenance of the office and development of positive work attitude
During the meeting, Dr. Alexander raised concerns about office maintenance to foster productivity. He assigned a member present at the meeting to take the responsibilty of ensuring availabilty of all essential cleaning materials to keep and maintain the office space room and environment conducive. He stressed the importance of punctuality, encouraging staff to arrive on time to ensure timely task completion. Dr. Alexander urged everyone to embrace responsibility and cultivate a positive, disciplined atmosphere for growth
Christmas Holiday and Staff Appreciation
As the festive season approaches, the team discussed the Christmas break schedule. Dr. Alexander proposed that, as in previous years, staff receive Christmas gifts to show appreciation for their hard work. He also suggested recognizing the contributions of board advisors, especially in proposal writing. Implementation of the intervention and the advisory role to the entire organization’s operations. A tentative schedule for resuming operations post-break was established.
During the meeting, we also discussed strategies for managing the organization's website and social media presence. Dr. Alexander assigned the media management team the responsibility of implementing timely updates to boost our visibility and draw in potential partnerships. He suggested a consistent schedule for blog posts, information sharing, and reporting on field activities and community visits to engage our audience effectively.
The director expressed gratitude for participation and contributions to the successful meeting before calling it to an end. Mr. Agyei then offered a prayer to conclude the session.
The discussions have reinforced our commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of rural and underprivileged families. Looking ahead, we are excited about the potential of our initiatives next year, confident that with our dedicated partners, we can create lasting change in underserved communities. We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether through donations or resource collaboration, together, let’s empower families and communities to nurture children and the next generation.
Thank you!!
