Under the sun-dappled trees of Katinguli and the temporary wooden shelter in Baale, a quiet revolution is unfolding, not one of protests or politics, but of hope stitched into brown-branded school uniforms.
For many pupils in Katinguli Roman Catholic and Baale Local Authority Primary Schools in the Yendi Municipality, the morning of Wednesday July 2, 2025 brought more than the usual chalk and lesson routines. Thanks to MTN Ghana’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care, the children were gifted brand new school uniforms, an act that for these young leaners, means a lot more than just clothing. It means dignity, belonging and the subtle but powerful message that someone, somewhere, cares.
The gesture formed part of MTN Ghana’s annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative, a volunteerism program that runs every June across all of MTN’s operational countries. Employees, affectionately known as “MTNers”, step out of their offices and into communities, offering time, resources and skills to make a meaningful difference.
This year’s theme: “Connecting at the Root: Connecting Communities Through the Use of Digital Tools”, emphasized the power of grassroots engagement in shaping Ghana’s digital future.
But even as the uniforms brought joy, they also brought into sharp focus a sobering reality –these children may look ready for school, but many of them still study under trees or within makeshift classrooms of wood and straw.
Mr. Mohammed Bawa Ziblim, headteacher of Katinguli Roman Catholic Primary School, stood amidst a crowd of smiling pupils and grateful parents as he extended heartfelt appreciation to MTN Ghana.
“On behalf of Katinguli R/C Primary School, we thank MTN Ghana for channeling some of their resources towards the development of our students,” he said.
He added: “We’re passionately appealing to MTN Ghana to come to our aid by supporting us with a school structure, at least a six-unit classroom block that can house both lower and upper primary students so that teaching and learning will be very effective”.
That appeal echoed across communities. Mr. Uboi Baabe, a respected resident representing both the Katinguli and Baabe communities, expressed similar sentiments.
“MTN Ghana has done well, and we’re thankful for the school uniforms. But the children still study in open spaces or temporary structures. We are pleading with MTN to also help us with a propoer classroom block,” he urged.
In Baale, the scene was similar. Mr. Dauda Shani, headteacher of Baale Local Authority Primary School, received the donations with warmth and gratitude, but also pointed out the challenges they still face.
“We appreciate the support. The new uniforms are a blessing,” he said. “But our children learn under a made-shft temporary structure. We are appealing to MTN Ghana to help eliminate this situation by building us proper classrooms.”
The smiling faces of children wearing clean, matching uniforms might easily suggest all is well. But behind those smiles lie dreams deferred by harsh conditions. The call for improved infrastructure is not simply a request for comfort, it is a plea for equity, for the basic tools every child deserves to learn and thrive.
As MTN Ghana reflects on this year’s Y’ello Care impact, the uniforms they delivered may well be the beginning of something bigger. For communities like Katinguli and Baale, the connection they hope for now is not just digital, it is foundational. And it begins with four walls, a roof and the right to learn in dignity.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/Joseph Ziem
