History
BRIEF HISTORY OF YAYOTSE
The inspiration behind the founding of Yayotse Organization was born out of a revealing and deeply troubling observation during a tour to Ada on a bustling Tuesday in 2017, which coincided with the major market day in Kasseh. Amid the noise and activity, what stood out, starkly, was the presence of school-aged children, who, under normal circumstances, should have been in the classroom, selling various items, accosting tourist in the bus to pitch their products, while the others push “troke” – a locally made trolley loaded with goods along the streets. This unsettling sight prompted further inquiry into the situation, which unearthed a disheartening truth: this practice was not a one-off event, but a widely accepted norm in the community.
Shockingly, parents, and guardians were either complicit or direct beneficiaries of this practice. Even more concerning was the realization that some children were deliberately withdrawn from school to work on farms, hawk on the streets and within the market, often under the instructions of their parents – mostly single mothers, who believed that the children should contribute economically to support the family. This deeply ingrained mindset, where children are seen as household income supporters rather than individuals deserving of education and holistic development, presented a generational challenge that needed a lasting solution.
Motivated by the desire to change this narrative, Yayotse Organization was founded. The name YAYOTSE, reflects the organization’s mission – “Yayo” meaning mother, and “Tse” meaning father in the Dangme language, symbolizing the collective responsibility of both parents in nurturing the growth and development of the child.
Yayotse set out to tackle this issue not in isolation, but through inclusive community engagement. The organization began by holding extensive consultations with key stakeholders including traditional authorities, community leaders, parents and guardians, school heads, religious figures, and security officials. These interactions were critical in presenting Yayotse’s vision and in securing local buy-in, support, and long-term collaboration.
After weeks of these foundational engagements, Yayotse Organization officially opened its doors to the community, marking the beginning of a grassroots movement dedicated to empowering young people, challenging harmful norms, and working hand-in-hand with families and other stakeholders, to ensure that children are not only kept in school, but also provided with the tools and opportunities to thrive.
Our Team began enrolling children interested in Yayotse’s programs. A parent or guardian was required to consent to the participation of their ward to ensure utmost commitment and accountability. The organization began its interventions with the Bondey Sports Academy, using sports as an entry point to engage children, who are naturally drawn to playing and activity for enjoyment and recreation. Building on this interest, Yayotse gradually rolled out its other programs, including the Education Intervention, STEM and Robotics, Girls’ Empowerment, Climate Action initiative and the Creative Arts.