SCHOOL teacher Stephen Beddows is one of the 10 people who have earned a fully-funded place on Burton Albion Community Trust’s Ghana project.
The trust was able to offer the places to people who might otherwise not be able to take advantage of this life enhancing experience and who could also bring key skills and a passion for making a difference to the people in the African nation.
After coming through the application process, Stephen is now ready to join the 15-strong team on the 10-day expedition, the fifth trip BACT has undertaken in partnership with African Adventures.
The trip aims to raise funds for BACT, whilst supporting African Adventures’ partner projects in Ghana and providing local people with much-needed support.
In October, BACT launched its first grant scheme which offered community members the opportunity to apply for a fully-funded place on the trip.
Stephen was delighted to be accepted.
He said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to use my education experience to go out there and make a difference and to learn from the people in Ghana in return.”
Stephen who is 37, lives in Winshill, and works in Rugeley. He has a grown-up son and 12-year-old daughter.
He saw his first Brewers game back in 1993 and is excited about taking the Burton Albion colours out to Ghana.
He said: “I would not have this opportunity without the support of the football club and the community trust, and I want to thank them for enabling me to go on this trip.
“Burton Albion is a fantastic community group that does great work in the local area and to be able to wear a Brewers shirt and take all that good work to Ghana is fantastic. I hope we can make a real impact and I can come back with some great experiences and memories.”
The trip will see the team travel to the Volta region, which sits in the eastern part of Ghana, and takes place from April 9 to 19.
In Ghana BACT will be supporting Tegbi E.P School - a government-administered primary school which was founded in 1946 in Woe. The school provides education to 550 children between the ages of four and 20, from kindergarten up to the third (and final) year of junior high school.