School leaders, driven by passion and purpose, are rewriting the story of education—one child, one classroom, and one opportunity at a time. At the heart of this movement is Opportunity International EduFinance, with Education Financial Products (EFP) unlocking the potential of schools through access to capital and training.
From Two Students to a Thriving School
Jennifer Osia, proprietress of Golden Intels in Ho, began her journey in 2017 with just two children in a rented apartment. Within three months, enrollment soared to 60, without a single advertisement.
“We now have about 100 learners from KG to Basic 2,” she shared. “But our biggest challenge is space. Parents want to enroll their kids, but we don’t have the land or funds to expand.”
Jennifer joined the EduFinance program with hope, not just for financial support, but for guidance. “We’ve never taken a loan before. We want to be guided in taking facilities. If we can get assistance, we can acquire land, build more classrooms, and enroll more children.”
A Legacy of Excellence, A Vision for More
Charles Kweku Amu, a facilitator at Springs Preparatory School, represents a school with a long-standing reputation for excellence. Established in 1999, Springs now serves nearly 600 students from pre-nursery to JHS 3.
“We consistently achieve 100% academic results,” Charles said. “But one of our biggest challenges is fee collection. Many parents delay payments, and it affects our operations.”
For Charles, the EduFinance program offers more than just financial relief—it’s a roadmap for sustainable growth.
“The training was eye-opening. We learned how to make our schools more attractive—how to ‘sell our dog,’ as the facilitator put it. It’s about knowing your value and presenting it well.”
Montessori with a Mission
Florence Ajesunu, founder of Bright Kids Care Centre, has spent 14 years nurturing young minds through a Montessori approach.
“We let children explore with toys to build their thinking and confidence,” she explained. “Our goal is to give them a solid foundation.” But like many preschools, she faces challenges with perception and retention. “Some parents think our fees are high. And when one child graduates, they often move both children to another school.”
Florence joined the program to learn how to manage her school better, and left with a renewed sense of purpose. “I now understand the importance of knowing what makes my school unique and how to communicate that.”
Financing the Future
Behind the scenes, institutions like Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans are making this transformation possible by partnering with Opportunity International. According to Branch Operations Manager Persiba Addae, “We offer micro school loans to help schools buy buses, furniture, or expand facilities. Currently, about 20% of our $1.5 million loan portfolio is dedicated to schools.”
The partnership with Opportunity International is key. “Together, we’re helping schools improve safety, access learning materials, and ultimately enhance the quality of education.”
The Bigger Picture
Opportunity EduFinance’s ‘Education Financial Products’ team works globally to help financial institutions design and deliver sustainable education loans. Their two flagship offerings—School Improvement Loans and School Fee Loans—address both institutional and household barriers to education. School Improvement Loans help schools invest in infrastructure, sanitation, and learning resources. School Fee Loans support parents with irregular incomes, ensuring children stay in school even during financial hardship.
Through technical assistance, market research, and training, EduFinance ensures that these products are not just available but impactful.
A Future Worth Investing In
From Jennifer’s rented classrooms to Charles’s academic powerhouse, and Florence’s Montessori haven, one thing is clear: access to finance is access to opportunity. With the right support, these school leaders are not just educating children—they’re building futures.
“We are going higher,” Charles said with conviction. “The sky is our limit.”
