#MEET EDUPAY
This is a short interview we conducted with Emmanuel Douglas Turkson, the creator of EDUPAY. If you like this project and would like to vote for it, click here
1. Please, tell us a bit about yourself: where are you from and what is your background?
I am Emmanuel Douglas Turkson, from Ghana, West Africa. I grew up in a mining area with people living at the extreme ends of economic and livelihood status, thus in the same community had very rich families and at the same time with people living in an extreme poverty. I grew up understanding the economic complexities in this community. I read Entomology and Biodiversity conservation at the University of Cape Coast (BSc Entomology and Wildlife). this has been an important subject in understanding even more on the effect of illegal mining in the community and the complex nature of the issue. the local economy in the town hugely depends on such ill mining activities. the activities in itself pose a threat health and forest and ecosystem. it has deterred farmers from engaging in agriculture. I read Theology at the American Bible University (BSc Biblical Studies). this has given me a broad understanding of the belief and lifestyle of the Christian who is the majority in our part of the world. I have come t understand faith and hope and how it affects the livelihood of people in the community. I am a Co-Founder and Director of Maintenance and Sustainability Africa (MSA). one of Africa's serious challenge is the ability to maintain and sustain initiatives and we tend to fill that gap by being a credible solution to sustainability issues. am an entrepreneur ( with 2 brothers) who have established a cattle business and still in its early stages. It's a pilot of our bigger Protein field vision. We have a company called Springold where we do road construction, bore hole for communities. I am also the Creation Care Officer at A Rocha Ghana NGO raising the awareness and equipping Church leaders to be environmental advocates using biblical references.
2. Can you describe your idea or project in two sentences?
EDUPAY is a novel payment model to support poor people in communities to keep their children in school and also created jobs for the youth
3. How did you get your idea or concept?
I was walking down on a street one afternoon when I saw children at an average of 8 in their school uniforms playing carelessly on the street. I was surprised and feared for their life because of the busy nature of the road with vehicles. the children should have been in school at that time. I decided to enquire from them where they going at such time. they told me they have been sacked from school because they owe fees. this is a way to induce parents to pay. most the kids parents were single mothers, petty traders and below $5 a day. the school was a low cost private school in the community with small amount of fees. It dawned on me that affordability is not necessarily about the amount but hugely depends on the time given to pay. then I remembered the old traditional way of saving money called 'susu'. then the idea of EDUAPY was born
4. What is unique about your idea/project and how does it benefit mankind?
Its a novel and also has its traits in the old traditional ways of saving money, so the people are aware about the method. it is a double edged sword for both the parent and the School owners. Low cost private schools lack basic infrastructure because they lack lump sum of money to develop. Through EDUPAY money is given to school owners to properly plan and maintain the school. Quality education is achieved as a result of proper planning and buying of materials for learning Livelihood improvement for parent as they don't have to take money used to do their petty trading for school fee payment Improve in academic performance as children get to stay in school all through the term Academic and career monitoring of student. the truth is that most parent in this category are unable to read and understand. they do not understand the terminal academic report of child and so do not know the weakness and strength of student. EDUPAY plays a role of academic/career guidance Scholarship schemes Employment creation for the youth in the community to support their parents
5. Describe yourself as an entrepreneur in one sentence
Seflesslness is key to development, taking care of other peoples need is what brings prosperity to you.
6. How do you deal with people that doubt your abilities/initiatives?
Doubt comes as a result of fear. Fear of the unknown. we do not have answers to all questions but that is our motivation. I persuade them to have faith.
7. Where does your passion lie?
Livelihood development. to see people in poverty breakthrough out of their penne
8. What are you afraid of or what keeps you up at night?
Not being able to help the poor market woman
9. According to you, money is a synonym for.....
Driver
10. If you could rid the world of three things, what would they be?
Poverty, Ailment, Greed
11. What are the benefits you take from the Entrepreneurship Campus?
Encouragement, New Ideas, Inspiration
12. What do you like more about the Entrepreneurship Campus?
Friendship and realtionship built
13. Which idea/project do you like most?
Anti-Corruption Software: All Government Purchases will be traceable and auditable. More transparency
NOTICE: If you want to see more submitted ideas and projects at the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, visit BEST IDEAS and BEST PROJECTS and VOTE for the ones you think deserve to WIN the Competition!
