A LIFELONG dream of teaching in Africa is about to come true for a former Tavistock woman. Twenty-five year old Rowena Yarnold, a former Whitchurch School pupil, plans teaching in Ghana this summer for a charity called the Ashanti Akim Community Organisation. Rowena, who now lives in Hertfordshire and teaches at Cherry Tree Primary School, said a relative of a close friend started the charity. AACO has worked in Ghana since 1989 and was established as a charity in May 1999. It exists to raise funds to help the people of Ashanti Akim, relieving poverty, sickness and distress, preserve public health and improve education. Rowena said: 'I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to free education and because I was lucky enough to receive that chance I want to give something back to others.' While in Ghana, Rowena will mainly teach primary school children, but will also be helping with secondary students. In order to raise money for the charity, which is currently planning to build a new primary school building, Rowena is taking part in the Tottenham Marshes run on July 6, and holding a party at Fuel in Plymouth today (May 29). Rowena said: 'I was initially going to be doing a parachute jump, but unfortunately due to my asthma I was unable to do this. I am now taking part in a five mile run to raise money. 'I am hoping to raise £1,000, some of this will help me with my trip to Africa and the rest will go towards helping build a primary school building.' For information or to sponsor Rowena go to http://www.justgiving.com/REDY">www.justgiving.com/REDY
