IWAN gives to his alma mata, sets up foundation for needy students

Singer Iwan has presented over 1,000 copies of branded exercise books, pens and stickers to pupils of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Junior High School and the St. John’s school at Accra Newtown.

This forms part of his social responsibility programme to the community in which he grew up.

Iwan, originally named Abdul Razak Isahaku, completed the St John’s school in 1999 and continued his education at Accra High Senior High School. He is now a student of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, at level 400 in the school of performing arts.

During a short presentation ceremony at the school, Iwan admonished the pupils to work hard, respect and obey their teachers, tolerate each other and cultivate the fear of God.

“If your teachers beat you or put pressure on you, it is not because they hate you but because they want you to be people they can be proud of in future,” the singer stressed.

He encouraged them to aspire to higher heights and always reach out to their dreams. The singer told the pupils not to succumb to ridicule, especially from people who hold the view that pupils from less-endowed schools (popularly known as syto) are bound to fail.

Using himself as an example, Iwan (meaning: I Win Always Naturally) assured the pupils that they could become whatever they dream of irrespective of the school they attend.

He used the occasion to introduce his newly established foundation called ‘One-Day-One-DayGlobal Foundation’, which he said would assist needy but brilliant students, enroll children on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and provide free school uniforms to pupils.

The foundation, according to him, also has a team that would help in nurturing the talents of school children in fields of arts and entertainment. He promised to personally coach pupils who want to be musicians in future.

In his speech, Iwan urged the pupils to take advantage of the facilities he is providing them and pleaded with the teachers to give the children a free environment where they can explore their creative minds while studying.

He told myjoyonline.com in interview that he thought it reasonable to begin his philanthropic work at his alma mata because he feels the school has contributed to making him the celebrity he is now.

He added that his Foundation would extend help to children in other public schools and those on the streets.

The singer treated the pupils and teachers of his former school to some of his hit songs while they responded with cheers and applauds.