When Madam Ajara (now 23) enrolled at the Banko Women Organization Learning Center, she was a shy young woman with one big dream: to become a hairdresser. Her caregivers wanted her to go to nursing school instead, but Ajara knew exactly what she wanted. “I love doing hairstyles,” she said in her first interview as a student. “I want to learn more about it.”

Learning, Growing, and Building Confidence

That determination brought her to our Learning Center. Step by step, she learned not only about hair care, but also about self-confidence, kindness, and leadership. “I learned how to talk to customers, how to be friendly so that people like and trust you — then more customers will come,” she said at the time.

Her uncle, who once paid her school fees, was her greatest inspiration. “He helped me, and later I want to do the same for someone else,” she said. Today, she is doing exactly that. Ajara has completed her full training and now proudly leads her own group of students — as Madam Ajara, the hairdressing teacher. In the same classroom where she once learned to braid and style hair, she now teaches herself.

Coming Full Circle

Her dream has come true, and she has worked hard for it. When asked to describe herself in three words, she chose: calm, happy, and courageous. And courageous she is — standing by her choice to become a hairdresser, despite her parents’ and uncle’s wishes. Today, she teaches other women and girls the skills that have transformed her own life. She also continues to honor the promise she made years ago: to teach for free those who cannot afford it at the Banko Women Learning Center.

Brave, Determined, and Caring

When she was once asked what independence means to her, Ajara said, “Taking care of myself.” But seeing her now, it is clear that independence for her also means helping others grow. For an indefinite period, she even put her relationship on hold: “That can come later, once I’ve saved enough.” Speaking of saving, Ajara used her first earnings to ensure that her little brother, one of nine siblings, could attend senior high school. Schools in Ghana are now free, but money is still needed for uniforms, books, and meals.

At the Banko Women Organization, we are incredibly proud of her journey — from student to teacher, from dreamer to role model.