Adwoa Okorewaa : Wellspring of A Matriach

Some stories are more than just memories; they are testaments to a legacy that shapes who we are. Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on my family’s journey, especially on the resilience, hope, and unwavering belief in people that defined them. It’s a powerful legacy, and today, I want to share a story that is at the very heart of it all.

My grandmother came from a truly remarkable lineage. My family from the maternal side came from a line of both Christian missionaries and royalty. My great-great-grandparents and great-grandparents were all dedicated missionaries under the Presbyterian Church. They believed fiercely in the power of faith and learning, ensuring that their own children were educated to the highest level possible and rooted in Godly nurturing. This spiritual and academic foundation was a core part of my grandmother’s identity. She herself was a woman ahead of her time, highly educated, and she spoke so fondly of her time at a German girls’ institution. This gave her a uniquely strict and philosophical view on learning that fueled her burning desire to see others, especially women, excel.

For the last 30 years of her working life—she retired at 70, with the last five as a volunteer without remuneration—my grandmother was a teacher at the Presbyterian school in Agona Kwanyako, located within the missionaries’ quarters known as Salem. For her, teaching was a calling, a way to combine education with a higher purpose and “imbibe the God factor” within her community.
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A Home for All

My grandmother’s home was more than just a place to live; it was a living, breathing hub of activity, a large traditional compound with a central courtyard and rooms that were always full. At the heart of it all was my grandmother, the unquestioned “boss lady,” a true force of nature who made the incredible chaos of over 20 children feel like a harmonious family. Her world was one of nurturing and learning, driven by a sacred duty to ensure every single one of them had a chance at life—especially those who were either school dropouts or had never even stepped into a classroom.

She had two distinct paths to fulfill this mission: a regular trip to our family’s village in Gomoa Buduatta to pick up family members, and journeys to nearby towns and villages whenever she heard about a bright child whose circumstances would deny them an education. She would bring them all back to her home, providing them with love, food, shelter, and everything else needed to ensure their success.

My grandmother’s commitment to education was not limited to girls. She believed in empowering everyone, and her efforts extended just as passionately to the young men in our family and beyond. At every family gathering, it was common to hear from at least 10 uncles reminiscing about how they had lived with her and how she nurtured them while personally catering for their education. For the women, eveyone had lived with her at some point during their schooling. In my adult years, I’ve met over 50 people in the last 5 years who would come to visit her, many of them strangers to me, but all of whom found a home with my grandmother at one point in their lives. She took care of them and personally ensured their education was seen through.

For many young people whose dreams of education were at a crossroads, my grandmother’s home became a sanctuary of last resort. It was common knowledge throughout the area that bright children who were forced to abandon their studies would simply find their way to our doorstep. They came knowing they would be welcomed, and that their education would be sponsored all the way to the tertiary or vocational level. Her unwavering belief was contagious, and her support was not limited to family. Strangers from nearby towns and villages, on the verge of giving up on their dreams, would also find our home. My grandmother, with her own “widow’s mite,” was always ready to provide that life-altering support. Her power of conviction and purpose was truly unmatched.

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A Legacy of Challenges
Her mission came at a cost. Many families in the villages believed she had taken their children who should have been helping them on their farms. To appease them, my grandmother would send money to their parents each month. This was her way of showing them that education was a worthwhile investment. This incredible dedication, however, wasn’t without its battles. My grandmother’s own children and immediate family sometimes saw her mission as a huge burden she had placed on herself. They worried about the financial and personal strain of caring for so many children. There were heated conversations and difficult moments. Yet, she stood her ground, fueled by her deep-seated conviction that she was doing what was right. She believed so fiercely in the power of education that she was willing to fight for it, even with the people she loved most.
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A Timeless Encounter
Despite everything she accomplished, my grandmother always felt she hadn’t done enough. This became hauntingly clear during her funeral, in a timeless encounter that defined her legacy for us all. A woman and her daughter, who looked about 18, arrived at our home. She entered wailing, asking if “Mrs. Barnes” was truly dead. She then cried bitterly, inquiring who would help her child who accompanied her , also called “Miss Adelaide Barnes.” No one in our family or the community knew her.

The woman shared her story: ten years earlier, she had traveled to our town on the recommendation of her daughter’s teacher, who told her about a Mrs. Barnes who could sponsor her bright child. My grandmother had welcomed her, given her money, and promised more help. But they lost contact four years earlier, after my grandmother’s hip accident after which her phone got lost and her number changed. In the meantime, her daughter had completed junior high school and was working as a kitchen helper, waiting for the promised help—only to hear of my grandmother’s demise.

The story broke our hearts. My family wept, but my mother’s reaction was one of powerful resolve . “It is unheard of for anyone named after ‘Mrs. Barnes’ to drop out of school and be a kitchen help,” she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. “My mother will weep in her grave. We will adopt this girl and see her through school.” It was a promise that became a new mission for us all. In that moment, we saw the full reach of my grandmother’s purpose—a commitment so deep it continued to change lives even after she was gone.
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An Enduring Legacy
Her resolve was unwavering. She faced every challenge with a spirit that refused to break, a living testament to how one person’s profound passion can build a better future. And the most beautiful part of her story is the ripple effect of her generosity. Many of the young people she helped went on to become successful professionals. Now, they are paying her vision forward, giving back to their own communities, supporting the deprived, and ensuring her legacy of support and empowerment continues to grow.

Her story is not just a memory to me; it is a living blueprint for a life of purpose. It reminds me that we all have a responsibility to be a light for others and to help those who are behind us. I feel a profound call to carry on her mission—to advocate for education and give the very best of myself to my community, just as she did. My grandmother proved that when you “educate a child, and you transform a nation” and I have made it my personal mission to ensure that lesson lives on. I am committed to creating a foundation in her name, dedicated to providing access to education for marginalized and deprived communities. It’s my promise to her, and to the world, that her legacy of love, education, and resilience will continue to change lives for generations to come.

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This story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s generosity can create a ripple effect. What’s a small act of kindness you’ve witnessed that left a lasting impact? Share your story in the comments below!”

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