Remember the popular African saying that it takes a community to ‘educate’ a child? Yes. That is arguably tenable in this 21st century. The mind your business syndrome is rife.
As personal and physical touch are declining in Africa and other parts of the world, the virtual and online community are taking over. Now, it is possible to raise a child via crowdsourcing.
In the case of Jake Amo, it took a cynical and hilarious meme for the Ghanaian child to be noticed and money raised to provide him quality education.
And except you have been offline, you won’t miss the pensive, serious and morose looking pictures of Jake which have gone viral. Oftentimes, his pictures, are used for hilarious memes. 
Jake, with his chubby cheeks, is either writing the names of noise makers or acting as a grumpy driving instructor. These memes are very funny and you will have a good laugh.
Meanwhile, Jake who resides in a remote village-Asempanaye, Koforidua in Ghana is unaware of his fame and online popularity albeit undesirable.
His village struggles to educate its populace. Obviously, there is a lack of education infrastructure and materials at the village schools. Where is the government?
Interestingly, the pictures were taken by Cameraman, Carlos Cortes when Solomon Adufah who is an artist was teaching students arts and creative studies at Jake’s School. Solomon had travelled to Ghana with Cortes in 2015 to make a documentary.
Thankfully and luckily, Adufah was following the conversation online and he set up a fundraising campaign whose proceeds will go to buying education materials and improve infrastructure in Asempanaye.
Currently, a total of $8,683 has been donated by over 360 people in 5 days. The target is $20,000.
There have been many stories of how crowdsourcing rescued many from challenges. But it is more exciting when a negative and hilarious meme is turned into a good tale like that of Jake. In addition, it is even better if the meme resolves a social problem.
This is what happens when government and local authorities abandon their responsibilities. There are millions of children out of school across Africa while the ones who are in school learn in dilapidated conditions.
Sadly, governments have little or no answers to the education of these children. We hope that African governments and the communities can partner to provide quality education to these children who are the future of tomorrow.
There is no guarantee that many around Africa and the world will stop using Jake’s pictures for memes. However, what is sure is that Jake and his friends at Asempanaye, Koforidua will learn in a more conducive environment and with superior writing materials! Thanks to the pensive, and morose looking Jake, Solomon Adufah and Carlos Cortes.
