Kokrobitey Institute – The Historical Timeline

1989 Visit by Ms. Renee Neblett to West Africa to identify a suitable site for a short-term academic program for students at Milton Academy

1991 First group of students travel to Ghana; Fundraising group ‘Friends of Kokrobitey’ established; Ghana Education Service, The National Service Secretariat, The Du Bois center, the National Theatre and University of Ghana pledge their support to the Institute

1992 Kokrobitey Institute incorporated in Massachusetts; American office opened

1993 First summer ‘Teachers Institute’ with educators from 11 schools across Ghana and the US

1994 First postgraduate program; Service component of programs initiated with a primary school project

1995 First internship program

1996 First SAT training program for Ghanaian students; Completion of the Beach volleyball pitch

1997 Completion of the administrative block, housing units and dining area; Launch of the ‘Hands across Africa’ curriculum development project; Kokrobitey Institute hosts the ‘Designers Forum for African Designers’ in conjunction with the Goethe Institute; First High School Science and Social studies Institute; First Urban Scholars Institute

1998 First postgraduate semester program “Mud Huts to Mansions” a building design project

1999 Formalization of the Village Literacy Program for surrounding villages; First “Hands Across Africa” Teacher training Institute with teachers from 10 African countries, Togo and Japan; First High School Cultural sojourn program; First ‘Kiddie; First High School Urban Scholars program

2000 First ‘Ecology Literature and Arts Institute’

2001 First Rhode Island School of Design Institute; inception of the Kokrobitey Youth Development Association (KYDA)

2002 Arrival of the Solar Oven purchased jointly by ‘Friends of Kokrobitey’ and the Rotary Club of Ghana; First Artist in residence

2003 Completion of the first building of the Design Center

2004 Formation of plans for the reconstruction of the dining pavilion and development of the Design Center; First graduate ‘Governance and Democracy’ program from the American University of Rome.