Matilda gazed up at the sign for Frafraline Fashion Academy and took a deep breath. This was her chance to finally follow her dreams, even without finishing high school.
Ever since she was a little girl growing up in Savannah of Ghana, Matilda had loved sketching dress designs and making clothes for her friends. She dreamed of creating bold, colorful prints that fused traditional Ghanaian textures and patterns with modern silhouettes.
But after her parents passed away, Matilda couldn't afford the school fees to continue her education. Her dream of becoming a professional fabric designer seemed out of reach.
Then Matilda heard about CRIS Ghana, a non-profit that provided scholarships to young entrepreneurs. She applied right away and was overjoyed to receive funding to attend Frafraline's intensive one-year fabric design program.
As Matilda walked through the doors on her first day, she felt a swell of pride. With the support of CRIS Ghana, she was going to learn the skills to succeed in Ghana's booming textile industry.
Though the coursework was challenging, Matilda poured her heart into every pattern and print. Her vibrant designs incorporated the batiks and kente cloths of her heritage into contemporary fashions.
She had achieved her dream of becoming a fabric designer, even without finishing high school. And with passion and persistence, she knew this was only the beginning of her career in Ghana's fashion world.
