Renowned Ghanaian actress and educational entrepreneur Yvonne Nelson has opened up about the personal inspiration behind her decision to venture into the education sector. In an insightful interview with JoyNews’ Nicholas Ekow Yamoah, Nelson shared how concerns over her daughter’s early educational experiences led to the establishment of her own daycare centre, Just Like Mama.
Nelson recounted the frequent worries she faced when her daughter, who started school at one year and six months old, would return home with unexplained bruises and insect bites. The lack of proactive communication from the school about these incidents was troubling.
“My daughter started school when she was one year, six months old. She would come home with a bruise and an insect bite, and you expect the school to call you to report before she gets home, but you, the mother or parent, will notice before the school says anything. That was like a minus and a red flag,” Nelson explained. “With the academics too, I wasn’t really getting anything from her from school. As a parent, you should see a change in their vocabulary and the things they are saying.”
Determined to provide a better educational environment, Nelson took matters into her own hands, leveraging her passion for education and hands-on involvement in her daughter’s learning. Her commitment to ensuring quality care and education led to the founding of Just Like Mama Daycare.
The success and positive reception of her daycare encouraged Nelson to expand her educational endeavors. Recently, she inaugurated the Yvonne Nelson International School, a primary school that grew out of parents’ requests to continue their children’s education within the same trusted environment.
“We had a few parents who kept asking us what’s next after kindergarten. I thought they were joking or just trying to flatter me, but they genuinely wanted their children to stay here,” Nelson said. “So, we registered a primary school and made Yvonne Nelson International School happen.”
Despite the challenges of balancing school management with her acting and production career, Nelson remains undaunted. Her experience in the demanding world of film production has equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate this new phase of her career.
The actress, who is also the author of the book “I am Not Yvonne Nelson,” continues to inspire through her dedication to both her craft and her commitment to improving education. Her journey serves as a testament to the impact personal experiences can have on driving meaningful change.