Wonder-ful Westbury enterprise transforms Ghanaian schools

Westbury councillor Michael Amos, the man behind the award-winning social enterprise company Waste to Wonder, has just returned from a visit to Ghana to see the impact his company is having for some of the world’s poorest children. 

Waste to Wonder has redistributed over £40milllion worth of redundant office furniture and equipment to over 1,400 schools in 40 countries since being launched by Michael 20 years ago. 

“The idea came from recognising that large organisations throw away an extraordinary amount of furniture and equipment and there are people in need who can make use of it,” said Michael. “We started by supporting local schools and organisations and then expanded that into an international operation with our ‘School in a Box’ – a 40-foot container full of desks, chairs, cupboards and other equipment.  

“Our first School in a Box went to Ghana 18 years ago and since then we have helped over 1,400 schools in 40 countries.  

“We’ve supported over 1.5 million children worldwide, driven by a fanatical hope that things could be better.  

“I went out to Ghana in my early 20s to help set up some computers and distribute some of the furniture to a charity in northern Ghana. So my recent visit to Ghana was a ‘full circle moment’ for me and it was wonderful to return.” 

On his trip to Ghana, Michael visited a number of schools and charities to see the impact that his company is having. 

“It was an absolutely amazing trip,” he said. “I visited several schools that we hope to support which are in dire need of equipment; one school we went to had a classroom that was completely empty. 

“I also met with the Ghana American Football Federation who run NFL training in 17 schools in Accra which aim to keep children in school through sport.  

“I visited some amazing places and met some incredible people who give their all for their communities.” 

Michael was also one of the keynote speakers at an international conference for facility management professionals – the people who look after sporting stadiums, hospitals, schools, universities and large office complexes. 

“The global conference was organised by the IFMA – the Institute of Facilities Management Associations – and was their first held on African soil,” said Michael. “It saw facilities management professionals from Africa, Europe and America come together to share ideas, including on sustainability. 

“My session had a specific focus on the social impact of buying and on how large organisations can have a real positive impact simply by purchasing their products and services from social enterprises and buying ethically. It’s amazing what companies can achieve just by looking at where they buy.” 

Michael, a Westbury town councillor, is managing director of Waste to Wonder, which redistributes unwanted office equipment to good causes. The company won a Gold Award at the Green World Awards held in Brazil earlier this year – one of the top environment awards on the planet. 

Commenting at the time after the award, he said, “Last year alone, we diverted £5.9million worth of office furniture and equipment from landfills, donating it to deserving causes worldwide. This effort saved approximately 2,500 tonnes of equipment from waste, underscoring our dedication to environmental sustainability and social impact. 

“By transforming what was once considered waste into valuable resources, we’re not only enhancing educational opportunities for young people across the globe but also demonstrating the power of sustainable practices in making a tangible difference.”