This month the GATEWAY cruies into town in Blog form as well, for faset and easier transactions, for those with slower internet connections.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Welcome note
Welcome to the May edition of The Gateway. This month I have the pleasure of hosting the newsletter from the Ashanti capital Kumasi.
Kumasi is our youngest destination although we have now been hosting volunteers for two years now. This month we provide news from the Ashanti region, and highlight the extra work volunteers have been participating in during their time in Kumasi. We also hear from Samuel Adzivor who was kind enough to share his families experiences with volunteers and even to offer us dinner.
As usual there is also news from the other regions to keep you all up to date on the events of what has been happening with Projects Abroad in Ghana.
On behalf of all the Projects Abroad staff in Ghana, I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Michael Ahima-Danso
Regional Co-ordinator – Kumasi
If you wish to make any comments or offer any articles for The Gateway please contact:
andrewfryer@projects-abroad.org
Tel. +233 (0) 246 – 979 819
Or speak to any member of the Ghana team.
Kumasi is our youngest destination although we have now been hosting volunteers for two years now. This month we provide news from the Ashanti region, and highlight the extra work volunteers have been participating in during their time in Kumasi. We also hear from Samuel Adzivor who was kind enough to share his families experiences with volunteers and even to offer us dinner.
As usual there is also news from the other regions to keep you all up to date on the events of what has been happening with Projects Abroad in Ghana.
On behalf of all the Projects Abroad staff in Ghana, I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Michael Ahima-Danso
Regional Co-ordinator – Kumasi
If you wish to make any comments or offer any articles for The Gateway please contact:
andrewfryer@projects-abroad.org
Tel. +233 (0) 246 – 979 819
Or speak to any member of the Ghana team.
Around the Regions
Accra
Jenna Hamilton and Natascia Gargano, Projects Abroad volunteers from Canada and Italy respectively, just completed their 3 months placements at the Daily Guide. They have been kind enough to provide us here at the Gateway with two stories which they covered, involving the volunteers Projects in Accra. As such they have more than earned there own column.
Legon Lyceum Thrills Public.
By Jenna Hamilton and Natascia Gargano
Children at Little Lagon Lyceum, a school located in East Lagon, put on a show for parents and guests last month based within the school’s premises. The idea for the show was initiated by Project Abroad Volunteers, Sam Adams and Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy. With the aim to entertain the guests, promote the school and help to raise funds for a water tank for the school and computers for the students.
As Oliver explained
"There are two serious problems at this school. The first is pure water. There is no pure drinking water source at the school, so the kids drink whatever the headmistress (the lady with whom I stayed) can afford to bring in, or they drink unpurified and unsafe water. Secondly, there is a problem with school fees as 60% of the kids cannot afford them.... and the headmistress, being the saint that she is, cannot turn these kids away, so is paying for them herself. She can't afford to go on doing this.
I have two aims for these two problems. My first is to provide a well for the school to solve their water crisis and my second aim is to relieve some of the financial burden from the headmistress."
Through a collective effort of the volunteers, teachers and especially the students, a series of performances took place, which included singing, choreography, poetry recitals and drama by the pupils. One particular poem expressed the importance of educating a child, whilst a play demonstrated the importance of honesty.
The excitement of the children, parents and other guests was apparent, as the audience clapped, sang along and cheered the performers. 18 year old volunteer, Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy, had just completed three months teaching at Little Lyceum School and stated that the goal of the show was to “recognize that children can have talents both outside of school, as well as inside.” Donations were taken in aid of the schools numerous projects, as management of the school promised to hold more shows of a similar nature. Samuel Adams and Oliver were praised at the end of the show for their commitment. They were again presented with gifts from both students and management.
Volunteers (from left to right) Sam Adams, Doug Lennox and Oliver Bagwell- Purefoy with the kids at the Little Lagon Lyceum.
Oliver, upon arrival home has ordered 500 "charity wristbands" saying "Little Legon Lyceum School, Ghana". He will be selling them at £2 and all proceeds to Little Legon. Please if you are interested in buying one contact him at baggersemail@yahoo.co.uk
For further information please visitri his facebook group entitled Oliver Raising Money for Ghana.
Children at Little Lagon Lyceum, a school located in East Lagon, put on a show for parents and guests last month based within the school’s premises. The idea for the show was initiated by Project Abroad Volunteers, Sam Adams and Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy. With the aim to entertain the guests, promote the school and help to raise funds for a water tank for the school and computers for the students.
As Oliver explained
"There are two serious problems at this school. The first is pure water. There is no pure drinking water source at the school, so the kids drink whatever the headmistress (the lady with whom I stayed) can afford to bring in, or they drink unpurified and unsafe water. Secondly, there is a problem with school fees as 60% of the kids cannot afford them.... and the headmistress, being the saint that she is, cannot turn these kids away, so is paying for them herself. She can't afford to go on doing this.
I have two aims for these two problems. My first is to provide a well for the school to solve their water crisis and my second aim is to relieve some of the financial burden from the headmistress."
Through a collective effort of the volunteers, teachers and especially the students, a series of performances took place, which included singing, choreography, poetry recitals and drama by the pupils. One particular poem expressed the importance of educating a child, whilst a play demonstrated the importance of honesty.
The excitement of the children, parents and other guests was apparent, as the audience clapped, sang along and cheered the performers. 18 year old volunteer, Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy, had just completed three months teaching at Little Lyceum School and stated that the goal of the show was to “recognize that children can have talents both outside of school, as well as inside.” Donations were taken in aid of the schools numerous projects, as management of the school promised to hold more shows of a similar nature. Samuel Adams and Oliver were praised at the end of the show for their commitment. They were again presented with gifts from both students and management.
Volunteers (from left to right) Sam Adams, Doug Lennox and Oliver Bagwell- Purefoy with the kids at the Little Lagon Lyceum.
Oliver, upon arrival home has ordered 500 "charity wristbands" saying "Little Legon Lyceum School, Ghana". He will be selling them at £2 and all proceeds to Little Legon. Please if you are interested in buying one contact him at baggersemail@yahoo.co.uk
For further information please visitri his facebook group entitled Oliver Raising Money for Ghana.
Accra Volunteers Take Children To The Beach
By Natascia Gargano and Jenna Hamilton
Last month, kids at the Osu Children’s Home, the most well-known orphanage in Accra, were given a special treat by some Projects Abroad volunteers, who took them to the Labadi Beach. The international volunteers, chose to take the children on their own initiative and on their own expenses. Approximately 10 children and three volunteers rode a ‘tro-tro’ to the beach, where the volunteers took them swimming and bought them some fruits.The children were enthusiastic about their trip because the last time they were able to go to the beach was during the Christmas holidays, according to Hannah Evans, a Projects Abroad volunteer. Kids at the Osu Children’s Home are given the opportunity to travel outside of the orphanage, as the house has buses at its disposal. However, the trip to the beach was unique for the children as it does not happen frequently. It is only because of the commitment of the volunteers, on whose help many orphanages and other charity organisations entrust, that the children are given this opportunity.
Last month, kids at the Osu Children’s Home, the most well-known orphanage in Accra, were given a special treat by some Projects Abroad volunteers, who took them to the Labadi Beach. The international volunteers, chose to take the children on their own initiative and on their own expenses. Approximately 10 children and three volunteers rode a ‘tro-tro’ to the beach, where the volunteers took them swimming and bought them some fruits.The children were enthusiastic about their trip because the last time they were able to go to the beach was during the Christmas holidays, according to Hannah Evans, a Projects Abroad volunteer. Kids at the Osu Children’s Home are given the opportunity to travel outside of the orphanage, as the house has buses at its disposal. However, the trip to the beach was unique for the children as it does not happen frequently. It is only because of the commitment of the volunteers, on whose help many orphanages and other charity organisations entrust, that the children are given this opportunity.
Human Rights March
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative MARCH ON AFRICAN WOMEN’S HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN ACCRA
Corinne Shepherd and Emily Sadler are two interns working at Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). For two weeks, they spent time organising a March to mark the launch of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) 41st Ordinary Session which is being held in Accra between the 16th and 30th May.
As a result on Tuesday 15th May they, a number of other volunteers, a cross-section of community groups, government bodies and non-governmental organisations came to support and march which Project Abroad sponsored. Commencing at Kwame Nkrumah Circle the march also saw speeches made by key members of society who had expertise in the area of reproductive health rights.
The ACHPR’s Session focused on reproductive health issues in Africa including unsafe abortions, lack of access to contraception, inadequate sex education, HIV/AIDS and female genital mutilation. The purpose of the march is to highlight these reproductive health issues to the public and to increase their awareness of women’s health and reproductive rights in Accra.
Corinne Shepherd and Emily Sadler are two interns working at Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). For two weeks, they spent time organising a March to mark the launch of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) 41st Ordinary Session which is being held in Accra between the 16th and 30th May.
As a result on Tuesday 15th May they, a number of other volunteers, a cross-section of community groups, government bodies and non-governmental organisations came to support and march which Project Abroad sponsored. Commencing at Kwame Nkrumah Circle the march also saw speeches made by key members of society who had expertise in the area of reproductive health rights.
The ACHPR’s Session focused on reproductive health issues in Africa including unsafe abortions, lack of access to contraception, inadequate sex education, HIV/AIDS and female genital mutilation. The purpose of the march is to highlight these reproductive health issues to the public and to increase their awareness of women’s health and reproductive rights in Accra.
Kumasi Update
The volunteers in Kumasi have had a busy month as they have done their best to get involved with their volunteers projects.
Volunteers at the Care Project, Kumasi Children's Home took 15 of the children out to visit Lake Botswumtwi.
Volunteer Katherine Schryver (pictured below drying off one of the kids) claimed "we wanted to give them a special day out". So one Saturday morning at 9 am 6 volunteers and some of the Home's teachers crammed into the schools minibus and headed to the lake. For volunteers Jo Sorrentino and Katy Morris it was the one of the last times they would spend with the children they had been teaching and becoming close to over the last four months.
Volunteers at the Care Project, Kumasi Children's Home took 15 of the children out to visit Lake Botswumtwi.
Volunteer Katherine Schryver (pictured below drying off one of the kids) claimed "we wanted to give them a special day out". So one Saturday morning at 9 am 6 volunteers and some of the Home's teachers crammed into the schools minibus and headed to the lake. For volunteers Jo Sorrentino and Katy Morris it was the one of the last times they would spend with the children they had been teaching and becoming close to over the last four months.
Nancy Breen stated how upon arrival "the kids were very excited and whilst some were very nervous to go into the water others headed straight in. We were mindful to keep an eye on all the children which is why we had so many volunteers come to help. With the children who were cared to go in the water we offered help and tried to encourage them not be afraid."
The Kids were also provided with lunch with typical Ghanaian food and enjoyed the chance to leave the orphanage. By 4 pm it was time to go home and with the kids tired faces reflecting the enjoyment of doing something completely different compared to most weekends.
Medical Outreach - Restarts in Kumasi
With a large number of medical volunteers now in Kumasi the weekly medical outreach trips have begun again. Here medical volunteers have the opportunity to get involved with the medical outreach program that Projects Abroad run. Now every Thursday sees volunteers visit a local area and help local children with some basic medical advice and treatment. Often a some of the poorer and more remote orphanages have very little resources to take children to a doctor, so a problem such as an infected mosquito bite can develop into a serious situation that our volunteers can address in these outreach programs, by cleaning and dressing the wounds and education both children and orphanage staff on preventative methods and good medical practices. Last month saw a visit to a local school and orphanage in Ampetia. Jessica Lowe explains how volunteers went to a local school and helped clean some of the children's wounds with antiseptic and plasters.
"Upon arrival we were rampaged by children keen to show us their wounds. The smaller wounds we dealt with and we also helped remove a lot of the puss that had built up due to the children neglecting their wounds. For the more serious injuries the local nurse who helps run the medical outreach would offer advice and when required suggest they visit hospital."
For many of the medical volunteers it gives them a great chance to get some hands on medical experience and to visit some areas which they would otherwise never get the chance to visit. Due to the positive response from our volunteers the Medical Outreach Programme will be now be running every week on Thursday with our local nurse.
"Upon arrival we were rampaged by children keen to show us their wounds. The smaller wounds we dealt with and we also helped remove a lot of the puss that had built up due to the children neglecting their wounds. For the more serious injuries the local nurse who helps run the medical outreach would offer advice and when required suggest they visit hospital."
For many of the medical volunteers it gives them a great chance to get some hands on medical experience and to visit some areas which they would otherwise never get the chance to visit. Due to the positive response from our volunteers the Medical Outreach Programme will be now be running every week on Thursday with our local nurse.
Cape Coast
Donations and painting at Abura Literacy school.
Amanda Malzacher arrived in Cape Coast in November and voulunteered at New Life International orphanage one of our care projects in the region. Having spent so long in Cape Coast she was able to see a number of the different projects offered in the area. The Abura Literacy School was one such project that really does require support.
The Abura Literacy School, a teaching placement, was founded in 1997 by the chief of Abura, Nana Kodwo Addae II, its aim was to provide a nursery education to street children that would not otherwise be able to afford to attend school. Subsequently a number of these children are then able to go on to primary school on scholarships. Earlier this year the school was removed to a new improved location to help provide a more effective learning environment for the children. However, despite this change the school facilities remain extremely basic and the school is extrmely underfunded and understaffed.
As a result last month Amander decided to help out by donating more than a million cedis to buy paint for the New Abura Literacy school building. Not only did she donate the money but she also helped out in painting two of the classroom blocks. She also recieved a helping hand from Project Abroad volunteers Anna Koh, William Foster and Rosemary Hunt. Amanda has since left to go back to the United States but has promised to help raise some money to employ more teachers at the school in the future.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Akuapem Hills
Tree plantations in the Hills
On the 4th of May a number of Projects Abroad volunteers from the Hills got up for an early start and helped the local Mamfe Methodist High students with a new initiative to ensure the reforestation of the school grounds. Both volunteers, students and regional director Emmmauel Abbaaja worked hard to ensure the plantation of over 70 trees within the school compound. This was another step in completing the aims and objectives of Projects Abroad agricultural projects which aims to help the local school community come and learn more about agricultural practices. Following the success of the initial plantation Emmanuel was pleased to announce that these plantations will now be repeated every month.
Ofie School Building Fund
In 2005 Joanne Oliver came to the Akuapem Hills, and more sepcifically to Akropong and worked as a volunteer at the Ofie Early Childhood Development Centre for two months with Projects Abroad. She recently returned to Ghana in April 2007.
Joanne is continuing to raise money and explains her reasons to the Gateway.
"To be honest I was quite shocked by the condition of the school. There are no toilets despite there being between 40 to 80 children there each day. There is also no running water for the children to wash their hands in after using the toilet and before eating. Obviously this causes germs to be spread leading to many of them becoming sick with diarrhoea. There is also sewage running across their playground from a neighbours drain. Furthermore, the main building is not secure so nothing can be stored there.
So when Miss Evelyn Sackey asked me if I could raise money when I returned home I felt that I could not say no. Despite what you may think we do not have unlimited funds in Britain. There are many other charities trying to raise money for good causes for people in England, Africa and all across the world. Therefore, raising money by yourself is not an easy task as you have to plead to people to believe in the cause that you yourself believe in.
I can not keep running to England and asking for money, but at the same time I do want to complete what I have started for the sake of the children and their health. So I have asked my local community to help raise funds in any way they can. Believe me every little helps and it soon adds up! Materials, financial assistance or physical help and advice are all gratefully appreciated.
If there are any former Project Abroad Volunteers or any one for that matter who would be willing to help Joanne then please contact her through any of the following means.
Joanne Oliver
2 Belhurst Cotts
Broad Oak,
Nr Rye,
East Sussex,
TN31 6EU
Tel. 01424 882037
Mobile. 07946 513983
E-mail jobroadoak5@hotmail.com
Joanne is continuing to raise money and explains her reasons to the Gateway.
"To be honest I was quite shocked by the condition of the school. There are no toilets despite there being between 40 to 80 children there each day. There is also no running water for the children to wash their hands in after using the toilet and before eating. Obviously this causes germs to be spread leading to many of them becoming sick with diarrhoea. There is also sewage running across their playground from a neighbours drain. Furthermore, the main building is not secure so nothing can be stored there.
So when Miss Evelyn Sackey asked me if I could raise money when I returned home I felt that I could not say no. Despite what you may think we do not have unlimited funds in Britain. There are many other charities trying to raise money for good causes for people in England, Africa and all across the world. Therefore, raising money by yourself is not an easy task as you have to plead to people to believe in the cause that you yourself believe in.
I can not keep running to England and asking for money, but at the same time I do want to complete what I have started for the sake of the children and their health. So I have asked my local community to help raise funds in any way they can. Believe me every little helps and it soon adds up! Materials, financial assistance or physical help and advice are all gratefully appreciated.
If there are any former Project Abroad Volunteers or any one for that matter who would be willing to help Joanne then please contact her through any of the following means.
Joanne Oliver
2 Belhurst Cotts
Broad Oak,
Nr Rye,
East Sussex,
TN31 6EU
Tel. 01424 882037
Mobile. 07946 513983
E-mail jobroadoak5@hotmail.com
Meet the familly
Host Family of the Month - Samuel Adzivor and family.
All Projects Abroad Ghana volunteers live with a local family in order to gain a richer and more varied experience of Ghanaian life. This months featured Host family comes in the form of the smiling faces of the Adzivor family and honorary members, volunteers Nina Parker and Rebecca Black (See photo below).
Samuel and his family have been hosting volunteers for just over a year now and he took some time out of his busy day to talk to us at the Gateway about hosting volunteers.
"I have been hosting volunteers now for over a year and can remember well the first volunteers Katie Pendleton and Genvieve Digby and since then we have had many volunteers and everything has been very nice and fine. The volunteers live with my family which include my wife and three children; Samantha (aged 2 years), Shawn (aged 8) and Selma (aged 12).
With our volunteers we like to get them to experience Ghanaian life so we will offer them Ghanaian food depending on what they prefer. We try to introduce them to dishes like fufu but often they prefer rice.They often like the fried plantain and coco yam leave stew. Sometimes we also pluck coconuts from the trees and volunteers usually enjoy the milk. Often however, they prefer pancakes, cakes and more western dishes like spaghetti so we provide those options as well.
We often take them to visit the Coco farm to see the coco trees and to see paw paw and see some of the things they would not get the chance to see back home. We also offer them the chance to go to go to Church. We either take them to an English speaking church or one in the local language of Twi and then I will translate. At these events they witness the singing, dancing, prophetic messages and deliverances. The Pastor is our friend and understands that it is often the volunteers first time of seeing such events. On public holidays the volunteers will often come with my family to the pool and help my children with swimming."
The volunteers have certainly been made to feel at home by Samuel and his family. Rebecca Black recalls how Ama (Samuel's wife) and Aunty Jane provided her with a surprise birthday party, with a table set up with all sorts of special foods and with all the other Kumasi volunteers invited without her knowing. "It was definitely the best birthday. I was given a proper Ghanaian birthday." Nina Parker summed up her time with her host family by stating that "they have been incredibly welcoming and we have been made to feel like members of the family ourselves."
All Projects Abroad Ghana volunteers live with a local family in order to gain a richer and more varied experience of Ghanaian life. This months featured Host family comes in the form of the smiling faces of the Adzivor family and honorary members, volunteers Nina Parker and Rebecca Black (See photo below).
Samuel and his family have been hosting volunteers for just over a year now and he took some time out of his busy day to talk to us at the Gateway about hosting volunteers.
"I have been hosting volunteers now for over a year and can remember well the first volunteers Katie Pendleton and Genvieve Digby and since then we have had many volunteers and everything has been very nice and fine. The volunteers live with my family which include my wife and three children; Samantha (aged 2 years), Shawn (aged 8) and Selma (aged 12).
With our volunteers we like to get them to experience Ghanaian life so we will offer them Ghanaian food depending on what they prefer. We try to introduce them to dishes like fufu but often they prefer rice.They often like the fried plantain and coco yam leave stew. Sometimes we also pluck coconuts from the trees and volunteers usually enjoy the milk. Often however, they prefer pancakes, cakes and more western dishes like spaghetti so we provide those options as well.
We often take them to visit the Coco farm to see the coco trees and to see paw paw and see some of the things they would not get the chance to see back home. We also offer them the chance to go to go to Church. We either take them to an English speaking church or one in the local language of Twi and then I will translate. At these events they witness the singing, dancing, prophetic messages and deliverances. The Pastor is our friend and understands that it is often the volunteers first time of seeing such events. On public holidays the volunteers will often come with my family to the pool and help my children with swimming."
The volunteers have certainly been made to feel at home by Samuel and his family. Rebecca Black recalls how Ama (Samuel's wife) and Aunty Jane provided her with a surprise birthday party, with a table set up with all sorts of special foods and with all the other Kumasi volunteers invited without her knowing. "It was definitely the best birthday. I was given a proper Ghanaian birthday." Nina Parker summed up her time with her host family by stating that "they have been incredibly welcoming and we have been made to feel like members of the family ourselves."
Departure lounge
The departure lounge is a 
place to hear about the
excitement, anticipations and expectations of
future volunteers.
Carling Tedesco will be arriving in late May 2007
and shares her feelings as she prepare to join
us here in Ghana.
I was born of the Disney musical generation; therefore, I was exposed to Africa at a very early age. Apparently, it was a wonderland of animals bounding about the grasslands, the jungle and the desert, a noble kingdom in which the lions rule with a firm but fair hand, and there is not a human in sight. Now, as I have become exposed to media such as photojournalism, I have learned the truth: that Africa is a war-torn continent rife with disease and poverty and expendable individuals, and there is not a hope in sight.
Thankfully, I know that both these versions of Africa are appallingly false. While one cannot deny the presence of disease and poverty, the same can be said for the existence of the natural beauty and the simple, happy lives of many of the continent’s inhabitants.
As a member of the human species, I have always had felt what can only be described as a yearning to see the land where my first ancestors evolved and civilization was born. (As a Caucasian, I’ve received countless odd looks for referring to Africa as “the motherland”, but I’m rigid in my view that it is, indeed, all of our homelands.) Of course, I have heard countless times about the citizens of the continent who have very little compared to us, yet who know true happiness. While I am not skeptical, I do wish to see it for myself. I want to learn how to be happy with little in the way of material possessions.
Having said that, I am not going without my apprehensions. At sixteen, I’m at a comparatively young age for this kind of travel. I know that I am protected against yellow fever, meningitis, rabies, typhoid, diphtheria and polio; but I will have to be diligent to avoid malaria, dengue fever, worms, or snakebite. Though English is the official language of Ghana, I understand that I’ll meet a few language barriers; and I still have not figured out how thirteen people can share a toilet. But I know that after having lived through a month of these concerns that the citizens of the Akuapem Hills region experience daily, I will be a stronger, more responsible, and entirely healthy person.
I will forever be grateful to my school, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School, for giving us the opportunity to bound and leap outside our comfort zone, and to my parents for giving in to my fancies and letting me go to a country where they’d never even considered going themselves. And, of course, a huge thank-you to Projects Abroad for existing, giving us nomadic spirits a safe opportunity for personal growth and for giving back to the world.
By Carling Tedesco
place to hear about theexcitement, anticipations and expectations of
future volunteers.
Carling Tedesco will be arriving in late May 2007
and shares her feelings as she prepare to join
us here in Ghana.
I was born of the Disney musical generation; therefore, I was exposed to Africa at a very early age. Apparently, it was a wonderland of animals bounding about the grasslands, the jungle and the desert, a noble kingdom in which the lions rule with a firm but fair hand, and there is not a human in sight. Now, as I have become exposed to media such as photojournalism, I have learned the truth: that Africa is a war-torn continent rife with disease and poverty and expendable individuals, and there is not a hope in sight.
Thankfully, I know that both these versions of Africa are appallingly false. While one cannot deny the presence of disease and poverty, the same can be said for the existence of the natural beauty and the simple, happy lives of many of the continent’s inhabitants.
As a member of the human species, I have always had felt what can only be described as a yearning to see the land where my first ancestors evolved and civilization was born. (As a Caucasian, I’ve received countless odd looks for referring to Africa as “the motherland”, but I’m rigid in my view that it is, indeed, all of our homelands.) Of course, I have heard countless times about the citizens of the continent who have very little compared to us, yet who know true happiness. While I am not skeptical, I do wish to see it for myself. I want to learn how to be happy with little in the way of material possessions.
Having said that, I am not going without my apprehensions. At sixteen, I’m at a comparatively young age for this kind of travel. I know that I am protected against yellow fever, meningitis, rabies, typhoid, diphtheria and polio; but I will have to be diligent to avoid malaria, dengue fever, worms, or snakebite. Though English is the official language of Ghana, I understand that I’ll meet a few language barriers; and I still have not figured out how thirteen people can share a toilet. But I know that after having lived through a month of these concerns that the citizens of the Akuapem Hills region experience daily, I will be a stronger, more responsible, and entirely healthy person.
I will forever be grateful to my school, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School, for giving us the opportunity to bound and leap outside our comfort zone, and to my parents for giving in to my fancies and letting me go to a country where they’d never even considered going themselves. And, of course, a huge thank-you to Projects Abroad for existing, giving us nomadic spirits a safe opportunity for personal growth and for giving back to the world.
By Carling Tedesco
Monday, May 14, 2007
Upcoming events
There is going to be a festival of arts for Mamfe basic schools on thursday 24th May 2007, it will be held at Amonokrom Presby Primary school premises, between 8am-5pm. Events will include music, dance and a demonstration of pure Ghanaian culture. All are invited especially volunteers.
The end of month party will be at the Head Office, Accra on Friday 25th May. Its kicking off at 5pm with the regional quiz followed by music and food.
The end of month party will be at the Head Office, Accra on Friday 25th May. Its kicking off at 5pm with the regional quiz followed by music and food.
Have a word
Coming to Ghana will undoubtedly lead a number of fantastic adventures and interesting stories as a new culture, climate and continent will often provide things that you would never ever see back at home. Sometimes endearing and sometimes frustrating the one thing you can never call Ghana is uninteresting. Certainly those who come and leave Ghana will always remember the people of Ghana, generally regarded as the friendliest of West Africa. The interactions with the locals often bring some of the funniest heartwarming stories that the volunteers tell. Certainly these interactions have their impact on the volunteers who often begin using the local expressions or slang used. Here to help those who have just arrived or for those just about to are a few expressions and there meanings that were chosen by the volunteers.
"Oh Charlay" It has a number of meanings and can be used in a number of ways it is often said by Ghanaians to show a sign of shock or to basically say "Oh dear". Molly Byford
"How is it?" Basically it means "How are things going?" or "How are you?" often strangers just walking past will shout it out as greeting, the thing is you end up saying it yourself to people. Katie Morris
"Flash me" This simply means give me a missed call so I can get your number and keep in contact. When the first person i met demanded that I flashed them I was a little surprised until they explained what it meant. Jo Sorrentino.
"Tea roll" This can turn out to be very useful as in Ghana Toilet paper is called - "Tea roll" in emergency circumstances when its what you need urgently and the shop keepers don't understand what you mean when you say toilet or bog roll then you'll be glad you know. The first time I asked they looked at me with total confusion it was only after a friend told me what it was called that I knew what to ask for. David Meechan
"Ahaaaaaaaaaa" This is the Ghanaian sound indication agreement/ or understanding with what has just been said. At first I found it really irritating but then I ended up saying it myself and expecting everyone to know what I was on about. David Pike
"Oh Charlay" It has a number of meanings and can be used in a number of ways it is often said by Ghanaians to show a sign of shock or to basically say "Oh dear". Molly Byford
"How is it?" Basically it means "How are things going?" or "How are you?" often strangers just walking past will shout it out as greeting, the thing is you end up saying it yourself to people. Katie Morris
"Flash me" This simply means give me a missed call so I can get your number and keep in contact. When the first person i met demanded that I flashed them I was a little surprised until they explained what it meant. Jo Sorrentino.
"Tea roll" This can turn out to be very useful as in Ghana Toilet paper is called - "Tea roll" in emergency circumstances when its what you need urgently and the shop keepers don't understand what you mean when you say toilet or bog roll then you'll be glad you know. The first time I asked they looked at me with total confusion it was only after a friend told me what it was called that I knew what to ask for. David Meechan
"Ahaaaaaaaaaa" This is the Ghanaian sound indication agreement/ or understanding with what has just been said. At first I found it really irritating but then I ended up saying it myself and expecting everyone to know what I was on about. David Pike
Donations
Apart from the excellent work by our volunteers in the stories above, a number of donations have been made.
Further donations from Projects Abroad went towards paint for the Royal Seed Orphanage based just outside of Accra. A number of the Accra volunteers, including Ryan Shields, Hanah Evans, Anna Smith, Bruno Albutt, Adam Rusnak and Emily Mould all offred their spare time to help with the painting project.
Victoria Monk a British volunteer at Akufo Tom school, in the Akuapem Hills, has donated an amount of two million seven hundred thousand cedis towards building of a library at Akufo Tom school.
Miss Emily Seragan , volunteer also at the hills has donated one million worth of agricultural tools to projects abroad agricultural farm.
Tom Davis and Rebecca Eastman visited Christ Outreach School, in Accra and Orphanage last month to donate some money for five pupils in order for them to sit their exams.
Tom handed over the amount of 750,000 CEDIS from Projects Abroad and asked pupils to work hard for their future to show how the Christ Outreach School could offer and example of how such a Project can run successfully.
Tom handed over the amount of 750,000 CEDIS from Projects Abroad and asked pupils to work hard for their future to show how the Christ Outreach School could offer and example of how such a Project can run successfully.
Picture left, shows Christ Outreach Volunteers taking their examniations.
Further donations from Projects Abroad went towards paint for the Royal Seed Orphanage based just outside of Accra. A number of the Accra volunteers, including Ryan Shields, Hanah Evans, Anna Smith, Bruno Albutt, Adam Rusnak and Emily Mould all offred their spare time to help with the painting project.
Finally
Projects Abroad also donated money to the Amokom Vetinary Ward in Kumasi last month to go towards the purchase of materials and other essential items for the benefit of the popular placement.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Thanks for your help
Thanks for the help of Michael Ahima-Danso, Corinne Shepherd, Emily Sadler, Jenna Hamilton, Natascia Gargano, Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy, Katherine Schryver, Nancy Breen, Jessica Lowe, Emmanuel Abaaja, Joanne Oliver, Samuel Adzivor and family, Grant Apiah, Tom Davis, Carling Tedesco, Bruno Albutt (for his photos) David Pike and Rebecca Eastman
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