Ghana Community Teaching and Building Jan/Feb 2010 Project

Jill Wright Ghana Volunteer's feedback

"I am having a great time, better than I expected I think. We have all been away together at weekends and while they all share a room, I am more than happy to have my own space. Having Mary here for 2 weeks was lovely though - can't believe she has been and gone already.

The house is in a great spot - I live in the country so like hearing the birds in the mornings.We all get excited when there is running water! however, I don't mind bucket showers, and when we stayed in Gideon's village we had open air bucket showers which were great with the sun shining down!

I have spent more time so far in the kindergarten as I've not been needed on the building project. Reflecting back I realize how quickly one moves on from just seeing poor children in tatty, dirty clothes to children with personalities. They get so excited when we arrive and exhaust us with their demands for clapping or singing games; of course I have a favourite - Esther - who loves to cuddle and has the biggest smile. There is also a little Gideon who wouldn't say boo to a goose when he started 3 weeks ago and now is soooo naughty and pulls the funniest of faces when he should be singing! I have struggled with the lack of resources and did go out and buy new mini chalk boards for them all. They were so cheap - 50Gp- it saddens me that even such basic equipment is not provided.

The building project is hopefully going to be completed before I leave - have been working with them today as now mixing mortar for the plasterers and we are talking about paint colours.

Finally, I must mention the overseas crew Gideon and Courage! Like everyone we meet in Ghana, they have been very welcoming - we visited Courage's family on our first day and spent a weekend in Leklebe -saw previous MAD projects- where Gids family helped us make fufu! We have come to know a volunteer with another organisation who is struggling - she lives in a homestay and is always being left out of organised events. I really appreciate the support we have had from our overseas crew.

I am off travelling after I leave Ghana and won't be back in UK until May; I intend to tell everyone about my trip and if there is anything I can do to help promote please let me know - I think we get something completely different out of this experience compared to the young ones and I am so glad I've had the opportunity."

Jill Wright