When I told my Grandmom I was going to Ghana, she freaked out. She was a boatload of worry. She cried, "what could you POSSIBLY learn in GHANA?! Why would you go there?! It's not safe!" I simply laughed in response. I don't think her generation really understands how important it is to give back and help different parts of the world. When you're born in a country such as the United States, it's hard to put in perspective just how fortunate you are.
Now that I think about it, there was never a time throughout my travels in Ghana that I felt unsafe. The staff who ran my trip made every effort to ensure we were comfortable, happy and safe. Even the strangers we encountered were always kind. As I stepped onto the plane on my way home, I heard someone else saying the same thing. Ghana has restored me with a trusting mind that had been once ripped apart by the society I am from. I am not generalizing when I say Ghana is a country filled with kind, caring, and loving people.
On my first night I was speaking with Maxwell, one of our program directors, and he explained that people who are rich where I am from often shoot themselves because they are unhappy. Ghanaians have nothing and they never shoot themselves because they are still so happy even though they have so little. Throughout my trip I could find nothing to be more true. Possessions cannot fill any void in life. Happiness is 100% an internal concept.
Kumasi
Our home base. Located in the Ashtanti region, it is a main city filled with people who speak Twi. In Kumasi, we traveled to three different schools over the course of 3 days to build and stock libraries. We built shelves, tables, and chairs from wood and painted everything, as well as decorated the room, while being swarmed with children. It took some time to get used to the way children looked at us. Many of them had not seen anyone of different skin color before. They were fascinated by us, wondering why our skin and hair was different. They would grab our arms and stroke our hair, thinking we were from a different planet. Being able to show them that we were all the same made our time worth while. All the teachers and school directors came to thank us and we're extremely appreciative. The books we used to stock the libraries were all donations. It made me think about how we don't think twice about getting books from the library. Our schools have libraries and we have bookstores to buy them in. I hope children can go into the libraries we built and have a place to relax and get lost in imagination, like I did as a kid.
Bolgatanga
We traveled up north to the upper east region of Ghana for a large portion of our trip, to do service work. As we drove our van ten hours across the country, it felt like we were celebrities. Every person we passed would stop what they were doing and wave with the biggest smile on their faces. A smile is so simple yet one of the best things you can do when you may not understand someone. A smile shows you care, you're interested in what they're saying, and you're happy to be in their presence. I have never smiled and waved as much as I have in Ghana. The beauty of the country was plastered among all of the faces we passed.
When we got to Bolgatanga, we did not know what to expect. We were told we were going to help build huts for caregivers but that was about it. Each morning we would get up and drive about a half hour into a farmland community. When we arrived on the barren land in the hot sun, we were smothered with greetings of "Zaare," which means how are you, you are welcome. The people living on the farms had near to nothing. They live in small huts they make from mud and sand with straw roofs. They walk to a water pump to get water, and most of the time eat one meal a day.
I have never met people so full of life.
As we built the huts by kneading mud, everyone found ways to joke around and have fun with it. People came from every direction to help. The most heart wrenching part was there were children, tons of them, that ranged from two months old to sixteen, many of them orphaned. We learned that we were building huts for more room for them and their caregivers to live. The children were shy at first, but as we came each day they grew attached and very excited to see us. They came running and would watch us work until we finished, so we could play. We taught them the hokie pokie, how to give a high five, and play duck duck goose. These children had no toys, no entertainment but each other. Being able to make them smile and laugh was everything.
Even though everyone could not quite understand one another, we eventually got to know each other and would be greeted with smiles each time we returned. We listened to them chat away in Frafra, the beautiful language spoken in their region. More than half the time, it was clear they were making fun of us, but i'm sure all things said were not wrong! It was interesting to note how similar we acted despite the huge culture barriers. The children acted as many other children in th US I have seen in the ways they walk, giggle, or get upset. The teenagers joked around with each other and danced to music, and the elders cared for the younger. We made friends with the community by working side by side laughing together at our differences. Leaving Bolgatanga was difficult for us all. It's incredible how close you can become with strangers.
Here and There
While traveling to different parts of the country to volunteer at, I was lucky enough to experience many of the beauties Ghana has to offer. To name a few; Mole National Park, (where I saw a magnificent elephant up close!) Kintampo Waterfalls, the Kings palace and war fort museums in Kumasi, a canopy walk 40 meters above the ground, and the beautiful beach of Cape Coast.
Since most foods consumed are likely grown local in Ghana, I was limited with food options. However, everything I ate was delicious! Always a different kind of rice, or plantains and beans. I even grew a taste for mango, which I once could not stand.
Reflection
It's incredible how unaware people are of their fortunes. Not enough people realize how much they have, they waste, they take for granted, not enough people acknowledge just how much poverty is in our world. We essentially need people to be poor in order to have wealth. It pains me to know that as in need some in Ghana are, they're not even close to the worst off. There are so many countries pushed aside while huge nations are thriving. It's so important that those who are better off realize that the people in other nations are just as they are - people. Nobody should have to suffer because of where they were born.
As our volunteer shirts say,
Everyone deserves equal opportunity.
I'm certainly not going to say volunteering on this trip made me a saint, or that I came close to changing the way these people live.
Perhaps in Bolgatanga they could have built the huts themselves, and perhaps we were not as strong or efficient to get things done as quickly as they would have on their own.Perhaps the kids in Kumasi would have still been able to learn without the libraries being organized.
But at the very least, bringing some kind of enjoyment to them, and awareness for ourselves, made the time worthwhile.
Some children asked us why we came all the way there to help them, instead of our own countries. One could argue that we should make efforts to help poverty close by before crossing seas. After all, there are many school systems in the US much farther off than those in Ghana. However, I truly find it important that we try our best to do both. Volunteering in other countries is not just about advancing technology or giving what they need. It's also about making a connection.
Us, as volunteers, touched the hearts of the people we met as they have in return to us. Because of Thrive Africa, we are one step closer to seeing as equals, and providing hope and peace. I was able to meet and create, what i'm sure will be, lifelong friendships with girls across the globe. Despite the bugs, stomach aches, money spent, long hours traveled, and a whole novel of uncomfortable things, there is no doubt in my mind that I will return to Ghana some day. Once touched by the love this country, it is nearly impossible to stay away. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to broaden my understanding and leave my mark on another piece of our huge world.
HUGE thanks to the Thrive Africa staff for making my experience worth while, and my sponsors for helping me raise money for the supplies accommodations.
If you would like to find out more about Thrive Africa or make a donation please send me a message or visit the website.
