In October 2010, after backpacking
around Europe for a few months, I went to Ghana to volunteer for just over 2
months. I’d always wanted to volunteer, but wasn’t sure where to start. After
doing some research online, I found Projects Abroad. They were appealing
because their national office is in Adelaide, my hometown. I went in one day
and had a cup of tea and a chat with Will. He was really nice and told me about
the wide range of volunteering options Projects Abroad offered.
At first I had no idea where I wanted
to go, and in what area I wanted to volunteer. Will suggested I go on the web
site and read some blog-type entries from past volunteers. Africa seemed
appealing and from what the blogs said, Ghana seemed a safe and fun option. I
was planning to start my bachelor of Development Studies the following year; I
had thought I might do a double degree in Law. As I didn’t know much about law,
or whether I had a passion in it (or enough drive to study it for so many
years), I thought I might use my volunteering experience to figure it out. So I
chose to part take in the Human Rights Program.
I really enjoyed my time at the Human
Rights Office in Accra. The Office consisted of many Ghanaian workers and
volunteers, who were split up into groups. I was placed in the Domestic
Violence group which aimed to raise awareness in the community by going out and
talking to school kids and community groups. I thought our presentations
wouldn't be well received, but was happily surprised when they were by
teachers, kids and the wider community groups. We tailored our presentations
for our audience with role plays and posters; in the more rural communities we
needed an interpreter, but most often not because we were in Accra the majority
of the time where people’s English is better. Another challenge was the fact
that I had little experience or confidence in public speaking, but this
practice with the Human Rights Program has improved my public speaking
abilities and the whole volunteering experience has done wonders for my confidence
also.
I found that this was really good for me because I have no legal experience in
practice or study. In fact, I've only started Uni this year. Although I found
that lots of the stories the kids would tell us were really confronting you
just have to be a little prepared in your mindset. If you do have legal
experience, there are opportunities to help out at Legal Aid or other NGO's,
but only a select few can do this so you have to express interest early.
I did a month of Human Rights and a month and a half of care at an orphanage
and school which I absolutely loved. I helped get the kids ready for school,
teach, change them, and help with their lunches and their homework. We also did
lots of craft activities like drawing, painting, beading and sewing, things
they wouldn’t usually be able to do due to lack of resources.
I really enjoyed the host families I
stayed with. They were very hospitable and I enjoyed the different foods I was
able to try. One of my favourite cultural experiences was attending church with
them. I loved the way the service revolved around their love of music and
amazing rhythm. There were also other
volunteers staying with my host family. As some where there before me, they
were able to pass on their insight and a little bit of Twi, the local language.
And on top of that I got to travel on
weekends to some great locations nearby. Towards the end of my stay I had an
amazing 10 day experience travelling around Ghana with a few other volunteers.
But the highlight of my time spent with
Projects Abroad in Ghana has been the people I met along the way. The Ghanaian
people are friendly, warm, honest, charismatic, happy and caring. Not to
mention the other volunteers I was lucky enough to live with and work with are
people I hope to stay lifelong friends with. I was amazed to find that I had so
much in common with these kids, who we from completely different nationalities
and cultures to me. But the fact that we’ve shared this life changing
experience with one another is the grounds for an amazing friendship.
Not only was it an once in a life
time, eye opening experience, but I came home with the invaluable knowledge of
what I want to pursue as a career, a question many kids my age are still
struggling with. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Development Studies at
Adelaide Uni and am loving it.
