Ghana Team Journal

Quote of the day: Drink your water or you will be caned! – Esther, our loving country manager.

By: Daniel Chen

The morning began with a delicious breakfast of omelets, oatmeal, and toast. Esther quickly ruined my breakfast euphoria with news that Gary and I were unable to participate in construction today as the project manager had more urgent matters to tend to after the weekend’s vicious thunderstorms. As walked towards New Akrade, we were greeted by the local residents who were ecstatic to find that the team had begun learning some Twi.

We arrived at the school with sweat dripping from our faces. The headmaster welcomed us and invited us into the teacher common room, where he paired Jim, Judy, Billie, and Arla with their respective teachers. After a short tour of the school complex, we headed off to visit the Senchi Community Library where we would be spending our afternoons. The library was actually a product of 3 years’ effort of Global Volunteers.

We headed back to the school to get our first dose of teaching. Knowing I had no teaching experience, Esther tossed me into a classroom filled with energetic (and restless!) second graders. The children swarmed around me, each wanting a high five and to hold my hand. The instant the teacher came into the room, they rushed back to their desks to sit, which lasted all about 30 seconds. Note for future volunteers: if your children are misbehaving, just have Esther lay down the law! After observing the classroom for two hours, we headed back to the hotel for refuge from the blazing afternoon sun.

We departed for the library promptly while the clouds were hiding the sun. As we arrived I was overrun by a mass of children eager to touch my hair and play with my glasses. My spiky hair fascinated them; one child even threatened to follow me home to cut it off! The team quickly settled in their corners to read with the children. Judy even had a little girl sit on her lap for a full hour. Gary was entertaining his new friend with his disposable camera. I was trying my best to contain two kids who were battling for reading time. They eventually agreed to alternate between pages. Blazing through at least 6-7 books in less than 20 minutes, we eventually settled on reading the Lion King. That in itself was a reward, but more rewarding was seeing their eyes open with horror when Mufasa died and with glee when Simba retook his position on the throne.

We had to eventually say goodbye to the children and head back to the hotel for dinner. We learned more about Amo’s upbringing and his ambitions as we devoured the savory shepherd’s pie (which had some serious kick to it!). Everyone eagerly rushed back to their rooms to take a hot shower and rest up for the next day.