"The Rewards are So Great"

Ghana was absolutely wonderful. The program there is very well run, and I so enjoyed my teammates, and the village. The total experience was amazing. I was interviewed by our local newspaper and found it almost impossible to put into words what going and doing these trips means to me. The rewards are so great.

Meeting new friends who have the same dreams and goals as I do to serve mankind is such a blessing. What I personally gave is not anywhere's near what I received from the village people, and the students that I worked with. My world takes on new dimensions with each coming day and its unique experiences.

Our team was comprised of wonderful young women, and us retires who truly enjoyed each other, and gave from very deep places in our hearts. The passion that Kathleen Hubbarb Ismail has for Senchi is contagious. We were so respected, and appreciated by the chiefs, queen mother, teachers and head masters at the school. The students eagerness to learn is wonderful. Being called "Madam Liz," and "Obroni Grandma" by my the students touched me deeply.

Teaching is my passion and they took to my style with gusto. I come prepared with the needed supplies to teach effectively and all goes very well for me, and my students. It is a real joy to see their eagerness to improve their language skills, and combining it with reading and writing makes a major impact. They love the song I made up some years back to teach to challenged learners about being special. It starts our time together each day on a very positive note.

The guest house, is very comfortable, the food good, and our team leader Esther and her assistant Amo make every effort to be the best hosts possible. They assisted everyone with whatever they needed or wanted to accomplish. Thanks so much for a life-giving experience!

-Liz Clark, retired teacher

Global Volunteers Featured in AARP Bulletin!!

Global Volunteers is excited and honored to be featured in the most recent edition of the AARP Bulletin!!

In the article "Boomers Mean Business," Global Volunteers is featured as an organization that allows boomers to "Do Good" in this world. Please read an excerpt of the piece below, or use the following link to read the whole article: http://www.aarp.org/work/work-life/info-02-2011/boomers-mean-business.4.html


As featured in AARP Bulletin:

DOING GOOD

In 1979, Michele Gran and Bud Philbrook, imbued with youthful idealism, spent part of their honeymoon in a mountain village in Guatemala, writing grant proposals for development projects.

Enthusiastic response to a newspaper story about their experience led them to found Global Volunteers in 1984, a nonprofit that sponsors two- to three-week volunteer vacations in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Volunteers care for children or work on long-term building projects. Today, boomers make up about 30 percent of their participants.

"When boomers started to turn 55, we started to see a significant uptick in interest in our trips," says Philbrook, 64. "They want to give something back, add meaning to their lives."

Peace Corps volunteers 60 and older have more than doubled in the past three years. And the foundation started by Microsoft's Bill Gates, 55, and his wife, Melinda, 46, has given more than $24 billion to U.S. and international causes.

So another day begins with the troops meandering to the dining room to enjoy a breakfast of eggs and toast. Amy and Benjy appear to need a few extra hours of sleep while some of us were
thinking of the day ahead. A few of us were talking about the schools that we were teaching in, so Kathleen decided to read us some information about the Ghanaian school system. It confirmed our experiences, which were that the children seemed to be memorizing their lessons, but not really understanding them. I think we all went about our day noticing this even more and trying to address the problem. As we all headed off to our respective places, the construction crew, which has been so efficient, had to be reassigned due to lack of work. Benjy, Amy and Ellen
headed to the library, while I headed off to Beacotu Elementary school. Lisa and I walked to the school together because Lisa was working with a class there. She ultimately went to work with another class, because it seems that there is a system in place, where if a teacher teaches a class for you, in return the next day, you take their class. So, although, the Kindergarten Teacher was in, she sent the students to the teacher next door leaving Lisa with no pupils. I went to third grade to observe Madame Esther at work. The first part was math problems with graphs. I was really in over my head. But after looking at the children’s work, it came back to me. I
was amazed at what they did without seeming to be able to read the text. After that came a class about costumes and props. That was funny. Trying to get that concept across was
difficult. It was really sad, that the only actors and props were a doctor, Preacher, farmer and street seller.

Finally it was lunch. A few trekked back by foot, while the others rode in a taxi. Lunch was filling so some of us went to rest while Ellen and Lisa went to the market to do some fabric shopping. In no time, it was back to the library for reading, sweating and child hugging. In between all of this chaos, Kathleen wanted to know if we wanted to see batik cloth making. The shoppers that we are, we exited the library ASAP and went to see what was available for purchase. The fabric was unbelievable. We were all grabbing at things and left the artist with IOUs and promises to come back after the library to see the batik-making process, which we did. It done with wax stamps and dye to create the patterns. A few more items left the rack at that time too. Whew. Back to the St James for a quick dinner with pasta and sauce, which we all seemed to enjoy a little too much. Energized with popcorn, we were set to dance and drum the night away at the dancing and drumming show tonight. We all piled into the van loaded with cameras and bug spray, all claiming “we will not go up there” in various definitive voices. But, when the music started, we lost our inhibitions to shake our things and bang our drums. The talented dancers
and drummers captured our attention as well as the local children’s. We were all glad that we participated, and no one was made to feel foolish. As we waited for the van to pick of us, many of the children, came up to us recognizing us from their school That was really fun. Even though I didn’t teach 4th or 5th grades, they knew me from just being around. They are really observant. Finally loaded on the van, we headed home and scattered to our rooms for the next day’s adventure. As I write this day’s activities, I realized that I faced many fears; teaching, dancing, drumming and journaling. It wasn’t so bad. Mark that off as another thing accomplished
with Global Volunteers.

Volunteer Photos from Ghana!!

Volunteer Kate recently served on our Global Volunteer service program in Ghana. During her time in our host community, she captured numerous special moments with her personal camera. She has been kind enough to share these images with Global Volunteers, and now with YOU!!

Please check out the images below... and GET INSPIRED TODAY!!!

















If you would like to join us in Ghana, please call (800) 487 - 1074 TODAY!

An Opportunity for Genuine Service & Cultural Experiences

Despite its captivating landscape and rich culture, the nation of Ghana still relies heavily on international aid to provide basic services to its poorer citizens. Global Volunteers' works with traditional councils and educational institutions to supplement meager local resources. Global Volunteers' commitment is to support broad-based community development under the direction of local leaders ensuring that volunteer teams serve the community-at-large.

Please enjoy some of the images below which feature volunteer teams from October 2010 engaging with local chiefs and community members. Volunteering in our host communities of Akrade and Senchi Ferry truly offers participants the opportunity to provide genuine and much-needed service, as well as a chance to be welcomed and embraced by the lovely people of this region.

Thoughts & Thanks from Students in Senchi Ferry!

Please join us and enjoy a small selection of the numerous pictures and letters that were shared with Global Volunteers (by lovely students in Ghana) this winter regarding our work in Senchi Ferry. The words and images created by these students remind us why we do what we do WITH YOU each and every day!

As Fawaz, a middle school student, stated " I am a boy who loves reading and learning, and studying, my best subjects are mathematics, English, history and art... and the concept of this letter is to thank you for the wonderful things you have done for our community."

Please see a few more thoughtful drawings and letters below:

"Spring into Service" in Ghana!!

“Spring into Service” with Global Volunteers to receive a special limited discount offer for our March and April teams!

Four or more volunteers who apply by January 31 for any of these 28 teams in 16 countries will receive a discount of $200 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for one-, two- or three-week international programs or $100 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for USA programs. No other discounts apply.

Please encourage others to volunteer in our five fundamental project areas: education (especially promotion of girls education), labor and community infrastructure, health care, child care, and food and nutrition.

Call us at 800-487-1074 for details and we'll assist you every step of the way. Our worldwide host communities can’t wait to welcome you!!

Check out this link for more details & service program dates: http://globalvolunteer.org/special/springspecial.asp

Ghana Service Program Dates, March & April Teams:
23-Apr-11 to 14-May-11