Past Volunteers' testimonials
Read but few of the hundreds of satisfied volunteers express their experience.
Daniel Dickerson - USA, June 2009Dan Says: The people of Ghana are much more friendly and welcoming than I expected. During my stay I did not experience a single situation where I was made to feel uncomfortable. The gracious nature of the people here appears to the result of or at least enhanced by the active participation by most people in church programs. Many schools are responsible by the Methodist, Presbyterian or Catholic Church. One Of my highlights during our stay in Ghana was attending a local church and being welcomed by the entire congregation. The country itself is from ocean to the mountains and throughout the lush vegetation. The weather is hot but not intolerable, especially in the mountain. Our host family truly made us feels as if we were part of their family. They toke care of us well.
Erin Cannaday - USA, January 2009Erin Says: Our experience in Ghana was incredible. The country was beautiful, and different than most places I had traveled before. It was also hotter than I have ever been before, but we adjusted! We really loved getting to know the people in Ghana, Gyamfi, Diana and Nana were so much fun and were so patient with us. They explained situations and people all during the trip, which helped us understand the cultural differences much more and really enjoy what we were seeing and who we were meeting. Peter and his family at Adullam were amazing as well. They were so nice to open up their home and spend time with us! Peter took us out in Obuasi a few nights to talk and see the town. Ema, Beatrice and Edith played cards and talked with us. The whole family was just wonderful! And Edith's food was very good as well! All of the places of interest that we went to were great to see as well. Overall, personally I enjoyed the slave castles the most and the crocodiles, too!
It really was a wonderful experience, and I am so grateful for the relationships that we were able to make.
Kaylee Byers - Canada, April 2009Kaylee Says: When I approached my parents with the idea of returning to Africa for a third time in the last 4 years, my family was immediately concerned and apprehensive. Why on Earth did I keep wanting to go back to a continent where supposedly, the risk of disease is high and there is political unrest in so many of Africa's composite countries? I think my reasons for wanting to come back to Africa were all personified in my incredible experience in Ghana.
Upon my arrival into Ghana across the Burkinan border, Elghana was immediately in contact with me. As I arrived earlier than scheduled, the organization found me a placement before my scheduled time and met with me personally in Kumasi to explain the details of my placement, which was much appreciated. Additionally, Elghana provided me with a phone for my use while in the project and aid in extending my visa, which, without their help, frankly, would have been a nightmare.
The children at Hase International School were extremely excited that "Madam Obruni" would be there to teach them and were surprisingly attentive in their lessons, even without the encouragement of "the cane". While my teaching placement focused primarily upon Mathematics and English, I was able to teach classes ranging from nursery (6 months) to JHS 3 (an equivalent to grade 9, whereby students could reach the age of 19 or 20). I had a very enjoyable time formulating lesson plans for the children and assigning homework and classwork which I marked with Canadian stickers I had brought from home. The teaching style is much different than in the Western World however, so I suggest to any new coming volunteers to be open to new ways of teaching and interacting. In addition to teaching the children, I found that I quickly became their friend and was often the school jungle gym for the younger children, while I was the confident of many of the older students.
Furthermore, my experience with my host family was nothing short of fantastic. I don't know what it is about Africa. It could be the friendliness of the people, the fact that I can buy pineapples and coconuts on a whim and devour them in a busy market, the savagely beautiful landscape, the indigenous languages and music, or just the pace of life, but one thing that I know is that I love it. I would not trade my experience with the children here for anything, and I know that being here has taught me a lot about myself, even if the children may not have mastered the "laws of indices". Perhaps Toto said it best: "Its gonna take a lot to drag me away from you"
Maya Bauman - USA, July 2008Maya Says: I loved the time I spent in Ghana. The people were so wonderful and friendly. I made many new friends through work and my host family. The clinic in Sepaase is a great place to work. I had the opprotunity to assist and learn many medical procedures. I feel that it was a good environment for me, because I didn't have any medical experience before coming to Ghana and the nurses there were fantastic teachers. Elghana was very supportive during my stay. They always called to check on how I was doing. I was very glad that I had them there, being my first time in Ghana and I didn't know anyone there. I quickly became very attached to my host family. My host mother was very caring and protective, which made my mom in the US feel reassured. I spent a lot of time with my host sister, who taught me Twi and basic chores such as hand washing and cooking.
David Russell - USA, July 2008David Says: My experience was better than I had hoped for. In sum, the country seems to be going "forward ever, backward never", the people were most welcoming and determined, teaching made me learn a lot, elghana took care of me nicely, visiting Cape Coast/Elmina and the north were great supplements to my Kumasi base, the host family (the 6, 12, 17, 18, 21, 24 and 49 year olds--some were cousins next door) was wonderful and very interesting to spend time with, food was a pleasure, and the relatively mild climate of the rainy season much easier for me than the conditions in March were during my 2004 visit.
Kathy Sweeney- USA, July 2008Kathy Says: To say that going to Ghana was the best decision I ever made would be an understatement. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I never wanted to leave. Going through Elghana was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It was so nice to have someone (not just someone, but someone as amazing as Mr. Gyamfi!) meet me at the airport and assure that I had a safe place to stay, saw a little bit of Accra, and then made my way to my destination - Obuasi. Learning the ropes of Ghanaian transportation took a bit of practice, so I felt so comfortable having someone from Elghana help me around. Everyone I encountered in Ghana was so friendly, warm, and hospitable. The only times I felt even remotely uncomfortable was because of the degree of attention I received for being an "obruni," but even that was never negative - I just stood out because I looked different! I was placed at Adullam Orphanage in Obuasi. I loved Obuasi because it wasn't too big of a town, so i quickly learned my way around. At the same time, it was big enough that I still had access to several banks, an internet care, etc. As far as the orphanage goes - those children stole my heart instantaneously. How wonderful these children are, despite having endured hardships no child should ever have to endure, is just remarkable. They are so loving, grateful, and just plain fun that it is hard to ever leave them - even if it's just to go home and sleep for the night! I just love them with every ounce of my soul, and have missed them terribly every day since I left. My host family - Mr. Peter's family - was just great. They were very welcoming and helpful, and I highly enjoyed the time I spent with them. The living arrangements were more than comfortable and they made me feel like a part of the family (except of course when they were speaking Basari and I couldn't understand them! :) ) The food there was terrific and I always had far more than enough (and definitely the best fruit I've ever tasted!) The weather was fine. I was there during the rainy season, so sometimes the rain got a bit old, and I definitely learned to carry an umbrella with me, but otherwise it was perfectly pleasant. The heat was not at all unbearable as I had expected it to be, and the mosquitoes weren't all that bad either! All in all my experience was absolutely incredible.
Devan Patel- CANADA, May 2008Devan Says: My experience in Ghana was truly exquisite. Upon arrival, I immediately witnessed the vibrant atmosphere and genuine warmth amongst its people. I was easily immersed in the rich culture and festive aura of Ghana . The principle strength driving this West African country, in my view, lies with its population. Ghanaians are unparalleled when it comes to their friendly, welcoming and down to earth nature. Thus, it was very easy to make friends in Ghana , both young and old. As a volunteer in a small clinic near Kumasi , I was able to interact with numerous people. Undoubtedly, working in a medical environment could be a daunting challenge for someone who does not have a background in it. Nonetheless, the clinic staff made me feel at ease and went out of their way to shed light upon particular treatments and procedures. It was also extremely rewarding being alongside patients. Despite evident pain and apprehension towards their illnesses, the visiting patients from the surrounding villages displayed a unique strength and faith towards recovery that was greatly inspiring. Often they would speak to me about life in their country, the present challenges and aspirations for the future. I brought back with me a strong sense of human affection and generosity from Ghanaians. Naturally, the bonds that I was able to make during my stay have left an indelible mark on me and to which I hope to re-connect with by visiting the country again in the future.
Jill Caporiccio - USA, June 2007Jill Says: My experiences in Ghana have given me a new perspective in which I understand the world as whole. Life in Ghana is truly amazing. During my time here I felt so alive and part of a community. The people I met were so genuine, compassionate and hard working. I miss the everyday life of going to the market, sharing taxis or overcrowded tro tros with many smiling faces, hearing music, meeting new people and seeing people dance everywhere. Working in two different healthcare settings I was able to learn a lot and see the differences of between a hospital setting and a clinic. All the patients and staff in the hospital were so grateful and welcoming to me. The staff at Elghana were so flexible and supportive and truly are my dear friends. I am now planning my third trip back. Ghana always will hold a special place in my heart.
Krystina Stolberg- USA, August 2007Krystina Says: My name is Krystina and I volunteered through Elghana in the summer of 2007. Upon my arrival, I walked of the plane to the humid air and sweet smell of the fresh Ghanian air. I was picked up by a sweet girl named Nanaya and taken to our overnight hotel. I was so nervous yet so excited all at once. We traveled by bus from Accra to Kumasi to meet with the directors of Elghana, who are absolutley amazing people who gave a wonderful, warm welcome. Things in Ghana showed to be very different from America. The sounds, smells and sincerety of the people were all very different from my usual norm. I went to the house I'd be living in for the next month and was surprised at how nice it was. My "house mother" Dora was so sweet and made me feel at home. Things that I saw during my stay were chickens and goat roaming the dirt roads and lots of turning heads. Children followed me home from the clinic as I walked home and called me Obruni and touched my skin and hair. The food was different and I probably acted a bit too picky. If I were to do it all over, I would have tried the traditional Ghanian foods just to say I did. I found the street bars fun and relaxing on a weekend night and found my favorite beer, Star (which I wish was available in the U.S.!!) The clinic was an adventure in itself. Sepaase clinic was not as sanitized as U.S. Hospitals and clinics, but the nurses made me feel so welcome and we all became good friends. I spent my days at the clinic helping to circumcise babies, deliver babies and take blood pressures and even check gestation....manually! I learned so much about different cultures and my views on life have changed dramatically. I treasure the things I used to take for granted and appreciate the fact that I had taken the time to help those less fortunate. I want to take time again to go back to Ghana to visit the friends I made and help again at a different clinic this time. I will never forget mt trip to Ghana. I had my ups and downs, but I pushed through and thoroughly enjoyed every last second of it. I truly believe its a life changing experience everyone should encounter in their lives.
John Kim- USA, Aug 2006John Says: Being my first time in Africa, the team over at Elghana helped make my stay and experience a memorable one. I was assigned to work at the Gladys Maternity Health Clinic in Kodie, a small rural village outside of Kumasi. As a volunteer, I assisted in several births, one of them being a set of twins! I also observed patients with malaria and rheumatic fever. Furthermore, I learned a lot about the Ghanaian healthcare system from the practices at the Midwife Clinic and through visits to the Komfo Anyoke Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Finally, the most valuable experiences of my trip involved learning about the culture of the Ghanaian people, playing with the children, and eating all the various foods, like Fufu! At the end of my journey, I was able to visit Mole National Park and experience a walking safari and see elephants, antelope, monkeys, warthogs, and baboons within an arms-length reach!
Jennifer Coverdale- CANADA, Feb 2007Jennifer Says:"God is Able" is a busy clinic with varying degrees of healthcare (from prenatal to screwdriver in the head). I have had the opportunity to see a variety of cases mixed between the expectant mothers. With that being said 90% of the patients are in for prenatal care. There are no closed doors in the clinic; I am free to see anything and everything I like. This has given me a very welcome feeling that allows for a positive learning environment.
Lena Gilliland - Norway, Community project volunteer, June 2006Lena Says:When I came to Ghana I did not know what to expect. I had no experience in social work. But in three months time my life has changed completely, and I have learned so much about what is important in life. No matter what, attitude is what improves your life. I saw how important the personal relationship to the client is to them. As a whole, the money we support with is only a fraction of the goodness we bring in to their life.
Bernardus Robinson - UK, February 2007Berdo Says:My volunteering experience was in Kumasi, Ghana (St. George's International School), teaching kids of ages 9-14 about the Internet. I´m a qualified web designer (not a requirement), but had no previous teaching experience. Elghana supplied me with a course outline and armed with "Rough Guide to the Internet" I designed my own lessons trying to cover as much of the outline as possible. I don´t think there is any training that can prepare you for teaching (in Ghana), you just have to be flexible and a little inventive. I was suppose to teach about using the Internet but the school had no Internet connection! so I tried to cover as much as possible in theory and then with Elghana´s funding we arranged for each class to have one visit to a nearby Internet cafe. The week of the Internet cafe visit I would wait there and then each teacher would march their class 30-50 in size to the cafe - about half an hour away. The cafe had 13 computers 9 working on a good day. On the first day there was a power cut, so for each of the 4 classes that turned up I had to improvise by drawing what I wanted to show them about the Internet! The next day the power was up but the link to the service provider kept dropping. Fortunately the rest of the week we were ok sort of and I set about the modest aim of getting everyone to open an email account and to send me an email. Back at the school there was always a shortage of pens to write on the white board, so I wrote the questions once at the beginning of the week and then the rest of the week just filled in/wiped off the answers for each class. Power cuts are regular in Ghana, about every 4-5 days, which means no computers, lights or fan for several hours. Elghana arranged for the computer teacher to be at hand during my classes and I very much relied on him to keep the discipline. This is the reality in Ghana there are lots of obstacles, but PLEASE trust that you can face and even overcome some of them, no matter how helpless or frustrated you might feel at the time. You don´t need any special skills, just a willingness to accept what is - lack of resources, money, support etc. - and respond to it creatively, with Elghana´s help of course.
Lena Walther - Germany, June 2007Lena Says:My greatest moment - the day I distinguished between the identical twins I lived with in my host's home. Everything was great, the Antwi family, Elghana, the food and the community. In the first week, I was confused because Single parents could not work with the timetable I had. Then I understood the system, insufficient funds so you get to know what the organization can do the next day or week depending on what money is available. I had such a nice time with the HIV/AIDS counselling and the Orphans monitoring. The Doctors at St. Patrick's went round observing the patients and explaining things to me. Visiting the orphans in school was something I always would wish to do. The staff at Elghana was so wonderful. I am glad to come back after school. Ghana would always be my favorite destination.
Amy, Gaby & Jill - USA, July 2007Lena Said: We spent the majority of our clinic experience at Bernice Clinic and maternity at Yeji. Much of our time was spent observing due to our inexperience and the language barrier. We believe had our stay been longer, we could have had a more "hand-on" experience. We did take blood pressures, learnt how to palpate & measure the fundal height of pregnant women, learned how to start an IV, observed vaginal deliveries, IUD implantations, Norplant removal and becaome acutely aware of the signes and symtoms of malaria. IN contrast to midwifery in the United States, Bernice helath center also catered for family medicine. Overall, we were exposed to miriad illnesses, treatments & patients we would never have seen in the States and we found the spirit of the health workers undeterred by the problems they face. The children found our light skin entertaining, chanting "obruni" everywhere we went, yet our safety was never questionable whereever we went. We appreciate the very warm and personal experience Elghana and Bernice gave us. We felt incorporated into the lives and community of Yeji and its people. 'YEJI IS A TOWN EVERY VOLUNTEER SHOULD OPT FOR!!'
Joy Dariye - UK, July 2007Joy Says: ooo! everything was great. it was a good feeling teaching my fellows at the Daniel Vocational training school. The standard of the students is very low so I had to start from the basics. Because the books ELGHANA supplied was not enough to give to each student, I had to create smaller groups and at times had to teach them in groups. I think it is really important that this project is seriously empowered with more volunteers. Definitely the students had such a good feeling and were familiar with some of the stories in the books already, as told them in folktales by their parents. This made teaching and sharing the stories a fun for them. The town was cool. My partner Moses who was teaching introduction to computers, ended up teaching the community in the local presbytarian church block. We had this nice cottage as our host house and we really enjoyed every moment in Boaman. Thank you Elghana