Voluntary work in kindergarten in Ghana

Arrival in Accra

After some travel preparations, on October 13, 2014, I finally left for Ghana. I had a very nice experience on the outward flight. I've always wanted to fly in a big plane that has ten seats in a row and two floors, and I was allowed to fly to Ghana in one of those planes. Right at the airport, thanks to the RGV T-shirts, I met another volunteer who had just landed in Accra and wanted to go to the 5-day orientation program to Mama Mina. It was great because we could do everything together: passport control, pick up suitcases and look for someone who wanted to pick us up.

Orientation program with the RGV Family in Accra

The 5-day orientation program was a very nice week for me and definitely an important time that I needed before I started my project. I had to get used to the heat first. They also showed us how to drive a Trotro and got us the new SIM cards for our mobile phones. Learning a few words of Twi and getting knowledge about the different regions of Ghana were also part of the program.

A city tour, the drumming class, the cooking class, learning to wash, attending a church service and a visit to the beach were also included. It was all a lot of fun and it was nice that you could also learn a few things from the other volunteers who had been there a little longer. For example, they showed me the Osu Mall, a shopping center where you could eat wonderful frozen yoghurt.

Departure to the village for a host family

After this first week, I wanted to stay there and not switch to my project in the Volta Region at all, because I just liked Accra so much. Of course, I went after all because I was curious about what else awaited me there. And I have no regrets, because it began a time that was even more beautiful than the one during the orientation program. I then drove to the small village of Akome Agate with my host father Fofo, who picked me up, and another volunteer who had been living with him for a month and a half (she was in the capital because she was coming back from a weekend trip).

Arrival with great scenery

It was a long way to get there. It took us almost five hours and I was crammed into the back seat of the full Trotro. Nevertheless, I was able to enjoy the drive very much, because I was full of anticipation for the rest of my host family and for the village. We also took a ferry to cross a river, which was also very exciting. I particularly liked the fact that the landscape kept getting greener and more beautiful.

When we arrived we had to walk up a small hill to the host family's house. Once at the top, you could see far and had a great view of mountains, palm trees and a wide green landscape. You could even see a bit of Togo because we really weren't that far from the border. The host mother or the cook welcomed me warmly and served a huge plate of food.

Living in the host family

My host family consisted of my host father Fofo, the cook Grace, Nanama (Grace's daughter, 9 years old), Tina (Grace's aunt) and the other volunteer. Everyone was really very nice. Grace cooked us delicious meals every day. She always made sure that we had enough and varied food. In between, she also cut open a pineapple or papaya for us. In the beginning, in the first two weeks, the portions seemed so big to me. I couldn't even eat half of it. It was probably also because I just had to get used to it in general. In the end I was able to empty the plate every now and then.

German vs. Ghanaian cuisine

One evening Grace showed us how they make "fried balls" (small balls of dough that taste like quark balls and are sold all over the streets). It was really interesting to see how the production works. But Grace had to work really hard because it's not easy to knead the dough. Another time the other volunteer and I made German potato salad for our host family. I had also brought Printen, gingerbread, sauerkraut etc. from Germany. It was nice to see the host family try the new foods and vice versa it was just as great to try the new foods like fufu or banku.

Great time with the host family

The host father was always nice and above all very helpful. If we had any questions or problems, he took care of them immediately. For example, if we wanted to go on excursions, he explained the routes to us, or if I wanted to change my project, he immediately took care of a new job for me. We showed him the Skipbo card game and spent many an afternoon playing it. We also had a lot of fun with the little guest sister. We helped her with her homework and she helped us with the laundry. Sometimes we went for a walk with her in the village, painted or watched a DVD.

My volunteer work in the midwifery project

First I started a midwifery project. But I didn't enjoy it. The problem was that the midwife was on vacation and only came back shortly before I started there. Apparently, word hadn't gotten around in the neighboring villages that she was back.

So I sat around a lot and mainly talked to the midwife and the other nurses. Once in the morning a woman came by for a few minutes who either wanted to take a pregnancy test or came for a check-up because she was pregnant. I was bored because I didn't study much. For this reason I then decided to change my project.

Project change to a kindergarten

The host father helped me to find a new job. I wanted to work in a kindergarten and I could start the next day. This project was exactly what I wanted. It was incredibly great and I will never forget this time. I was an intern in the group of 1 ½ to XNUMX year old children. All the children were so sweet and lovely. The children learned a few rhymes and songs after breakfast in the morning and otherwise just played. It was just right for me as I didn't really want to teach.

Tasks and everyday life in kindergarten

I then tried to organize a small program for the children every now and then. I bought materials and then we did handicrafts or painted. The children were very happy. The educators and the other teachers at the school (the kindergarten was in a school) were also very nice to me. Many always wanted to give me something. Even though I didn't think it was necessary, the next day when I arrived at the kindergarten, I had a total of 28 bananas lying around as gifts from various teachers. That was very nice. I ate a few and shared the remaining bananas with my host family.

Since I was the first volunteer at this school, it was also very fun to stroll around the schoolyard during the breaks. Within a few seconds, many curious school children ran after me, each of whom wanted to hold my hand. It was hard to please everyone, but I tried. It was a great experience.

Saying goodbye was difficult

I grew very fond of the children in my group and the teachers, so that it was very difficult for me to say goodbye at the end. On my last day there, the children sang "Merry Christmas" to me and I was so touched. I know I definitely want to come back and see everyone.

Excursions and short trips

I went on trips with the other volunteers almost every weekend. It was always a long journey, since most of the volunteers were in Accra and the journeys always started from there and I always had to drive there first. But if you really wanted it, you could do it. Luckily the teachers were always enthusiastic when I told them that I wanted to travel and see the country, so it wasn't a problem to take Fridays off. I have done many trips: Nzulezo Stilt Village, Shai Hills, Ada Foah, Waterfall in Volta Region, Mountain in Volta Region, Crocodiles in Paga, Mole Park, Beach in Busua, Monkey Center in Tafi, Slave Castle and Kakum National Park in Cape Coast.

I liked all the excursions very much and I saw a lot of the country. My personal favorites were the crocodiles in Paga, the monkey center in Tafi and the stilt village. But that's different for everyone. In any case, every place I have visited is very worth seeing.

Conclusion of my volunteer work in Ghana

Overall I really enjoyed my two month stay and I was so glad that I had the opportunity to live with a very nice host family in a beautiful village and to have a project that brought me a lot of joy.

I can definitely advise looking for a project outside of Accra, because that gave me the opportunity to gain a lot more experience, because you get to know the life and culture there even better, because you don't get involved in the organization other German volunteers in their own culture, but opens up to insights into another culture. Really, you are right in the middle of it and the people there are happy to show you their way of life. If you commit to it, you will have wonderful and unforgettable memories.

Volunteering at Kindergarten in Ghana Review by Jennifer S., January 2015