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Volunteer Name: Alice Richens
Volunteer Project: Teaching English in Ghana
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What did you think of the project?
I worked on a summer school project, which was really enjoyable, and we had a lot of freedom to teach what we wanted and how we wanted.
We were thrown right into it, but that made it a better experience in the long run. I also worked at a private school, which was extremely poor (palm tree leaves for a roof!)
How was your experience in Africa?
Amazing! Something I would love to repeat again when I have more time. The place is stunning and the people are so friendly. I felt so welcome and really enjoyed experiencing a different way of life. |
I've come back home with lots of fond memories and friends. It is an amazing place to travel around. There is so much to see and do there.
The children were really enthusiastic about learning and were keen to engage in the lessons. I was asked to teach English, so at times I had no lessons, and therefore I felt the school didn't use me as much as they could have: typical Africa! If I had been there longer they agreed that they would have adapted and changed the way I would have worked, so I recommend volunteers go to Ghana for at least 8 weeks.
I was given books to follow for a couple of the classes (but not all), and just adapted these, got creative and added to the information. The resources are limited so I had to be adaptable but that made it a challenge and fun. |
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What was the accommodation like?
The accommodation was basic, I had an outdoor toilet and a bucket for a shower and the kitchen was a fire or coal pot outside. This however made the experience more enjoyable. I lived like the family did and enjoyed being part of the family and culture. The family was amazing. They made me very welcome and I couldn't have felt more relaxed and safe. Staying with a family gives you a fantastic insight into how people really live and work. It gave me a totally new perspective on life. |
The food was great, my family even went and bought me pasta as I acclimatized to their food and were keen to make sure I enjoyed the food and ate enough.
All I can say is try everything. My family was really adaptable and cooked my favourite Ghanaian dishes for me and even taught me how to make them! I couldn't have been happier than when I was sitting with the family and joining in their usual routine. |
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Are you pleased you went with Real Gap?
Yes, they were really helpful. I pestered them with lots of questions before I went and they were constantly supportive. They allowed me to choose the length of programme I wanted and the dates I wanted to go which was extremely important for me because of other pressures. When I arrived in Ghana I felt nervous and excited but felt that Real Gap had prepared me as much as possible.
 Further information on the Ghana Community Volunteer Project
Return to Africa Travel Stories
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