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Friday Sep 03, 2010

See you in Ghana!

It is 6am and I am awake. This is unusual... more than unusual... I rarely get up at this time even when I have to be up at this time. I'm pretty sure the reason is that I'M EXCITED! Have I packed everything? What do I still need to buy? Should I pack another tshirt? ... I can't switch off! We leave tomorrow morning, when I actually will have to be awake at this time, and I think the prospect of what we're going to be doing has only just sunk in.

I have been to Africa before - Zambia in 2008 - and it was (to date) the best experience of my life. The cultural 'shock' lasted just over a week for me but I quickly became immersed into the Zambian way of life - even once being asked "Are you Zambian?" after skillfully bartering with a taxi driver :P.. It sounds like such a cliche but there was something about Africa that captured my heart... can't describe it any other way. I absolutely loved relaxing into a way of life that was so different to my own and I anticipate that Ghana will be no different. Whilst I don't want to compare the experiences, I know that the initial cultural 'shock' is likely to be the same, and I know that it will make me feel apprehensive, however I also know that I will absolutely love every second of experiencing a culture so far removed from what would be the norm in my day-to-day life.

I can't wait to begin the projects... I work in childcare and feel so passionate about giving children the best start in life. The projects aim to bring education, but also friendship. It has been our team's responsibility to create 'lesson plans' and whilst these are not set in stone, we have considered them with education at the heart. However, I believe that friendship and mutual understanding are just as important - we don't aim to 'westernise' the children's education, or enter into the projects with any assumptions about the 'right' way to do things, I hope to learn just as much as I teach, and I'm sure I will...

It has been a long 9 months.. from my interview, to planning fundraising, to doing fundraising, to planning lessons, to packing... but I have loved every second (although much of this love is rediscovered after periods of incredible stress!). Being part of Community Action has been the best thing I have done at University so far and I would recommend joining to anyone! The support we have recieved from Dave Squared has been amazing... it has been great to get to know 'the Daves' before we embark upon our trip and the level personal correspondance and dedication from them us has been a comofort and a reassurance.

24 hours and counting... see you all in Ghana!

Katie (Project Co-leader)

Posted by Community Action International ( 6:48 AM )
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