Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The first few days here have been fantastic. I have learnt so much already about this country, the culture, the people of Ghana and what we can expect from our time here as volunteers. The VSO In Country Training is really thorough, and through that and our endless volunteer conversations we have covered all manner of things from cultural etiquette such as how to meet greet and make friends in Ghana, how to shake hands and do the strange clicking fingers thing, and what to do when we hear all manner of people hollering 'obroni!' as we walk down the street, to practical aspects of life such as how to ride a tro', how many cedis we should take to the 'cash and carry' health centre if we have malaria, and what to do if we meet a snake in our house (!!!!!!!!). Oh, and what to do if we loose our keys and get locked out - that last one being no doubt particularly useful for me!
Of course we have also started to learn about each other and what we are all here to achieve, as well as VSO's strategic goals and where our work fits in, all of which makes me really excited about the work ahead. We are a real mix of volunteers, from the UK, Kenya, Canada and the Netherlands. There are Secure Livelihoods Volunteers, Teachers, Management Support Officers, Disability Advisers, Fundraising Officers, and other Community Advocacy Officers like me. And as such we have a huge range of skills sets, perspectives, approaches to development and ways of working, all of which makes for a rich learning experience this week. Some have been here for a few months already, and are helping us newbies with heaps of useful insider tips and information. Pooling our knowledge and sharing our thoughts and experiences at this stage is so valuable, and I do not know where I would be without them! (Well actually, I would probably be wandering round Accra completely lost and confused!).
I am really keen to get started, but well aware that it's best to take this journey one step at a time! And I am making the most of being around all these lovely people, as I think it's going to get a little more lonely up north!
We have tried so many different Ghanaian dishes already, it's all really good, spicy and hot and full of flavour. There is a lot of rice. I think me and rice are going to become very good friends!
xxx
- comments