Fergus has just arrived in Ghana, to take part in a Medical Work Experience Internship. Here are his thoughts on the country so far:

I flew into Accra from Lagos, so I had already had a taste of the humidity that I was going to encounter. As soon as I stepped out of the airport the change in culture was clear. Taxi drivers come up to ask you for a ride or to check you know where you re going, there are street vendors who go up to the windows of cars to sell their produce and people in Africa really do carry things on their heads!

 The Ghana people are so friendly as well. Be it a simple head nod to be acknowledged from afar or a full blown welcome, it sets a lone traveller at ease. Even today I had a taxi driver give me his number to ’surprise him’ when I called.

 These are all things I am not used to but now I am experiencing it I hope that the UK will follow with the friendliness and welcoming feeling when I return!

If you’d like to find out more about our projects in Ghana, click HERE

Rebecca Durant chose to live with a host family on her placement in Ghana. Here’s what she had to tell us:

I was blessed when I met my host family.  Sister Lizzie as I called her and her 5 children were all so obliging and lovely. My goodness, as soon as I arrived two of the boys were carrying my 30 kilo suitcase between them and showing me to my room! I could not have asked for a better service at a smart hotel! Lizzie was very sweet and only ever aimed to make me happy! One of the reasons I chose to live with a host family as oppose to a hostel with other volunteers was so that I could quickly learn and understand the Ghanaian lifestyle. This I accomplished after my first week there. The fact that I did not come across any volunteers did not worry me at all as I was so well looked after by Lizzie and so busy with my projects at the school. I could not have been happier! I was blessed to be given the opportunity to accompany Lizzie to her church on two occasions. Definitely an eye opener for me as it was for the locals who saw me wear a traditional African dress bought by Auntie Eunice in appreciation for achieving what we did. Alleluia!

A story I shall never forget was when I showed the youngest child a photo of me shimmering across a rope in an obstacle course I took part in a couple of years ago. There was only blue sky in the background of the picture. She, being 6 years of age asked me if I was on my way to see Jesus? I laughed out loud and smiled at her. (Isn’t innocence wonderful? You cannot put a price on it!) I grinned and thought to myself, I sure hope not. I would like to do a little more living down here first of all please!

Another story which really touched my heart was when I brought back a pizza with me from the city. It was a ‘buy one get one free’. I did not think anything of it and just offered it to them and I could not have predicted the excitement that one ‘plain cheese’ could have brought. The icing on the cake was when I heard that the older boy of 15, he saved his piece and took it to school the following day and even the teacher asked if he could have a bite!!!! Watching them all, it could have been Christmas day! For those of you that enjoy pizza, remember this story when you next eat a slice!

If you’d like to find out more about the projects we have on offer in Ghana, click HERE