What inspired you to go abroad?
My boyfriend and I have been together for 5 years now. I always wanted to do something like this, explore the world with the local community and help where needed. Now was the perfect timing, we both still live at home so we had the chance to save up for this journey of a lifetime and now we are ready to start our lives and look for a place to live on our own and take all this experience with us.
Why did you choose Construction & Renovation Volunteering Programs with Our Generation?
Africa always attracted me. I also had good friends in middle school who came from Africa. Construction and renovation of a school was also our choice because we wanted to leave a mark and we also wanted a charity with kids. I’m so happy we went because we totally fell in love with Ghana.
What made your experience abroad unique?
The people for sure! We had the best host family, I miss them every day. The kids adored us and wanted to learn from us but they also wanted to teach us games and other things. The locals were so wonderful for having us and being super nice. Ghana is also a beautiful country especially where we were, in the coastal village Senya Beraku.
With our host father and coordinator of the project
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
They were great! The person who organized our trip called us four times while we were at our charity. Our host family was very good!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish we brought some stuff from our country to give to them! Before we left we didn’t really know what they needed but looking back I could give them some clothes or more money to buy things like notebooks, backpacks, desks, chairs, laptops, etc.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
On a working day we got our breakfast, mostly it was hot water with a sachet of coffee and bread with chocolate spread, at 6:30 a.m.. After breakfast we got ready and went to the school, we were there around 7:30 a.m..
Then we worked carrying brick, mixing mortar, painting and sometimes teaching. At noon we they brought our food to the school site. We worked sometimes until 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., or one time until 7:00 p.m.. Then we got our dinner. When we arrived home early, we helped to prepare dinner with the family. Then we got some down time and went to bed.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Going to the beach and the market. We even went to Kakum national park. We helped prepare food, we washed our clothes, and we went to church. We enjoyed learned about the culture.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
We had our room which was cozy. There was enough room for two beds and one bunk bed. We had a ceiling fan, a toilet, and a bathing space. It was located between the school and our host family.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
You have to keep an open mind! You will see things you are not used to—trash on the streets, or chickens and goats on the streets, and no running water, etc. But you need to be respectful because it is still their home and when you do this they will welcome you as family.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
I never gave a second thought about thing like running water, stores, cars, bikes, internet, television, … and now I value what we have. I also saw how happy people can be without all of those things and I think that is a lesson on its own! I’m grateful for this experience.
Would you recommend Our Generation to others? Why?
Yes! It was an opportunity of a lifetime. I really fell in love with Ghana and especially Senya Beraku. If you travel that far from home you will without a doubt nervous, but they handled it very well and were super supportive! I couldn’t wish for a better host family! They have all my love!
