Staff Interview with Paschal Godwyll

How did you discover and get involved with AMPED Abroad?

I discovered AMPED Abroad via the internet and sent an email to learn more. I was impressed with the level of organization, genuine concern for the volunteers and interns, as well as the concern for their partner relationships. AMPED Abroad understands what is important to both parties and works to help make sure that satisfaction is achieved at both ends by remaining involved from the initial inquiry stage until the last day of the placement. There is regular communication, which is an immense help to the coordinators, and a welcome source of security for the participants and their families back home.

Why do you like living in Ghana?

I was born in Ghana, and I have lived in Cape Coast for 20 years. There are many things I like about living here as Ghana is only one of the few countries in West Africa that can claim to be a true democracy. 

The environment and the fascinating culture are other reasons that I like it here. There is a great deal of environmental diversity here, from the lush mountains of the Volta Region to the east, to the palm-fringed beaches of the south, to the rain forests of Western Region and the savannah further north. Ghanaians are among the friendliest in Africa and are world-renowned for their kindness and friendliness. Seasonal festivals bring a whole people or clan together in spectacular fashion.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job? 

The most fulfilling aspect of my job is meeting people from all walks of life. I get to learn about their culture and experiences at home and achieve a better understanding of what daily life is like in other countries.

How do you help volunteers and interns prepare themselves for life in Ghana?

We have Akwaaba (welcome) books that we give to volunteers and interns after orientation. The books help them to quickly acclimate to Ghanaian culture as well as to prepare volunteers and interns for what to expect.

Before applying to volunteer or intern in Ghana, it is important to note a few things:

• As a foreigner, there may be situations where you will be seen as “exotic” and will draw a great deal of attention, some of it unwanted. Some of the areas where volunteers live and work have not had extensive contact with foreigners. They may ask seemingly intrusive questions about your family, job, personal life, school, and income. Although it can be difficult, we encourage participants to not be offended. People are usually just being curious.
• Arrival in Ghana can take a significant physical toll on your body, and you should not underestimate the effects that change in climate and food can have. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, mild stomach upsets and headaches are very common in the first few days, and normally pass as you adjust to the new environment.
• The psychological effects of culture shock are made worse by this physical stress; when you are feeling unwell, being the center of attention every time you walk down the street, being surrounded by people speaking another language, the crowds, the noise and the unfamiliar smells can all become too much.
• The most effective way to avoid, or get over, culture shock is to throw yourself into the situation – don’t try to hide from it.  If you spend two hours every day on the internet or telephone talking to family at home, or try to spend all your time with other western volunteers, you simply make the problem worse. Having constant reminders of home will make you miss it more, not less. Talk to your Ghanaian host family, try to go out with people from your workplace, learn some Fanti – fill your time with the positive aspects of life in Ghana.

By living here as a volunteer or intern you will gain an experience of the culture that you simply can’t get as a tourist. Living in another culture involves developing sensitivity to local customs and standards of behavior.

What kind of projects can participants expect to work on while with AMPED Abroad?

We have a variety of projects that participants can choose from as long as they meet the conditions for volunteering or interning with that project. Projects include teaching, orphanage, medical, journalism, youth sports (soccer), conservation, and wildlife. Our medical projects are the most popular among interns.

Who is the most successful type of intern or volunteer, and what kind of qualities do they possess?

The most successful volunteers and interns are those who are the most adaptable. Flexibility is important when visiting abroad. The way certain cultures live and approach and respond to situations is variable and can be remarkably different from the way they do it in their host country, especially when there are limited resources. Ghanaians, we have our way and reasons for handling matters the way that we do. So, I would also add that having an open mind is also important.

How does AMPED Abroad support participants during their time in Ghana?

We support support participants by helping to make sure their needs are understood as much as possible from the beginning. We ask the participants questions; for example, what they’re looking for, what type of experience they have relative to their project interest. If they’re interning, we want to know the reason for interning, what specific requirements must their internship meet if they expect to earn college credit. We work to make the necessary arrangements prior to their arrival.

AMPED Abroad takes care of the details of making sure payment is made to the host families and in-country staff in a timely fashion so that the accommodations and meals are taken care of. Additionally, we make sure that the projects receive the designated donation amount. We work to take care of as many details as possible prior to arrival so that participants can focus and enjoy their experience in Ghana.

Throughout their time in-country, we check with volunteers and interns to make sure everything is going well with their project and host family. (Because we have an equal responsibility to the project and host families, we also check with them to confirm that everything is going smoothly.) If there are any issues or emergencies, I, as the in-country coordinator, am the first who should be contacted. Other parties, AMPED Abroad staff in the states and family, are involved as it might become necessary.

We also provide 24/7 emergency in-country support for participants during their time in Ghana.

What is something you want future participants to know about AMPED Abroad?

I want people to know that we genuinely care about our volunteers and interns and the communities that we work with. And specifically, our placements in Ghana are very affordable, by comparison.

How have you seen participants benefit from their time in Ghana?

If there is one thing that most volunteers remember most about their time in Ghana, it is the people they met, the family and the people from their workplace. 

A volunteer or intern who gets fully integrated in a household learns a great deal about this fascinating culture. They become conscious of the friendliness and kindness and the warmth they receive from the locals, and it becomes a part of them and it is transferred to their interactions with others.

While participants must dress smartly and professional for their volunteer placements and internship assignments, they do take note of the vibrant prints that the local people wear and they begin to adopt that style of dress during their stay.  Some tend to wear traditional Ghanaian print garments home.

Volunteers and interns learn how to live without modern conveniences. For example, they learn to do laundry by hand. Living under such minimalist conditions compels them to examine their own culture and heightens their awareness about how their standard of living at home compares to what they experienced in Ghana. The also look introspectively at their relationships and social interactions in comparison to how Ghanaians respond to their family, elders, and friends. They often see these things in sharp contrast to their western European or American culture. Most participants are shocked when they return home. They write us to share how much they miss the friendliness, the relaxation of the slower pace – and most of all, the BIG Ghanaian welcome.

The experience makes them count their blessings and appreciate life in their home country. It also teaches them about the importance of relationships and community and that there is joy that exists beyond having material possessions.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel is travel that makes an impact on someone’s life and educates the whole person academically, socially, and culturally.