Alumni Interview with Teresa Trigo Pereira

What inspired you to travel abroad?

For me, going abroad means many things: getting to know a new culture, a different continent (if that is the case), different people, and having the chance to learn from the people we meet. These are all things that have given me a giant curiosity about what exists beyond our comfort zones. This curiosity and interest made me dive into an adventure abroad. 

Volunteering is something that has always been on my mind. I was in the last year of high school, I wasn't sure about what I wanted to study in university, so a gap year was a possibility that allowed me to have one more year to think about it. 

So what is the best thing to do in a gap year? Volunteer abroad!

Why did you choose Atlas Volunteers?

The one thing I know for sure is that education is the most important component in human life. Adding to that, my passion for mathematics and interest in new ways of teaching, volunteering in a primary school looked like a very suitable option. I also knew that I wanted to go to Africa. 

When I found Atlas, I got in touch with them and it felt the right organization from the very first chat (this is really true! After finding them, I didn't contact any other organization).

What was your favorite part about Ghana?

This is a tough question. There were so many good things... but maybe Ghanaians and their hospitality. They (at least everyone I met) were very peaceful, respectful, interested in new things, friendly, and very helpful. I've never felt not respected or not welcomed by anyone. 

Of course we can’t do everything the same way we do it in our home country. The Ghanaians have their culture and beliefs, and we can't just expect them to accept or understand some of the things we might do. We have to respect them and if that happens, I'm 100% sure they will respect us too. 

Another thing I also found very interesting is that they were curious to learn about my country - at school, some teachers were interested in knowing how and where they could improve teaching. And these chats with them about new ways of education made a lot of sense to me - now that I’ve been home for almost two years, I feel like those chats were part of the essence of volunteering. 

And the children... they are so genuine, kind, and respectful. They were always worried about my safety and well-being. They were not afraid of showing who and how they are. As a result, connecting with them was much easier.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

Again, the Ghanaians and their sympathy. The food, their culture, the way they dance, how they laugh, how they negotiate, and all the sightseeing. 

I'm also pretty sure that it wouldn't have been the same without the fantastic Sam and Libby (and of course not (and never!) forgetting everyone else: Afia, Emannuel, Eric, Aaron, Bright, George, and many more). But Libby and Sam provided the support that a volunteer needs to have in a foreign country in an experience like this.

They were always there for me, for all the questions, fears, and problems. And the best of all, they were very open to new ideas that we had. This freedom and willingness to share is something that added a lot of value to the program and to the experience.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

They were constantly asking if everything was okay, if we were feeling well, if we were fitting in, if we were enjoying our time, etc. They were always available to talk to us about anything. They gave us a lot of advice and tips on how to do specific things and they empowered us to travel and explore. 

And... what I think that is the most important... they were close to us! They weren't just at their office doing their paperwork - we would all hang out and have (important) meetings. They became our friends, and not just our staff/coordinators.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

Now, after almost two years since my trip to Ghana, I can clearly see what things I could/should have done differently. One of them is how I approached the teachers I was assisting at the primary school when they were beating the kids. 

It was a big shock the first time I saw that happening. I knew those things used to happen back in the days but it never crossed my mind that it would still be happening (very naive I know). So when I saw that, I got really out of my mind and me and the volunteers that were with me went to the teachers that were beating the kid and tried to stop them by telling them all the reasons why that was wrong. It wasn't a good approach but was all I knew back then.

A couple of weeks later I started realizing that it wasn't the right way and I tried to change. Now I understand even better. Even though I don't like it (and it is illegal in the country) I (or anyone else) can't just say they can't do that. It must be a slower approach, built day by day. Reason is on our side (even when they call it tradition) so we must be patient.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I would wake up around 7:00-7:30 a.m., have breakfast and then go to school. Classes started between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and finished around 2:00-3:00 p.m. with two breaks in the morning. 

Depending on the teachers and on what they wanted, we would either help them in a specific subject or take over the class and try the things we had prepared. It depended a lot on what the volunteers had in mind or worked on with the teachers. 

During breaks usually I played with the kids. Then we would go home and each one of us would do what we wanted to (laundry, cooking, planning the school activities, going to the market, taking a nap, going for walks, going to the bar, meeting some friends, etc). 

We usually had dinner with the other volunteers (at home or out) and then went to sleep. But again, a lot of things would depend on the day. For example, a few weeks before the exam season, me and a couple other volunteers gave after-school sessions to the upper classes to help them study for the exams.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I traveled a lot. There are many places to visit in Ghana such as Nzulezu, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Lake Volta, and more. Everytime we had a longer break from school, we went to one of these places. 

I also went on walks (there are a couple of beautiful walks close to Pepease) and I did some adventure activities (like paragliding during Easter). Some weekends were more quiet, with time for ourselves to do what we wanted: prepare for classes, relax, do laundry, cook, eat out, watch movies, read books, listen to music, go to the pool, etc. 

Then, at night I used to hang out with the rest of the volunteers and some Ghanaian friends at the bar (Sam's bar) and immerse myself in the Ghanaian culture: music, dance, drinks, chats, and food with a lot of fun and joy. Once a week I walked through Pepease and talked to some friends: the bread lady, the candy lady, and the eggs lady - always lovely chats.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

There were two houses for the volunteers, one next to each other. One of them, the one I was at, had the capacity for 10 people and the other one for eight. They were fully equiped with the best conditions: running water, a stove, electricity, many comfortable beds, TV, lockers, and space.

They were a little bit isolated, only five/seven minutes walking to Pepease, which was very good because we had this giant garden around us and a spot with a great view. Maybe what I liked the most about it was the sense of peace the house gave me every time I was there.

What is one thing every future participant should know about Atlas Volunteers before their program begins?

Be ready to create and imagine a lot of different things for the kids. Unfortunately, the kids are deprived of exploring what ideas they have and elaborating artistic creations. I was quite amazed when I asked one of the classes to draw anything they wanted or loved, and all they could think of was to draw houses because that is what they see everyday. 

And also, don't be afraid to talk with the teachers and school director about new ways of teaching... like better ways to get the kids attention without having to threaten them.

Would you recommend Atlas Volunteers to others? Why?

Totally!! The staff is amazing, always there for us, and supportive! The program puts you 100% in contact with the Ghanaian teachers and students so we can have an open communication with each other. 

The freedom we have to try new things and test what seems like a good option is also great! You will easily fall in love with Ghana, Ghanaians, and their culture. Something I always say to prove that this program is worth it is: 

when I went to Ghana, I was planning on staying three months and I ended up staying an extra two and a half. There is no doubt that it is worth it!

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

Probably the contact with a different reality. It doesn't matter if you travel to another country from ''your'' continent or to a totally different continent, you will always experience new habits. The food will tell a different story, the monuments will belong to different moments of history, and the language will either make you feel closer to the inhabitants or will make you feel like you are in another universe. 

And the people will introduce you to new ways of living and, most importantly, show you their ways to live life: how they deal with specific situations, how they celebrate, their fears, and what they believe in. 

This collision (or not) will definitely have an impact in our lives. If we pay attention to all of this with our eyes and soul it will become a part of us.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

I'm now, somehow, more disconnected from my hometown (and country) and therefore, I think more about how the others are and what is happening to them. I compare more. I put some situations/problems that happen to me next to others that I've seen or that I've heard that happen and most of the time this comparison makes me understand the dimension of my problems and realize that I'm fortunate enough to have solutions around the corner.

I was also lucky to meet some special people that, despite all the obstacles, fight for their beliefs. I met people with the desire to make a change in this world, even if it is small. And without a doubt, I look up to them now. 

This volunteer experience proved something I was already thinking about: we can't live without a proper education. Education means knowledge, and most of all, evolution.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means a lot of things.... it means getting out of our comfort zones and doing things that we are afraid of and that we think we can't do. In some way, for me at least, meaningful travel implies that we also have to be comfortable with being alone and at the same time not being lonely. 

It has meaning if it touches our heart and soul and makes us rethink all the things that, until now, we’ve had for granted and that we thought that were minimal. Meaningful travel means to give and give and give and to receive way more than what we give. It is also meaningful if it makes sense and if we find a purpose in it.