Antipodeans Abroad - Year Out Program
Volunteering in Ghana, Africa
This is the second instalment from Kate Davis, a Year 12 graduate from Pymble Ladies College who spent 3 months during her gap year on an Antipodeans Abroad Year Out Program. Kate lived with a local family in Ghana doing volunteer teaching and speaks candidly about what life is like in Africa from her perspective.
Life in Ghana - Weekends Away
When we first arrived in Ghana I was frozen in a state of anxiety due to the utter chaos around us, but now we seem to slot right in - almost, our white skin does still stick out in a crowd. We bargain and negotiate our way through some full-on situations and it’s a really good feeling when you finally safely reach your accommodation, sort of an accomplishment.
Sometimes we have to scream at men, “Mem Piew” - I don’t like you. This is pretty effective at making marriage suitors and beggars leave. However “Mem Pow” which sounds very similar to “Mem Piew” means “I like you” and I will admit I accidentally said this to a man and was almost whisked away. I will just stick with “Mempe Saa” - I don’t like that, from now on to prevent any other slip ups.
We have been visiting coastal villages and resorts on our weekends. The white-sanded, palm-fringed beaches seem like tropical oases after being inland in our dusty villages all week. The mornings are spent visiting tourist destinations such as slave castles and national parks on 35m high suspension bridges. Afternoons are spent exploring the fascinating villages, each new and exciting and filled with mostly smiling people thrilled to see westerners wearing Ghanaian clothes, speaking snippets of Twi and with braids. We also chill at the very cheap but amazing beach resorts.
Last night we stayed at this beach called Kokrobite. It’s this mad hippie/rastafarian resort. All the guys have dreadlocks, wear red, yellow and green, and are pretty chilled. Think Jamaica. They are so funny and are actually really nice but it’s still good to be careful. We spent the whole day chilling on the beach. It was surreal. We were lying amongst these traditional boats and fishing nets chatting and playing with some of the village kids. I’m now a pro at their clapping games. As the sun began setting a reggae band set up and we stayed there watching the sun set and well into the night. We then slept in a massive tent on the beach for $2.50.
Apart from Kokrobite I feel really safe travelling in Ghana. The people are amazingly helpful, friendly and hospitable. People will often come up and help you. There are con artists out there so we are always careful but it’s really reassuring that people are always willing to help. We are also very careful with valuables but theft in Ghana is strongly looked down upon. If someone steals they will usually be beaten or stoned to death before the police arrive. Obrunis are pretty respected in Ghana so if someone stole from us hundreds of helpful Ghanaians would run to our aid.
Transport is sometimes hair-raising but we grit our teeth. I’ve been on a tro tro which would not pass rego in Australia, speeding along a bumpy dirt road crammed with 26 people. There was sweat from the lady next to me dripping onto my thigh. Before I knew it one final passenger had boarded and there was a basket with bloody, foul-smelling fish heads in line with my face.
On our way home from Busua - a small coastal fishing village with a strong hippy influence, I was in the back of a tro tro when the seat I was sharing with 3 big African mothers suddenly came to a crash on the floor. I then noticed the boot did not shut properly and feared we would slide to our deaths on the road behind us. When the tro tro pulled over on the side of the road due to rain I informed the driver and we decided that once the rain stopped we would find a new tro tro.
Next weekend we are going to the Volta region to climb a mountain and visit some waterfalls. It will be our second last weekend away as we will soon be leaving our families for our final 3 weeks of travel. The time has flown and I’m feeling pretty sad.
About Antipodeans Abroad:
Antipodeans Abroad as in Australian company that offers a range of global volunteer travel experiences for adults, high-school students, and university students. Participants provide much appreciated work in needy communities across Africa, Asia and South America, and return home with invaluable life experience, increased confidence and lifelong memories.
