Ansh Johri who volunteered in Ghana on one of our 2 week summer specials for high school students last year was kind enough to send along a post with some advice for all the volunteers heading to Ghana especially the high school students going for the 2 week specials. Do any other alumni have some advice they would pass on? - Will

By Ansh Johri

Ghana. A barren wasteland. A desolate and far away country. A rundown environment full of starvation and poverty. That is what the unsuspecting may initially perceive upon hearing the name of an unknown land. How wrong they would be. Far to the contrary, Ghana is a place full of culture, full of life, and full of jocularity. Amidst all its uncertainty, Ghana is a paradise.

I must admit, after deciding to go on the two week Care and Community special to Ghana, I was unsure of what to expect. After all, I had heard that the village of Kwamoso, in which I would be staying at during the first week, had no running water or electricity. However, after speaking with alumna of the program, I came well prepared.

First and foremost – bring toilet paper. Don’t rely on the other volunteers to have you use theirs. The toilets are dirty, just like many others around the world. Without toilet paper, you may have to hold it in for a whole lot of days.

Also, you may wish to bring a flashlight. While staying in the village of Kwamoso during the first week, you probably won’t have access to any electricity at all. During the night, it gets pitch black, probably darker than you’ve ever seen in the great outdoors. Although your hosts and/or volunteers may have spares, it’s always nice to have a flashlight of your own just in case.

There are so many stories of malaria outbreaks killing thousands at once. Don’t worry; nothing so drastic will happen in your stay. However, it’s highly recommended, to bring a mosquito net. There are actually not too many mosquitoes in Ghana; you may have seen more where you live. However, these are ferocious thugs. The sparse mosquitoes suck on your blood during the night, increasing your risk of malaria. So a mosquito net would decrease such risks.

We have all heard misconceptions that insist all African countries are hot, a conception not entirely true for Ghana. In the nighttime, temperatures may fall beneath the comfy zone, so you may want to bring a blanket or something warm to wear.

Playing card at night

Although Projects Abroad will keep you busy for most of the time, during the night, you will have some freedom. The highlight of my trip is sitting there with the rest of the volunteers in the dark illuminated by only a couple of candles. We played cards, told stories, and interacted with our Ghanaian hosts. Therefore, it’s prudent to bring entertainment devices, such as cards, books, and sports equipment (a tennis ball may suffice).

Even if you pack everything listed above, you may be unprepared for the general environment, especially if you have never been to a third-world, or rather “majority,” country. However, all you need to do is sit back and really try to understand your surroundings. I know, it may sound a little corny, but really try to notice this new world around you. It’s almost like a jigsaw puzzle; once you start understanding every piece by piece, you’ll finally appreciate the larger picture. So now that you have a better idea of how to prepare for a journey that will undoubtedly remain in your minds forever, go out there and visit the country where you, the people, the roads, the trees, the hills, the bugs, and even the houses without electricity or running water, all become one.