Project - complete!                     

As some of you may know, I volunteered to spend six weeks (in July 2005) in a remote village called Glebi-Chebi in the Volta Region of Ghana. The project entailed building a primary school (getting dirty making mud bricks!) and teaching the local children (heaven help them!). Below is a picture of the finished building - pretty impressive, huh?

So, why did I choose Ghana? Well, although Ghana enjoys double the per capita output of poorer countries in the region, the income of its citizens is among the lowest in the world. In particular, there is a desperate need for long-term development projects in rural areas. It also has a reputation for the friendliest people, which is most definitely true!

The project was a life-changing experience and one I will never forget. The welcome we received was overwhelming as was the dedication of Chebi villagers to the project. It was amazing to see first-hand the commitment by the local teachers who battled daily with the task of providing good education in the face of poverty. Children sitting two and often three to one desk, having limited learning materials and text books. If I had a pound for every time I was asked for a pen, I could have brought every child in Chebi one.

I did try to keep an online diary, but found that the local internet cafe wasn't quite as well equipped as I hoped, but since being at home I have added some of my thoughts in the diary section.

 

I look forward to helping to build a suitable environment for the educational development of hundreds of young children living in the local area and for future generations.

Thank you for your help...

My target was to raise £1,500 to pay for the building and conservation materials needed for this project.  With help from all of my sponsors, not only did I reach my target, I (or rather we) exceeded it!! The additional money was put towards this project. One of the other volunteers also raised additional funds, which meant we were able to buy much needed school equipment. 

If you didn't have a chance to make a donation and would still like to, download the letter (just click on the link) and send it with a cheque to the address shown. Payments can also be gift-aided and will go towards funding similar grass-roots development initiatives.

In fact, Madventurer are trying to raise money for  a project in Uganda beginning in November, where they will be supporting the NGO Aid Child by providing funds and a team to work on the renovation of a clinic facility that will be used to care and treat children with HIV living in the community. The mission is: “To provide kids’ centres, including: homes, innovative medical care, psychosocial support, and education to orphans living with AIDS who do not have the support of extended families.” To find out more visit visit www.madventurer.com.  You could also call them on 0845 121 1996 and ask any questions you like.