Getting Back To Ghana

This past year I had the extrodinary oppurtunity to go to Ghana, Africa for two months. I have to say that was the best thing that I have ever done. Let me give a little back ground on my experience there. I left little Cache Valley on January 31, 2012 and traveled 24 hours to Africa. I went with the volunteer program IVHQ (International Volunteers Headquarters) and got placed in the pink program aka the WORSCA Orphanage, which is located in Dodowa. I instantly fell in love with the kids of that orphanage, its kind of hard not to.The orphanage consists of about 80 kids aging from a baby to 19 years old. All being the sweetest children you will ever meet, well, as long as they wern't giving you any trouble like normal kids do.

 While I was there I atteneded to to the childrens medical needs, paid for anything the children needed (medications, clothes, shoes, school fees, food ect) helped them with homework, helped prepare them for school in the mornings, and gave them love and affection. Our daily routine consisted of waking up every morning at 5:30am and walking to the orphanage and helping the kids get ready for school, by dressing them, helping prepare breakfast, and make sure they look presentable to go to school. While the children would be at school us as volunteers would do our laundry by washing it by hand in a bucket and doing chores that needed to be done. When the kids would arrive home we would then help them with homework, play with them, and help prepare dinner. On the weekends we would often travel around Ghana and site see while getting more cultured about where we were living for a few months. I enjoyed every minute of my trip! Except the one week I got Malaria and had to go to the hospital, that was the worst week ever, and Malaria is not the funnest sickness to get. But it was all apart of the experience right? haha The kids are pretty protective with the volunteers, they would always walk us home at night and look after us. At times we would get a DJ and have dance parties with the kids, they loved to dance and are so good at it. There were never dull moments!

I still stay in contact with the children and it feels so good to hear their voice and what they are up to.  A part of my heart was left in Ghana. I did promise the children I would go back. So thats what I'm going to do. But by being a poor college student funds are hard to come by. Any money donated will go straight to the children. It is easiest to go over and purchase things they need instead of transporting it from America. Plus things are a lot cheaper there! I will post more pictures soon!! ah love these kids! :) "Live as if you'll die tomorrow" and do things you want to do!

Top left: Felix has the most adorable smile

Top middle: Me holding Felix and Gifty

Top Right: Mercy being her adorable self

Bottom: Prince, Magdenline, and Gifty Giving kissy faces with their Gury (their after school snack, which actually doesn't taste that bad!)