Forming bonds in Swedru, Ghana

COUNTRY: Ghana
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Health
WRITTEN BY: Shannon Briscoe

Maaha from Ghana! We arrived in Accra on Sunday the 24th at 11 am local time. The pilot kindly informed us that the temperature on the ground was 33 degrees celsius - yikes!

After a warm welcome from our In Country Partner Tina's team at the airport, all 7 volunteers settled into the hostel for 3 nights stay in Accra. The next three days were spent in Accra enjoying the sites.

The first day we worked up a sweat with drumming and dancing lessons followed by a dip in the warm water of Ghana's stunning beaches! The fishermen were hard at work on the shore tediously repairing holes to their nets. The following day, we embraced the challenge of navigating the busy market bargaining for a fair price. We took a break at a cafe to try some local Ghanian cuisine, 'fu-fu'. That night our efforts were rewarded with an AMAZING performance of dancing, singing, and drumming from a local performance group. Thursday morning we said 'see you soon' to our 'Big Black Mother' (Tina) and the rest of our hostel hosts and made our way to Swedru.

We met Seth on arrival for an introduction to Swedru and a rapid tour of Swedru. Early afternoon, we settled into our host family homes (in pairs), hung our mosquito nets, and crashed out pretty early.

For those at the hospital, the first day was mostly an introduction. We spread through various departments including labor and delivery, men's health, pediatrics, and emergency. It is safe to say, we all experienced a fair share of culture shock as we swapped stories over cold alvaros (local fruit soda-like drink) outside the internet cafe waiting an hour for the connection to come through again. We are slowly adjusting to the heat, humidity and Africa time, but the hospital environment will take a bit longer.


For those at the orphanage, life is hectic! Its a long day which starts at 7 each morning with the washing of all the young boys clothes so they are ready for the next day. At around 11 o'clock we switch roles from cleaners to teachers, trying to teach a very energetic group of 12 two to three year olds. They spend their time reading to them, singing songs, and give many hugs! By the time you know it, it is already 2 o'clock with some of the kids going home and the remaining orphans staying and playing with the volunteers.

We are having an amazing time here in Swedru and have already become quite close as group!