Volunteer Information

Formerly the Gold Coast, a British colony. First African colony to achieve independence from Europe; Kwame Nkrumah first head of state. Celebrates 50th anniversary March 7, 2007. Ghana was first country to host U.S. Peace Corps (1961). Capital: Accra; other major cities: Kumasi (home of the Ashanti), Tamale, Cape Coast. Ghana is rich in mineral and natural resources including gold, manganese, industrial diamonds, cocoa, timber, palm oil and other products.

Language

Official language is English, although more than 75 African languages and dialects are spoken.

Size

Great Britain or the state of Oregon.

Population

More than 20 million people (was 6 million in 1967); more than 50% children under age 18. Increasingly urban, reflecting rural-urban drift, especially among youth. Farming is still principal employer; child labor is a major problem. Economic growth not keeping up with population growth. Current efforts by government and NGOs to encourage private enterprise investment.

Kissehman

Walking past the market into the heart of the Kissehman community, one is struck by the hardness of the surroundings. The ground is compacted dirt and sand, and the walls of the densely spaced compounds are made of concrete or mud bricks. Most people are laborers or sellers, if they are lucky enough to get work, and their bodies seem constructed of stone. There are no parks in Kissehman, and trees are difficult to find. An abundance of small streams of toilet water run down the walking paths, and trash is strewn like leaves.

Language

Kissehman is primarily an Ewe-speaking community, but most people can converse in Twi. Hausa is spoken among Muslims. English is spoken by many.

Size/Population

Kissehman is roughly a square one-and-a-half miles. Population estimates center around 2000 people, but the number could be closer to 4000. It’s labeled an “urban community” because it is within the capital of Ghana, Accra. However, there are plenty of chickens, goats, and other small animals, blurring the usual delineation between city and country.

School

Classes contain up to 60 students who are crammed together on desks where there is little air to breathe. Students are forced to do rote learning, and they are beaten if they get answers wrong in class, if their uniforms are ripped, if they did not buy their expensive schoolbooks, or if they are not wearing the correct shoes. Children whose parents don't have money get beaten every day for a financial situation they cannot control. Most parents are illiterate and cannot sign their names. School ranges from primary (kindergarten – 5th grade), junior secondary school (6th, 7th and 8th grade), and senior secondary school (high school). Children in primary school attend class for four hours a day.

Food, Water, and Shelter

The fundamentals of life—food, water, and shelter—are difficult to find in abundance. People eat starchy foods to fill the belly, such as banku, akple, and fufu, which are variations of ground corn or cassava mixed with boiling water to make a type of dough. These foods are eaten with spicy stew.

Clean and plentiful water is a luxury. Wells and taps often run dry and leave the people to walk for miles to find water. Some resort to extracting water from the giant gutter that flows across the base of Kissehman hill.

People's houses are places to lay one's head at night. They are often small constructions of cement or mud brick with aluminum roofs. There are often holes in the screens of the doors and windows, or there are spaces between the top wall and the roof, which allows mosquitoes, lizards, and rodents to enter freely. Some people have electricity, but the government shuts it down periodically, so no one relies on it. Most people cook over coal pots. One will often find four or five people crammed into a space the size of most U.S. bathrooms.

Social Status Differences

The extremes in wealth are astounding. Just a ten-minute walk from Kissehman are towering mansions locked behind high gates. A ten-minute drive away is the University of Ghana at Legon, a large campus filled with white buildings, clean gutters, and the intelligentsia of West Africa. Most people in Kissehman, however, stay in Kissehman, especially the children.

Customs

It is customary to eat, give things to people, and shake with the right hand. It is an insult to use the left hand. Handshakes involve a pump, grasp, pump, and snap of the fingers.

The People

People in Kissehman help each other through hard times. It is common for storeowners to give their customers goods on credit, knowing people will surely pay when they are able. People are renowned for their friendliness, and it is impossible to go anywhere without shaking people's hands. The people of Kissehman are extremely welcoming and will give strangers their last bit of food without thinking of themselves. Altruism is a common practice, and the sound of laughter, chatter, and drumming is as constant as the sun. No one is ever alone or lonely in Kissehman. Children run around freely, and every adult considers herself or himself their mother or father and looks after them. There are no cars in Kissehman because the paths are wide enough for only feet, so there is no danger of traffic. This is a poor urban community, but it is vibrant, unforgettable, and overflowing with potential. The people's spirits and humor have the power to make the poverty disappear, and the people are what one remembers when one finally leaves.

Volunteering

Mission

The Global Ghana Youth Network is a local-global organization working to educate, empower, and inspire youth in U.S.A and West Africa. In the impoverished Ghanaian neighborhood of Kissehman, we provide desperately needed resources and educational opportunities, meeting children’s basic needs while encouraging them to learn and grow. In U.S, we work with schools, organizations, and youth groups to facilitate exciting cross-cultural exchange. These programs connect young people to the local and global community, and help develop their full potential as tomorrow’s creative, thoughtful leaders.

Activities

Center of Operations

Our center of operations is very humble: a wooden enclosure with a dirty floor and no roof. There is one Nim tree to offer a little shade, but there is no protection from the rain, dust, or afternoon sun. This is the place where we hold drumming and dancing rehearsals. It is located next to Mollishmael’s mother’s house.

Paco Stand

Paco Stand is Mollishmael’s home and is a 20-minute walk from the center in a community called Parakuo Estates, which borders Kissehman. Outside is a beautiful mango tree where we hold “morning class” and “afternoon class” with the children. We learn on wooden benches and tables, and we use donated school materials, such as pencils, books, paper, and markers, to teach and help the children with their homework. This is also the place where volunteers stay.

Schedule

We operate around the kids' school schedules. Some of our youth go to school in the afternoon, so we have "morning class" at 8:00 a.m. Most of our youth, however, go to school in the morning, so we have "afternoon class," apprenticeships, and dance rehearsals after 1 p.m.

The Children

The heart of our organization is, of course, our 150-200 children. They have grown up in Kissehman or nearby Christian Village, and they range from ages three to 18. We have youth at all levels of school as well; from class one to junior secondary school.

Duties

Housing

Volunteers may stay at a house called Paco Stand in Parakuo Estates, located at the base of Kissehman hill. The housing is modest and offers volunteers a chance to learn how many people in Ghana live. This is Mollishmael’s home, and he stays here with volunteers to ensure their security. The area is relatively secluded, compared to most of Accra, and people have described it as “peaceful.” There is a beautiful mango tree in the front yard. The house consists of a kitchen area, a living area, and a bathroom. We now have running water in a sink, a flushing toilet, and a working shower. Although volunteers may use the newly-built, indoor bathroom, it is advisable to only use it at night and during the rainy season. There is a pit latrine outside for daytime use and an open-air shower stall for bucket showers. People in Ghana take at least two showers a day, so feel free to do the same. Bring biodegradable soap if you can. For sleeping, after confirmation of your trip, a reservation will be made in a nearby guest house for you. The guest house will be both safe and affordable.

Food

There is a gas stove and plenty of pots and pans at Paco Stand where volunteers, Mollishmael, and the kids make homemade meals. Nearby are many stands and little stores where one may buy an assortment of canned food, meat, rice, vegetables, fruit, bread, candy, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, drinks, etc. The Kissehman market is located a 25-minute walk from Paco Stand, and there are various Western-style supermarkets in Accra, although prices there are inflated. It’s difficult to go anywhere in Accra without passing small restaurants or vendors selling street food. FanIce, ice cream sold in plastic pouches, is especially popular, and it’s safe for foreigners to eat. Fried rice and chicken is very popular at the restaurants, along with traditional Ghanaian dishes. Volunteers should not eat any uncooked vegetables or fruit without skin. Be careful of ice and rare meat.

Water

Volunteers should never drink water that has not been properly bottled or sealed. Since the weather is always hot, plan to buy lots of water, and make sure to drink at least two-nalgenes-full a day. A one-and-a-half liter bottle of Voltic water costs 70 Ghana cedis—less than $1. Although not as fool-proof as bottled water, it is acceptable to drink Pure Water, little sachets of water that cost no more than four cents each. Avoid swimming in lakes or rivers, and beware of heavy currents in the ocean. If you are in a situation where you have to walk through flooded waters to get to your destination, rub your feet and legs briskly afterward with a towel to avoid schistosomiasis (transmitted when the larva of parasites penetrate the skin and pass into the bloodstream). On a similar note, don’t walk outside barefoot. It is fine to shower with well water.

Money

Currently the exchange rate is 1.1 Ghana cedis to the dollar, although you’ll get a better exchange rate (about 93) for large bills, such as fifties or hundreds. Traveler’s checks get a low exchange rate. Money can be changed at banks with little hassle. Ghana is currently undergoing a currency change (from “cedis” to “Ghana cedis”). It’s best to bring a safety pouch to wear inside your clothes when you travel. Put cash and credit/debit card(s) in here, along with your passport and immunization record. Don’t carry around these important items with you while you’re in Ghana, but do deposit them in a safe place in Kissehman (Mollishmael will show you). Most people bring dollars and keep them for emergencies, while using their debit/credit cards to withdraw Ghana cedis from ATMs. Most ATMs accept Visa, but it’s difficult to find ones that accept MasterCard. The closest ATMs are at Legon, a 15-minute drive away, and are used regularly by university students. If, for some reason, an ATM takes your money, report as soon as possible to the head office of the bank responsible for the ATM. People are excellent about refunding money in this type of situation. Make sure to let your bank know that you will be using your credit/debit card in Ghana. Also, give someone you trust your bank information, so they may, if needed, do transactions for you in your absence. Do not expect to use your debit/credit card to purchase everyday items, especially in rural areas. Most stores and all vendors only accept cash, and it’s unusual to receive receipts. The common practice is to bargain. The best way to get the most accurate price on something as a foreigner is to take whatever price the vendor gives you and divide by three. That’s how much you should generally pay. Although prices in Ghana are relatively cheaper than prices in the U.S., they are not as inexpensive as one might think, and prices are rising daily. Make sure to carry enough cash with you as you travel around Kissehman and Ghana. It’s good practice to record everything that you buy.

Transportation

It’s easy to find taxis in Accra to take you anywhere you want to go. You hail a taxi by using a “slowing-down” movement of the hand. Never get into a taxi without coming to a consensus on a price and make sure the driver knows the place you want to go. Tro-tros (mini-buses) are less expensive and stick to a set price, but they only follow specific, well-traveled routes, which are not written down and which only local people know (of course you could travel by tro-tro and ask everyone you meet for directions. It has been done many times).

Internet Access

There are at least four internet cafes within half a mile of Paco Stand, so it is easy for volunteers to connect to the outside world. An hour of internet time generally costs about $1.

Phones

Family and friends can reach volunteers through Mollishmael’s cell phone: 011-233-24-345-4961. He does not pay for received calls. If a volunteer wants to call out using Mollishmael’s phone, he or she may purchase credit at a nearby store in order to call. The organization does not have a land line. You could also buy your own cell phone on a lower rate.

Planes

Plane tickets to Ghana from the U.S. can be bought through North American Airlines (the only direct flight), Emirates Airlines (which is cheap but goes through Dubai), Alitalia, and British Airways, among others. The most you should pay for a round-trip ticket is $2,000. But Delta seems to be the best airline because they fly directly from the U.S to Ghana.

Visas

A single entry visa costs $50 and can be obtained at www.ghana-embassy.org. The Embassy of Ghana can be found at 3512 International Drive, Washington D.C., 20008. Their telephone number is 1-202-688-4520.The U.S. Embassy in Ghana is online at http://accra.usembassy.gov/.

Health Insurance

Having some form of health insurance is highly recommended. Check to see if your current health care provider has international coverage. If it doesn’t, try Gateway at http://www.gatewayplans.com/about/index.cfm.

Immunizations and Medicine

You will need proof of a yellow fever vaccination to get into the country. Also, it is essential that you are up-to-date on all your shots, including ones for hepatitis, meningitis, typhoid, MMR, polio, and tetanus. Malaria is probably the most serious infectious disease a traveler can get. It is caused by a parasite that is carried by a mosquito, and it can be fatal. Symptoms include fever, shaking chills, and progressive illness. The best way to avoid malaria is to not get bitten by infected mosquitoes. Pack a DEET repellent, use mosquito nets, and cover up your arms and legs at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Also, take preventative medication. You can buy it for an inexpensive price at a pharmacy in Ghana or purchase it from a doctor in the U.S. Medications include Malarone, Mefloquine, Fansidar, Doxycycline, and Proguanel, among others. Travelers’ diarrhea is very common and occurs when you ingest contaminated food or water. Even if you are careful, you may develop diarrhea. Make sure to replace your fluids and treat mild cases with over-the-counter medicines such as Pepto Bismol. Or, treat it with prescribed antibiotics.

Safety

As the Consular Information Sheet says, various types of theft and scams are the most common forms of crime confronting visitors. It is important to travel in groups, avoid travel at night, and limit your display of money or wealth. Carry only limited cash and only photocopies of valuable documents. When walking in a crowd of people, don’t put money in your pockets. Read the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1124.html.

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