Ghana (2014)
This summer’s journey to Ghana is our fourth in the last decade. Throughout this time we have developed strong partnerships with the Ghanaian community based organizations that we visit each trip. This year, for the first time, several youth from “Adagana” (one of our partner organizations) will travel with ISP to another region of Ghana. This is one small way we are able to support the organizations who have welcomed us with open arms throughout the years.
ISP is life-changing experience. Check out the photos and review the members’ reflections. You will surely see why it is said that “travel is the best education”.
Photos
Reflections
Afterwards, we returned to our bungalow where we had a few hours to prepare for dinner at Susan’s house. Susan invited a woman and her daughter (who were in Ghana because her husband is a visiting professor at University of Ghana), four youth that were going to college in America this fall, Professor Kodzo, and others Susan met here in Ghana. We all sat in a circle and ate as a group. The food was really, really good. After dinner, we mingled with each other and learned some of the popular dances in Ghana. Some of the Bro/Sis members tried to teach the other people the dances we do in New York but that didn’t work out too well.
We had so much fun! I hope we can see those youth again. Later that night, we headed back to our bungalow where we played card games and talked until we got sleepy. Even though we were tired, I think we had a great first day in Ghana and I look forward to more days like this (minus being tired). I can’t wait to explore the rest of Ghana!
After we had lunch we went to a market in Osu where we got to actually be in the mix of street life in Ghana. Everything was moving so fast paced. The people running the shops were persuasive. I’m glad I got the opportunity to come to Ghana because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t get a chance to see all that I have seen so far. I can’t wait to see what else is in store.
He was so surprised and happy that high schoolers were traveling and learning things in Ghana. After that, we attended a lecture conducted by Dr. Wazi Apoh at the Department of Archaeology. It was a pretty interesting lecture; he touched on heritage, Ghana’s textile industry, the Iron Age and more. Later on, we had dinner and watched a performance by GDE including our instructors from earlier in the day. The lead teacher, Ben Aybttei, welcomed us and invited us to dance on the stage with the Ensemble.
It’s difficult to explain but this experience has been breathtaking. Not many young people get to travel to Ghana or even outside of their home country. It makes me feel privileged to be here and motivates me to always strive for success.
I’m trying my hardest to get used to feeling like I stand out like a sore thumb. I guess they’re as curious about my home as I am about theirs. I am totally grateful for having the opportunity to connect with the ADAGANA group, especially my friend Peace. I promised never to forget her or the other members of ADAGANA. I am just grateful to be able to actually visit places my ancestors may have been.
All I felt was disgust for the conditions and nausea from the stench that filled the fort. I already understand how cruel humanity is. Being at Fort Prinzestein was just further confirmation that no matter where we are (USA or Ghana) there are evil and negative things happening in this world. It’s something that I believe is human nature. I think we need to stop viewing things that happen in other countries as none of our business. As long as we live in the same world, we need to work together.
Worst of all, there is no ceiling – just a huge roof that covers three rooms where I can hear everything in the room next to mine. Just saying, Ronnie’s snoring is not pleasant. However, that was last night and we all survived. Today we took a two hour ride to a town named Ntosno where we met up with an organization named Thread. Thread has the same mission as Bro/Sis, to change the world for the better. At Thread, we created Adinkra cloth for the brownstone where we chose five Adinkra symbols that describes the group as a whole. Also, everyone created their own Adinkra cloth with the symbols of their choice. Afterwards, everyone picked a member from Thread to be their partner for tree planting. My partner was named Claremina.
She is 15 years old in junior high with two younger brothers who are 11 and 9 years old. She dreams of being a well known chemist and she loves to dance. Later on in the day, Claremina danced with the rest of the members of Thread. She is really good! The performance was really nice and lively – even the people from the community came to watch. It was sad to leave, but we made friends that we will never forget.
