Stepping off the plane into the 35C Ghanaian heat, in a somewhat empty, laidback airport; I suddenly realised that I was alone in my journey. It was a HUGE relief to find the Projects Abroad (TPA) representative (Eric) waving excitedly. On the short journey to my host family Eric informed me several times that I was very welcome to Ghana, and that I would love it. This, I found was very typical of Ghanaians.
One of the many benefits of traveling with TPA is that on your first day you receive a thorough induction, allowing you to be totally familiarized with the local area. I also sampled Ghanaian cuisine for the first time, which was AMAZING! Not recommended for those who don’t like spicy food.
On the second day I began working at my first of two placements.
One of the many benefits of traveling with TPA is that on your first day you receive a thorough induction, allowing you to be totally familiarized with the local area. I also sampled Ghanaian cuisine for the first time, which was AMAZING! Not recommended for those who don’t like spicy food.
On the second day I began working at my first of two placements.
Mount Mary’s Schools
“Madame, Madame, can you please teach our class today?” Is one of the many phrases that greeted me daily, one arrive at the Mount Mary school.
The school is situated in Ofankor, a poorer area of Accra, but you wouldn’t be able to tell this by looking at the students, whose determination to learn includes staying through breaks. In the case of one particular student, working hard to achieve ambitions such as being a nurse to “care for people who are sick,” because she often looks after family at home and wants to be able to “help people who don’t have a lot of money.”
The proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ezan, always comports a good ethos throughout the school with her motto of “Actions not Words” and unlike many of the schools in Ghana, she views caning as a last resort, rather than a standard method of discipline.
The school provides education for students between the ages of 2-14, and is divided into two sections: Primary and Junior High School, at which level they are required to take nationwide examinations that are administered by the Ghanaian Government. Break time highlights a key distinction between Western and Ghanaian cultures, as the students play well together despite age and gender differences. Or perhaps the best example would be watching the younger kids during their break time, as they eagerly try to cram everyone onto the roundabout (very reminiscent of tro rides!). Also worth watching, are the older kids cultural (and often less cultural) games such as “Bang, Bang” and “Jelly Bean.”
Coming soon to a playground near you.
My time at the school was spent teaching singing, which the kids LOVED! I’d often get spontaneous outbursts of the songs I’d taught them; memories I shall treasure for ever. I also helped pupils with their English, marking the essays from the older students. It was a thoroughly rewarding experience, and I am hoping to continue the link I have with the school so that it may continue to benefit.
“Madame, Madame, can you please teach our class today?” Is one of the many phrases that greeted me daily, one arrive at the Mount Mary school.
The school is situated in Ofankor, a poorer area of Accra, but you wouldn’t be able to tell this by looking at the students, whose determination to learn includes staying through breaks. In the case of one particular student, working hard to achieve ambitions such as being a nurse to “care for people who are sick,” because she often looks after family at home and wants to be able to “help people who don’t have a lot of money.”
The proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ezan, always comports a good ethos throughout the school with her motto of “Actions not Words” and unlike many of the schools in Ghana, she views caning as a last resort, rather than a standard method of discipline.
The school provides education for students between the ages of 2-14, and is divided into two sections: Primary and Junior High School, at which level they are required to take nationwide examinations that are administered by the Ghanaian Government. Break time highlights a key distinction between Western and Ghanaian cultures, as the students play well together despite age and gender differences. Or perhaps the best example would be watching the younger kids during their break time, as they eagerly try to cram everyone onto the roundabout (very reminiscent of tro rides!). Also worth watching, are the older kids cultural (and often less cultural) games such as “Bang, Bang” and “Jelly Bean.”
Coming soon to a playground near you.
My time at the school was spent teaching singing, which the kids LOVED! I’d often get spontaneous outbursts of the songs I’d taught them; memories I shall treasure for ever. I also helped pupils with their English, marking the essays from the older students. It was a thoroughly rewarding experience, and I am hoping to continue the link I have with the school so that it may continue to benefit.
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