Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Madison: As a volunteer at Drifting Angels Orphanage in Ghana, West Africa, we would wake up around 5 am and help the kids clean outside. They would make us breakfast and then they would sing and dance for Mama. Mama is the head leader of the orphanage. After the kids got ready for school and left, my friend, Megan who volunteered with me and I, would teach the Kindergartners since they didn't go to school yet. There were about 10 Kindergartneres. We would practice math, reading, singing and english. We would go on walks and do lots of singing. Around 3pm the kids would come home from school and we would play games, help with homework and play lots of soccer until dinner. After dinner, there was more singing and dancing and playing games with the kids until bed time.
What made this volunteer abroad experience unique and special?
Madison: This experience is something I will never forget. It was one of the most rewarded things I have done. I learned so much about gratitude for my own country and love for others. These kids at the orphanage have nothing, but are still so happy and full of life. It was something where you completely leave yourself and forget about who you are and focus on someone else and their well being.
What was the most interesting cultural difference you encountered?
Madison: There were many cultural differences while in Ghana. The travel systems was unique where you would all crowd in this little tiny bus to travel places. The food was very different and the grocery shopping is unlike any other place. There is no electricty, so you go grocery shopping EVERY day. There is no refrigeration, so you eat day to day not being able to store food. Even the language is different. When I first got there, I thought people were yelling at each other all the time, but it is just how they talk. I wasn't used to it, but it's just their way of communicating to each other.
Tell me about one person you met.
Madison: My favorite little orphan that I met is named Courage. He came into the orphanage about 1 month before I got there so he was still so shy and learning everything from the kids. He was very sick and would cough a lot at night. I would often just hold him in my arms and sing to him while the other kids played around and had a good time. He was very fragile and very sick. He was also very shy and would not let me hold him at first. While in the orphanage, I made it a goal to get to know Courage better and become his friend. By the end, he would not leave my side and became very healthy again. I miss this boy so much! I often wonder how he is and what he is doing. I talk more about him on my blog.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Madison: Every year when I teach my first graders here in Utah, I tell them about my experience in Ghana. I show them pictures and tell them how much the orphan kids didn't have. I tell them about how their school is outside and not in buildings like we have it here in the states. I try to re-live my experience there to show people that what we have is a very fortunate thing. Not everyone is blessed like we are. I talk more about this in my "Heart Break" blog post.