Why did you decide to volunteer with A Broader View in Ghana?
Gilchrist: We chose A Broader View to coordinate our trip because they were referred to our oldest son by a college friend. As it turns out, we were very glad we did because they too, were very helpful and accommodating of some personal twists we wanted to add to our trip.
We wanted to add some sight-seeing into our itinerary, and they and their in-country coordinator helped us tremendously in that respect. We also bought a case of 24 water filters that we had to pick up in Accra and that we distributed in the Volta region. They and their in-country staff were able to help us in this regard as well. They are very easy to communicate with.
What was your typical morning like?
Gilchrist: A typical morning in Kpando, Volta Region, started with our family (three teen-age sons with Mom and Dad) getting up around 7:00am (if not awakened by tractors prior to that time) so we could be at the children's home around 8:00am.
As we sat outside and watched the compound (a cluster of one or two room buildings) and the village come to life, our host family greeted us with coffee, tea, and fresh baked bread and butter.
As we enjoyed them, mothers with kids strapped to their backs criss-crossed the compound beginning their daily routines and older kids began their chores. We were there in January, so school was not in session. Because the compound did not have running water, we brushed our teeth with pouches of water at the sink in our room (and there was a clean and well-designed outhouse in the corner of the compound).
Once at the Children's Home (a 10-minute walk), we helped the staff with lessons they had planned, and also taught lessons we prepared and brought with us. We brought several craft-type activities and supplies with us. Some of our finest memories are of bonding with individual kids as we helped them with their lessons and activities. They are bright, beautiful, curious young minds.
How did you spend your afternoons?
Gilchrist: We would typically head back to the host family compound for lunch, the heartiest meal of the day, and then return to the Children's Home for the afternoon.
The walk to and from the Children's Home was interesting, in that we were clearly not residents of the village. As we walked, were universally greeted with smiles and waves from kids and adults alike. "Yovo" is a word that kids use to describe a white stranger.
It is not derisive, and was generally called out to get our attention for a smile and a wave. It is a wonderfully friendly and welcoming community. Most afternoons at the Children's Home were a little less structured than the mornings, and included games and exercise of various kinds. It was the dry season, and the roads and play areas kicked up quite a bit of dust.
We brought a lot of games, balls, chalk, etc. with us, and the afternoons were typically when we pulled them out. There were both organized and loose football (soccer) games, shoulder rides, drumming and dancing sessions, and for some of the quieter kids, a chance to do some more one-on-one reading. As the dinner hour approached, the kids were to do their own chores and clean up, so we went back to the host family compound where we played with the (many) village kids until dinner time.
Describe a typical evening.
Gilchrist: The host family ladies always prepared delicious meals, including dinner, after which we played with the village kids some more. We also used the evening time to talk with neighbors, take pictures and get to know the host family.
It was also a great time for journaling. The flow of water to the village was intermittent, so evenings were when enough water had been collected for us to bathe (not every day).
That was done with buckets of water in a stall off to the side of the compound. The air temperatures during our time generally ranged between 70 and 90 F degrees, and the evenings were lovely.
Tell me about the highlights of your trip.
Gilchrist: It is next to impossible to isolate a highlight of our trip, as it was one big highlight. What stands out to me from the Children's Home is first, how creative and entrepreneurial the staff is, given their mission and their limited resources. Second, we were moved by how thirsty the kids are for interaction and stimulation (like all kids are).
You can connect in a meaningful way with them with just a little effort, and they respond beautifully. We all unanimously have a tug on our heartstrings about not if, but when and in what context we will return. The host family was wonderful and welcoming and accommodating, and the country itself is beautiful, with natural splendor of flora and fauna.
The culture clearly values what you have in your heart as opposed to what you have in your wallet. Another highlight of my trip was my weekend away to Kakum National Park, Cape Coast and Elmina. We stayed overnight in a tree house in the middle of Kakum National Park and then did a canopy walk early in the morning which was really nice. We then stayed in Elmina at Stumbled Inn which was beautiful and peaceful and we also got to see some of the culture by seeing the slave fort.
What made this experience unique and special?
Gilchrist: The experience was unique and special because we all came away with a renewed understanding of what really matters in life. It afforded us the opportunity to touch people in a meaningful way, and to be touched by them, as well. It has changed my plans for the future because it reignited my spark of desire to be in the non-profit sector in some professional way. Each of my sons has begun to build some type of international aspect to their educational objectives. Our future is a little less clear, in a wonderful way.