OG West Africa 2012 Review

Operation Groundswell is definitely one of the best organizations out there for volunteering abroad. I had the best experience of my life on this trip. I originally set out on this trip because I wanted to do something that would bring me out of my comfort zone and open me up to a new culture in a different way rather than the cookie cutter tourism experience. This trip did exactly that.

The best part of OG is that you actually get to immerse yourself into the culture of the country you are in. When they say, “you live like locals” they mean it. It is a whole different (and amazing!) experience when you are living in a house with 10 other strangers eating rice and vegetables you cooked yourself compared to staying in a hotel and eating fries and a burger. Even small things like riding the local bus, bargaining on the price of a bracelet, buying groceries, or trying to get a tro tro (a van kind of used for a taxi but usually cheaper) by yourself all adds to the experience and makes it that much more personal and memorable (rather than someone doing it all for you).

Day to day experiences included cooking and eating like locals (which was amazing!), and taking your own lead on volunteering projects in the village. Whether you wanted to help farm with G-Roots, help Gilbert at the local disability centre, organize soccer tournaments for the local schools, help out at the local resource centre, and/or have a workshop with the boys at the Horizons Children’s Centre, it was your choice. We would then come home and usually have a debrief about our day as a group, and discuss anything we were feeling, successes of the day and/or anything we needed help with. (These debriefs were much needed and amazing!) The trip leaders were awesome as well. One leader in particular was with us every step of the way and extremely supportive by just making sure were were physically and mentally okay, and was always there to help if we needed anything.

The highlight of this trip would definitely be working with the Horizons Children's Centre in Sandema. The boys there will teach you things you could not imagine. The love, wisdom, and experiences they share with you are unforgettable and make this trip worth every penny. Another major highlight would be during the independent travel time you are allotted during the trip. I myself along with 2 new friends decided to take daylong walks to experience the people of Ghana. This idea did not disappoint. We met the most amazing, kind, and generous people on our walk that have changed my outlook on people and life.