It’s 4 PM here at Asitey Park and the neighborhood Krobo kids are gathering for their after-school games. It’s a time of day our GLA students can all remember with a smile, from the kids running up the hill to meet us, to their endless supply of hugs and affection, day after day.

Looking back on our two weeks here in Ghana, many highlights come to mind that took place right here at our home base. One night, Papa Henry led dancing and singing around a blazing bonfire to the backdrop of drums and our local kitchen staff breaking it down, all under starry African skies. The naming ceremony initiated us all into the Krobo community, as our Krobo names were drawn from the calabash and then cried out by us who were adorned in full ceremony-wear plus paint. Or when the rain was coming in through the windows amidst hurricane-strength winds, how our local team jumped on the de-flooding mission, and we gathered in the cozy den where the sense of community in our family felt truly authentic. Even in our group’s most perilous moments of disagreement, we were able to overcome conflict and bond together stronger than before, a feat which will surely empower all of us in any future struggles we may face.

Other images come to mind from adventure excursions such as us staring in awe at the immensity of Boti Falls or cruising down the Volta River in an all-out downpour!

Our group’s desire to “be the change” could be seen in service as they rose to the challenge in the classroom, in how they broke the brick-making record on the final service day with a twenty-one bricks total, and how our students spearheaded their very own community trash and recycle pick-up afternoon, bringing all hands on deck, as they empowered the local kids to help and inspired them to keep their community clean.

The session finally closed with back to back to back birthdays and students seizing the moment on stage during their memorable capstone presentations. Let’s all remember the wonderful moments from our GLA trip to Ghana, whether navigating the madness of the market, gazing out over rolling green mountains from the rooftop, or watching the sunset over the Asitey soccer field amidst our Krobo family and the Children ofGhana.

So finally, in memory of our trip, let’s all let out a resounding “BA BA BA BA SHEE BA BA OOOHH…OH SHE BA BA!!”

Sergio Ryan – Mentor

 

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Hey Everyone,

I hope this letter finds you well. Time goes by in a flash. I know those two weeks sure did. I bet by now you are in the middle of your school year. In the midst of waiting for college applications, playing soccer, rowing, singing and so many of the other activities you all are involved in; I want you to take a moment to reflect on our time in Ghana. Between the fun of singing over and over to “All Star”, mixing tons of “Morta”, playing with children, and sitting by the lagoon for meals we all had periods of growth and self-reflection. I hope you continue to embrace that growth, continue to reflect on how you can contribute to society, and continue to combat the single stories you hear around you.

Remember that our time spent in Dzita truly made an impact on the community and within ourselves. You worked hard in building compost toilets for families within the community. Families that understood the value of the toilets and in return worked very hard to contribute what they had to keep their loved ones and themselves healthy longterm. Moreover, as a result of our time we learned so much about public health and sustainable development! The knowledge YOU gained on this trip we hope will serve you and the communities you find yourselves in for the rest of your life!

SO much was accomplished while creating some sexy toilets AND new friendships. I hope while you read this you find yourself smiling because there was a ton of fun that happened during your time here that made the experience all the better. Some of those great times included:

– Doot Doot

– More Echee

– Yevu

– Sweet Tea and cowboy boots

– Sucrose, Lactose

– Autobots Roll Out!!

– Shooting stars and planets

– Fire on the Mountain

– “Sweet”

-“Morta” or “Water”?!

-Toe socks

Two weeks may not seem like a long time but it can make all the difference in the world. I hope you made some lasting memories and continue to think about what kind of leader you want to be in society. I am so very proud of you all and know you will go far!

– Jennifer Duncan (Mentor)

 

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To my Strong Women and Gentleman of 2018 Foundations of Global Health,

We were small but mighty and I can’t believe how quickly everyone bonded in just a short two weeks. SO much was accomplished, creating some sexy toilets and everlasting friendships!

I hope while you read this you find yourself smiling and laughing, because there was a ton of that happening during your time here and that made the experience all the better.

Cam, Jorg, Rose, Sofia, Charlotte, and Fran thank you for such positivity and open minds you brought with you as we experienced Ghana time, but still on point to completing what we needed, while having so much fun!

Some special moments from our trip:
-Waltzing on the deck to create distraction for the birthday cake!
-Cheyenne
– Oh that Mosquito net!
-Seeing the stars and planets at night (because there are no stars in the States)
-Blue
-So Many Smoothies
-”You create your own happiness” -Togbi Kumassa
-It’s not good or great it’s perfect
-Service in the sun
-Great, now that I see your Beautiful face
-It’s Potty Time
-Fire on the mountain, fire burning Oh, fire, fire, fire burning ohhh!

I know you all will go on to do some amazing things in this world, but always remember this time we shared and things we learned.

Akpe ka ka ka

-Desi
International Director

 

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We can’t believe how long it’s been since our trip in Ghana ended. I can still imagine eating on the deck in the lagoon creating a loud drum roll for Justine to announce what our meals were. It feels like just yesterday the chief asking us all if we wanted to marry and how many children we want to have! It was great to see everyone opening up and getting to know each other, and we were also able set some group goals for the session.

Our time and work here in Dzita truly did make an impact. You helped in building those composts for families who have worked hard to contribute what they have to keep their family healthy. We mixed lots of ‘Morta’, sweat plenty while keeping those smiles plastered to our faces (see what I did there?) And more importantly, the knowledge YOU gained on this trip we hope will serve you and the communities you go on to be in for the rest of your life! We now know how important it is for someone to have a clean and close space for their toilets and the education it takes to make it happen.

Some special moments from our trip:

-Lots of games of ‘Wa’

-‘Sawce’

-Singing by the bonfire

-Finger snap handshakes

-DJ Ferry

-Yevu! Yevu!

-Carrying pans of water/sand on our heads

-Poggers

-Jasper the Plaster Master

There are hundreds more memorable moments from our two weeks together, but when looking back at photos and reminiscing over that one time in Ghana, we’ll all think fondly of our time together.

I know you will all go on to be great leaders!!

-Desi

 

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Dearest Sons and Daughters (Amelia, Carly R, Carly T, Carson, Grace, Mack, Marcus, Michael, Sarah, Sofia, Sophie, Will):

Hey, everyone!

We hope this letter finds you all living your best lives with sweet adventurous memories of our time together in Ecuador with GLA.

We truly accomplished a lot together from developing lifelong friendships to giving back to the communities that so graciously accommodated us to learning so much about Ecuador and the Galápagos. We hope you feel a sense of pride when you look back on how well you adapted and maintained positivity outside of your comfort zones. That is, after all, what GLA and travel are all about! Y’all are seriously amazing humans, and we know how fortunate we are to have gotten the chance to travel together!

Some of our favorite memories include:

-Watching your teamwork as you harvested the forbidden yucca at Campo Duro
-Your curiosity about the place you were visiting and that you always had questions for the guides
-When you actually won the soccer game against the locals!
-Your welcoming attitude to the 2 long lost sisters
-The joyous performance of Dancing Queen each time it played
-Watching the sea lions chase the penguins while kayaking
-Your amazing snorkeling luck – so many sharks!
-The disco ceviche party in the cafeteria of Hostal Sandrita
-The Chiva Bonita party bus in Quito!
-Your fast friendships that only grew with each day
-Your willingness to be yourselves with each other in an authentic way

We feel fortunate to have gotten to spend part of our summer with this great group of humans. We, Tío Håkan, Tía Patrícia, Tío Wilson, Tío Fernando, and the tortoises thank you all so much!

We’d like to remind you of this quote:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
-Howard Thurman

Stay curious, stay kind, and follow your hearts always! (And stay in touch!)

With love,
Jenny (Mom), David (Dad), Tío Håkan, & Tía Patricia

 

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