TIME CAPSULE LETTER
Written by Tatiana, Henry, Caroline, Nana Ama, Ericka (& hello from the Home Base team of Abba, Freda, Elizabeth, Olivia, Comfort, Daniel, and Francis)
Dear Amina, Eva, Lorelei, Milly, Morgan, Jade, Olivia, Toby, Yousef, Siena, Julia, and Zeina,
Greetings from your GLA Ghana team!
We hope you are all doing well, embracing new challenges in and out of high school, and being the change in your communities. It’s unbelievable how we packed so many amazing adventures in our 14 day program, and now that you are all back home we decided to bring all those memories back.
Remind yourself of the first moment you stood in front of a class filled with Ghanaian students. You could see the anticipation of the students and feel the nervous energy in yourself. Hearing them in unison saying “Good morning!” must have been a strange moment, but then that tension was cut with the first laugh or the first smile you got out of the students. With all your planning, games and collaboration you put together fun and impactful classes. We saw you take on this challenge with such grace and energy that was reflected in how much the students loved seeing you every day.
Watching your commitment to visiting the park to spend time with new friends was a highlight to us, showing how dedicated you all were to immersing yourself in the Asitey community and building strong connections with the people who welcomed you into their homes and lives. Considering how long, hot and humid the days often were, we were so impressed that you embraced singing, dancing and playing with the children every single afternoon.
Let’s not forget about all of the fun that we had together – the conversations, games, rounds of uno, taking pictures and videos, ramen time and nightly snacks before bed – there was always plenty of laughs to be had everyday! You were an amazing group and we hope you continue to bring your sense of adventure everywhere you go! During our 14 days together we created countless memories, we will leave you with some of our highlights:
- Walking around the village on your first morning in Ghana, and seeing both the primary school and the nursery. SO many children!
- Sitting out on the rooftop under the Ghanaian morning and nighttime skies
- PARK TIME! Spending time every afternoon with all the children who came to adore you
- Nightly visits to the Tuck shop with Nana Ama and Ericka for plenty of snacks
- “Pump’s on!” – running to the showers every evening once the water had been switched on. Some of you even tried a bucket shower!
- Meeting Vida the seamstress to have beautiful clothes designed and made to measure from African print fabric
- Hiking to Buoniti – aka Boti Falls – where you flexed your agility skills up the steep trail to balancing rock and three palm tree…before finishing off with a much-needed refreshing swim, taking in stunning views of a rainbow over the water, and eating a tasty rice lunch made by Olivia, Freda, Comfort, Elizabeth, and Abba
- Learning lots of different Krobo songs and dances with Henry, and practising them at many different occasions
- Being made to feel so welcome by the Pastor and congregation at Church on Sunday; standing shoulder to shoulder with the community and appreciating their way of life as they danced, sang, and worshipped
- That first day up in front of class on Monday morning at the beginning of service week, saying “Good morning” to all your students.
- Completing construction at the Primary School and helping masons move closer to their goal of being able to open a much-needed teachers’ lounge on site
- Deepening your connections within the community by visiting your host families, learning how to speak Krobo with them, and experiencing their day to day lives
- Henry leading the Dipo talk and traditional Naming ceremony, giving you all unique Krobo names gifted by The Oracle!
- Exploring the amazing bustling Wednesday market; putting your Krobo language skills to good use for both souvenir buying and Henry’s shopping challenge (finding lady ’88’!)
- Discovering all about the history behind Cedi beads, making your own, and buying souvenirs at the visiting craft market
- Tasting all the unique and delicious dishes that Ghana has to offer (Red Red – bean stew, Akata Hwenyo – peanut butter soup, Omotuo – rice balls, Sobolo – hibiscus juice, plantain chips, to name but a few), not to mention the amazing daily fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple, mango)
- Practicing your batik printing skills!
- The incredible energy from the drumming and dancing group, who got you all on your feet to practice with them
- Celebrating Amina’s birthday!
- Enjoying an ultimate day of relaxation at Sajuna Resort in the swimming pool – the perfect way to cool off after a very busy two weeks
- The wonderful moment of appreciation on our final night Asitey Park homebase
Remember the One Meaningful Goal that you wrote in your journal? Hopefully you are on track to achieve it and staying in contact with the group to make the whole process more fun.
We admire you for embracing this challenge with an open-mind, flying all the way to the other side of the world to experience how to teach in Ghanaian schools, and learn about community development, whilst also making lasting friendships along the way! Every single one of you made an impact and left their own mark in the initiatives you contributed to, but mostly in the people who lived this program with you for the 14 days. The future holds great things for each and every one of you, as unique and brilliant individuals, and inspiring young leaders. We trust you will find the path to be the change!
Your Ghana GLA team wishes you all the best!
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Here are a few things you can expect:
- We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
Cell Phone Policy: The GLA cell phone policy is currently in place this summer to help foster meaningful connections between students. This means your student’s phone will be collected every day and returned to them after activities are completed to have with them through the night. Actual tech times and regularity will vary greatly by program location and time zones. During designated ‘tech time’, your student may use their phones as they wish. Please note that your student may not always choose to use this time to get a hold of their parents. If you are not hearing directly from your student each day, you can assume that no news is good news! We strongly recommend you follow the blog to follow your students’ experience without talking to them every day. If you are a parent and would like to get in touch with your student directly, you can call us at +1-619-758-3031 and we can set up a formal time for you to connect with your student.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 27
Hello Families!
We arrived safely yesterday to what will be our new home for the next 13 days in Krobo!
We got in just for dinner time and had our first dinner at home base – fried rice with chicken, and tomato stew and mango as dessert!
Unfortunately two of us (Morgan and Jade) got our luggage lost but hopefully we will get them by tomorrow morning latest!
Today we got to taste some more delicious Ghanaian food (red red which is a typical ghanaian dish consisting of bean stew with fried plantain and gari – grinded cassava), we had a tour around the town and got to see where we will be doing our service (which starts tomorrow!). It has been raining here a little but hopefully later in the day we will get to go to Asitey Park to meet the local kids.
We are very excited for the days to come, especially being able to spend more time with the kids from Krobo and learn all about the culture of Ghana.
Lots of love from Ghana.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 28
Hello from the mouse busters! Julia here 🙂
First day of service! 4 of us went to the nursery to teach/hang out with the younger kids, and the rest went to the primary school. The kids are absolutely adorable 😀 They have so much energy. Teaching was another story, not as smooth as we had hoped, but it’s definitely a great learning experience. We came back for a fresh lunch, played a quick game of ah-so-co and got fitted for clothes by a seamstress. The fabrics are vibrant and beautiful, can’t wait for the handmade clothes to get back and have a fashion show! A quick check in and we were out for the park with the kids! Two hours have never flown by so quick; they give us so much love we are exhausted by the end of the day. Dinner consisted of chicken, spaghetti, and mixed veggies. Food here has been amazing! A bonfire awaits us for the night, until tomorrow!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 29 & 30
July 29
By Morgan & Zeina
Today we started the day with a colorful surprise of strawberry vanilla pancakes! Then we were on Ghana time and left a little late for the hike; nevertheless, after a long bumpy ride we finally arrived to the trailhead. We took a beautiful walk through jungle up some steep rocks. We hiked a bit more to the umbrella rock that has been there 236 years. Further on down the trail we were shocked to find a three headed palm tree. After a long walk back and 250 steps later the moment we were all waiting for: THE WATERFALLS! The girls immediately ran in and embraced the refreshing water after a tiring hike. As we were drying off emerging from the mist was a mystical rainbow, a wonderful surprise after a cloudy morning.
Sadly, we were too late to meet our local friends, so instead had dinner which included a colorful assortment of pastas. Next we had mentor time, this is when both of us introduced a new game that had a dramatic twist. We ended the day welcoming our last addition to our group YOUSEF!
July 30
Written by Amina
The mouse busters started the day off with a fulfilling breakfast followed by a morning at the church for Sunday service. It was a beautiful experience for everyone and it was a great opportunity for us to gain insight into the fascinating culture of Ghana, their faith, their fashion and most importantly their love for music and dancing.
We went back to camp base for lunch followed by an intense anchor activity. We debated the topic of the positive and negative effects of urbanization on the children of Ghana. This debate ensured that as a group we were all aware of the important issues that the children of Ghana face daily. It also helped develop our confidence as well as our ability to consider and think about others’ perspectives. Next we headed to the park for another chaotic yet enjoyable 2 hours with the children, there was also a game of football going on with the older boys which was exceptional!
We came back to a delicious dinner. The food here is spectacular and it’s a perfect way to immerse us into the culture here. My personal favorite is the omo-tuo! Finally, we ended the day preparing for our service tomorrow (teaching). We all enjoyed planning the lessons out and it was interesting to see the different topics each class is learning.
Lots of love from Ghana!☺️
BLOG POST FOR JULY 31
Written by Toby
We started off the new week with our first early morning. Our GLA Staff greeted us with a delicious breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, bread and a refreshing cup of mixed fruit to start our morning. When we were done eating we then split up for service. The construction & primary group made a lot of progress on the flooring for the school building and got more confident in teaching their lessons. The nursery group taught their lesson plans as usual and we got back for lunch – mangos, potatoes, ripe plantains and rice with chicken stew. The afternoon continued with service prep for our next school day and then we a had our first host family visit where we were taught how to speak Krobo which is the local language. After spending a few hours in the park with our favorite friends we wrapped up the evening with a beautiful naming ceremony where we learned the history of the village we are staying in as well as getting a Krobo name and ending the night with popcorn and dancing.
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1
Hi this is Siena Olsen in Ghana. Today we woke up and had this really good rice water with milk for breakfast and then we walked to the primary school. We worked on the construction and mixed cement for the floor and the outside area and then made it smooth. Then after 2 hours we went to the actual classrooms and taught. I am teaching Basic 4 (4th grade) and we went outside and gathered materials to make our own ecosystem and then built them back in the classroom because we are learning about ecosystems. And then we came back and had lunch which was really good and we said things we appreciate about each other. Then we went to the host families and learned more Krobo and then we went to the park where we played for around 2 hours. They are all so cute and nice and then we came back and ate dinner. So fun. We ended the night with an amazing cultural dance show!
Much love from Ghana!
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 2
Written by Olivia
I ta mo ama (good evening) from the Mouse Busters!! I realized this morning that most of you probably do not know the origin of our group name. In summary, there was a mouse incident at the beginning of our trip and as a result, we made futile attempts at becoming exterminators (hence the name).
Anyway, we all started the day with a breakfast of oats, buffed loaves (one of my favorites), toast and pineapple. Morgan, Jade, Julia and Lorelei shortly made their way to the nursery and the rest of us waited until 10am to go to the school since we had a break from construction today. We will resume tomorrow in a different area.
After returning from service with hungry stomachs, we had a fantastic lunch of omotuo (rice balls) and akacehuenyu (peanut butter soup)— another one of our favorite dishes. We chilled for a bit until we got ready to go to the market, where we all hopped into Henry’s fabulous pink truck. Some of us sat in the backseat, but most of us sat in the trunk. The wind was blowing through our hair and mist filled the air. It felt like a scene from a movie!!
The market was an incredible place full of colorful umbrellas and a hugeeeeee variety of things to purchase, ranging from food (snails, fruits, fish, etc.) to soaps and fabrics. We arranged ourselves into three groups after Henry assigned each group to go on a “treasure hunt” for food. This meant that we had to talk (and bargain 😉) with many market vendors. It was so fun, especially since we were able to speak in Krobo using the vocabulary that we recently learned!! After completing our hunt, most of us purchased some souvenirs, so prepare yourselves for some authentic gifts :-))
We returned home in the rain, but that did not stop us from going to the park. As per usual, we had a great time with the kids even with the sporadic drizzle.
Dinner was delicious and we’re are now prepping for tomorrows service day. The rest of the day will be spent relaxing, visiting the tucks shop and drinking hot chocolate. Despite the climate, we’re addicted to it.
Lots of love from Ghana!!
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 3
Hello from Ghana! Breakfast this morning started out with some of our favorites, mango, omelettes and buffed loaves. At service today the nursery group strengthened their relationships with the children while the primary group made enormous progress on their teaching and construction. We returned back to home base for lunch consisting of fried rice, fried spaghetti, fried chicken and green sauce. Following lunch we did a modified version of shark tank presenting our own ideas for ways we could better the community based on what we observed. Our winners were Julia and Zeina with their idea to create a Krobo Library. After that we had our final host family visit to further learn the local language and spent some time with the kids in the park. We wrapped up the night with a delicious dinner of pawpaw & pineapple, boiled sweet potatoes, boiled ripe plantains, boiled yam and garden egg stew. We ended the night with a surprise cake to celebrate Yousef winning a challenge as part of his internship with Ferrari. Congratulations Yousef!!
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 4
Written by Molly
Happy Friday GLA families!
In Ghana, it was the Founders Day Holiday. Because of the holiday, we had a day off of service and got to sleep in until our breakfast at 9:00.
After breakfast, we tried Batik which is when we got to wax and dye fabrics in beautiful patterns. We hand stamped the patterns, burned ourselves a couple times, dyed the fabrics, and set the finished product to dry.
Right after the batik, we had a lunch that consisted of Red-Red, rice, and Egg Stew.
After both our lunch and our free time, a crafts shop stopped by. We got lots of gifts for both ourselves and our family/friends (expect gifts)!
After a bit of waiting, we went to the park. Everyone was having fun playing with the kids. We danced, we played jump rope, we chatted, etc.
Finally, after the park, we ate dinner. We ate fries, fried chicken, vegetables, and watermelon.
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 5
Written by Yousef A.
Today, we delved deeper into the vibrant and captivating Cedi Beads tradition, a significant aspect of Krobo culture. We began the day with a sumptuous breakfast prepared by the amazing staff, fueling us for an exciting day ahead. The menu included delightful rice water, ring doughnuts, and the sweetest pineapple you could imagine.
Our first stop was the Cedi Beads, and as a climate enthusiast, I was fascinated to learn about their environmentally friendly bead-making process. The artistry of creating Glass beads from recycled glass bottles and objects left me astonished.
The Cedi Beads tradition plays a fundamental role here in the Krobo culture, reflecting their artistic expressions, cultural values, and social identity. They hold deep meanings and are prominently used in various ceremonies and daily life. They also symbolize social status, wealth, and positions within their society.
One interesting part for me was learning about the Krobo Dipo Ceremony. It’s a significant event where young girls wear colourful bead strings around their waists, symbolizing their journey into womanhood and preparation for marriage.
We then had the chance to choose our own designs and later returned to pick up our personalized creations. The market offered various other beautifully crafted items, each with its unique story and cultural significance. It was a true inspiration for handwork and cultural identity.
Lunch was a delightful and much-needed treat after a bumpy ride. The staff served us a mouthwatering feast of Ghana Jollof rice, succulent fried chicken, flavorful kebabs, and a refreshing selection of vegetables and sweet mangos.
The Mentor Activity for today was an unforgettable showcase of unparalleled brilliance! I started with a side-splitting horse riddle and concluded with a pulse-pounding Viking game. The crown jewel of the day’s hilarity was none other than Amina! Our reigning champion, who conquered the Viking game with finesse.
Every day we take some time to share our thoughts and reflect on our experiences. Today, we realized how simple acts can bring joy to others and how happiness can be found in the simplest things. The genuine smiles and unconditional love from the staff and children we met left a profound impact on our hearts, reminding us to be grateful for the blessings in our lives.
We savoured one last delicious meal before bidding farewell to this amazing day. Veggie noodles with a fluffy omelette and refreshing watermelons to indulge our big appetites!
We eagerly look forward to the upcoming adventures and the wealth of culture Ghana has to offer. Stay tuned for more updates!
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 6
Aaannnd we’re back! Today I (Eva) will walk you through our almost last, but nonetheless magnificent day in Krobo. The day started nice and slow, with birthday pancakes for our birthday girl Amina! 🥳🎉 We celebrated a bit, and then started heading to Sajuna Beach Resort, where we spent our first half of the day. There we had a game of volleyball with some local fellows, had ice cream while sitting on a deck and enjoyed the magical view the river had to offer. A few of us rented kayaks. And the most exciting part – the boat ride. Me, Olivia, Tatiana and Elizabeth took the most elite spots at the front of the boat, so we were pretty much in level with the water surface. It was unbelievable, and the views were amazing.
On our way home, we stopped by the bead market, where we bought A LOT of beads. A lot. Each one delicately crafted by the local women. Once we got home, kids were already waiting for us by the house. The park was fun as always. My personal highlight of the day – the dance party. We were so excited to see our friends come to us, and dance for us, and dance with us. Seeing the smiles on their faces is probably the best thing in the world. Not to mention, very contagious. They taught us some moves (though some of them we knew already after our service hours at school…🫢) We ended the night with a one big group dance. While dancing, I felt so fulfilled, carefree, happy, and tired in the best way possible. I will remember these moments for the rest of my life, and these kids will forever have a special place in my heart. I’m sure my team will agree on this 😊 One more day. We’ll keep you updated.
BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 7
Hello from Krobo land, this is Lorelei.
Today was our last full day in Ghana. This morning was a very slow morning for all, we ended up meeting for breakfast late! Todays breakfast was per usual rice water, plain and toasted bread, eggs and for fruit we had mango. After breakfast the seamstress arrived and we all received our various articles of clothing. After we tried on our garments to make sure they fit we headed
out to service. At the nursery we taught the kids, then toward the end of service all the kids met in the middle of the school yard to take pictures and say goodbye. We left the nursery late and made our way home for lunch. Today for lunch we had fufu and peanut butter soup. For most of us it was our first time trying fufu, some loved it and others decided it was not the dish for them. After lunch we had downtime where many of us rested and some even slept.
After begrudgingly getting up only a short time later we all met downstairs to do the OMG (one meaningful goal) activity. Once finished we rushed down to the park to laugh, dance, sing, and play with the kids for one last time. Though normally our park time is two hours, today we spent three hours with the kids, the last hour spent crying and saying goodbye. Today we ate dinner on the roof!! For dinner we had curried rice, French fries, fried chicken, eggs, and assorted fruit. After we finished up dinner we stayed on the roof for an anonymous appreciation circle, took a quick survey and went downstairs to put on our clothes from the seamstress for our own fashion show. Luckily Nana Ama showed us how to cat walk before we went! After that we cleaned up and hung out in the living room and signed each other’s batiks, we will all miss the community of Krobo lots, and wish good health on every person here!!
