TIME CAPSULE LETTER
Written by Henry, Tatiana, Caprecia & Mercy
Hopefully as you start reading this letter, beautiful memories of your two weeks in Ghana will start popping into your head. Maybe you’ve even felt some kind of change or transformation inside of you and you started to appreciate a little more everything you have back home (flowing, unlimited, hot water?! :D).
You’ve left your small footprint in Krobo. The primary school has now got a new classroom with cemented floor which they will benefit from. A space which you started off with (remember all that corn that was growing there?!). English you taught the kids, is a huge contribution to their language skills, something they will find very beneficial for their future.
Henry and Charity’s front garden area will continue to be a place of shelter and community for the children you met during our first days here and brought so much happiness to anytime they saw you. But 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 will always remember the first day you arrived and decided to put all tables together to make one big table and make everyone feel as one whole group. One family. This was reflected throughout the whole two weeks, how you bonded as a team and supported each other throughout. You worked very hard but you also played hard! Do you remember that day when it was pouring down with rain and we told you we still have to go to Cedi beads to pick up our beads? That was a “refreshing” moment 😀
Please stay in touch with the GLA family because we love to see you grow, transform and BE THE
CHANGE! Thank you for making these two weeks special and good luck in all your future endeavours!
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 JUNE 22
Hello Families!
Students got safely to their homebase at Krobo, in the eastern region of Ghana! We are very excited for what is to come, especially being able to spend more time with the kids from Krobo and learn all about the culture of Ghana.
Most of us traveled for long hours so by the time we got to home base we just needed a good rest so we can wake up fresh for our first full day tomorrow!
Lots of love from Ghana!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 23
Our first day in Ghana marked a great introduction to a new environment and a wonderful opening experience. At dawn we woke up nice and early and got acquainted with our Home Base and mentors, as well as a brief introduction to one another. We began the day by touring the village, where we met the locals and saw where we would be working. Meeting the townspeople was a enjoyable and eye-opening experience: how could we have expected people to be so excited at the sight of foreigners?
After, we went back for lunch and took a break from the heat. It started to rain later and in this time we met some children from the village and had a great time playing and interacting with them. The time flew by and we were saying our goodbyes just an hour later. We headed in for dinner and after, new Group Leaders would be announced and assigned for the next day.
To end the night, we started our mentor group meetings, where we would discuss our experiences and thoughts of the day. Today, we brought an object that was memorable to us and discussed it with the rest of the group. After, we took showers, and headed to bed, exhausted and recharging for the next day.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 24
The group started the day this morning with delicious omelettes and French toast. We left around 9:30 for the botanical gardens. We saw many new plants and trees. The tour guide really tried to immerse the group and let us touch and smell many of the plants.
We got to see where many famous historical figures planted trees in the park. At the end of the tour, we got to eat some very tasty chicken and rice with tomato sauce. At the end of dinner, we got to discuss a major political issue in Ghana, oil drills. The group leaders, Meghan and Chris, then handed the torch over to tomorrow’s group leaders, Sofia and Jacob.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Today was an amazing day for the Ghana program students. We started the day with a delicious french toast and cereal breakfast. Then it was off to the local church for the Sunday Service! We joined the people of the village in their worship by singing, dancing and marching around. After the service we returned back to home base for a tasty traditional Ghanaian lunch. Fried plantains with red bean stew and white rice.
After lunch we were visited by a seamstress and her team, for a personal fitting so we could purchase some custom tailored West African clothing. After the measurements were taken, we all got dressed to head out to Asitey Park to play with the village children. After hours of running around, dancing and playing ball, we walked back to home base to enjoy dinner which consisted of flavourful chicken kebabs and stir fried spaghetti. Lastly, after dinner our group got together to plan our service for the next few days. Lesson plans were created, and construction ideas were introduced.
Today was certainly a busy day! We can’t wait for tomorrow!
Now, group leaders Sofia and Jacob will be passing it on to Hayden and Riley.
Goodnight!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Written by Sage and Olivia
Today was a packed day, after a filling breakfast we headed over to the local school and started clearing an area that past years have worked on to make a conference room for the Staff/Teachers. We moved brick, shoved dirt/debris and plants out of the walled structure. We then changed to get ready and teach the primary school children. Groups of 4 were assigned grades 3-6 and we were all able to teach English through games, songs, and activities. After a long day of hard labor, we hit the park to burn some energy with the children, and then walked home. Although our day was very full, we still has a special someone to celebrate.
Today is Ericas BIRTHDAY! We were eating a delicious cake, when Henry announced that we were going to visit the QUEEN MOTHER of Krobo! We loved to hear of the many accomplishments she had as well as the many roles (hats) she plays (wears) within Krobo. As a Preschool principal, bank manager and leader over her people. After making many memories, and having lots of fun, it was time to close our eyes, and shut of the lights, in order to have another eventful day tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Written by Arden & Alexandra
Today marked our official halfway point of the trip! We started off breakfast with french toast and omelettes. Afterwards, we headed to the school to continue our service project. We started the cement floor today, mixing cement with water and getting started on laying it onto the mud. At 10, we headed towards the classrooms to continue teaching with our assigned class ranging from grade 3 to grade 8.
After we finished teaching the kids we were lucky enough to get to go back to our home base and enjoy a hearty lunch before a crafts market came. We were able to pick out many different things ranging from paintings to bowls to bring back home as souvenirs. Something that we have been able to enjoy on the daily here is going to the local park to play with kids of all ages and this is how we wrapped up our night here in Ghana.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
Written by Anika V.
We started the day with a very good breakfast that included all of our favourite foods so everyone enjoyed it. Then we walked to the school to do some construction on the floor and then we taught our classes until 12. We then went home and ate lunch which was red red and rice. We all took naps then got ready and went to our host family houses and learned more Krobo. Right after that we all went to the park and played with the kids until 6. We came home and ate dinner. We had a cultural musical event which was very lively and everyone danced. Very fun day.
Note to families: You may have already read the June 30th post earlier today. We’ve added in a new post for July 1st, but we’re leaving the jump link here for any families who haven’t read the June 30th post yet. 🙂 -HQ Staff
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Written by Ava & Esther
We had a late start this morning, so we started off with teaching. Then we came home for lunch and had a little nap before we did Batik making. Batik is a traditional Ghanaian fabric that is stamped with wax to create patterns, dyed, then the wax is washed off. Everyone got the opportunity to pick out their own stamp pattern and use it on their own yard of fabric. We finished off the day with a guest speaker, Mr. Kofi. He is a Ghanaian historian, and he taught us all about Ghana’s traditions.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Written by Clara
This morning, after a good breakfast, we left, with our bathing suits on, to the Sajuna beach resort. We all enjoyed the sun by playing volleyball and swimming in the swimming pool. After a delicious chicken with rice, we had the chance to go on a boat tour on the beautiful lake. At 2 pm we got back in the truck and drove to a beads market. We all got some very beautiful bracelets made out of typical Ghanaian beads. As soon as we arrived at the Homebase it was time to go to the park to play with the kids. We ended the day with an interesting discussion about what we could do in our home country to be the change.
