Cat Kirton
My name is Cat, I'm a 22 year old writer living in Southampton. I love to travel and am always dreaming of far away places. I have a very long list of countries that I feel I absolutely have to see! I just returned from a month long stay in Ghana volunteering at Buduburam, a Liberian refugee camp. It was wonderful, terrible, chaotic, intense and an absolutely amazing experience. It opened my eyes, and I hope my blogs give you some idea of what it is to do voluntary work.Cat K
'A destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.' Henry Miller.
Here's to the next trip!
Travel Blog Posts
May 24th 2007
I've been back in the UK now for just over three weeks. Despite being away for only a month, a relatively short period, I have really experienced some culture shock...strangely even more so than when we arrived in Ghana. I have definitely felt like it's taken time to readjust, physically, mentally and emotionally. When I was living at Buduburam I felt like I was seeing and hearing things, but not really comprehending them deeply. Because day-to-day life on camp is constantly about seeing people living in these conditions, hearing the most awful stories of war, violence and loss, and experiencing the suffering first hand, you almost toughen up to it. As I mentioned before you stay on a level, where you are neither up nor down, it's more that you are just coping with everything ... read more
April 30th 2007
I haven't written as many blogs over this past week, largely because I have been so so busy! The last two weeks have flown by, and as I sit here in Accra preparing to leave for the UK tomorrow, I can't believe my African experience is nearly over. Ever since we boarded the plane it's been a whirlwind. Four weeks, three pairs of flip flops, quite a few marriage proposals, numerous tummy upsets, lots of laughs and lots of tears later, it's coming to an end. I've had really mixed feelings about leaving the refugee camp. Relief at the thought of being clean and being able to eat whatever food I like (I've planned out my next trip to Sainsbury's in careful detail). But more than that, a real sadness at leaving this incredible place ... read more
April 29th 2007
For our last weekend, we headed to Accra to spend a couple of days relaxing and exploring and having really nice showers. Looking back at all of my blog entries, it may seem that I have an unnatural obsession with showering. Let me explain: the African version of me is neither clean nor fresh. Debbie put it to me perfectly as we were taking a very hot, stuffy taxi ride into Accra. She looked at my heavily perspiring, internally baking self and said thoughtfully 'Do you think it's possible to drown in your own sweat?' The answer to that would have to be a resounding yes. So, any possibility of clean, running water and I'm there. The six newbies, myself, Debbie, Megan, Francesca, Cathy and Gareth headed out together and we've stayed at the Salvation Army ... read more
April 27th 2007
I feel like I've learnt a lot and had my eyes really opened this week. Maybe it's because I'm settling in and getting used to things here. Pretty ironic as I'm leaving in a few days. It's also been quite a hard week in many ways. I've got a lot out of working with the HIV department. It's such a positive project and you really see the changes it can make. There is so much prejudice towards those living with HIV on the camp. As we did Community Outreach on Wednesday, we were talking to a group about stigmatisation. We ask 'What would you do if you found out your friend, family member or neighbour was HIV positive?' Many people say they would counsel them, support them and look after them. This is obviously the answer ... read more
April 21st 2007
I just realised I've been writing this for three weeks and haven't even really mentioned the people I'm living and working with! One of the most exciting things about volunteering is meeting new people, getting to know volunteers that have come from all over the world, and so in a way, finding out more about the world and broadening your own horizons. It's those people you meet that make an experience, and I hope I'll stay in touch with some of the volunteers once I'm home. There are 15 volunteers in total, and a GVN (Global Volunteer Network) rep. I'll be honest about my first impressions during those first few days at camp. At first it was quite difficult to settle in, as many of the volunteers in our house had already made friends, formed ... read more
April 17th 2007
It's days like today that remind me why I'm in Africa. I feel like we've actually done something worthwhile and made a bit of a difference. I'll explain! We had some great news yesterday. The adminstrator from The Vision came over to the guesthouse, and told us that the editorial board loved the idea for a children's section in the newspaper. The section, a quarter page filled with news stories, letters, creative writing and poems will be included every month...and as the print deadline is Friday of this week, we have until tomorrow to get a piece together with a photograph for May's edition! Now considering we are in Africa, and therefore on Africa time (Africa time is sloooooooow - people will be an hour or more late to meet you, it takes days or ... read more
April 16th 2007
My day usually starts at 5.30 - 6am when the noises of the camp (kids screaming, roosters crowing, chickens squarking, man making religious announcements over a tinny loudspeaker, Mariah Carey/Whitney Houston/Celine Dion songs pumping out of the neighbour's boombox) make me open my eyes, mutter 'bloody Africans', roll over and then realise that I am highly unlikely to get any more sleep. Good morning Little Liberia! First things first, after an uncomfortable night spent sweating like a pig, I usually feel like being clean. I really enjoy having those bucket showers. This is because, to be blunt, I am always filthy. I was feeling quite pleased a few days ago, thinking I had worked up a nice tan. Until most of it came off in the shower. So anyway, a wash without running water involves ... read more
April 14th 2007
We've just started our third week at the camp. As it turned out, this will be my first full week of work, as the Easter holiday weekend cut short weeks one and two. I really feel that a month is not enough time and wish that I had been able to afford to stay for three. Next time! I am really enjoying my projects, and despite various problems we have encountered, I still believe that when carried out properly and efficiently, the projects are worthwhile and can make a difference to the Buduburam community. I am particularly enjoying working with the HIV/AIDS department. Led by Victoria, Beatrice and Abendego, the purpose of the Community Outreach part of the programme is to educate the refugees about HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, how these are transmitted ... read more
April 9th 2007
You may have noticed that everytime I write 'Buduburam' I spell it differently! I did this because every signpost I see around the camp has a different version of it. I'm hoping that the way I'm spelling it now is correct! Spelling correction out of the way, I've decided to write a little more about the actual camp rather than simply a day by day journal of where I've been. Buduburam refugee camp is a pretty astonishing place, not least because of the conditions and poverty there, but also because of the people. After a week here, I feel that it would be a disservice to the refugees to simply write off Buduburam as 'a sad tragic place' and return home feeling sorry for them. Yes, the stories of those here are extremely sad, and ... read more
April 9th 2007
As we begin our second week here, I've become very fond of our Little Liberia and the refugees. Many of them have stopped asking us for money or marriage and are treating us like old friends. We had a great time on Debbie's birthday. A local drum band performed for us outside the Guesthouse. They sounded fantastic as they beat out African rythyms whilst two of the guys danced, twirled, back flipped and somersaulted in time to the beat. And can they dance! All the local kids gathered to watch and there was a fantastic atmosphere. By then, we were also getting to know the other volunteers better and form new friendships. Funnily enough, the camp is starting to feel like home. Nevertheless, after a hectic first week in camp, all the IVS were really ... read more
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