Ricki05

Today was my last full day in Ghana and I thought I would just relax and say goodbye to a few people. I should know by now that nothing goes to plan in Africa! I spent most of the day in the hospital from hell. Stephen that I know has a second cousin or some kind of relative that lives beside him. He is only 5 years old and called Johnny. Over the last 2 weeks I have seen him going about and thought he looked a bit ill but did not think too much about it intially. But yesterday when I was visiting, he was not in school and when I asked why, was told he was feeling too ill. His parents are not around - they are alive but don't live with him. His ... read more

Only 5 days left in Ghana - I knew that 2 weeks would go past too quick. There's so much I could do here, or places to visit but not enough time. This time next week I'll be back at my desk at work - there is no comparison to life here! When I was here last year, I randomly met an artist called Kofi who I bought some paintings from. I remembered roughly where he lived so on Friday morning I set off to find him. He is not far from the hotel I am at so it only took about 10 minutes to find him again, and he remembered me straight away. I told him I was looking for a painting in a specific colour but he did not have one. However, he simply ... read more

The locals often say to me 'Don't you worry......' After typing my last blog, I headed straight for the hotel swimming pool to cool down because it was so hot. After the rain storm on Monday, the skies cleared and the heat has been unbearable. I was just getting ready to dive in the pool when I realised there was no water in it!!! The pool was being repaired. 'Don't you worry.....' said one of the hotel porters, 'it will be ready for you soon.' I'm still waiting. If you've ever been to Ghana you will know Ghana time is different from the rest of the world! I met Stephen again on Tuesday night and he told me that on Tuesday morning his father called all the family together in the morning. He thought his father ... read more

I'm finally back in Ho!! 1 year and 2 months after I left, I've made it back. When I first came to Ghana in January 2007 I thought it would be a one off - that I would never do it again, but after 8 weeks I knew I would have to come back one day. I met so many great people and had such an amazing time at Prince of Peace school and the SWODC orphanage that I had to come back. There has been no internet access until today - due to the weather, so I have a lot to say..... I think I felt more nervous about coming this time - I'm not sure why, probably because I was worried it would not be as good as I remembered or that something would ... read more

Diary of a volunteer Ghana 2007 ‘This volunteering is bloody hard work! Both mentally and physically.’ This entry from my travel blog more or less summarises my 8 weeks of volunteering. On 6 January 2007 I left behind the cold weather in Scotland and the comfort of my home and set off for Ghana in West Africa. My voluntary trip was organised by Cross Cultural Solutions, an American based charity who operate volunteer programmes around the world. I’ve been asked many times what made me go, but the truth is I don’t know. I remember watching a programme about the Live 8 concert that took place in 2005, and although I’m not 100% certain, I think this was a factor in my decision to go to Africa. It was not an over-night decision - I’ve always ... read more

url='/Videos/3168.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3168.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Dancing Kidsurl='/Videos/3167.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3167.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' School Bandurl='/Videos/3201.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3201.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' The orphanageurl='/Videos/3177.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3177.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Ghana Peopleurl='/Videos/3178.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3178.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Christ Prince of Peace SchoolHere are some video clips from Ghana..... (You need to click on middle of video first, then click on the play button at the bottom left corner)... read more

More photo's from Ghana... read more

I've been back in Scotland for 5 days now, and I am still getting used to 'normal' life! During the last couple of weeks in Ghana I thought I was ready for home but now I am home, I want to go back! I had to adjust to life in Ghana, and now I feel like I have to adjust to life in Macduff again! When I first arrived home, my house seemed very strange. I'm not used to seeing houses with living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens etc. And the hot water in the shower was a bit of a shock to the system! But I must admit that I had the best sleep I have had in the last 2 months. I didn't realise while I was in Ghana that I was losing weight, but since ... read more

Various photo's of Ghana.... read more