Volunteer Experiences at Westminster School
Roger Hambly
Roger
Hambly, an Australian Law practitioner, arrived in Ghana on
13th of October 2011 to volunteer as a teacher at Westminster School. Roger
has practiced law for twenty years in Australia and has made his mind to
stop practicing law and rather be a teacher.
"Teaching at Westminster has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. From the time Eric greeted me as I hopped off the bus in Fumesua until the day the teachers and students farewelled me 6 weeks later, I felt extremely welcome at Westminster School. All the staff were professional, approachable and very willing to help. They treated me as a colleague from day one, even though I was not an experienced teacher".
Chris Ferris and Nyssa Dunstan
Chris and Nyssa were with the school from February to March 2011. They managed to combine exploring the East Volta region and the beautiful beaches at Busua with teaching lessons in English, Science, Maths and Social Studies.
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"Overall, we enjoyed our time working at the school and travelling all over Ghana. We met some wonderful people on our travels and saw many amazing sights. We hope to be back in Ghana one day and to have many more exciting adventures. Thank you to everyone who made our time here as great as it was."
Rachel Overington, Megan Gray and Neal Gruer
In October 2010, Osei Tutu Boateng from Westminster Comprehensive School conducted interviews with three of the volunteer teachers, Rachel Overington, Megan Gray and Neal Gruer who are all currently volunteering at the school and asked them to describe what it was like coming to Ghana, working at the school, getting to know the community of Fumesua and life in the busy city of Kumasi.
Mary Kathlene Crawford
Mary Kate came as a volunteer teacher from the 6th of October 2009 and left for the United States on the 6th of March 2010. She was hardworking, dedicated and disciplined. She was a source of encouragement and inspiration to the entire school body. Her teaching skills during class presentation will be missed dearly.
Mary Kate was outgoing and mixed freely with people; her absence in the school brings sadness to all especially the students, teachers and all families she lived with whilst in Ghana. To MK, the entire Management and Administrative body of Westminster says thank you for your contribution to enhance English language and Mathematics in the school.
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Mary Kate has written up her experience of the school, the children, the teachers and Ghana. She describes it as: "the most challenging, yet most rewarding six months of my life".
Michael Ericco, Adam Jones and Sinead Lily Millwood
Michael Ericco, Adam Jones and Sinead Lily Millwood are medical students from The Hull York Medical School, UK. The three volunteers arrived in Ghana on the 10th of July, 2009 at exactly 8am where a representative of the school came to pick them up from the airport and transported them to Kumasi, where the school is located.
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| The volunteers with the school rep at the airport. |
Linda Dor Restaurant situated at Accra-Kumasi highway |
In their stay in Ghana volunteers teach a lot of subjects including, English, Maths, and Science. The pictures here show the volunteers teaching different subjects at different times and classrooms.
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The three medical students arrival has been a great joy to the entire school body.
On The Way to Kumasi
Travelling from Accra to Kumasi is a 4-5 hour journey. Due to this, coaches always stop on the way where passengers are allowed to spend some few minutes to do things of their choice (resting, eating etc). Michael, Adam and Sinead stopped off at the Linda Dor Restaurant situated at Accra-Kumasi highway where passengers normally eat on their way to Kumasi or Accra.
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| Volunteers being welcomed by Philip, the proprietor of the school. |
Football match at Ejisu Town Park |
The three medical students have also taught the teachers and some of the students first aid and later went to visit Lake Bosomtwi and recently they have gone to Cape Coast, or Cabo Corso, the former capital town of Ghana, then the Gold Coast.
Cape Coast is the seat of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana's leading university in teaching and research. The city also boasts some of Ghana's finest secondary and technical schools.
First Hand Experience
The three medical students - Michael Ericco, Adam Jones and Sinead Lily Millwood have each written up their experience of the school, the children, the teachers and Ghana.
Adam Jones - Ghana is said to be the gateway to Africa, and having never visited the continent before, this was true for me. When I got off the plane I had no idea what to expect, but I soon experienced the welcoming, generous and helpful nature of Ghanaians.
Michael Ericco - This was my first visit to Africa and facing the unknown initially filled my mind with uncertainty. However the moment I stepped off the plane all my worries were put to rest, as everyone I met throughout my time in Ghana was extremely welcoming and friendly.
Sinead Lily Millwood - I don't know what I expected from my first visit to Ghana, but the care and hospitality we have enjoyed has been better than any hotel. A volunteer's day in the Yeboah household runs something like this.....