Two young people from Rhondda Cynon Taf, have just returned after Going for Gold in Ghana. Stacey Griffiths, aged 22 and Ashleigh Williams, aged 18 who are working towards their Gold, Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the Cana Centre in Penywaun, near Aberdare, endured 1 month in the extreme heat and basic conditions in Ghana together with their DofE Award Leader, Michelle Roberts in their bid to reach Gold!
They joined 8 other volunteers from 3 different European countries to take part in the European Voluntary Service Ghana summer programme: “Creativity for Empowerment”, organised through UNA Exchange, based in Cardiff. The programme aims to unearth the talents of young people in some of the most deprived communities in Ghana, whilst the European volunteers learned a great deal about cultural diversity and attended language lessons twice a week. They were each based in a different school, teaching the children new skills and activities – taking materials with them for the children to use, as they had very little in the way of resources.
Stacey and Leader Michelle were based in different schools in a local area, teaching art and craft work, whilst Ashleigh taught various forms of dance. They also all took part in delivering substance abuse awareness raising workshops, an important way of helping combat the harmful drug culture prevalent in the area. David Davies, 18 who also travelled from Penywaun, unfortunately had to return home after a week due to medical problems, but enjoyed his time spent working in this very different culture.
At the end of the month spent working with the European and African volunteers, the children took part in a competition, which enabled them to express themselves through whatever medium or activity they had been studying with the volunteers. The groups of children that Stacey and Michelle (aka – the Cana Centre girls) had worked with scooped very impressive 1st 3rd and 5th place in the art competition, and 3rd place in the dance competition.
Stacey said: “I really enjoyed myself in Ghana, I learned a lot about their culture and also a lot about myself. I enjoyed the experiences even though there were highs and lows I got through them with the help of Michelle. Working with volunteers from other counties was challenging but fun and I made some close friends in the process. I am keeping in touch with most of them and also hope to stay in touch with my Ghanaian coordinators. I really am glad I had the opportunity to do this as I never thought someone like me from my community would. I hope to give something back and inspire more children and young people to do this if they have the chance -I am so proud of myself for doing this“
Michelle Roberts, Cana Centre Project Co-ordinator, added: “I am very proud that I was able to support the young people in this project. They have learnt so many valuable life skills and experiences that they will never forget. We hope in future to work closely with our African coordinators to develop further projects in Wales and also in Ghana “
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Leaning, said: “It is great to hear that our young people are given the opportunities to undertake such expeditions and help those less fortunate across the world. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is going from strength to strength in the County Borough, with hundred of young people taking part in the scheme every year. Well done to those involved.”
The African volunteers hosting the project congratulated the pair on their work, and commented on how friendly – and a bit mad! – The Welsh were. They certainly left a little piece of Wales in these distant communities, and would like to reciprocate the great welcome and wonderful experience they had by hosting a return visit by the Ghanaians.
For further information on international volunteering opportunities around the world, check out www.unaexchange.org, or contact Kerry Rees, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Services for Young People’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Development Officer, on 07786523915 or 0144 744139.
