I had wanted to do hands on volunteer work for several years and after researching many organizations decided to travel to Ghana through Village Volunteers. I’ve just returned from a 3 week stay in the Volta Region where
3 friends and I divided our time between an orphanage called Missahoe Charity Home in Kpando and helping in the renovation of a library in the village of Have.
We quickly became adjusted to life in Ghana… The burning fires on the side of the road, roosters waking us up at 2am, meals of fufu and banku, the very relaxed laid back attitude and locals wanting to shake our hands and greeting us with “You are welcome” wherever we went.
Working at the orphanage was incredibly rewarding. As we walked to the orphanage each morning, 27 adorable kids would run up to us to hold our hands and carry our bags. Since school was out for Christmas vacation our days were spent playing soccer and football, coloring, reading stories, teaching the kids American songs and dances, and helping to prepare meals.
Spending Christmas at the orphanage was truly special. We first accompanied the children to Church where we caused quite a stir as we were ushered to the front 4 pews. That afternoon we purchased and then served lunch to all of the kids which consisted of chicken, rice, Coca-Cola and cookies. The children were grateful and I will never forget their smiling faces on that afternoon when most of their friends were sitting at home with their own families enjoying Christmas lunch.
The orphanage is run by two of the kindest most sincere women, Mawusi and Baby. They care for the children like they are their own, and it shows because the children have nothing and yet are happy and playful and kind and well mannered. They have been through so much at such a young age and it shows in their maturity. Saying goodbye to 27 crying kids was difficult and I will never forget the time I got to spend with them.
In addition to the orphanage we spent 5 days in the village of Have helping to renovate a building which will now be used as a library for 10 local schools. Working in conjunction with the townsmen we chiseled, laid cement, painted, installed new doors, built bookshelves and purchased books to fill the library. Our donation went a long way and the village chief along with the local MP came to the ribbon cutting opening ceremony, which was covered on the radio the next day. Our work was greatly appreciated and although we were sad to leave Ghana, we were pleased to know that the library would benefit the village and be used by the schoolchildren immediately.
Joanna Kornfeld
New York, USA
Missahoe Children’s Home Kpando &
Have Village, Ghana
Dec, 07 – Jan, 08