Experiences: Green Pastures

Projects > Africa > Ghana > Green Pastures

Jessica and Anna, both from Canada, have written about thier experiences at Green Pastures from January to April 2007.

Jessica Baker writes:

This trip was my first time outside of North America, so when I was sitting on the plane and when it started to take off I asked myself with tears in my eyes: What am I doing? Looking back on my 3 months in Ghana I have done a lot. Most of my time has been spent at Green Pastures International School. I took on teaching responsibilities at the school; specifically, I was responsible for all of the reading periods for classes 1-6, I taught class 5 and 6 English Language Arts, and I spent some time teaching English to a kindergarten girl.
It was quite the experience to have a classroom of my own, not to mention the cultural difference between the typical Canadian classroom and school and the Ghanaian system. I remember my first day in my classroom in which one student asked me a question, but the children here speak so softly that I could not hear her. I asked her to repeat the question several times getting louder each time. Even when she yelled it at me I could not understand her because of the slight difference in wording that she used. She asked me if she could go to the bathroom, but said: Madame, may I urinate? It took me a long time to get used to the dialect of English that is spoken here.

My time at the school was incredible. Getting to know the students and teachers and the culture was an experience I will never forget; both good moments when a student says thank you for giving them extra help and making them feel valuable, or the look of amazement on their faces when you describe any aspect of Canadian life to them, and the difficult time when you see a caning or hear a teacher threaten to beat a student for the sake of classroom management. Even though I may disagree with some of the strategies and actions taken in this system, it has made me a better teacher by challenging all that I have been taught about teaching excellence, therefore, challenging me to accommodate my style of teaching to fit this system and the expectations around me.

There are lots of things that I will never forget, but especially my travels throughout Ghana. I have traveled more than the volunteers that preceded me, so I have been told. No matter where I have traveled I have been met with open arms and a sense of welcome and safety. The people here are some of the friendliest people that I have ever met. Of course there is such a thing as being too friendly, which often involves a male Ghanaian telling me he is in love with me and asking for my hand in marriage, along with all of the privileges of a married couple. And yet, I look upon running into the ocean to escape a suitor or darting out into traffic to avoid a kiss with fond memories. I will carry each of you as a fond memory that has changed my perspective of my life and the world around me forever.

Anna Riseborough writes:

I have had a very enriching experience as a volunteer at Green Pastures. Through working at the school and living in Accra for the three months that I have been here, I have learned so much about myself and the world that I live in. I have begun to more fully appreciate my own country and culture by coming to understand and to love another one. I am very grateful to the Ghanaians that I have met at the school, at the church I attended while I was here, and those that I encountered daily. Although I had many unpleasant experiences with men, in particular, even the least comfortable circumstances helped me to grow and to become more aware of the way in which the majority of the world’s population is forced to live.

Ghana is the only third world country I have ever visited. When I first arrived, it seemed like I was watching a movie; nothing seemed real, and everything was very confusing and busy. After being here for three months, however, Accra is home. The traffic and the busy-ness of the streets seem less insane than they did in January, and the make-shift appearance of the stalls and houses is not quite as shocking. Coming from a culture where poverty is shoved out of sight, I had to adjust to the prevalence of need. I had to realize, and quickly, that I could not give money to every child with sad eyes that asked me. I also had to realize that Ghanaians would automatically assume that I could give money to everyone who begged. On my first day at the school, the children asked if it was true that in Canada, the government gives you a free house when you turn 18 (if only!). Since then, I have had to correct many Ghanaian perceptions of Western culture. The children at Green Pastures have also learned other things about how I live in Canada; a friend of mine sent some hockey cards and a short write-up about the way the game of hockey is played. The students really enjoyed comparing hockey to football (soccer).

I have also learned quite a bit about Ghanaian culture. For me, one of the biggest sources of cultural insight was Prince of Peace Catholic Church. From the moment I arrived in Ghana, it was obvious to me that religion was an important part of the lives of most Ghanaians. Every stall, every taxi, every sign has the name of Jesus on it somewhere. It is very wonderful to me that an entire nation could be that in love with their Creator. My experience at Mass every Sunday matched this perception. On the way to Church, I would pass countless Ghanaians on the way to their various churches, dressed in their absolute best. At St. Margaret Mary’s, and later, at Prince of Peace, it was the same. Men, women, and children, looking absolutely fabulous, would patiently---willingly---attend two to four hour Masses, singing and dancing and waving white handkerchiefs throughout. These Ghanaians really reminded me that faith can be, and should be, joyful.

Leaving Ghana, leaving the family that has grown around me at Green Pastures, feels very strange. There are some things about the culture, like the way that women are treated, that make me angry. Other things, like the constant harassment for money or other material things, frustrate me. On the other hand, there are things about the culture, such as the open and friendly way in which most Ghanaians have treated me, that make me sad to leave. I am so excited to be returning to my family and friends in Canada, but I will miss my new family and new friends at Green Pastures. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had here, and I feel as if I am bringing back something more valuable than the school supplies and donations I am leaving behind. Ghana has taught me something about humanity, in its all of its beautiful, confused imperfection.