Experiences: Triumph

Projects > Africa > Ghana > Triumph

My Name is Mark West and I am 22 years old from Adelaide, Australia. I
have just completed five weeks living under the rood of Mr. Peter and Madam
Gladys.

During my time at Triumph I did my best to teach English to the JSS classes,
math to the JSS 3's and some art (and anything else I could think of!) to
the junior classes. As English is my first language, I found it extremely
interesting to teach and very rewarding to help the students learn "proper"
English. At times it was challenging to make sure the students fully
understood what I was trying to teach. As time went on, I found that talking
more slowly and repeating myself many times with different phrasing was very
effective. The best way to be effective is however the most simple, by
asking the students if they understood and how you can teach them better.

I found the students really good fun and a joy to teach, mainly because
most are very keen to learn. Attempting to entertain the nursery classes,
however, must be experienced to be understood! I had some of my best times
in those classes and let me say that if you can have them sitting for more
than five minutes, you are doing a top job!

As for living in the house I cannot remember ever feeling more welcome. I
have been treated like a complete guest since I arrived and I think that
adapting to the culture change would have been difficult otherwise. All
residents were always extremely helpful and it was good to see so many
smiling faces all the time. They became like my own family, I wish I had a
little brother like Kofi to play around with! To the family I am very
thankful for making me feel so comfortable.

I will definitely leave with good things to say about Ghana. Do many
friendly people, all working together. I was greeted with large smiles by
everyone I passed in the town. As for the young children, I seemed to have
two opposite affects; I would either make them very excited or I would make
them scared and make them cry. Either way it was interesting to get so much
attention!

My advice to the future volunteers is to get involved. At the school you
should take it upon yourself to teach classes and get included. You have
probably been given the gift of equality education and therefore have so
much to teach and pass on to the school. That includes getting involved in
Ghanaian life! No one will ever force you to do anything but you are missing
out if you leave without pumping water at 6am, pounding fufu, attempting to
wash by hand and teaching an early morning class. I guarantee you will not
regret trying any of these things!

Finally, for the project, I hope that it continues to grow. Mr. Peter and
Madam Gladys are completely selfless in their actions and I think that in
itself will ensure the success of the school. You only have to look into
their eyes when they are talking about their passion for education to
believe in their vision. My suggestion is to never lose sight of this
vision. You have already created so much and this will make such a
difference in the community, the city and the country.

Thank you for taking care of me, showing me a different way of life, giving
me an experience I would never forget and most importantly, making me a
believer in Triumph International School.

MARK