Late last year I left my receptionist position at Beach & Bay Realty for Ghana – West Africa for 3 months where I worked as a volunteer with Antipodeans Abroad at a primary school, teaching English to Year 5 students.
Initially realising that there were no toilet facilities at the school (in fact there was no running water supply nearby), I wanted to build some drop toilets for the students. However, when I approached the principal she asked for help building a classroom (as two grades were cramped into one room).
I sent a few emails back home and was overjoyed when I received positive feedback and pledges of support.
Beach & Bay Realty generously donated a large sum of money (usually allocated for our annual Sutherland Shire Christmas card competition) and I also received some donations from Beach & Bay Realty clients which was absolutely fantastic!
Along with this another volunteer friend from the Sutherland Shire received donations from the company Elgas Australia where her father worked.
The whole process was a learning experience and overcoming the language barriers and coordinating the workers was certainly a challenge!
Construction work in Ghana isn’t too concerned with Occupational Health & Safety and it was quite confronting watching scaffolding made from off cut wood and bamboo go up, having carpenters without shoes and transporting huge cement blocks on their head!
The classroom that was built was the first in the school to be reinforced with iron pillars, have windows and double doors and to be fully secured with locks.
Big thanks to all who showed interest. The teachers and students were so excited during the building process and are very grateful that people on the other side of the world cared about their little school.
My relationship with Ghana and this particular primary school has not ended since arriving back to Sydney and I hope to continue to support them in the future.
If you are interested in getting involved please do not hesitate to send an email to info@beachandbay.com.au.
Also if you would like further information about Ghana – please view this great blog. http://gisforghana.blogspot.com/
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