I was one of a group of 20 Bourne Community College students who had been given the opportunity to take part in a 15-day volunteer trip to Ghana, West Africa in February 2024. The aim was to support with restoration of schools and to teach English to the local children. The renovation project involved painting, building and improving classrooms at Pinnacle Model School LBG, alongside skilled local trades people. The teaching project involved the community aspect of our trip where I visited Christian Life Academy, to brighten up the lives of vulnerable young children through delivery of different subjects from English to Maths and even Twi!

We also had the opportunity to experience and further our knowledge of local culture and cuisine with activities such as drumming, bead making and making Fufu. We also participated in two weekend trips to Mole National Park, and the Cape Coast. The cost of joining this project was £2500 per student, all of which I raised through fundraising activities and sponsorship.

I held a number of events within the school and local community to raise funds for this worthwhile opportunity.

Learn more about my fundraising

2024 Blog.

Jump To:

Butre Beach & Almost Being Taken By Fishermen

Hideout Lodge & Coconuts

Surfing at Busua Beach

Cape Coast Castle

Kakum Canopy Walk

Traditional Drumming & Dancing

Fufu Making

Football in Kumasi

Stevoo Appreciation Post

Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

Kintampo Waterfalls

Canoe Safari & Shea Butter Eco-Village

Butre Beach & Almost Being Taken By Fishermen

On the final evening at the hideout lodge, we went for a walk to the nearby village. I attempted holding a bowl on my head, but failed rather quickly! All the people in the community were really keen to say hello and welcome us. On the way back. A fisherman was trying to get my attention and gesturing for me to come over. The next thing I know, my shoes are off and I am being hoisted on to a fishing boat! But before I know it, the fishermen are trying to sail away. It’s a good job they didn’t… because they don’t come back until in the morning!! Once they realised I wasn’t coming with them, they all started asking for selfies. It was definitely something I will never forget!

Hideout Lodge & Coconuts

After settling into our final hotel, the Hideout Lodge at Butre Beach and taking in the beach vibes I began to notice more and more coconuts around me. I’m not even a big fan of coconuts, but my curiosity got the better of me & I asked Seth how possible it would be for me to get a coconut down. He replied ‘very possible’ and the next thing I know, the fantastic barman/receptionist/coconut-connoisseur grabbed a stick and started prodding one of the trees to get a coconut down for me. He then took the biggest knife I have ever seen and sliced it so I could drink from it. And I must say, as someone who isn’t a fan of coconut, it was really nice! As you can probably tell, I was very pleased with my coconut, but the beach was beautiful too.

Surfing at Busua Beach

After arriving to the hideout lodge at Butre Beach late the night before, it was time to drive to Busua Beach for a surfing lesson with the 'Justices Brothers'. It felt like quite the accomplishment to stand up on a surf board whilst ‘catching a wave’, even if it was for the split of a second before falling off. A lot of fun and an experience I won’t forget.

Cape Coast Castle

The final stop before Butre, was Cape Coast, to visit the Cape Coast Castle. It was very moving and shocking walking through the place where thousands of Africans were imprisoned as slaves by the British awaiting to be shipped off. The conditions that people were kept in were brutal to say the least. A very eye opening experience that I will never forget.

Kakum Canopy Walk

The first stop on route to Butre was Kakum National Park. Here, we went on a canopy walk 130ft above ground through Kakum on bridges that hang between the trees. It was an amazing experience and allowed for some breathtaking views.

Traditional Drumming & Dancing

Seeing traditional Ghanaian drummers perform with local dancers was an incredible experience. Everyone also got the chance at attempting to dance with them, it was a great evening!

Fufu Making

The most iconic Ghanaian dish is Fufu, a pounded mixture of cassava and plantains. I was able to have a go at making Fufu in a local Kumasi community and it is not easy!! It was definitely an interesting experience and after trying it I can say it has a very unique taste.

Football in Kumasi

I was able to attend a local football match in Kumasi and even had my Chelsea kit on at the ready. Unfortunately, despite being internationally recognised for my sporting ability, I fell ill and was unable to play. All good fun none then less.

Stevoo Appreciation Post

Introducing Boadi Steven AKA Stevoo (STEVE-OH), Ghanaian taxi driving extraordinaire.

Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

The final stop on route back to Kumasi was Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary. It is home to over 700 monkeys and half of them have now climbed on me for a banana! It was amazing to be able to see the monkeys up so close and I was even able to high-five one! The sanctuary is located on a small village and I was also able to hand out some toys to the local children here, of whom were so grateful. One group of boys looked like they had won the lottery when I handed them a tennis ball. A reminder of how lucky we are in the western world. An unforgettable experience.

Kintampo Waterfalls

The first stop on the route back from Mole to Kumasi was Kintampo Waterfalls where I was able to be under and behind the waters of the Pumpum river. An amazing experience!!

Canoe Safari & Shea Butter Eco-Village

It was fantastic to be able to see how Shea Butter is made at a local eco-village to Mole National Park. Whilst there I also was able to meet some of the residents of the village and give some toys to the children. I also had the opportunity to go on a canoe safari in a canoe that was handmade by a local that, despite filling with water rather quickly that had to be paled out, was definitely an unforgettable experience.

More from Mole National Park

Some more photos from my time at Mole National Park. To turn around and be surprised by an elephant by the swimming pool is an experience I will never forget. An absolutely incredible place with breathtakingly beautiful animals and views.

Jeep Safari at Mole National Park

It was an absolutely incredible experience to go on a jeep safari at Mole National Park, being very lucky to get so up close to Elephants, Warthogs, Baboons and other animals.

Restoration at Pinnacle Model School LBG

During the afternoons over the past couple of weeks in Ghana I have been painting walls, drawing numbers and restoring classrooms as well as spending some time with the local children at Pinnacle Model School LBG. It was a great pleasure to be able to contribute to the local community in Kumasi and see the reactions from both teachers and the children as the work progressed.

Teaching at Christian Life Academy

I have had the greatest pleasure to spend some time with the students at Christian Life Academy over the last couple of weeks as well as teaching some of their lessons with the wonderful ‘Aunty’ Joyce. It broke my heart to see some students sitting in lessons with no textbooks because their parents couldn’t afford to buy them. Before I left, I made sure that every child in my class had all of the books they needed and to say they were grateful was an understatement. Seeing just how appreciative the young people at Christian Life were for the so-little they have, has made me realise just how lucky we are to have such a strong and free education system in the UK. An experience that will stay with me forever.