General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
Colourful, memorable and amazing!!Country
Ghana has a strong community spirit, and i noticed this whilst staying in senya beraku as well as travelling to other regions of Ghana. The Ghanaian people really care for each other, i was also surprised to learn that greetings were very important and i adopted that very quickly greeting those i knew and those i didn't . This not only built relationships but i made many friends.
Power cuts were very common and it was little bit of a shock at first but i quickly adapted and got use to them very quickly.
The food in Ghana was delicious and i would highly recommend any volunteers to learn to make fufu and banku, it is great learning experience and you get to really appreciate the food when given to you, because of the hard work that is put in to making it.
Like many african countries, there is a slight under-development in many areas like electricity, water usage and hospital facilities, it has made me really reflect on the services that are in the UK and really appreciate and be grateful for the services we have. But i absolutely admire and respect the amazing staff that worked in the health centre in senya beraku. Because with the limited resources they had, they were able to provide care and compassion to their patients and not show any frustration at all.
Power cuts were very common and it was little bit of a shock at first but i quickly adapted and got use to them very quickly.
The food in Ghana was delicious and i would highly recommend any volunteers to learn to make fufu and banku, it is great learning experience and you get to really appreciate the food when given to you, because of the hard work that is put in to making it.
Like many african countries, there is a slight under-development in many areas like electricity, water usage and hospital facilities, it has made me really reflect on the services that are in the UK and really appreciate and be grateful for the services we have. But i absolutely admire and respect the amazing staff that worked in the health centre in senya beraku. Because with the limited resources they had, they were able to provide care and compassion to their patients and not show any frustration at all.
Project & Staff
Senya health centre provided me with a wide range of experiences and skills, i learnt how to work under pressure and work with what i had. With the lack of resources, at times it made me frustrated but i learnt to be patient and work with what i have. I think this experience has made me more grateful and appreciate the services we have in the UK and how easy it is to access services when we are unwell. The staff at the health centre were all amazing!!! they were willing to teach me everything. During my time volunteering, i worked in three different areas, being a student nurse by background i worked in the nursing department called OPD. This included undertaking vital signs, blood glucose monitoring, weighing patients, identifying those who are unwell and referring them for tests. I came across many children with malaria symptoms and through the staff i learnt how to identify malaria and the prophylaxis steps taken once diagnosis is given. I then spent some time in the lab, here i was taught how to diagnose malaria, HIV, i also learnt how to identify blood groups. As this was particularly important for pregnant woman. I then spent some days in community outreach nursing team , this included going to rural areas and weighing infants and children, vaccinating and immunising them and ensuring they are reaching their early development goals and mile stones.
Overall this project was an amazing experience, the memories and skills and support from staff really built my confidence and it was a fantastic experience.
Overall this project was an amazing experience, the memories and skills and support from staff really built my confidence and it was a fantastic experience.
Tips
- Culture shock is normal and it is completely fine to feel out of place the first few day, just call family and friends you are not alone
- Bring your own pair of gloves and hand sanitisers as most rural health centres have limited resources
- Get involved!! and ask lots of questions
- Learn the basic twi greetings and phrases
- Bring your own pair of gloves and hand sanitisers as most rural health centres have limited resources
- Get involved!! and ask lots of questions
- Learn the basic twi greetings and phrases