Early Saturday morning we all gathered outside our beloved Quality First supermarket in Tamale town centre, eager to experience our first community entry. This was Kanvili; an area on the outskirts of the city that had been highlighted as requiring the training and support we could offer.  We had arranged to meet the Assembly man once we arrived in the community; as the society's spokesperson, he is a gateway into being able to carry out our work.

As the last cohort of volunteers had faced difficulties with working here, the pressure was on for us (cohort 7) to move forward, and therefore to make a good first impression. As we walked around the community for over 45 minutes, many locals greeted us “Dasiba (Good morning), Kawula (how are you doing?), Amaraba (Welcome), Nigorim (How was your journey?). Children walked with their parents behind us smiling in wonder as to why this large group of foreigners were in their town.

TEAM WOSAG WITH ASSEMBLY MAN

Somewhat distracted by the unfamiliar setting, we nearly bypassed the assembly man’s house until he shouted “HEYYYYYYYY, I’m here”. His family greeted us with warm smiles and the usual Ghanaian hospitality was not omitted. We discussed our mission and from this, he was eager to lead us to the elders of the community. The minute we all watched him bend to greet the elders and explain the reason of our visit, we all quickly bowed with hands clapped in reverence to the respectable group in every society. The elders are valued in all communities across Tamale and at first some of us even thought we were actually in front of the chief.

The assembly man enthusiastically explained our reasons for the visit and the project mission and activities planned for this community to the elders. Following this, teenagers quickly grabbed benches and chairs and invited us to sit down under a tree whilst the elders spoke to the chief. Whilst waiting for the chief, we were introduced to Naazoo “the friend of the chief”. Despite the conversations surrounding us taking place in Dagbani (the local language) we all knew he was an important man due to his special smock and everyone else’s respectful behaviour towards him. After we had been briefly introduced, we were invited into the palace to meet the chief and the full council of elders. This was an experience that will not leave us quickly.

TEAM WOSAG WITH THE CHIEF AND ELDERS OF KANVILI

The friend of the chief acted as a spokesperson for the chief for the entirety of the encounter (a common practice here). After initial pleasantries regarding where we were from, what our charity’s mission was and how we plan to carry out development campaigns, we were grilled as to what concrete plans we had, and the justification for allowing outsiders to come in; were we qualified? A little nervously (it must be admitted) we explained that we are a group of Ghanaian and British volunteers with the passion to empower women in Kanvilli to provide sustainable solutions to the communities needs. This is following on from insight conducted by the previous cohort with the aim to deliver sessions as requested by the women’s group. Thankfully, the chief gave us his blessing for work in the community and expressed he was truly grateful and wiling to support us in any way. This was a such a huge relief and motivation for the group as we became even more excited to join the women’s group as they held their weekly meeting.

The women’s group is called Kpag-Mag Ka-Wuni Sog which means "do well and God will help you" The group shared areas of interest and asked us to deliver sessions on hygiene and sanitation, family planning and financial independence. These topics will help improve their standard of living, their confidence and their wellbeing. It is safe to say that we are more than excited to help facilitate this.

TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

Welcome to team WOSAG! We are a 10 person army with 5 UK volunteers and 5 in country volunteers working to empower and educate women in sexual health, financial independence, women’s rights, child safeguarding and sanitation.

MEET THE TEAM;

CLIFFORD - ICV

    .     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

The idea of bringing our views together to see what we can achieve.

    .     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

Mahogany. (Why?) Because it is very strong and resistant to most extreme factors.

    .     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

    .     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Neslon Mandela because I cherish what he did.

    .     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go UK, I want to experience how you live your lives to understand you better.

6                                                                     .     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

                                                                   Drive power.

ALICE - UKV

1.     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

Our community entry at Kanvili

2.     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

Baobab. (Why?) They are big, they make cool shapes and are awesome.

3.     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

4.     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Beyonce. I would love to be extremely awesome for a day

5.     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Argentina- It's been the dream forever

1.     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I’d make everyone really tiny so that I could move them around and control them

LIZAH - ICV

   

 .     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

The community entry at Banvim

 .     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A mango tree

 .     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

 .     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Miss Ghana. I like to model and I have the experience

 .     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

UK because I’ve heard great things about it

 .     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To be able to help people to change their lives

NYIMA - UKV

1.     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

Dancing with my host siblings in the evening

2.     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A banana tree. It bears fruit, its wood can be used, its leaves can be used as plates… it’s a great tree.

3.     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Hands for eyes. Why not.

4.     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

James Brown. (why?) So I could play some funky music.

5.     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Kerala, south india. I’ve always wanted to go its meant to be beautiful.

6.     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

The power of persuasion (so everyone would be convinced to do what I say) 

CECIL - ICV

   .     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

The community entry in Kanvilli was very interesting.

   .     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A palm tree. All parts of it can be used.

   .     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

   .     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Pastor Chris so I can impact the world with the gospel with demonstration of power

   .     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

NYC – I’d love to see the sight

                                                                      .     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

                                                                      To be able to know everything

1.     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

Meeting my host family for the first time

ELISABETE

2.     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A coconut tree

3.     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

4.     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

I can’t imagine being anyone else!

5.     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

I’d go back to my home in Portugal

6.     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To fly

HASSAN - ICV

   .     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

Meeting my counterpart and my host family for the first time

   .     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A mango tree

   .     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

   .     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Ismail-Mufti-Menk. He’s an Islamic scholar who inspires me greatly

   .     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Denmark. (why?) I’d just love to explore.

                                                                     .     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

                                                                   To be able to see people's future

TAYO - UKV

1.     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

The party at Elisabete’s house- it was so fun

2.     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

An Olive tree.

3.     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

4.     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

My mum because I think she’s amazing and would love to be all she is.

5.     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

Thailand. (why?) So I could lie on a beach

6.     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To be able to heal people

FELICIA - ICV

      .    What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

       The community entry at Kanvili- it was a great experience

      .  If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A Flower tree

      .   Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

      .   If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

CeCe Wyans- I love her and would love to be able to motivate others as she does

      .  If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

UK. (why?) I want to experience the weather, the food and the education system

     .  If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

  To be able to change women’s lives for better

SOPHIE - UKV

1.     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

Celebrating Alice’s and Elizabete’s birthday at the weekend

2.     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

Elm. (why?) it was the name of my house at school

3.     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

4.     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

My dad. I think it would help me be more empathetic

5.     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, but I’m here now!

6.     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

     To be able to read minds, but no one would know that I could

IGNATIUS - ICV TEAM LEADER

  .     What has been the best moment of the placement so far?

The community entry at Kanvili

  .     If you were a type of tree, what type of tree would you be?

A bamboo tree. (Why?) Because it is very strong.

  .     Would you rather have hands for eyes or eyes for hands?

Eyes for hands

  .     If you could be someone for a day who would you be?

Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He was the first Ghanian President and I admire his leadership skills

 .     If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

I’d go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. I would love to see it.

6                                                                   .     If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

                                                                   To fly- I’d fly to the tower!