1 / 22

TAKORADI 2010

A detailed account of a 10-week internship project in Takoradi and Koforidua, focusing on United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Includes advice on workshops, Ghanaian culture, community integration, trips, food, group dynamics, challenges, and recommendations for future participants.

kaiya
Télécharger la présentation

TAKORADI 2010

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. TAKORADI 2010

  2. About Me • McMaster University graduate (Honours BA Political Science 2007) • 10-week Ghana project was internship component of post-graduate certification at Humber College (International Development 2010) • Limited international experience

  3. About our project • 5 Humber students • Workshop facilitation • Focus: United Nations Millennium Development Goals • Approx 5 weeks in Takoradi followed by 5 weeks in Koforidua

  4. Takoradi

  5. Accommodations: Worker’s College

  6. Accommodations: Worker’s College • Power usually worked but be prepared to bucket shower 50% of the time • Laundry: get a set rate at the beginning • Try to eat there if possible • Noise carries so you might want to bring earplugs

  7. Workshops

  8. YMCA Workshops

  9. OIC Workshops

  10. Workshops • Speak slowly and clearly in simplified language • Ask students to repeat instructions • Be interactive! • Keep on top of workshop activities (pre-tests and post-tests) • You will have to adjust to changing schedules

  11. Ghanaian Culture • Importance of greetings • Invitations: if you invite someone, you pay for them! • Attention from men • Comments about personal appearance • Talking to everyone

  12. Community Integration • Go for walks • Learn some Fante • Don’t be afraid to ask questions • Ask students about Ghana and Takoradi • Attend Church, weddings or funerals if you are invited

  13. Trips

  14. Trips • Cape Coast Castle is a must-see • Kakum Canopy Bridge • Busua: beach within 30 mins (20 cedi cab ride or cheaper tro-tro ride) • African Beach Resort: swimming for 12 cedis

  15. Food Red-Red Groundnut soup with chicken

  16. Group Dynamics • Keep the lines of communication open • Don’t gossip • University roommate rules • Keep an open mind • Give people personal space • Know the signs of culture shock and how people might react to it • Share the workload and work-related responsibilities • Consider pooling money for shared expenses (ie. Toilet paper, taxis, water)

  17. Challenges • Food (eating out constantly) • Workload • Cross-cultural communication • Water and Electricity • Laundry • Ghanaian time • Knowing what a fair price is • Technology • Mail into Ghana • Religion • Sundays

  18. Recommendations • Don’t be afraid of street food (yam, plantain, pancake) • Don’t be afraid to say no • Ask students if they understand and have them repeat instructions • Learn some Fante and don’t be shy about speaking it • Pack as much as you can as a group (ie. Books) • Split the workshops • Go to KQ! • Research Ghana as much as you can • Read our recommendations from our Final Report • Talk to Fred and Augustine • Tell your bank you are leaving, and follow-up!

  19. Recommendations • Go to Church if you are invited • Journal or Blog • Buy a mosquito net from YCI (if available) • Work with the Rotarians • Opportunity to network with young professionals • We were introduced to a tailor • Had the opportunity to attend a Ghanaian wedding

  20. Custom-made Clothes!

  21. Things to pack • Safety pins and rope for your mosquito net, 3M hooks • 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner • Day pack for day trips! • Afterbite • Extra memory card or USB stick – beware of viruses • Laptop if you have one! • Sleep sheet • Bradt guide – we found this very helpful • Hand sanitizer: you often won’t have water! • Crystal Light/fruit bars/comfort food • Water bottle • Extra notebook and pens • …Most things are available in Takoradi

  22. Contact Me! • E-mail: devonhamilton2@hotmail.com • Facebook: Devon Hamilton • My blog about pre-departure preparation and life during project in Takoradi and Koforidua: http://www.devongoestoghana.wordpress.com • Lisa’s Blog (you will meet her in January!) http://www.lisadalimonte.blogspot.com

More Related