S.K.E.P. has recently taken on a number of volunteers, and we have been encouraged by the fact that many people have been interested in doing voluntary work in Ghana for a short period. This is  a policy the organization would like to continue and we plan to take on more volunteers in 2007.

After an initial interview, we will compose a working programme that will suit both us and the volunteer. By doing this we make use of the skills, experience and interests of the volunteer. The agreement is then put into writing.

 

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Because we are so happy with the support we have received so far, we would like to use this page to thank them and to give them the opportunity to tell their story:

So far we have been fortunate to have received help from the following volunteers:

•  Jo Warren (See below)

•  Patricia Hunting and Julia Fütterer

•  Debby Levering - deblev.whereareyou.net

•  Milouke - miloukeinghana.waarbenjij.nu

•  Marieke - mariekeghanaghana.waarbenjij.nu

 

Jo Warren from England stayed in Tamale. She helped us at the office and worked a few days a week at our children's school. She stayed in Ghana from December 2005 until February 2006. We were very happy with this extra help. This is her story:

My name is Jo Warren and I’m eighteen years old, I came to Ghana to join S.K.E.P, Savannah Kids Education Project as a volunteer to assist with the street children and the teaching in the school and also to organize a Christmas party, along with various other activities, I also came to see and experience the work and life of the charity and the children.

I have always loved to help others and when I found the charity on the internet, it felt so right and I knew it was meant to be, I believe everything in life happens for a reason...

What I had imagined before I came here was very different to how it is, in England all we hear about is Aids epidemics, death, famine and poverty but in reality it is a very peaceful, united country. Although it is a very poor country and is in desperation, the people are not greedy, they have no materialistic expectations from life, they live simply from day to day trying to earn a living to survive.

There is no question that Ghana is in need of aid and donations and it is with charities like S.K.E.P that are making many dreams come true, they are giving the children hope and something to live for, they ease the suffering that the children have to face up to, they free their souls from the road leading to no-where and show them a life they could only dream of and I feel so privileged to be able to be a part of it.

S.K.E.P is a very genuine organization and cares deeply about the children’s feelings and is careful to ensure they are kept safe and that they are also attending school.

The people within S.K.E.P. work extremely hard, I have seen a lot of their work and the projects we are organizing while I am staying here, for instance we arranged a Christmas party for all the S.K.E.P. children with games food and drink, also party bags which contained a present, card and few sweets, it was planned for about 100 people because we allowed a contact person to assist each child but on the day many other children joined in too and the children from S.K.E.P. also bought their friends and family, there were many people willing to help us set up and decorate the hall, everyone loved the balloons and the banners that were strung around the hall, it was a magical day for us as well as the children.

We also hired a d.j to play lots of Christmas songs, it went very well. It was so nice to see their faces, that for the first time in their lives they were able to have fun, it was a great turn-out and I know it will be a memory for most that will never be forgotten. 

I have also met other organizations in Tamale but none of them really seem to truly carry it in their heart and soul like the people within and around S.K.E.P....  

I have met many of the children and when I heard some of their stories, their background or when I met them at their home, I found at first, it was sometimes very disturbing and upsetting because of the way they have to live, the factor of how little they have, that look in a child’s eyes of complete desperation or exhaustion that cuts deep into your soul because their emotions are so strong, you can feel what they feel and when I see all that S.K.E.P. is achieving, all the energy, time and money but more importantly all the love and care it really opened my eyes for the first time in my life, it gives you a real sense of what care and love is about, of how much certain people are willing to sacrifice for others that need it more. 

Being here, at times, has challenged my views, my beliefs and even my heart, the culture is so diverse and although at times it has been a struggle to adapt from the lifestyle I was used to, it is worth it because the work I am doing with S.K.E.P. is extremely rewarding, working with S.K.E.P has shown me a way of life that is so real and so true...

If you would like to volunteer for 2007 please contact us:

info@skep-ghana.org