Only a week since her return from Ghana, UM sophomore Jordan Harris took some time to reflect on her experience. Jordan is also this year’s Outreach Chair. Take a look at her response:

1. What was your favorite part of the trip? (Favorite city? Favorite activity? Favorite person?)

Hard hard question…I had lots of favorites, but my first was probably our visit to Echoing Hills, which was this awesome little oasis in the middle of the chaos and (sometimes) poverty that is downtown Accra. EH is a home and school for developmentally disabled people, and it also provides a place for deaf and blind children to learn trade skills. When we visited, we were brought to this shaded pavilion where all the students were sitting in plastic chairs being taught by Tom, a volunteer from the UK. When we got there, they were quick to invite us in, then each of the students got up and introduced themselves to each of us. I had a huge smile on my face the entire time; they were so happy there, and I was so happy to see that there was this beautiful, happy facility for them to grow and learn in. Great, great place run by Archie, a man that Joey met last year during his trip.

2. What general things did you learn about the health care system?

Although nationally it is striving to uphold standards near those of American hospitals, an incredible lack of resources make those standards nearly unreachable. Doctors are in short supply, and many of those that we met were overworked and underpaid. Still, many Ghanaian healthcare workers become expert innovators…you’re forced to when you struggle with the lack of resources that they do.

3. What was your impression of the people you encountered?

Incredibly friendly, welcoming, and happy to have us there.

4. What aspects of Ghanaian culture were the hardest to get used to?

Adjusting was much easier than I thought it would be; I remember arriving, at night, to our host family’s home in Tamale for the first time a little concerned at the lack of electricity and interesting stew placed before us for dinner, but neither was ever a problem. One thing that actually was difficult for me to adjust to was the left hand’s status as “unclean”; we ate with our hands, but only the right (the left is used in the bathroom, apparently) – and I’m left handed.

5. What was the most peculiar thing you saw? Ate?

Goats everywhere! On top of houses, inside of hospitals…there may have been more goats in Ghana than Ghanaians. And as for eating…The last night we were there I was outside playing football with some of the kids in our family and saw a big pile of chicken feathers scattered in the front yard, and assumed some animal had gotten to the chicken. Later, for dinner, we ate groundnut soup with chicken…very fresh chicken.

6. Would you ever return to Ghana? Why or why not?

I plan to as soon as possible. I felt so in touch with humanity there; no matter where you go, there are people…people shopping, talking, carrying huge loads of plantains on their heads. The technology we have grown accustomed to in the States isn’t readily available, so it is much less a part of everyday life, leaving infinitely more time for human interaction.

7. What advice do you have for future U2H Ghana trips? (Regrets? Suggested changes?)

Expect to get sick at least a few times, and remember that when you do it will pass. Spend the 40 USD to get an international phone; you’ll want it. Don’t overpack, and make sure most of your clothes are loose-fitting cotton. Understand that you are in a foreign country, with traditions and customs very different from those you are used to, and know that the more you embrace those customs the better your experience will be in the end. The Ghanaian people truly appreciated any effort we made to understand their language, appreciate their food, etc…and those cultural differences are really what make the trip. Never forget that you are lucky to be there.

8. What did you miss most about home? What’s the first thing you will do? Eat?

Probably my family, and at times air conditioning. The first thing I did was to blast the A/C and take a good long nap, and the first thing I ate was all of the fresh fruit I could get my hands on (necessary to reboot the digestive system after lots and lots of white bread and rice and meat and not too much fresh produce).

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Click here to learn more about our commitment to Ghana.

Click here to read the official Ghana Trip 2009 blog.

Filed under: Ghana, Members