It was impossible not to be excited! The staff in Kumasi was very welcoming and friendly but I was still affected by culture shock for my first few weeks, but looking back I’m glad that my experience was not always easy as I feel like I gained so much more from it that way. During my time in Kumasi I grew to absolutely love the Ghanaian culture. Without exception the people were so friendly and helpful; everyone just wants to chat to you all the time and make sure you’re ok! It never worried me if I was lost because I knew I could ask anyone for help and they would go out of their way to take me right to my destination.

Kumasi is such a colorful and hectic place. It’s full of people, wearing bright colors and patterns and carrying huge amounts of heavy goods on the top of their heads. Goats, sheep and chickens wander around all over the place. Wherever you go you’re followed with calls of “Obruni! Obruni, what is your name/where are you going?!”. The color of my skin attracted countless, harmless marriage proposals from Ghanaian men, caused people to wave at me as I passed and groups of children to follow me, holding my hand and chanting “Obruni”- you can never blend into the crowd!,i was volunteering in a government run orphanage called the Kumasi Children’s Home.

It was outside the city centre and was a big area divided into different blocks with a play area and football pitch in the middle. There was also a school and day care on the site. On my first day I was shown around each of the blocks and decided to work in the girls’ section, where the children were mostly aged from babies to about 11.All the children were so excited when I arrived and literally climbed all over me!

The accommodation was very nice and exceeded my expectation. I have so many wonderful memories that I couldn't pick one. From having a water balloon fight with the kids, to dancing with them, to just having a child fall asleep in my lap.!

It was impossible not to be excited! The staff in Kumasi was very welcoming and friendly but I was still affected by culture shock for my first few weeks, but looking back I’m glad that my experience was not always easy as I feel like I gained so much more from it that way. During my time in Kumasi I grew to absolutely love the Ghanaian culture.

Without exception the people were so friendly and helpful; everyone just wants to chat to you all the time and make sure you’re ok! It never worried me if I was lost because I knew I could ask anyone for help and they would go out of their way to take me right to my destination. Kumasi is such a colorful and hectic place. It’s full of people, wearing bright colors and patterns and carrying huge amounts of heavy goods on the top of their heads. Goats, sheep and chickens wander around all over the place. Wherever you go you’re followed with calls of “Obruni! Obruni, what is your name/where are you going?!”.

The color of my skin attracted countless, harmless marriage proposals from Ghanaian men, caused people to wave at me as I passed and groups of children to follow me, holding my hand and chanting “Obruni”- you can never blend into the crowd!,i was volunteering in a government run orphanage called the Kumasi Children’s Home. It was outside the city centre and was a big area divided into different blocks with a play area and football pitch in the middle.

There was also a school and day care on the site. On my first day I was shown around each of the blocks and decided to work in the girls’ section, where the children were mostly aged from babies to about 11.All the children were so excited when I arrived and literally climbed all over me!!!

It was impossible not to be excited. The visit to Kumasi was very charming, but the real experience was far more profound. I feel like I've 'learned' so much more than I had any other way. Everybody there is genuinely warm and helpful — the people were so friendly and helpful, everyone just wants to talk to you.

At the time and place I was in, I felt the most welcome in my life. DAC's coordinator called us of "Dream" (its call, what is your assessment what are you going to get!?). The rest of my own experience in this context was the best systems of communication.

I miss Ghana. Unlike most volunteers, I only got to spend 3 short weeks in Kumasi and I regret not signing up for a longer visit. Being a pre-medicine student, I wanted to volunteer in a hospital setting, but also travel and get out of my comfort zone.

Since I was finishing my senior year, this summer of 2012 would really be my only chance to make such a trip so I decided to take this chance, regardless of how short the trip would be.My placement was at the Namasa Government Hospital the staff in general is very friendly and extremely helpful and in particular Helena, the volunteer coordinator, was the best boss I’ll ever have.“