A place that will be forever in my heart and a place that I know I will be returning to in the future! - By Jessica Hughes

Last Monday I was anxious and apprehensive about the trip, I’d only had a few weeks to prepare....going away with strangers, going to a country I wasn't familiar with, sleeping outside and eating different food. The weeks before had been filled with filling in visa applications, sorting vaccinations and medication and fundraising so that I had a healthy amount to donate that I didn’t have time to feel nervous but here it was, 4am on Monday 21st October and I was ready to leave.

It quickly transpired that I had no need to be wary, the people I have spent the last week with have quickly become my good friends. We have laughed, cried and laughed some more together. We learnt so much about each other in such a short space of time because of the situation we found ourselves in. They are all amazing people and I am so glad I got to spend my adventure with them! Genevieve and Dr Ramiz are saints....actual saints... they work tirelessly to better the people in Ayensuako and give them every opportunity possible. They want nothing more than to make sure the people and the schools are self-sufficient and that they can thrive in the future through their own means. Their passion, energy, enthusiasm and drive for this project is amazing. It never waivers and it never stops. They are truly inspirational people.

The village of Ayensuako is your typical rural African village, the roads are unfinished (there are no paths, people and vehicles share the same road) , the houses are more like shacks (whole families live and sleep in one room), food is sparse and running water is non-existent but the people have so much heart, soul, passion and resilience. You couldn't go anywhere without them saying hello and waving, asking how we were and welcoming us to the village. The children crowded you and would want nothing more than to hold your hand and walk to school with you. The loved having their photo taken, enjoyed songs like ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ and loved learning new games like cricket! All they did was smile and enjoy the time you were spending with them! The donations given to them made them so happy! To get some second hand clothes and shoes (our unwanted items) gave them so much joy! They run around with rips in their clothes and holes in their shoes so to get items that are in near perfect condition made their day, month and year!!

Jess and Wendy

Our days were long and tiring but somehow we had the energy to keep going. Mornings began at around 5.00am and were followed by a walk down to see the children take part in football training. I don’t like watching football in this country so why would I want to watch it in Ghana? It’s completely different, that’s why. These children want to do better, they want to improve, and they want to add another string to their bow…all in the name of bettering their lives. After breakfast, and a quick wash, we would walk up to the school to observe and help in the lessons. There are no pencils, paper, paints or counting cubes but they still learn. They learn their times tables and they learn to spell. They don’t get a sticker for giving the correct answer, instead they get a clap so everyone knows how well they are doing. I remember one young girl, Wendy, looking over at me when she got a question right, she was looking for confirmation that she was doing well so I gave her my biggest smile and a double thumbs up to show her that I was proud of her. Wendy was my friend for the entire trip.

The marathon....oh my god!! What a challenge!! 13.1 miles in 30 degree heat, no barriers on the pathway, the roads still full of cars, buses and people, no stewards, just a handful of arrows to show you the route. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I thought I had prepared myself but I hadn’t. At times I didn't think I would be able to do it but I did and I am so proud of myself! Should I go back next year to beat my time?

People have asked me ‘was it a once in a lifetime trip?’ I say ‘no because it won’t be ONCE in a lifetime!’

Will I go back to Ghana? Absolutely! Will I return to the village of Ayensuako to help the school? In a heartbeat! Will I remember my time and the people in this country? Without a doubt! 

Thank you @humanitas_charity for taking me on this adventure. 

Until next time….