With less than 2 weeks to the date of departure I am surprisingly calm and collected about heading to Ghana for 5 weeks. As one of seven participants on this service-learning trip I'm sure that everyone is going through their own roller coaster of emotions. Especially since 4 out of seven have never been to Ghana before. But seeing how one very important aspect of this experience is to learn, having no experience is a good way to start. I actually think that the best way to make the most out of this trip to Ghana is to make ourselves vulnerable to our surroundings. By letting ourselves be submerged into the culture, embraced by the people and melted by the heat (hehehe), the scenarios and circumstances we encounter will carry much more value and really impact us. Because of the nature of this trip, it will be a personal challenge to ignore the tedious discomforts I will have with the weather, the bugs and structural differences and such and prioritize our group's goals. Journey for Change goals include: providing opportunities for children and youth, building meaningful relationships, and promoting open dialogue on relevant issues.
Future of Africa (the name of the organization coordinating this trip) was first founded at Wilfrid Laurier University as a result of an international student's experience with ignorance by his peers about what Africa is really like. He was motivated to share the real story of what the motherland has to offer and the potential the people possess. So as a participant of this trip I am going to be put to use in ways deemed necessary by the people we encounter at the grassroots level. Although I've been to Ghana before, it was in a completely different context. My dad brought me to meet his side of the family for the first time back in 2001 and in all honesty I didn't appreciate it. Yes I was much younger and all but I was extremely tainted by the image Africa. I only focused on what was missing from 'normal' lifestyle back in Canada and couldn't wait to return. So now that I'm older, more mature and have done my own research, I realize that the continent has so much to offer its people first and then surrounding nations only if its resources are appreciated within their context. So instead of the "Western lifestyle" ideals that people are fed as the only way to achieve success, I believe empowering them to appreciate their lifestyles for what they are and recognize the skills they possess, the strife the plagues our world today will be alleviated.
Anyway, that was just a bit of my thoughts. This video is of Carlos Andres Gomez, an amazingly talented artist. The first poem somewhat summarizes my thoughts about 'just going...'
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