Reviews

"Ghana is a country with very relaxed, friendly, and helpful people. The same is true for the Farm of Hope. I felt very much at home there and would love to come back."

Dear Kwasi, These five weeks in Ghana at the Farm of Hope went by so quickly. As a mother, it was wonderful to see our daughters doing well. I think they were very well cared for, felt comfortable, and had many new experiences. I hope it was also enriching for the people there. I've heard that Sophia and Marla already miss Africa, school, and their friends there a little... I especially want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your support, your help with translations, the excellent preparation for Africa, and your great attitude were invaluable! By the way, I discovered the donation account on the Farm of Hope website. A monetary donation is probably the most helpful thing, isn't it? I wish you, dear Kwasi, all the best and a Merry Christmas. Warm regards, Marianne

My trip to Ghana in 2019 came about very spontaneously after a family friend, shortly after I finished my Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, learned that I wanted to do volunteer work and introduced me to Kwasi, the founder of the Farm of Hope International School. Kwasi said, "Once Ghana, always Ghana." And it's true! It was a very enriching and fulfilling experience. Through openness, asking questions, and observing, I not only gained a lot for myself but also learned where support was needed or wanted. This allowed me to share my experience and knowledge in working with children and young people. What we all shared from the beginning was a passion for this work. I especially appreciated the organization's authenticity and the direct contact with the founder and his mission and vision.

Now that I’m back in Germany, I wanted to take the opportunity to share my experiences with you. In Ghana, we received a warm welcome from both children and adults, and we immediately felt their gratitude for our support. We had tasks to tackle every day; among other things, we helped build an orphanage—assembling beds, painting, and cleaning up were the order of the day. We also constructed a complete sports complex on the school grounds, featuring a small football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, and a long-jump pit, which means PE lessons can now be expanded. The children were thrilled with it and didn't want to stop playing. We were also able to assist in the classroom; I taught math to the fourth-grade class. The children are truly eager to learn, and it’s clear they enjoy coming to school. It’s easy to grow very fond of the children, which made saying goodbye incredibly hard and sad for everyone involved. Fortunately, there are still volunteers there who can send us the occasional photo.

We used the weekends to travel into Accra or visit local sights. Unfortunately, we experienced countless car breakdowns, making our trips quite an adventure—you never knew when you’d make it back. You had to be prepared for anything and expect the worst. Naturally, we reached our physical limits at times; especially in the beginning, we lacked toilets, electricity, and running water, and had insufficient food and drink. The building where we slept was still under construction, so the situation fortunately improved over time. I can say that our group generally took everything in stride and managed to handle difficult situations well—like cooking pasta over an open fire or playing cards in a dark room. After all, one embarks on a journey like this partly to gain such experiences. Back in wealthy Germany, we constantly realize just how grateful we are for even the smallest things. And that really shapes the way we think!