First Injection - 55 days

55 days before I leave England. Before I go to Africa, a continent I've never been to. Before I have to say goodbye to Leamington, say goodbye to my church, my school and the scariest thing is say goodbye to my friends. I still feels so unreal! I had to say goodbye to my first close friend on Sunday as he's going back to uni and I most likely won't see him before I leave. It was such a strange feeling. Definitely couldn't do it without shedding some/many tears, but I'm sure it won't be the last time I see him!


I had my first injection today which was a combination of Hepatitis A and B. Only got 6 more to go haha, but they're all in the last month before I go. I'll also need to take malaria tablets as all of Ghana is at high risk so definitely going to be sleeping under a net every night.


I've decided to apply for International Tourism Management and have sent in my qualifications from GCSE's and As Level so hopefully hear soon if I'm accepted. I continued looking into it with my parents over the last week and definitely feel at peace with the decision. I'll let you know when I hear back from them! I've decided to not do it at the uni that I gave the link to in my previous post, but in a uni which has got better reviews for that course. The link to their course is: International Tourism Management
I got exams starting again on the 16th of May, so very soon, so have been studying hard, but could definitely use your prayers and thoughts for me as I get very stressed around this time period, so I'd appreciate that:)


I've also received a lot of information on my placement in Ghana so I'll just copy paste it:


Placement Information Sheet Volunteer Name: Marieke Feenstra Project: Teaching Project Project Duration: Weeks: 6 starting on 04th July 2011
Description of Project type:


PLACEMENT 1 - TEACHING IN JANTONG VILLAGE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This program is based in the remote but thriving rural village of Jantong, approximately 20 minutes outside of Tamale, and offers the chance to teach in an authentic village school. You’ll be working alongside the teachers and seeing firsthand how Ghanaian children are taught. It’s an ideal way for practicing or new teachers from other countries to have the experience of teaching in a totally different culture and environment. This placement offers much more than the rewards of teaching. Jantong is a village well known for its hospitality towards visitors and the Chief himself will welcome you in style. Dancing, singing, storytelling and drumming will be laid on for your induction into true village life and give you an experience you’ll never forget. Here you’ll discover the true Africa and become part of its culture and traditions first hand. Teaching at Jantong Junior high school you could bring educational equipment as reading books, teaching software (even a laptop to go with it) pencils, pens, writing paper etc, these would be most welcome.



PLACEMENT 2


MALTITI FIRST STEPS
Maltiti First Steps is a small voluntary project whose mission is to help young disadvantaged females living in urban villages around Tamale. We run a centre for girls aged 7 – 18 providing them with a FREE introduction to formal learning and then enrolment into either state education or employment. These are opportunities the girls would otherwise not have, and from this first step they go on to become financially independent, thus able to make informed decisions about their future. At the learning centre we teach between 40 – 50 younger students basic skills in English, Maths, Social Studies and Religious & Moral Education, and prepare them for entry into the state school sector. We also run a vocational programme teaching 10 older students basic sewing techniques, preparing them for an apprenticeship in a professional sewing shop in town. Volunteers on this program me will enjoy a rewarding experience by assisting our teachers to deliver lessons. During the mornings you’ll be working with smaller groups of students helping them with their reading, writing and numeracy skills. There may be occasions when you’ll be asked to teach one of the classes yourself but you’ll be fully supported if this happens. In the afternoons you’ll have the opportunity to support our ex-Maltiti students who are now attending state school, helping them with their homework and reading and writing skills. Maltiti First Steps is popular with volunteers because it allows them to be entirely creative in their teaching style and use of materials, and actively encourages new ideas for improvement and development. If you come on this programme you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with the students and return to help us again and again.




So that gives me and you a better idea of what I'll be doing. I've also just been given 9 people's names and email addresses of who will be in Tamale in Ghana around the same time as I am. Have already spoke to some of them on facebook and the ones i've talked to so far are all in the 18-25 age range, which is definitely a good thing!