Tag: Jamie

By jamfanous

My time in Ghana is rapidly ending and our project is almost done!  This entire semester I worried that something would go wrong and prevent this project from completion but now, so close to the final product I believe it will carry on after we leave.  Many of the students and teachers are invested in the project and will continue it, as well as CDDF staff that have many more ideas for the school and will be keeping a close eye on the recycling being done. ...continue reading "the end of the road"

By jamfanous

April 1^st:  Discuss any updates with your volunteer work/research, any challenges you have faced, and any accomplishments you are particularly proud of.  Have there been any current international or domestic issue that have affected your volunteer work/research, has your work become more relevant or has it been overshadowed?  What kind of impact do you think you are making on the local community and do you think that impact will have a lasting affect?   

 

The Waste Management Project has made a lot of progress in the past weeks, we are hoping to have the project fully completed by the end of April.

This past month has been all about making connections with the community.

Firstly, in order to start a project in Ni Boii Town you must send a ‘letter of intent’ to various individuals in the community including: the chief/ traditional leader, metro education and health offices, metro assembly, the Community Directed Development Association as well as school administrators.  It’s all a simple formality for everyone in community to be aware of our work and to give them the opportunity to object or ask any questions. ...continue reading "sachets, sachets, sachets"

By jamfanous

A lot has happened in the last month!  My work with CDDF has really taken off and I recently began work on a waste management project at a grade school in Nii Boi Town.  The project plans have finalized into a Solid Waste Management and Beautification Project.  Thus myself and another CIEE intern are developing basic recycling and composting systems.  Since most waste produced at schools consist of mostly plastics and biodegradable products such as orange peals, the best option for a school is to recycle its waste products in order to generate a small income or make use of its materials.  Of course this project comes with many different variable and approaches, however: we plan on beginning with an educational seminar for the students regarding recycling, the environment etc, and why it is important to recycle and keep the earth clean, hopefully we will present to the students and teachers next week.  After the initial presentation to the school, we are hoping to conduct a few more throughout the semester on a smaller scale, regarding environmental awareness and health. ...continue reading "Volunteering in Ghana"

By jamfanous

February 4th:  What challenges are you facing and how are you/planning
to overcome them?  What are the benefits and do you feel like you are already making a difference, if so how?

There are numerous opportunities to serve in the Greater Accra area and beyond. Fortunately I have been offered the opportunity to work with an organization dedicated to sustainable development called Community Directed Development Foundation(CDDF). CDDF is a non governmental organization determined to improve the health, education, environment, agriculture and socio-economic well-being of communities. The organization works with other NGO's and community organizations to devise positive sustainable futures for many struggling communities. The organization facilitates an endless number of outreach programs, those currently in the works include: Women For Africa(CDDF-wFa) and Brempong-Twum Initiative for Good Health. ...continue reading "Volunteering in Ghana"

By jamfanous

Discuss what study abroad program you are attending and why, what type of volunteer work/research you plan to do abroad.

My interests have constantly evolved but with the same underlining theme being sustainability.  I began college wanting to study environmental law but soon transitioned to topics such as international food justice, and urban health research and policy.  After studying the major flaws to America’s food production, I grew intrigued by food health specifically global health concerns with a concentration on food quality.

While searching for a study abroad program for the spring semester, I stumbled upon the CIEE: Business, Development, and Social Entrepreneurship program.  This program based in Legon, Ghana (only 10 miles from the capitol city Accra), is entirely new, the program combines entrepreneurship studies and cultural full immersion. The program provides a diversity of education and the freedom to follow your passion.

During my time in Ghana, I am planning to study urban nutrition in relation to food and agriculture policy.  I intend on either spending time working with individuals in the food and agriculture industry, with a local NGO assisting in urban nutrition projects and promoting urban health, or assist a small business related to health food systems or agriculture.