Eric returns from Ghana: a journey full of impressions and impact

From 29 June to 3 August, Eric Minnaard, a student at Porta Mosana College in Maastricht, took part in the Global Exploration project in Ghana. He recently visited our office to enthusiastically share his experiences.

Eric got to know everyday life in Ghana without a mobile phone in his pocket, which was particularly exciting for those back home. But thanks to a daily Instagram post, everyone stayed up to date and could follow his adventures from afar.

The main language in Ghana is English, which made communication with the students there easy. Each group member was assigned a buddy, which not only helped them find their way around the school quickly, but also introduced them to local customs and traditions in a natural way. There was a lot of dancing, singing, football and, of course, studying and working on various projects.

The group stayed in a guesthouse close to the school, which enabled them to really become part of the daily rhythm; every morning they were picked up by a group of cadets who accompanied them to school, a special and respectful ritual that made a big impression. According to Eric, the children's level there is fairly in line with the group, although he noticed that for various subjects, the underlying context or in-depth information is sometimes lacking.

In addition to school life, there were encounters that left a lasting impression: they visited the Dutch embassy in Accra and travelled to Keta to visit Fort Prinzenstein, a location where the history of slavery is tangible and visible, which made a big impression on Eric and his fellow students.

A particular highlight was that the group won a prize for the best idea, with which they launched a plan to have a kitchen built at the school. Thanks in part to our sponsorship, this new kitchen is now actually being realised, which makes the impact of the trip tangible and shows how a good idea, local cooperation and commitment here in the United Kingdom can come together in something that lasts.

Thank you, Eric, for sharing your story and the beautiful souvenir that will have a special place in our office.