By Tom Miles, Expedition Leader
This is Tom, the expedition leader. I hope you are not missing your children too much. I just wanted to give you a quick update on our expedition and share a few thoughts.
We are quickly approaching the half way point and time has flown by. The team spirit is fantastic. I was absolutely blown away by the group in the first couple of days here in Ghana. The entire group were immediately so relaxed and comfortable with our hosts here at Ankaful. I was so impressed with their openness and friendly nature they took about building new friendships at the school and the community. I have been working with youth groups here in Ghana for the last 9 years and I honestly can say I have never worked with a more kind, mature but also good natured fun group. This is the first time we have brought a group to Ankaful and first impressions are obviously very important. For most the students at Ankaful High School this will be the first time they have interacted with Western people and our group is making a great impression. Not only this but the atmosphere within our group is excellent. It is common during an expedition that if students are to be homesick it will be around day 4 or 5. The excitement of the journey and first couple of days has worn off and the realality of how long they will be away from their parents sinks in. The group has shown compassion to each other and kept morale going back at camp .
But what have we been doing? We are busy! The first few days here were spent getting to know our new surroundings and students and staff at Ankaful school. We had an incredible warm welcome.
This week the students at the High School are sitting their exams so we are trying to give them some space. We have concentrated on the construction of our chicken farm. We might not be the strongest or most practicable group but these guys are not scared of some hard work. Everyone was eager to pick up a hammer or saw and get stuck in. So don’t worry you can save your university fees as these guys are coming back as trained carpenters! We have also decided to paint the chicken farm bright colours which our hosts find hilarious. This is definitely going to be prettiest chicken farm in ghana. We hope to finish the project today.
I have not told the group yet but we are taking everyone including the the ghanaians students to the beach this weekend for some well earned R&R.
Next week is going to be crazy busy. Our team has planned a sports day for all the students at the kindergarten, primary school and high school. The Ghanaian students are going to be very amused by egg and spoon and sack races I imagine.
Lots more to tell you but I’ve just been told I’m on washing up duty so better go.
Best wishes from our very happy group
Cheers,
Tom