Following a recent talk at a U3A coffee morning by Sarah Albeboure, the Chief Executive, of a local charity ATE (Action Through Enterprise) based in Ramsbury, I am off to volunteer in Ghana!!

I met with Sarah a few weeks after the coffee morning as I said I would like to be a volunteer after her inspiring talk about the charity she set up 6 years ago working in rural Ghana.

I thought my volunteering would consist of minor office duties a couple a times a month which I was very happy to offer.  However it was suggested that I actually volunteer in Ghana.

WOW – what an exciting opportunity!!

Since that initial meeting with Sarah I am providing some basic support in their office a couple of times a month. I have also manned their stall at Hungerford Food Festival, Aldbourne Sunday Market and the Hungerford Extravaganza to help raise vital funds for their projects in Ghana.

BUT the real news is that my flight is booked, my bags are packed and I am off to Lawra, Upper West Ghana on 10th January to volunteer for ATE!  Along with fellow volunteer, Kate, I will be helping to provide a library at a large primary school, supporting business training workshops and carrying out monitoring and evaluation activities with children at ATE supported schools.

It will be a long journey – a long haul followed by a 16-hour overnight bus ride to Lawra! – but I am excited about the adventure ahead, getting involved in the work and meeting the people of Lawra.