Nishana Weerasooriya spent her spring break volunteering in Ghana at the New Horizon Special School for intellectually disabled children. This was part of the Social Entrepreneurship Club at Clark University in conjunction with the Alternative Spring Break. In this interview she talks about her experiences in Ghana and why it is the best way to spend a spring break.
What made you want to step away from the usual partying and socialising of the spring break and spend your time off volunteering in Ghana?
I have never actually done a typical ‘partying spring break’. And I honestly don’t think I see the point, if I had the choice of going to Ghana and volunteering or going to party I would continue to choose Ghana because that’s the kind of thing I really love to do.
What sort of activities and work did you get up to while you were in Ghana?
We worked at the New Horizon Special School in Accra, Ghana. We ended up being something akin to a teacher’s assistant while we were at the school. I was able to really get some hands on experience working with the kids. The work consisted of helping the kids through their daily routines. Because they are autistic or have other disabilities they need a structured routine which is provided by the school.
How much of a culture shock was your visit to Ghana, how is life in Ghana different to your life?
Ghana wasn’t much of a culture shock for me. My family are from Sri Lanka so I am very aware and used to developing countries and the poverty that is rampant. Life in Ghana is very different from my life here at Clark, in that there is so much noise and the traffic was something I wasn’t expecting (its worse than New York City). In addition when you are driving, people are constantly trying to sell you something, which is honestly a great way to earn your living. Who wants to get out of their car to buy a newspaper when you can just whistle over the newspaper boy who brings it right to the car.
What did you learn and what did you personally gain from your alternative spring break in Ghana?
This experience just solidified the concept of making my dreams come true. We started this trip as an idea; in fact we started collecting donations for the school without even thinking about actually going to Ghana ourselves. And then it evolved into this idea of travelling to Ghana during spring break. We fundraised and worked so hard for five months and raised $14,000. I am so proud of us and actually going to Ghana proved to me and to our school that eight women can do what they set out to do and the world truly is our oyster. (I know tacky, however true).
How important do you think it is for students to visit deprived countries and gain an international perspective?
I think its something that every student should do, If it fits into your personality and character. This isn’t for everyone, but I think that our world has become one of globalisation within the blink of an eye and to not take advantage of the opportunities to travel abroad is foolish. Many students have no idea of the poverty and the hustle these people have to endure on a daily basis. While we were in Ghana we saw people living in shanty towns, in basic huts without much to eat and what little they have sharing with everyone. This is something that everyone should experience and it only makes you more thankful for what you have.
Do you think that many students would be willing to give up their spring break to volunteer?
I think they would, if they knew the personal growth and the value of doing an alternative spring break. But I don’t think its for everyone. At my institution I think it’s the norm for students to want to do an alternative spring break and not go party in Cancun.
How do you think your studies have been influenced by your experiences in Ghana?
As a Government and International Relations major this was a great way to gain some real world experience and to see some of the things we have discussed in class actually play out while we were in Ghana. Especially with the laws in Ghana that have recently been passed for disabilities. It was really interesting to hear about the lack of reform there and how the people can really make a difference.
And finally why is volunteering during your spring break a better way to spend your time off than partying?
I would personally rather make a difference in one person’s life than get drunk and party. I think that giving back to the community even if it is local instead of international is a better use of my time. It is about personal fulfilment and personal growth.
Nishana Weerasooriya – “Volunteering In Ghana”
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Nishana Weerasooriya spent her spring break volunteering in Ghana at the New Horizon Special School for intellectually disabled children. This was part of the Social Entrepreneurship Club at Clark University in conjunction with the Alternative Spring Break. In this interview she talks about her experiences in Ghana and why it is the best way to spend a spring break.
What made you want to step away from the usual partying and socialising of the spring break and spend your time off volunteering in Ghana?
I have never actually done a typical ‘partying spring break’. And I honestly don’t think I see the point, if I had the choice of going to Ghana and volunteering or going to party I would continue to choose Ghana because that’s the kind of thing I really love to do.
What sort of activities and work did you get up to while you were in Ghana?
We worked at the New Horizon Special School in Accra, Ghana. We ended up being something akin to a teacher’s assistant while we were at the school. I was able to really get some hands on experience working with the kids. The work consisted of helping the kids through their daily routines. Because they are autistic or have other disabilities they need a structured routine which is provided by the school.
How much of a culture shock was your visit to Ghana, how is life in Ghana different to your life?
Ghana wasn’t much of a culture shock for me. My family are from Sri Lanka so I am very aware and used to developing countries and the poverty that is rampant. Life in Ghana is very different from my life here at Clark, in that there is so much noise and the traffic was something I wasn’t expecting (its worse than New York City). In addition when you are driving, people are constantly trying to sell you something, which is honestly a great way to earn your living. Who wants to get out of their car to buy a newspaper when you can just whistle over the newspaper boy who brings it right to the car.
What did you learn and what did you personally gain from your alternative spring break in Ghana?
This experience just solidified the concept of making my dreams come true. We started this trip as an idea; in fact we started collecting donations for the school without even thinking about actually going to Ghana ourselves. And then it evolved into this idea of travelling to Ghana during spring break. We fundraised and worked so hard for five months and raised $14,000. I am so proud of us and actually going to Ghana proved to me and to our school that eight women can do what they set out to do and the world truly is our oyster. (I know tacky, however true).
How important do you think it is for students to visit deprived countries and gain an international perspective?
I think its something that every student should do, If it fits into your personality and character. This isn’t for everyone, but I think that our world has become one of globalisation within the blink of an eye and to not take advantage of the opportunities to travel abroad is foolish. Many students have no idea of the poverty and the hustle these people have to endure on a daily basis. While we were in Ghana we saw people living in shanty towns, in basic huts without much to eat and what little they have sharing with everyone. This is something that everyone should experience and it only makes you more thankful for what you have.
Do you think that many students would be willing to give up their spring break to volunteer?
I think they would, if they knew the personal growth and the value of doing an alternative spring break. But I don’t think its for everyone. At my institution I think it’s the norm for students to want to do an alternative spring break and not go party in Cancun.
How do you think your studies have been influenced by your experiences in Ghana?
As a Government and International Relations major this was a great way to gain some real world experience and to see some of the things we have discussed in class actually play out while we were in Ghana. Especially with the laws in Ghana that have recently been passed for disabilities. It was really interesting to hear about the lack of reform there and how the people can really make a difference.
And finally why is volunteering during your spring break a better way to spend your time off than partying?
I would personally rather make a difference in one person’s life than get drunk and party. I think that giving back to the community even if it is local instead of international is a better use of my time. It is about personal fulfilment and personal growth.