Wednesday 30 April 2014

Volunteer Profile: Ismail Isshaq


Ismail Isshaq is a 25 year old art enthusiast who started painting at the age of 6 years. He hails from Apam in the Central Region. He enjoys football and his hobby aside painting is fashion designing. Isshaq attended Ghanatta College of Art and Design which he graduated successfully. Isshaq has a passion for charity. 
He has been involved in a lot of charity since completing Ghanatta College of Art and Design. Isshaq believes change comes from agents, and he is a vessel put on this earth to help with change. His artwork is mostly inspired from his personal life experiences. He sees art as a medium through which young talents can develop themselves. 



Isshaq partnered/volunteered with PerVita in 2012 to handle the art session during our Tour With A Purpose because he values the idea of giving back to society. He has been very keen on imparting and changing livelihoods through art. Isshaq handles the art session with so much enthusiasm and concentrates on unearthing the talents in the children even to the extent of getting them to paint for the first time. The level of attention he gives to the children during these sessions is unrivalled and he has been very prolific in teaching the children to paint.


He always has patience and his very determined nature guides the children into following his footsteps as he leads them to produce their own art pieces. For most of these children it is usually their first experience and the end result is always exciting for them. Isshaq always makes the sessions very exciting by creating a competitive atmosphere where each child's work is judged by the on looking crowd and then gives the winner the demonstrative art piece painted by himself. His generosity and love for helping the less privileged is what has led him to many opportunities. He believes in making a difference by using the little that you have; in his case his talent as an artist...
 


During his leisure he spends time to discover new art work. He is always in the process of reinventing his artwork. Isshaq is always a desire to watch when he is creating an art piece. Because to him art is not only what you see but the process that is involved in creating an art piece is art in itself.








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Wednesday 9 April 2014

Volunteer Profile: Jessica Paist

 


Tell us briefly about yourself

My name is Jessica. I am 25 years old. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. My favorite color is purple. My favorite food is macaroni and cheese (yum!) with sandwiches being a close second. I am often considered “old-fashioned” by my closest friends because I enjoy things like swing dancing, snail mail (letter writing), and antique hunting. I have a pet cat named Zippy who might as well be my child. I have a large family - 6 of us in all. I seek out good coffee, and I love elephants and reading. I have a passion for education, and someday hope to be a certified primary teacher.

What did you do back in the US before this volunteer?

Prior to leaving for Ghana, I spent the last two years working with a franchised Marriott property in Atlanta. I started as a front desk agent in 2011 and was promoted to Front Desk Lead shortly before my departure in 2013.

Why Ghana?

I chose Ghana very intentionally and for many different reasons. I knew that I wanted to gain teaching experience, but these days you can do that in most every country worldwide. I could have stayed in America to do that. However, I knew that I wanted to experience and become familiar with another culture, and I knew that I wanted to be removed from my comfort zone. I want to be the type of person who can adapt in any given environment and I figured that going to Africa was a good way to accomplish that goal; I knew that it would be very different from anything I had ever experienced. Prior to my decision my cousin had previously spent the summer in Ghana, and spoke about how much she enjoyed it. My French language skills are not strong enough to be immersed in a French-speaking country, so I knew I would pick an English speaking country. I also took current political standings into place. While I wanted something that would challenge me, and make me a stronger person, I wanted to be safe while doing this. I knew that Ghana was an independent republic and had a stable government. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I knew that while I was doing all of the aforementioned things, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help someone “do good”. It just so happened that I made a connection with Pervita, which is based in Ghana, and the rest is history.

What are the highlights of your volunteer?

Taking the children from New Life Orphanage to the beach, getting to know the children that I teach and what they excel in, learning Ghanaian school games, and learning simple Twi phrases.



What have you learnt so far?

I have learned how to teach in Ghana schools. I have learned how to communicate in such a way that the children I teach understand (I have had to adapt my speech to use terms with which they are familiar). I have learned how to wash my clothes by hand. I have learned how to take a Tro-tro (mostly). I have even learned to like beans!

How are the children like; the ones you teach?

Currently, I have 10 children in my class. They are full of energy and LOVE to talk! They each have some area they SHINE in, but that varies widely from football to math to drawing and everything in between.

What are the differences between children in the US and the children in Ghana?

Ghanaian children have more freedom. For example, it is not uncommon to see children walking alone to school or taking the bus alone. In America you usually wouldn’t see that. Ghanaian children also have more responsibility. It seems like they are expected to help wash, cook, and clean among other things. For example, I did not do my own laundry until I turned 10. Also, American children don’t clean their own school every morning. Ghanaian children know from a very early age that they do as they are told and that they should respect their elders. This concept varies widely and is dependent on the family environment and the moral influence of the home. For example, some American children may be expected to act one way at school, and have another set of standards that they adhere to at home. These are just a few examples though.


Mention something you will miss when you leave Ghana.

I already know that I will miss the people I have come to know. My friends. My Pervita colleagues. The children I teach. The children I will begin teaching in June. They each have already become such a big part of my life, that I know it will be hard to leave it all behind come November.


 


Please CLICK HERE to become a volunteer at Pervita Foundation




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Friday 10 January 2014

Painting Project: Painting the only community school in Menpe Meho Asem

On the 16th of November 2013, Pervita and Dress A Kid Foundation graced the school of Mempe Mehu Asem Elementary School. The school is the only basic school in the community. The 32 member team compromised of volunteers embarked on the wonderful journey to paint the only community school in the town of Menpe Meho Asem. As part of the painting project we donated exercise books, pens, pencils, slates and other stationery to the children of Menpe Meho Asem. 
The trip started from Kwame Nkrumah Circle where most of the volunteers convened to join the bus. The ride was very refreshing; beverages were served. The trip to Menpe Meho Asem lasted about 50 minutes from the pickup point to the said location. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by very happy pupils.




Team leaders from both foundations formally gave a welcome address to all the volunteers and inspired them to contribute their all towards the worthy cause.




 Without wasting much time we commenced the painting by first receiving a quick tutorial on painting, which was led by one of the three professional painters who accompanied us.



After the quick lesson all painting work began and it was a smooth exercise. A lot of people did not realize they had great painting skills which was a good surprise to many.
While the exercise was on going we took the liberty to perform our some interviews with the school authorities in which serious issues affecting the education system in the community was documented.


ISSUES IDENTIFIED

1. Lack of proper administration: one office is shared by the headmasters, common staff room, administration and also house cabinet for book keeping.
2. Uncompleted school buildings: Class 5 to JHS 2 is not completed which makes it difficult for classes to go on when it rains. Pupils are forced to join other classes which results in teaching being put on hold due to disruptions by the perching pupils. 

3. No library Facilities

4. No ICT Center

5. High level of teenage pregnancy in the community

We conducted an interview with the headmaster which resulted with him highlighting the following areas which are of most importance to the administration. 
  • Finishing the primary 3 classroom
  • Water project
  • Construction of library




Finally the painting project came to a successful end and the picture above shows the finished painting project plus the wonderful group that made this possible.




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