Summary

Anne Bonfert shares her transformative experiences in Ghana, emphasizing the warmth and friendliness of its people and the life lessons she learned during her time there.

Abstract

Anne Bonfert's travel writing challenge article, "Ghana — Because of the People," is a heartfelt tribute to the country that captured her heart. Over two visits totaling five months, she volunteered at a school, teaching children who were denied government education. Her interactions with the locals, from riding in minibusses to attending lively church services, exposed her to a culture that values community, resilience, and joy. Despite the challenges, including a close call with a village fire and witnessing the harsh realities of poverty, Anne's experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. She highlights the Ghanaians' claim to be the friendliest nation on earth, a sentiment she supports through her personal anecdotes. Her time in Ghana has not only led to the publication of a book (in German) but has also shaped her perspective on life, happiness, and the importance of human connections.

Opinions

Ghana's people are incredibly friendly, helpful, and open-minded, profoundly impacting Anne's view on life and different cultures.
The author's expectations of Ghana were exceeded, with the country leading her list of friendly nations across those she has visited.
Anne's experiences in Ghana were diverse, ranging from the mundane, like living in a clay hut, to the extraordinary, such as witnessing elephants in the wild and participating in unique cultural ceremonies.
She expresses a critical view on volunteering in orphanages, suggesting it may not be in the best interest of the children.
The article conveys a sense of gratitude and luck, as Anne reflects on her close encounters, like almost burning down a village and a rocket hitting her during New Year's celebrations.
Anne admires the creativity and resourcefulness of Ghanaians, particularly in upcycling trash into useful items.
The children she worked with left a lasting impression on her, teaching her survival skills and resilience in the face of adversity.
She emphasizes the stark contrast between the scarcity of clean water in Ghana and the abundance in other parts of the world, highlighting the issue of water poverty.
The author concludes with a Ghanaian proverb, suggesting that wisdom comes from experiencing financial hardship, a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Ghanaian people.

TRAVEL WRITING CHALLENGE

Ghana — Because of the People

The A to Z of my favorite travel destinations

There is so much I can say but it all comes down to one thing. The people. The reason why I fell in love with the country is the people. So friendly, so helpful, and open-minded. They didn’t just change the way I looked at different cultures but onto life in general.

In 2014 and 2015 I spent in total 5 months in Ghana. I was volunteering in a school teaching those children that didn’t get to go to a governmental school. I was there to help the children who otherwise wouldn’t get any education. But in the end, it was them teaching me what nobody could teach me in school.

I could write a book about my experiences in Ghana. I did write a book and I know you all are waiting for the release in English since I only published it in German but I’m honest. I haven’t started with it. Maybe one day I’ll find the time for it.

Until then you have to take my words for granted. Ghanaians claim to be the friendliest nation on earth. I haven’t been to every country in the world but I can speak for those I’ve visited and there, Ghana, is for sure leading the group.

I didn’t go with any expectations but even if I did, they would have been surpassed by far.

I traveled through the country. From east to west and from south to north. I sat in minibusses squeezed between the locals with chicken at my feet, sheep on the roof, and now and then a child or two on my lap.

It was normal.

But I also saw elephants in the wild for the first time, I swam in lakes and hiked along the most beautiful tropical beaches I’ve ever seen.

Since there is too much to share in this post I let you dive into separate articles if you’re interested in this country that has a very special place in my heart.

I still remember the day I arrived in Ghana. Everything was new. And exciting.

My First Trip Abroad Took Me to West Africa During the Ebola Endemic

Times were different and I was young

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And then I moved into a clay hut.

What it was Like Living in a Clay Hut in Ghana

When concrete walls are no longer your safe heaven

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I danced in a church.

Dancing in the Church

Another festival-like experience in Ghana

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I learned why you shouldn’t volunteer in an orphanage.

The Reason Why You Shouldn’t Volunteer in an Orphanage

What I learned from my time volunteering in Ghana

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Or what I thought when I almost burned down a village. Collecting trash is one thing but getting rid of it is a totally different story.

That Time I Almost Burned Down a Village in Ghana

When you lose control over the fire you started

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Creating something out of trash could be another option for recycling.

Upcycling in Ghana — Creating Something Useful and Beautiful Out of Trash

The company “Trashy Bags” is creating amazing fashion items out of plastic bags

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And remember, guns are part of a funeral ceremony. Didn’t you know?

Finding Myself Between Guns and Drums on a Funeral in Ghana

The difference between mourning at a funeral and celebrating someone’s life

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I wrote about my experience hiking along the coast. Alone as a woman.

My Experience of Traveling Alone as a Woman in Africa

A hiking trip along the coast of Ghana

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There are times in my life I got lucky. Like that time I got hit by a rocket.

That Time I Got Hit by a New Year Rocket and Learned How Lucky I Was

Misfortune and luck always depend on your point of view.

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I still don’t understand why that crocodile didn’t attack or eat me. I touched its skin!

When Science Can’t Explain What You Experience

And cultural beliefs are the only explanation you have

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I also learned how to shave the hair with a broken razor blade. And other quirks those children would teach me.

Where Shaving Your Hair with a Razor Blade and Eating Tooth Paste are Survival Skills

My experience working in a school in Ghana

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So yes, I’ve made my fair share of experiences in Ghana. I changed. As a person. And my mindset. And I learned a lot. I learned about what really matters in life.

Happiness.

I will always think of the children in the village when I see a tap running. The children drank brown water because it was the only water they had. While we just turn on the tap and liters of pristine drinking water go down the drain.

And I think of the children that loved coming to school because it was the only time they had the feeling someone cared for them. The children I plastered up when they came to me with cuts. The children I gave paracetamol because I had nothing else to treat them with. And no doctor in sight.

And still, they always smiled when they saw me.

This is what Ghana is for me. A poor country with incredibly creative and smart people and the friendliest nation on earth.

“You become wise when you begin to run out of money.” — Ghana proverb

This is a writing prompt response started by Sam Millichap and continued by Adrienne Beaumont. Read their stories with “G”.

“G Is for Girona, Spain” and

“Granada”

You can find the full series of the “A to Z of my favorite travel destinations” in the reading list here.

A — “From Akwidaa to Axim”

B — “A Winter Wonderland at the Base of the Alps”

C — “My Southernmost Destination in the World — The Cape”

D — “Off the Beaten Track in Thailand”

E — “The Only Water to be Found for Miles — Epupa Falls”

F — “Fraser’s Hill — a Tiny Piece of Paradise up in the Mountains of Malaysia”

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