Feedback - Ghana
“I had an absolutely awesome time and done things that are totally unforgettable. It's been brilliant.”
Bridget Stamp, 19, Ghana 2007
“A Brilliant way to spend the summer, a real eye opener.”
Hannah Cooper, 21, Ghana 2006
“I have had an unbelievable time filled with many experiences that I shall never forget. I have so many great memories here and I wouldn't have them without Madventurer.”
Danielle Brotherston, 20, Ghana 2006
“The trip to Ghana last summer was a real eye opener, it convinced me to make a total u-turn and focus my dissertation on something related to the worrying situation in the developing world. Not an easy feat for someone who was planning to study mountain glaciers!”
Sam Keam, madbuilding/treeclimbing, Ghana 2002
“One of the highlights of the project was handing a ‘mad’ t-shirt to the chief in front of the whole village with the Minister for rural governance and others present, wearing a dress made for me which had a large puddle of pee down the front that a child that had been eating my camera lens throughout the whole presentation.”
Jessica Watts, Ghana 2003
'I had been thinking about taking a sabbatical from full-time employment for some time before I discovered MAD. I wanted to do something constructive with my time away, so I was looking for a trip that combined some kind of voluntary work with travel and adventure. The MAD package offered the perfect solution: not only was the project work extremely rewarding, our trip through Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali was filled with 'once in a lifetime' experiences that I will never forget. Without a doubt, it was the best summer I've ever had'
Laura Foster, Ghana 2002
'My mad experience started way before I got out to Ghana. The group events gave me the opportunity to meet some of the people I was going out with and do some really cool things. After joining I took part in the 3-peaks challenge and the bungee jump having a wicked laugh whilst raising money for the summer.
I think this is what also stands out of me along with the summer, is that it is not just a few months experience but a year round one. That's why when I came back I joined a University MadSoc in the Students Union to help others with their fundraising and have fun whilst doing it'
Anna Irving, Mad Builder, Ghana 1999
'There are so many brilliant things that you get from being a Mad Teacher. I was nervous before my first day, but soon got into the swing of things and loved every minute. It was so good being able to see many of the children improve their marks, as a result of the revision classes. It also really helped with feeling part of the village, because as a result of the children knowing you, many of the parents would offer you some of their farming produce such as oranges and bananas as a gift. Many of the madventurers were also invited to dinner so that they could try the parents' home-cooked dishes'
Ali Terry, Mad Teacher, Ghana, 1999
'I learnt a lot when I was there, not only about the healthcare system but also about the people and how they live. I also feel that they enjoyed having us in the village, and that we really encouraged them to continue its development. The trip made me learn about myself, and now I have the intention of working in a less developed country when I graduate'
Sarah White, Combined Mad Medic/ Mad Builder, Ghana, 1999
"The Volta Region is beautiful. The people are so much fun and the community made us feel part of their family from the moment we arrived."
Eva Bellamy, Madteacher July 2002
"Being involved with the agro-forestry projects in the Volta gave us ample opportunity to see the impact we were having. Mixing education with physical work inspired both us and the local farmers. A sustainable future was beginning to be realised."
Ben Keene, Madconservation, July 2002
"A really challenging, fun and worthwhile project that was extremely beneficial to myself and the community. One of the villagers came up with the expression 'Developing Together' for the mural which showed how both of our efforts were recognized."
Simon Ruparelia, Madteacher 1999
"A truly unique and challenging three weeks. The Dogon Country in Mali was an incredible experience; Having lunch in Ougadougou was just comical; and the £3 lobster and pina colada on the Ghanaian beach was a perfect finish to the summer."
Olly Bond, August 2002
"The raw footballing talent of Ghanaians is incredible. We spent most afternoons battling sweating it out on the bumpy pitches of the jungle villages. The local bar would then be packed with both teams to quench our thirst."
Dave Sterland, madcoach, July 2002
"Learning how to build a school with our own hands, simple tools and skills of the builders and carpenters. The accpetance, gratitude and warm welcome of the whole community and the opportunity to really experience how they live and their traditions. Weighing babies! And the freedom to go on our own adventures at the weekend such as trekking, climbing mountains and swimming underneath breathtaking waterfalls, or just chilling on a beach and dancing the night away! All the experiences together has made a summer that will never been forgotten."
Katherine Turner Ghana July 2005