As I prepared to leave the comfort and routine of my life in New Zealand in May 2004, I spent a lot of time trying to imagine what it was going to be like living on a refugee camp in Ghana. I tried to formulate a picture of the place I'd be living in, the people I'd be working with, and the level of poverty I'd be confronted with every day. The reality is, however, that it is impossible to be prepared for what you are about to face. You can watch documentaries, talk to others who have been there, read books and look at pictures, but you can never have a full understanding of what you will face until you are facing it.

If you are thinking of volunteering in the Liberian Refugee camp, then I encourage you to put down a deposit now. If you venture into this project with the right attitude and frame of mind, it will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do - that I can promise you. It's not easy, but the best things in life never are. Coming from a western culture, Africa is a very different place. As a westerner, I was faced with some situations on the camp that I was far from comfortable with.

A volunteer is an ambitious individual that wants to make a difference. It is important to embrace the idea that one person can make a difference, because with the right attitude - you will! It is also important to be realistic in what you want to achieve. If you are selected for this project then you will no doubt have a lot to offer the community, but it soon becomes apparent that the most effective way of impacting lives is to focus on a few key needs. You know where your strengths lie - it is too easy to become involved in too much too quickly.

Amongst almost all the volunteers I have interacted with, there is a common frustration. The organizational structures in place on the camp - specifically, within CBW - are vastly different from those most of us have experienced before. At times, it can be entertaining, but more often than not it can be somewhat demoralizing. Expect to face issues with punctuality, finances and professionalism - because you will! I spent the first month of my stay feeling next to useless, because I had the expectation that things would work the way I wanted them to. Therein lays the challenge! Finances will not be readily available to you for projects, key people will not turn up to meetings you have scheduled, people will not always take the initiative when perhaps you feel they should. Just remember that the difference between Education and Westernization can often be a fine line.

It is a good idea to get in contact with some people on the camp a few months before you leave, to get an idea for what is really needed on the camp at that time. It is a lot easier to fundraise or gather materials for a project before you leave, that it is when you are on the camp.

Be prepared! What you are about to face is something you can never fathom until you actually arrive. You will be challenged, and you will overcome, as long as you roll with the punches and remain positive. There are some things you will never change, but there are many things you can and will!

If you are still sitting on the fence, then I implore you - get out of your comfort zone! I for one will never forget the people I met, the lifelong friendships I have forged and the lives I was able to impact. Feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns about the project.

Dan Turkington
GVN Volunteer at the Liberian Refugee Camp - 3 months
Click here to e-mail Dan.

Feature Fundraiser: Climb to Everest Base Camp

Our second feature fundraiser is planned for October 2005, when volunteers will have the opportunity to raise money for the Nepali Children's Fund. As a participant of this fundraising trek to The Base Camp of Mount Everest you will have the opportunity to visit ancient temples and palaces in Kathmandu. more >>

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