Help Honorary Chief Build a School in Ghana
It’s natural to enter a volunteer trip with certain expectations: you want to help people, you want to make that all-important but often elusive difference, you want your time to matter to leave and feel you have benefited the community and developed a greater sense of compassion for others.
But you probably don’t expect to be crowned honorary chief.
Here’s a true story that reads like a myth.
In July 2010, Peter Sheehan, a 34-year-old software developer from Chicago, IL, and his wife, Colleen, were in Ghana with Globe Aware on a one-week volunteer vacation with Globe Aware. Their experience was that of a typical volunteer trip: Colleen taught in the village while Peter helped construct facilities. His work was not extraordinary he dug trenches, laid conduits, and mixed concrete but it was fruitful.
On July 8, the day before Peter and Colleen were to leave for America, their Globe Aware guide notified Peter that the chief of the village had a message: the village desired to elect Peter as honorary chief of Mafi-Wudukpo.
A formal ceremony was held later that day, and Peter was dressed in a traditional robe and provided special beads and sandals. Two girls were assigned to follow and fan Peter as he made a formal entrance before the entire village.
During the ceremony, my translator was explaining that the chief felt that the fact two Americans came all this way to help his village marked a new era for the region, hence, New Dawn became my honorary name, Peter says. The chief explained that my wife would be crowned Queen Mother on our next visit since tradition dictates both ceremonies cannot be held on the same day.
Peter received a plot of land to build on and a ram during the ceremony. Living in the village, we were able to overcome the language barrier by communicating through active participation and working within their environment, says Peter. While I am proud of what we were able to accomplish, we are now absolutely committed to ensure that this is just the very beginning of the work we will do for our new family in Mafi-Wudukpo.
What makes this story so special is that it represents the power of building a genuine connection and gaining trust. Peter and his wife were able to earn the respect of the village people in a short period of time because of their generosity, hard work, and kindness. As a way to give back, further cultivate the relationship, and honor the trust placed in him, Peter is starting a campaign to raise funds to build a school on the plot of land he received as a gift from the village.
Here are three reasons that make this campaign unique (and why you should get involved!):
- This campaign represents a very specific opportunity to help build a school for kids in in Mafi-Wudukpo. You will know exactly where the funds are going and get to see the influence your donation has on the community.
- This campaign is a unique opportunity to turn a short-term volunteer partnership into a long-term impact. Building a school creates a long-term commitment to education, giving children the gift of learning and opportunity.
- Any amount will help! As you will see in the details, there are different rewards for various stages of giving, but let this encourage rather than deter you. Anything you can give will go toward the cause of building a new school.
Watch a video of Peter Becoming a Village Chief after Volunteering in Ghana.
Donate here.
Please spread the word about this awesome opportunity.
