Interesting people and places.
A fortunate consequence of my extended stay in Accra was an invitation to a party at the British High Commission; it was a really enjoyable evening and for a couple of hours I was able to share a dinner table and conversation with the British High Commissioner (BHC) and a couple of distinguished Ghanaians. The BHC was a really affable chap and we struck something of an accord as his parents came from Salford, my birth place, and he is also an avid Man Utd supporter. We talked about VSO and its role in Ghana + world affairs etc - as you do!
One of our co-diners was the West African representative on the Bill Gates Foundation's HIV/AIDS initiative for Africa. She (Juliette) is also developing a horticultural/environmental landscaping business and is desperately short of trained staff to enable expansion; I thought that the Welsh College of Horticulture + WDA/DEIN (Nick W + Julie M) might be able to help set up suitable training programmes, which do not exist here: any possibilities out there?
Interesting times, people and places
After two tough, but eventful and enjoyable years as VSO’s in Lawra, Ghana, and after a wonderful 6 months overland drive through: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroun, Gabon, Congo, D.R. of Congo, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique, we have finally arrived back home in north Wales.Check out at http://www.horrocksfamily.net/transafrica.htm. We think that we made a difference, albeit ‘small, small’ as they say in Ghana. What next? - who knows!
7 comments:
Dear Nigel and Jenny,
I have been fascinated to come across your blog. I am Chairman of a small educational NGO working in Lawra Distict called the Savannah Education Trust. It would be very helpful to be in contact with you, to let you know what we are doing. My contact details can be accessed through our website - www.savannaheducationtrust.org (assuming that you can't access my email through this comment).
Very much looking forward to being in touch,
Best wishes
Paul Ramsbottom
Just thought I'd add further reassurance about your decision to get 4 wheels through the blogsite of another VSO volunteer now working in Malawi (another reason to read it). I worked with Laetitia in Rwanda. http://rwandalaeti.blogspot.com/
Hi
Finally found time to catch up on your blog. I am envious and impressed in equal measure. As you might expect I am particularly interested in your xylophone makers and would love to see and hear more if the technology permits. Can't wait for the next installment. Eirwen sends her love.
Best wishes
Phil Thomas
philip.thomas@ntlworld.com
+44 (0)7870 212437
Paul - as it so happens we work alongside Samuel Dapila in the GES in Lawra and we have been discussing the work of the SET; we hope to support Samuel and yourselves as best we can.
Regards
Nigel & Jennny Horrocks
Dear Nigel and Jenny,
I gathered since writing that you have been in conversation with Sammy. We'll leave you in his capable hands!
It would be very good, though, to have a chat on the telephone at some convenient point. I will give you a call if you are happy to let me have your mobile (albeit we are now away for 2 weeks in Wales - hope that doesn't make you feel homesick!). My address is paul AT savannaheducationtrust.org
Many thanks, and renewed good wishes for your work,
Paul
Hi, have just seen your request...Hilary said that we had been mentioned in despatches! Funnily enough Landscaping is one of our priority areas in South Africa, as there is a skill shortage! not very promising for your contact!, maybe she would like to look at a joint venture training people!?. I am meeting the heard of Northop very soon to talk about busines development, and also Bangor so will come back to you at some stage with info as soon as I have any. In the meantime if you would like to give Juliette my contact details I would be happy to email her. Take care. love Julie
Dear Nigel and Jenny-
I just stumbled across your very interesting blog. May I say "Akwaaba"? My husband and I moved to Ghana a year ago with our two sons. We live in Accra, where my husband lectures at Methodist University College Ghana, but I work as a water consultant with the Methodist Church Ghana throughout the country. In fact, my most recent project was a borehole for the Methodist Integrated Health Project in Lawra! I will be back in Lawra in October for the borehole dedication - maybe I can meet you then.
I wanted to let you know, in response to the comment about horticulture personnel, that Methodist University College opened an Agric campus at Wenchi last year. They are currently granting certificates to students in a variety of fields, including horticulture and agri-business, and are adding 4-year degree programs this year. So there will be a good source of personnel trained in-country soon. Feel free to pass my contact information on to your friend - I would be glad to give her more information.
You can find out more about our life and work (and e-mail me)on our blog - www.jacksons-in-ghana.blogspot.com
I hope to meet you sometime.
Best wishes,
Mary Kay Jackson
Water Consultant
Methodist Development Relief Services
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