Lauren's Update: February 2013

Students play football on the beach

I have now been at the school for a month now, so I am starting to settle in and recognise the people constantly popping in and out of the office; however I am definitely not used to the heat yet.

When I first arrived I was very happy to hear EDP has a few traditions for its volunteers, so I landed at about 5:30 am and spent my first day on the beach. Also the AFCON ( Africa Cup of Nations ) started not long after I arrived so I have been to one of the volunteers’ watering holes to watch all the Ghana games, the atmosphere has been excellent and I am really hoping Ghana goes far. This week our House got running water which was the best moment since arriving, when we realised the taps now worked I made a lot of shrieking sounds and we all celebrated. It is amazing how much I now appreciate the moment when water flows through the shower, it was very eye opening on what I have taken for granted in life.

At work I have attempted to make EDP ‘down with the kids’, and set up a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EDPTrust) and Twitter (@EDP_Trust). I am working closely with one of the teachers, Daniel, on the welfare of our most needy students, ( who currently number over 30) trying to help those out with the Hardship Fund and have started doing home visits. I have also been given the task of creating careers guidance for the students, however this will be a very big task as it needs to be started from scratch and we need to work out a way or a partnership that will help get our students into Tertiary education if that is where they want to go.

It’s great to see how driven the children at the school are as they are often here till late working in the library or classrooms. Also tonight our student football team are playing against another local school and I’ll be going to cheer them on—go Awutu-Winton!!

Lauren