Painting Possibilities 2010

About the program

Painting Possibilities is an annual two-week period of courses designed to tap, unleash and set in motion the reservoir of creativity, imagination, and agency within students at the Bishop Forson School. We have observed that critical to any change we may hope to ignite is a student's ability to think imaginatively and act independently. In this two-week period volunteers with various skills and teaching backgrounds lead students through creative projects and processes, empowering them with new skills and confidence in their ability to problem-solve and create.
"Cultural exchange" is a much used catch phrase but in this program we are actually seeing the richness and complexity of such an exchange. It is transformative for all involved. The deepening of our mutual understanding through the sharing of hands-on workshops challenges our presumptions and opens us to new, effective ways for working together. For this reason, Painting Possibilities will continue to play an important part in our future with the Bishop Forson School.

Program Goals:

  • Professional development for teachers and staff in Africa to learn new ways of teaching children through positive models focusing on the child's creativity and individuality
  • Develop problem solving skills
  • Cultural exchange
  • Incorporating and learning about African crafts and traditions

Setting: The Bishop Forson School is a rural school situated between the town of Kpando and Torkor near the Volta Lake in the Volta Region.

What sets this apart from other volunteer programs?

As a 100% volunteer and grassroots organization, we are receptive to what each volunteer brings in the way of skills and passion. Costs are kept to a minimum to allow maximum participation and those with more resources are encouraged to make donations to support the projects they work on in Ghana, through Pagus. for This is a collaborative effort in that volunteers take on the responsibility to help organize, plan and execute the program, and they also do something concrete to strengthen the organization and program when at the conclusion so it can continue to thrive.

 

Important Dates for Summer 2010 program

January 17th - first meeting
January 17th - $500 (non refundable) deposit and signed forms are due
March 7th - 2nd meeting
March 30th - copy of tickets to Ellen
April 4th: 3rd meeting
April 15th - letter of introduction with a photo to be sent to BFSC
May 1st - $1800 due (full payment for trip plus $300 commitment fee)
May 15th - travel medicine clinic to get any necessary inoculations
May 30th: Send off for Visa
June 13 or 20 final packing meeting and last minute details
June 21 or 22 depart US
June 23 - July 14 Painting Possibilities in Ghana!

 

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volunteer in Ghana, W. Africa

What is a volunteer expected to do?

Prior to leaving for Ghana:

  • Volunteers take on various responsibilities such as helping to coordinate meetings, the courses, the travel arrangements etc.
  • Each teacher is ultimately responsible for the course planning, and gathering and carrying materials for their class.
  • Volunteer are asked to carry one or theri two suitcases filled with materials or items being donated for the school, and one suitcase home filled with fundraising items to be sold in the US.

In Ghana:

  • Keep a journal, take photos, etc to document your trip so that you can share your experiences with the wider community.
  • Take on a task such as helping to organize meals, assist in shopping, help others that need help, etc. during the trip
  • As part of our fundraising efforts, we purchase crafts in Ghana to bring back and sell. Shopping can be tiring and you are forewarned to either help in the effort, or when you have had enough either make alternate arrangements (grab a taxi back to the hotel, etc.) or be patient. It is always handy to have a book!
  • Your participation will shape your experience and you are encouraged to speak up and if you see something that needs to be done, to do it. In other words, be communicative and take initiative.
  • Keep a sense of humor! Things in Ghana often go in unexpected directions so you will need to be open and know that you (or any of us!) will not always be in control, and that everything is subject to change!
  • There is a day at the end of our stay devoted to organizing our photographs and journal entries so we can put together an informative email for our supporters about our trip, and to share our experiences with each other. This is also a time we consider recommendations for subsequent trips.

Once back home:

  • This is the time to contact all the people who were interested and supportive of your trip. Share your stories and photos. Tell them about the school and the children and ways they can be part of the work.
  • Do something concrete: plan a fundraising event, find people who want to sponsor children, etc. Do a talk at your school, business, church, or other favorite group or organization.
  • Think big! Maybe you can raise funds and initiate a big project to help fill a need you saw that touched your heart. This is how schools and health clinics and libraries get built.