Let Us Shine

Hannah Currie, 3rd Year Student, Glasgow University.

"Volunteering with Let Us Shine was amazing – without a doubt the best thing I’ve ever done."

I had always wanted to work in Africa but didn’t know where to start. Then I heard about Fiona and what she’d set up, and it seemed too good to be true: the chance to travel, see real life in rural Ghana, and work at a school for hardly any cost at all. And I could go pretty much anytime, for as long as I liked.

I spent ten days there in March and returned for a month in June. Living and working at LUS, I could see where every penny was going, and I was happy to support such a fantastic cause.

I was made to feel so welcome at LUS. The accommodation was basic, but I settled in quickly because the staff and schoolgirls did everything to make me comfortable. The house mother, Hawa, prepares huge meals three times a day, and the girls even argue over who will wash your clothes! I loved helping the girls with their homework and playing games with them after school. Being around them is very uplifting: they are so happy and grateful, even just for time spent with them. I taught basic maths and English, creative art and PSE during the week. At the weekend, we organised a disco or movie night, which was fascinating to watch – all of the locals gathered around in awe!

I saw some sad things during my stay, especially out in the villages (Fiona organises village visits so volunteers can see what life is like where the girls come from) and in the local hospital. It is quite normal in Kpandai to see hungry children wandering around on their own, many without clothes. However, I didn’t find it distressing, because they were always smiling, and just walking with them for a while or giving them a biscuit was enough to make them quite ecstatic!

I have since learned from friends who went with large gap-year companies that they were given placements in capital cities with countless other volunteers, where they were not really needed. Do that if you want a holiday and something for the CV. But if you are interested in a real experience where you can really make a difference, then Let Us Shine is for you."

If anyone would like more information about coming to visit please contact us on volunteer@letusshine.org