Let Us Shine

Dr Mary Higgins, Retired GP, Stirling

"My visit to Kpandai in June was amazing."

The plan with the girls was to cover basic health education and first aid, including prevention and treatment of malaria. They were all so attentive and eager to learn. It was a real pleasure to work with them. The older class were given a test on their knowledge and practical skills and were awarded "Junior First Aid Certificates"

I had the opportunity to visit outlying villages where some of the girls' families lived. The poverty was extreme and yet they smiled and laughed and made us very welcome. It was also an interesting experience sitting in the back of the pick up truck with Hannah and some of the girls bumping over the potholes while singing the National Anthem of Ghana and a variety of rousing marching hymns!

Away from school the girls taught us how to join in their dances and singing games, and balance basins on the top of our heads ( not with great success!) The only offer I declined was a cooked breakfast made from two enormous snails found crawling on the path that morning!

The food prepared for us was basic but tasty, noodles, rice, pasta or plantain with a spicy vegetable, groundnut or tomato based sauce. We had some kind of fruit every day, bananas, mango or oranges (which were green but ripe!) Water came in 500ml bags, at their best ice cold straight from the fridge and lots of it!

We were shown round the Kpandai Health Clinic. The staff were grateful for all the dressings and equipment we took, including a set of baby scales for the midwives. The first baby weighed in them was given my name - yet another reason for a return visit! I was impressed with the work that they were able to do there with so little in the way of technology or equipment.

I was sad to leave the girls and am already looking forward to another visit next year.

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