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I travelled to Accra, Ghana, on behalf of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. Our team’s task was to work with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to prepare a literacy workshop for Grade 4 teachers.
I was overwhelmed and humbled by my experiences.
I was overwhelmed by poverty, living conditions, odours and garbage, and by the country’s deficient education system, and I wondered: “Where do I start?”
I was humbled by the educators with whom we worked. Our colleagues at GNAT were warm and gracious. The workshop participants wanted to learn as much as they could to help their students. I was humbled when I talked to teachers who had up to 80 students in their classes with few supplies, books or desks. They were desperate for our help, but much of what we could provide did not apply directly to their teaching situation. I was humbled when I asked students at an elementary school what they’d like to have, and they said electricity, more teachers, pencils and books.
Volunteering overseas made me appreciate where I live and the conditions in which I teach and work. Volunteering has made me question how much I take for granted and where I place my priorities.
Lois Gluck teaches with St. Albert Public Schools, in St. Albert.
