“Ghana Get Dirty”

“Ghana Get Dirty”

Building on a long history of partnership in school construction, EduDeo recently celebrated a significant milestone: the first-ever Co-Impact volunteer team to work on a project in Ghana left to serve! This trailblazing group called themselves the “Ghana Get Dirty” team; a fact that former Co-Impact Program Manager Jen Lewis conveniently left out when applying for visas for the team. Otherwise, Ghanian immigration might have had some questions upon their arrival.  

The team traveled to the Volta Region to work alongside our partner, International Needs Ghana laying literal and spiritual foundations for the youngest learners at Kpogede Community School (KCS). 

A Warm Welcome and Hard Work 

From the moment the team arrived in Accra, they were enveloped in the warmth of the Ghanaian community. After a long journey, they were greeted by local leaders, setting the stage for a week defined by relationship building and shared purpose. 

The team’s primary mission was to begin construction on a new three-unit preschool block at KCS. Currently, young students lack child-friendly facilities, which leads to overcrowding making it difficult to teach. The new block will provide a safe, structurally sound, and conducive environment for holistic, Christ-centered education. 

The work was physically demanding, especially under the brutal heat of the Ghanaian sun. Team member Mark Dekker noted his appreciation for the stamina of the local builders: "I was impressed by the local workers; how hard they would work without having to break from the physical labour in the brutal heat. It was a humbling experience." 

Meaningful Connections 

Beyond the construction site, the trip was filled with moments of joy and spiritual growth: 

• Worship and Dance: The team joined local leader Faustina at her church for a morning of vibrant worship and dancing. Later, at a welcome ceremony at KCS, the students performed traditional dances, and the team even tried to learn a few moves themselves! 

• Shared Devotions: Evenings were spent in devotions with local leaders. One participant reflected on these moments, noting, "we realized that though our days look very different in Ontario versus Ghana, we are all God's children walking the paths He has laid out for us". 

• Community Life: The team even found time for a friendly soccer match against the students and managed to walk away with a victory! 

Lasting Impact 

While the team has now returned home, the impact of their work continues. Projects that are built and funded by these teams - and donors like you - are the ones that our local partners deem the most urgent for the year. The new preschool block is a visible testimony to the community's commitment to spiritual formation from the youngest ages.  

For the volunteers, the trip provided a perspective shift. Mark Dekker shared that seeing the joy of those who have less was, “a helpful reminder to continue to examine our priorities at home.” Mark found, “the project in Ghana is quite impressive and extensive and has me excited at the thought of (Lord willing) being able to return and continue to work with my brothers and sisters in Christ.” 

We are so grateful for this first Ghana Co-Impact team and the strong foundation they have laid—both in concrete and in community.