Ghana trip 2025
Our Year 12 students have just returned from an unforgettable journey to Ghana an experience filled with adventure, learning, and connection. From exploring vibrant communities and immersing themselves in a rich culture, to taking part in meaningful projects and creating lasting friendships, this trip has been nothing short of inspiring. It was more than just a visit abroad, it was a chance to step out of comfort zones, see the world through new perspectives, and bring home memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Ghana Blog written by Mr. Crombie - Head of Sixth Form
There have been very few more inspiring moments in my career than the Wednesday at Little Roses School, listening to the sound of eight full classrooms being taught the highest quality of lessons by our Sixth Formers. But this was a very special group of people at a very special place.
The relationship between Rossall School and Little Roses began two years ago when the inaugural trip of nine students and two staff flew from Manchester Airport to Accra, before making the long trip East into the depths of the Volta region, on the border between Ghana and Togo. This year we returned with ten students, loaded with extra suitcases of school supplies, sporting equipment, clothing and books, ready to throw ourselves into the challenges that being in such a contrasting culture and climate can create.
The drive from the airport to our first night’s accommodation is always the perfect introduction into the organised chaos of Accra - a city that always seems to be in rush hour, where car horns drown out car horns, and marketplaces sell everything ranging from goats to football shirts, mangos to Iphone chargers. Our rep for the ten days was the sensational Elolo, our tour-guide, bodyguard, activity leader, language teacher, negotiator, drum-instructor, and a man well-known to those who have been before; he welcomed us with a cultural briefing before an early night to recover from the 1am departure earlier that morning. As the sun broke, we headed away from the bustling city and travelled out towards our home for the next seven days - The Young Shall Grow International Volunteer Lodge - a setting so beautifully simple, built on sand, surrounded by palm trees, tomato plants and water on two sides. It was established over twenty years ago by a local man named Siva, who for various reasons ended up on the streets at the age of six; overcoming various challenges and meeting some good people along the way, he wanted to ensure that all street children had a place they could call home, and thus the orphanage was created. A large number of our donations end up here (particularly sanitary products and second hand clothing). Siva has been raising funds to complete a purpose-built facility that would house, educate and offer employment to street children but is still £55,000 away from this being a possibility. His story continues to be so inspirational and we were privileged to spend some proper time with him on our final night there.
The Monday introduced the first of our six days at Little Roses and we were treated to a, now traditional, welcome ceremony - a lot of dancing, singing, drumming from children who are so passionate about their school and their customs. As is always the way, our ten were dragged up to dance and, to their credit, threw themselves right into it - we were a long way from the Carmen and Congers. Then it was off to teach for the first time and I cannot tell you how impressive the next four days were. For ten students, with no teaching qualifications or training, to deliver outstanding teaching and learning to classes of up to 40 students, where the level of English ranged significantly, was truly outstanding. Without exception, the lessons were full of quality: Erin teaching advanced maths; Lucy delivering vibrant English lessons; Annabelle teaching Italian; the sound of German ringing from the rooms of Nikita and Lara; Spanish from Mia; Geography from Spencer; Business and Economics from Adeite (who even set a homework task); Kristen’s session on bones and muscles; or Mirava teaching Gujarati. Add into that lessons on Ancient Greek, Latin, Drama, Physics, and the Headmaster could not have been happier with what he had seen. The strength of relationships built in such a short time was a reflection on the quality of our students - there is a future in education for all of them should they wish. Teachers were taking notes, joining in themselves, whilst the students showed a love of learning that was infectious. For students in Ghana, education is their golden ticket - they know it is their opportunity to make something of themselves and they are proud of what they learn.
On the Thursday and Saturday of this week, the team took a break from teaching to help with some construction work. In the past two trips, the teams had been responsible for renovating a classroom by adding brick walls and a concrete floor to the wooden structure. This year was about building and transporting massive bricks to help the school get ready for another renovation. In 30 degree heat, our team built and moved over 200 bricks, working together brilliantly. Although we did not see the finished classroom, next year’s cohort will hopefully see the impact that it has made on the school facilities. All too soon it was time to say goodbye to this inspiring and warm community, but not before the annual ‘sports’ day: football, relay races, Mirava’s Bollywood Dance Class, songs and games from childhood, and the balloons… oh the balloons. Never has such a simple object caused so much carnage and chaos. There is something truly magical about seeing so much joy and elation in one place. The Closing Ceremony followed and we were able to present our donations to the school - something that will make a big difference in the short term. More dancing and more drumming was accompanied by speeches from each class, commenting on how much they had enjoyed and appreciated the lessons. It was enough to bring some of us to tears.
Outside of the teaching and building, there was plenty of opportunity to see the wider life and culture in the Volta Region: a trip to the local market, an Ewe language lesson, the beautiful Emancipation Beach, a drumming lesson, and then a celebratory evening with a professional dance and drumming group - a really special way for us to say goodbye to our new friends. Then came the long trip to Cape Coast for our final night and a trip to the Cape Coast Slave Castle for a harrowing lesson into European history and its relationship with Ghana. This is one of the most powerful things we do on the trip and it is a reminder to build bridges between communities, to celebrate our differences. The final day saw us take on the dizzy heights of the tree-top canopy walk in the National Park. A fantastic memory to take home with us.
Ghana is a special country that creates lifelong memories. It is a place of incredible warmth - a welcoming community full of hope, love and with a passion for education. There is a reason why we keep going back here and intend to do so for many years to come. Although ultimately we make little difference to the lives of those in the Volta Region, the trip can have a significant impact on the lives of Rossallians and we spoke a lot about what more we can all do on our return to the UK. It was a privilege to take this group of young people and I am already excited for what the next twelve months will bring.
