Preparation

In October 2006, Ysgol Tregarth and Ysgol Bodfeurig contacted two schools in Ghana. Teachers from both schools sent e-mails back and foreto each other, becoming quite acquainted in the process. Over a period of time, Ysgol Tregarth decided to send their Welsh mascot there on holiday. The name of this mascot is Dafydd the dragon. Here is Dafydd :

Dafydd is a Welsh Dragon. Dafydd went on a trip to Ghana to visit our new friends at the Great Royal School andthe Adafienu Amalgamated School, in the Denu area. He took a travel journal with him and filled it with photographs of all that he saw.

He returned to Ysgol Tregarth 6 months later - Wow! Dafydd had enjoyed and also learnt about the school and the Denu area of Ghana. He told the children of Ysgol Tregarth all about his experiences. By now, the teachers and staff of Ysgol Tregarth and all the children of the schoolhad become great friends with everyone at both schools in Denu. Furthermore, all four schools were worldwide partners.

In May 2007,an exciting e-mail arrived at our school. The headteacher of the school and I received a special invitation to the celebrations of the Great Royal School. The school were celebrating that it was 10 years since they were established.Receiving an invitation like this was a great privilege. I had read in a travel brochure that the Ghanaian people treasured education and that they were very pleased if they were accepted in a school. I also knew that going to school could be very difficult for some families in Ghana because :

  • help was needed at home, especially by young girls
  • schools were too far away from the homes

In addition, teachers were not always paid fairly. In some areas, teachers would have to work for many months without being paid any wages. These teachers would often go to school having had very little food.

Therefore, with this information, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the school was very special. Although Ysgol Tregarth is over 100 years old, I had the feeling that celebrating 10 years is just as special, if not more so. Without a shadow of doubt, we had to accept this invitation. What a magnificent opportunity. I had never travelled to countries below the Sahara desert before. I had been on holiday to Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa before, but not as far as this. I was looking forward eagerly, but also slightly nervous if I'm honest. I did not know what to expect.

Therefore, I needed to prepare for such a visit. The first thing to do was to reserve seats on the plane to Ghana. Then visit the doctor.

The doctor said we would require a series of innoculations to guard against many diseases that are common in Ghana (as in many other parts of the world) that are not common in Britain any longer. I received innoculations to guard against the following diseases :

  • Hepatitis A/B
  • Diptheria
  • Typhoid
  • Cholera
  • Yellow fever - you were required to be innoculated against this disease and receive a certificate in order to gain entry into Ghana.
  • Rabies - we required three injections- awwww!!!
  • Anti Malaria tablets. You were required to taker these for a whole week before you travelled, every day of your journey and for a further week after arriving home. Malaria is a disease that can be contracted from insects called mosquitoes. There are many of these insects in Ghana (and in other areas of the world). They enjoy a tropical climate and stagnant water sources.

After this, I needed to ensure that my passport was correct and complete. Then, I had to contact London to obtain a travel Visa. I needed to register with the Ghanaian representatives in London, noting when I was to travel and when I would be returning home.

A week before travelling

Well, we must pack! Only a week before our journey. Here is my checklist. I sincerely hope I've remembered everything!

  • bag - not too big as only 22kg is acceptable on the plane.
  • light cotton clothing - the weather is hot throughout the day. The temperature can reach as high as 28 ˚C by midday.
  • light shoes and some light walking boots.
  • a light raincoat - even though the weather will be warm, it can rain heavily for long periods.
  • Mosquito net- we will need to sleep under a net at night to ensure that we will not be bitten by the insects.
  • plenty of sun cream
  • Mosquito repellent cream
  • torch - the majority of Ghana's electricity is generated by the power River Volta.

In the dry season, or when there is not much rain, there isn't enough water to provide power to everyone in the country. Therefore, electricity is rationed. Electricity is available throughout the day, but not at night. Or there will be electricity available throughout the night, but not throughout the day. Therefore in order to see, I should take a torch.

  • A Medical pack - just in case of sudden illness, it is best to carry a medical pack including clean syringes, a thermometer, plasters and a towel and medications.
  • Passport
  • Travellers Cheques - I have failed to obtain Cedi cash notes - I will need money when we arrive in Ghana.
  • A pack of gifts from Ysgol Tregarth - a map ofWales and a Welsh flag, a piece of slate from the Ogwen Valley, a special dragon and work books from the children of Ysgol Tregarth showing their school, their homes and their local region.
  • A copy of a friendship agreement to be signed by our new partners as an indication Ysgol Tregarth and Ysgol Bodfeurig, andthe Great Royal School and Adafienu Amalgamated School agree to be worldwide partners and great friends for years to come.