John Barber
Director, Volunteer / Project Coordinator
John@GhanaACT.org
I first went to Ghana in the summer of 2009. I went alone, for nine weeks, and honestly had no idea what to expect. Through the organization I was volunteering with (not Ghana ACT) I had planned to volunteer at a local hospital, but when I arrived in Accra I was told those plans had fallen through and I was sent to work at the LILIMED clinic in Ho. While it was truly the most unbelievable experience of my life, I knew I had to do more. I started Ghana ACT in 2009 and have led over 40 volunteers through their various programs since then. While I know I will always take out more from this program than I could ever put in, I am eager to get started on the work that lies ahead.
Liam Lynch
Volunteer Coordinator, Assistant Project Coordinator
Liam@GhanaACT.org
The first time I came to Ghana was the Summer of 2010. I had seen a flyer in Berkshire Dining Commons at UMass Amherst promoting the program and I immediately knew it was something I'd be interested in, but at the time I had no clue what to expect. Volunteering with Ghana ACT was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made. I worked with both the LILIMED Clinic and the McColins Preparatory Centere before I settled on helping in the construction of a new nursery school in the town of Saviefe Deme. Working with local Ghanaians and other volunteers in this small community was incredibly rewarding, and the friends I made throughout my stay in Ghana are ones I hope to stay in contact with for the rest of my life. I have come back this Summer to assist in coordinating our project in Saviefe Deme and to help the program grow in any way I can. I will also be functioning as the President of the Ghana Act RSO at UMass Amherst this upcoming year and I look forward to recruiting more volunteers and fundraising for our various projects here in Ghana. I intend to stay involved with Ghana Act for as long as it exists, and I am confident that as we grow as an organization we will be able to take on even more ambitious ventures, and continue to provide volunteers with the incredible opportunity to experience and fall in love with Ghanaian culture.
