by Jasmine Lau
(Jasmine Lau ’12 is in Silliman College. She spent time working in a village in Ghana in May, and is blogging about her experiences and sharing her photos of her time there.)
All developed countries are fairly alike, but every developing country is developing in its own way. The term “developing country” encompasses such a huge spectrum that I had no idea what to expect when I was preparing for my trip to Ghana. Having been to countries such as Indonesia, Guatemala, Thailand, and China before, I was interested to see how Ghana, which is often held up as a shining beacon and a model state in Africa, would compare.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Ghana with 10 other Yale students as part of the Yale UNICEF international outreach initiative. While a significant portion of the trip is devoted to our educational project at the SOS Village School Kumasi, our group also had a chance to travel around the country, interact with residents, and immerse ourselves in the local culture as well as explore social, economic, and political issues.
I decided to keep a visual journal of my experiences. Disclaimer: I am no longer in Ghana, and so, unlike traditional blogging, I will not be documenting my time in chronological order. Instead, I’ll be sharing my photos in groups of stories and themes that, in my opinion, most meaningfully capture a piece of the tapestry of landscapes, cultures, and people that represent Ghana.
For now, click through the gallery below to see some snapshots of my favourite aspects of the country.
