The Niapele Project

I had been looking for an opportunity to volunteer in a developing country, but most organizations required that you have an MA and prior experience. I got in touch with the Niapele Project and they were looking for someone to volunteer from Feb - Apr of 2007 at Buduburam Refugee Camp near Accra, Ghana. They were looking for someone who was passionate about the projects they were running. I was very interested in volunteering with them because of my interest in sustainable programs in developing countries and because the refugee camp was primarily Liberian refugees. Since my boyfriend is Liberian, the cause was very close to my heart. When I went there, they had arranged everything for me - There was someone at the airport to get me, they rented a small house for me on the camp, and had someone show me around and introduce me to the people I would be working with. My main responsibilities were to help out with the School Feeding Program and ARCH (the Abandoned Refugee Children's Home). Celina and Penelope (the directors of Niapele) were wonderful to work with. I would email them each day about the progress that was being made and they would help direct me and tell me what they would like to have done. I keep in touch with them and hopefully I will be participating in some fundraising activities in the Spring. The Niapele Project is such an amazing organization. They are bringing hope and stability to a community that so desperately needs help. The school children benefit from having a dependable meal each day and the ARCH children are being given a warm, welcoming home and a brighter future.