Human Capability: A Key To Sustainable Development

 By Suale Yakubu

What ensures that development is sustainable? Is it providing people with the right tools or information to enable change in their life? Or is it helping a person to identify and make conscious decisions on how to make the most out of their own potential? The concept of human capabilities and sustainable development troubled me until I joined the ICS / International Service programme.

The International Service programme has taught me that you shouldn't go into a community and assume to know what they need, rather you should identify a community’s needs before going in to assist them to find lasting solutions. For example, we may think that a lack of water is a severe problem for some communities; however, that community may actually find that what is most challenging is they do not have a place to collectively produce or process their product. This has taught me the importance of going into projects with an open mind, completing a full needs assessment before beginning any work and to be willing to listen to the community rather than pressing my own opinions or preconceptions.

I have also realised from the programme that every person has their own unique characteristics and capabilities within his or her self and what one may find difficult is the easiest thing to someone else. By providing the resources and training to individuals in the communities, they can utilise their own skills and capabilities to see a way for themselves to enable change. In this way, enabling local people to lead their own development is the best option in ensuring sustainable development.

I have been placed to work with an income generating group (BEHIGU TAGYA) in Dimab Yepala, a village in the Tolon District of Northern Ghana, to train them on how to form a cooperative. The women I work with face many problems such as financial management, record keeping and water shortage. I begun wondering about these issues and pondered over the identified development issues and how to find solutions to their needs. It would be simple for me to go to the IGG and tell them that I can correct their records and finances but when I leave, how would they learn to do these things themselves? And even if I taught them how to manage their finances and keep records, how can I ensure that they retain this knowledge when most of the women are illiterate?

Working with my community to capture data on their most pressing problems

When we were discussing these issues with the IGG, I asked myself: what could these women do about their problems without International Service’s assistance? Or, if International Service was able to help, would development continue to exist in these communities after International Service left? There is the wise saying: “we teach the child on how to fish but not only providing the child with fish". Spoon feeding is synonymous to pampering a child and does not prepare the child to assume responsibility in the future. It is against this background that International Service Ghana in partnership with NFED Tolon have started to train facilitators for each of the seven IGGs we work with to provide essential training on how to form a cooperative. I believe that by training the facilitators they can then hopefully continue to assist and train their IGGs and other communities on how to form a cooperative when we are not there, which should ensure a sustainable development.

Facilitator in Dundo community leading a training session with assistance from ICS volunteers

Before this programme, I was unsure about what sustainable development was. However, it is through this programme that I have learnt that using local resources for local development is what sustainable development entails in the rural areas.

Here I am introducing International Service and their work in Tolon at an awareness raising event we held at Katinga Market.

Whenever we complete any resource, hold any training or conduct any research, our cohort always considers the sustainability of the work. For example, our training resources are in both English and Dagbani and during each training session we try and involve the IGG facilitators as much as possible so that when we leave they can continue our training sessions without us. Cohort 1 conducted research on each of our IGG communities and we have based our own work on their findings. This way, the project continues to be sustainable. We hope too that we are laying down the groundwork for Cohort 3 to come in and continue our work and training with the IGGs and so ensure that the project continues in a sustainable way. Our ultimate aim is that NFED will be able to take full control over our project so that when ICS leave Tolon, our work will not be forgotten. That is the key to sustainable development.

It’s Always Darkest Before Dawn

Sadia's Story

 

By Anisha Patel

Sadia in her pharmacy                                                                       

Alimutu Sadia Ibrahim is the type of woman that immediately makes you feel welcome. She has a kind and inviting smile, but mischievous eyes that sparkle as she tells me her story.

Sadia tells me that her life has been hard. She has two daughters and her motivation in life now is to make sure that her daughters do not suffer as she did. Her daughter comes sidling in; a chubby toddler with a massive, toothy grin. As she lays her head on her mother’s lap you can see how much Sadia loves and dotes on her.

Sadia was married at 22 and I ask for her “How They Met story”. She tells me that her husband came to her house and pretended that he had seen her around town for a while and was besotted with her (in reality the first time he saw her was when he went to her house). At the time, Sadia already had a boyfriend so she ignored him, but his gentle persistence eventually won her over. The love between the two blossomed and two years later they had their first daughter.

Sadia’s husband, Adam worked as a teacher and later gained an admission to the University of Development Studies (UDS) when his daughter was 3 months old but the campus was far away so he had to leave his wife and daughter to begin his 4 year course. Unfortunately, his work was not supportive of his decision to go to University and not only did they stop his money, they erased his name so he could no longer work as a teacher. Adam did not receive support from his parents, so Sadia had to provide income for the family. She had dreams of becoming a nurse and going to nursing school but instead she had to work.

“That was when we experienced real life, with my first daughter” explains Sadia. “I had to work, carrying cosmetics with my baby on my back [in Ghana, women traditionally carry babies on their backs, tightly secured with material]. The more you go around the more you sell so I was backing my daughter and going around.”

Sadia took on more jobs,working at the youth employment centre until 1pm, then she would go and work on washing mosquito nets with repellent and ending the day by going around and selling cosmetics. All this was just to survive.

Sadia told me how she heard of an organisation called Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) which aims at helping young girls and women to get into  education and work. She applied for their Innovative Basic Programme. Around 14 girls from Tolon applied and there was 111 applicants in the district. Sadia was one of three to be selected from the district. At a national level, out of 91 women only eleven women were selected. Sadia was the tenth person picked.

“We were pioneers of that scheme. They gave us some business ideas and you could select one. They had a mobile health service, where you go around to the local villages on a bicycle. I was used to roaming and a lot of couples and girls I had met previously needed family planning and health care, so I decided to pick that business. I thought it would only be 3-4 months, not knowing it would be a long journey.

“There were three ladies who chose mobile health and CAMFED were impressed with us. I'm not a smooth talker but I work hard. They gave us money for accommodation, food, etc. in Tamale. I had to leave my daughter with my sister, in Tolon. We received about GHC600 (£105) per month. When I got the money I bought the computer for GHC250 for my husband to help with his studies. We supported each other. To survive, I collected money from my mother and brothers but I sent some of it to my sister, to help raise my daughter, and some of it to my husband. When they found out I was sending some of the money to my husband they were angry. My brother told me that my husband didn't love me and I shouldn't send him money. But I knew he loved me.

“I finished my course around the same time as my husband finished at UDS. My daughter was 4 years old. After completing, my husband had to complete his National Service [where citizens are expected to serve their country, e.g. by working for the government, a government approved company or in service of Ghana] in Bolga district [approximately 160 miles away from Tolon]. After he left, I realised I was pregnant with our second daughter.

At the time, I was applying for work in Tamale, hoping that someone would give me a chance. When I was one month pregnant I got a job in a pharmacy. I worked with him until I was about to deliver. The pay was low, about GHC220 per month, but I didn't have any choice but to work for him. I even didn't get paid for the last month because I had to leave 10 days early to give birth. To this day I am still waiting for my money and I will wait and see what God will do to him on Judgment Day. I would start work at 7am, do the sweeping and mopping. The boss’ sister also worked there, so she worked as the cashier. At 5pm I would sweep and mop again then I would go home, cook my dinner and sleep.”

After returning home and giving birth to her second child, Sadia received her Medicine Counter Assistance Training from CAMFED. But she was told that she would need further training to sell licensed medicine. She became interested in becoming a licensed medicine centre and separated from mobile health.

Sadia and her colleagues in India in the community where they stayed

“CAMFED gave three girls the opportunity to go to India for 10 days. They gave us money for everything but I saved it because I knew when I come back it will not be easy. When I returned I paid GHC150 for my license to be a licensed chemical seller  and I used GHC300 to buy stock for the store. The rest of the money I gave to my husband. The license was very hard to apply for. After I applied, I didn't hear from them for a year, despite chasing them constantly. In the second year I received a call to say that they could come and inspect the land I had for the store.

“After I had applied for my license, I immediately went to the Chief and told him my story. I asked him for help. I explained to him that I wanted to help and bring development to the community (because at the time, we only had one drug store)and he gave me the land for free. He also told me to call him when I was going to build my store. But he ran out of patience and called me and asked me why I hadn't built. I told him that I was still planning. The Chief said he would send me one boy to help build the store. When the boy turned up, he came with 10 bags of cement to build the store! Apart from the support from the Chief we didn't have anything, but this gave us the courage to build the store.

“Less than six months later, a heavy storm came and destroyed everything: the store was gone.

“By then, I had a call from the Pharmacy Council and I was told that I should come for my interview and exams. The fee was GHC150, so I thought ‘How do I get this money?’. My husband had also been saving during his National Service and so when they asked for the fee he quickly went and withdrew the money for me.

“When I went for the exams, my daughter was 4 months old, and my husband was looking after my daughter. So I went to take my exams, had my interview and came home.

“In January 2015, I told my husband that I would go to Tamale to work because my daughter was getting to one year old. I went back to Tamale and worked for a pharmacy because I didn't want to sit idle especially when we needed the money most to build the store. After working for four months the Pharmacy Council called me and told me that I had the approval to operate as a licensed chemical seller. But my store was not complete, so how could I start my business?

“So I went back to the Chief and told him that I had the approval letter to operate as a licensed chemical seller. The Chief told me he would support me by giving wood and zinc for the roof. By then my store had collapsed.

“I was sitting by the house one day when my friend was cycling past and he saw me. He stopped and asked me ‘I saw you were working at one pharmacy in Tamale, but you are not working there. Why have you stopped?’ So I told him that I came home to deliver and I didn't get the chance to get back. He told me that he had also heard information in town that I had come back to operate a drug store but he had not heard anything. I told him that I had the approval letter to operate, but when I built it a heavy storm collapsed it, so I don't know what to do. He asked me the things I needed and I told him that I needed sand, cement, etc. He said he would support me and give me the sand and 5 bags of cement. I called my brother, the one who said my husband didn't love me, and asked him for help. Some how he managed to pity me and he gave me 15 bags of cement. With this, I was able to re-build the store. Even to this day, the inside is not plastered but I am able to sell my drugs so I am happy with that!

“We were able to finish the store but now, how could I start my business? So in our training, CAMFED told us that if we were lucky, you could apply for a loan to start your business, and you can pay it off small small. So I called them and told them I had my approval letter but I didn't have money for my business. So they told me to apply for a loan for GHC2000 (£350) and I did so without delay.

“They told me to come for the money. They said they would give me GHC1500 for the store and then they would come and inspect the store. If they were satisfied, they would give me the rest.

“I bought some small things for my store, like a fan, lighting etc and also fitted the shelves, which were very expensive. They came to inspect the store and they were very happy.  They gave me the GHC500 but quickly realised that this would not be enough to stock my store. When I was working in my second Pharmacy I had he opportunity to buy the drugs when they ran low, so I knew that the money would not be enough.

“So I applied to another organisation called Health Keepers, who provide education on family planning, and at the end they will give you the products to educate people on family planning. I was a member and organiser in Tolon for this organisation so I called them and explained my situation: that I had my license; I had built my store and finished everything but I could not stock my store because my capital was not enough. So I wanted to see if they could help me stock my store and I could use the little money I had to buy other products for the store. They were happy with that and they gave me many products. They asked me the quantities that I needed and they quickly sent it to me. I then used the rest of the money to buy the rest of the stock.

“I started the store on Monday. My reason was because I was born on Monday so I was happy to open the store on Monday. I invited my brothers, family and a few friends to come to the opening. And that is how we started.

“Less than three months later, it was malaria season so the store had expanded. Almost every day I was going to Tamale to buy more products.

“I don't spend my money, I just use it to expand the business. I would take GHC1000 or GHC1200 and go and buy drugs from Tamale. In the seventh month of my business I took GHC1750 and went to the first store to buy some drugs. They didn't have enough drugs there, so I only bought GHC400 worth and I left the rest of the money on my lap. I went to a different store to buy drugs but the money was gone; I don't know what happened. That day I cried for a week. I cried as if God had forgotten about me. That was the time that I was trying to expand my business but I didn't know why God had done this to me.

“I had a lot of support from my family and friends. They told me that maybe this was how God was going to help me. My friends and family members gave me courage and consoled me. Within two months I was able to raise GHC1700, which I used to buy a fridge for my store and used that to expand my store.

“In my tenth month I was able to buy a new motorbike for the business for GHC3400.

“So now my husband has no job, but we are living life normally. My husband will get up and go to work or if I'm going to the store then by 6am I will be there. Then my husband will come and I will go home and cook for my children. If you watched us you would not know that he is not working. He didn't have cash to help but he supports me with his strength. Sometimes he will be there until 11 or 12pm. Sometimes if it rains and he cannot come home he will sleep in the store. But he is also praying to get a job.

“I'm still saving money because I do not want my daughters to suffer. I never want my daughters to experience what I did because life was hard.

“Now my prayers are that God should give us the strength to work, take care of the children and take care of ourselves. And that's all.”

Before I came to Ghana I was prepared to face certain challenges: difficulties with food (being a vegetarian); cultural differences and the struggles of living in a rural community that do not have access to the things that I take for granted as everyday essentials such as: running water, access to fresh food and, of course, internet. What I was not prepare for was to be inspired by the people I have met. Sadia taught me a lesson I'll never forget: Never Give Up. Even when it seems like the world is against you, you have to keep fighting because there is always hope. It's always darkest before dawn. 

Follow us on Instagram for more in our “Women of Ghana” series, using #WomenOfGhana

'Antire' From Tolon...

 

By Natty Waldron

Drumming the Calabash at a Local Wedding                                                                  

It now feels like just yesterday that I arrived in Tolon alongside the team of UK and Ghanaian volunteers, yet at first time went very slowly indeed. This was not due to boredom, but derived from the fact that each day was filled with so many new, unexpected and interesting experiences – all of which one learns from. These varied, from getting used to the new rural accommodation and customs, to getting to grips with the local language, Dagbani. I can boast to have 'conversational' Dagbani, measured by the maximum of two minutes I can spend pleasantly exchanging greetings with the locals and my host-family!

Prior to arriving in Tolon, I felt confident that I knew what to expect as I had spent a lot of time thinking about what would await me there and researching what I could about Tolon online (very little is available!). Yet, it was very different from what I expected, the main divergence from my expectations was the vibrancy and diversity within Tolon, it is a bustling place full of enterprises and activity.

Outside Simli Radio Station after Cohort 2's first radio show

The team and I are working for the partnership between International Service and the Non Formal Education Division (NFED). Our contribution aims to help local communities on their way to becoming cooperatives, with the hope that these communities will acquire expedient skills to help them boost their income and their sustainability in a world characterized by ever-increasing competition. NFED have worked in Tolon District for many years now. Their work has been to facilitate and provide literacy classes for women who sadly did not pick up these skills in their youth. Most often these women were deprived a completed formal education due to poverty. The communities in which many of women are from face numerous problems, all of which manifest as significant obstacles for locals to be capable of grasping what opportunities are available to them. Poor infrastructure, a lack of health facilities, family- and labour-demands are just some of the prescient issues that stop many from completing school.

The cohort before us who conducted baseline research in these areas found that the groups we are working with, Income Generating Groups (IGGs) made up of former members of the NFED's literacy classes, are extremely willing to learn. Thus the burden is on us to help provide them with the skills they need to empower themselves through growth of independent and sustainable incomes. Preparing training sessions that can both get through to the groups and be replicated by the NFED staff at later dates has proven itself to be quite a challenge. The challenges within this general experience however, are what makes it rewarding and I am learning that the you get out of it what you are willing to put in. There are a plenitude of things to do both within the project and outside of it. An invaluable part of the placement is living in a host-home with a family who treat you as their own, this provides a really immersive three months in such a tight-knit and secure community. We have received an extremely warm and gracious welcome from the community, including a fascinating formal welcome from the Chief, I sense we would not get far without the Chieftancy's blessing!

My roommate and I presenting a talk to the local Senior High School on the importance of sanitation

The longer the stay here goes on the clearer an image of Northern Ghana becomes. It is a vibrant area with very industrious and sincere people, whose pride in their culture seems alien to many from the UK or elsewhere. The hospitality of all whom I have encountered is second to none and the sense of identity here is truly staggering. Despite this one comes to notice that are large obstacles to the otherwise bright future of Ghana, the lack of infrastructure and the instability of the economy most definitely do not do Ghana justice. Yet, whilst writing this I must qualify this perception with the resilience, generosity and solidarity of all whom I have met. Thus throughout our work here, I believe the most important aspect is to win the trust of the people and to stick tightly to the project's aim of enabling self-empowerment and sustainability.

God I love Ghana

Post By: Sam Briggs

Life in Ghana follows like this; Eat... Sleep... Pray... Repeat.

Living in Ghana has shown me that above all else religion is the most important aspect of the Ghanaian way of life. 

As part of our relationship with NFED we are working with small rural communities with little influence from the outside world. As the expected sign of respect and custom, our meetings will always start with a prayer and finish with a prayer as the belief of change and prosperity are gifts from God. We aim to help these Income Generating Groups of female dominated members to have a fighting chance in a world where the odds seemed stacked against them, and I believe this is a fight we can win with the awareness and support these women deserve. During this fight the first step of combating this battle is underway as me and the media team have grasped onto the likely prospect of a monthly radio broadcast due to the goodness of Simli radio station, to raise awareness and gain support.

But this is only the beginning of many changes that will come. With media coverage these groups have a much stronger chance as villages and towns all over the northern region can learn about the group’s struggle and many will be able to  show empathy with their situation as this is a struggle that is widespread in many areas, this empathy will hopefully lead people to support the NFED programme and spread the word. Every radio show will give us a better chance of being noticed by large NGOs and charity organisations that I hope will answer these strong people’s prayers.

When people go to work they will drop their work for prayer times, people will temporarily close their small businesses to go pray and people will close their laptops and stop reading blogs to go pray. 

This links with the idea of how above all over aspects of life their religion is priority. This is something to be expected with a country that is one of the most religious world and the percentage of atheists are dropping while beliefs in God are rising. It is interesting to see a country with such a powerful belief that influences everything from politics to not talking while in the shower, especially as I come from a country where religion plays little to almost no influence in life.

In so many ways I respect and almost envy the complete love and dedication these people have to their God. Despite the hardships many suffer and the stress of life many will face they will never blame their God, they will only blame the real reasons like the corruption and unemployment that cripples the citizens of Ghana. I’ve never fallen victim to the lies of the UK press that demonizes Islam but I never expected the opposite to be so true. Christianity and Islam here both teach peace and the people of this fine country hold that virtue to its highest standard. They will not treat you as substandard for having a different belief or a different way of doing things, they wont hate you if you even disagree with a certain belief, they see you as one of God’s children and will treat you accordingly. Many times I have wandered around the streets of Tolon and people will invite me to share their food. One of my Ghanaian counterparts told me if a person who is starving and in need of food goes to a market and asks for charity they will receive it, such is the teachings of these religions. The brutal fact is if a homeless man came to the doors of a thriving business in the UK and asked for scraps they would be turned away and left to fend for themselves in fear of legal action because ‘they might get ill and sue us’. So many people in the UK have fallen into the belief of how religion causes so many problems in the world and it is better off not existing but how can this be true when the vast majority of these followers take their religion in its truest form, kindness, charity and love.

I believe that without religion the poorer people in northern rural Ghana would have little hope of anything, imagine living in a poor rural area where everyday life is difficult and you have little hope that external influences are there to protect you and care for you. With religion though these people find happiness and something to bring their community together to make them stronger and more likely to tackle their issues. The belief of a fatherly figure watching down on them brings them a feeling of content and hope that even though they are suffering now, they won’t always suffer, how could anyone even think of trying to take this away from them. Imagine being a believer of a religion and letting this be a source of peacefulness in your life and your passion for doing something good in this world and only trying to use your religion as a force of good in the world. Imagine how that person would feel when their religion is shone in a negative light when all you’ve ever done is try to be a good person for your God. No religion is evil, religion is peace.

God, I love Ghana.

Nawu ni labsina.

Ami!

Welcome to Dimabi: Change is Possible

Post by: Rashida Seidu

My journey to Dimabi community started with a very  warm welcome from the district capital; Tolon, from the Chief and the community at large. The chief organized a durbar to introduce us to the community and to also create their awareness as to what we are going to be doing in tolon throughout our three months stay there. The chief together with the people of the community showed us love and a warm welcome and as a sign of respect we offered cola nuts and water as a sign of appreciation.

The work in Dimabi started on a Tuesday, we took a bus to the community of Dimabi Yepala, situated on the outskirts of Tolon town. It is made up of three separate communities, community 1, 2, and 3 which has one local chief who governs them all. The name of the income generating group there is “Biehigu Tagya” which simply means “life has changed”, it is a collection of 30 women, whose primary focus is shea butter processing and rice production. 

The first visit started with a meeting with the Dimabi chief, we were offered cola nuts and drinking water, then proceeded into the third community which is where our IGGs are located. When we asked about their aims and what they are hoping to achieve from us they explained it was; to create market opportunities for them, and also teach them on how to become cooperatives to help generate income for themselves in order to kick poverty out of these communities. 

My stay in Tolon with ICS/NFED has undoubtedly made a positive impact to my life with regards to the way I perceive, see and connect with the universe. I think volunteering is a brilliant way to get real-life experience. Whether you build a playground or mail flyers to raise awareness for a local charity, you will experience the real world through hands-on work.

The International Service ICS program has given me a great opportunity to express myself clearly in the midst of my elders without it being regarded as any form of disrespect. Where I am from; Tamale, Northern Ghana I was always taught that using gestures and demonstrations while communicating with an elderly person was a rude and disrespectful act. My stay in Tolon has taught me other wise and that the education of an adult or elderly person in any form isn’t a bad thing. Our work in Tolon has been appreciated by the masses (aka the entire team).  A lot of us have almost been brain washed into thinking that positive change in remote communities like Tolon is impossible. The months I’ve spent here hasn’t been all that easy but I sure know it’s far better than what I expected. I knew all was going to be well the moment we stepped in the community. Our welcome alone was massive and we were assured we will receive a great deal of cooperation which will surely make our set objectives more achievable.

I have also discovered new interests and hobbies as a result of my stay in Tolon with other ICS volunteers. Sometimes we do get locked into the “rat-race” of life and volunteering with the ICS has given me an escape to everyday routine and created a balance in my life. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering with ICS in Tolon has so far been fun, relaxing and energizing. The energy and sense of fulfilment can carry over to a work situation and sometimes helps relieve tensions and foster new perspectives for old situations. Sometimes a volunteer experience can lead you to something you never even thought about or help you discover a hobby or interest you were unaware of. I have been able to strengthen my personal/professional mission and vision by exploring opportunities and expanding my horizons. I have also been able to realize I do like the local dance of the people here which I don’t get to see at my hometown of Tamale. Hopefully I will be a local dance champion with a week more of dance practice.

Overall, I have realized change is possible and can impact positively in the lives of the people of Tolon thanks to ICS.

A glimpse into Ghana

Post By:  Kaya Cunningham

This is a typical view of the homes of Tolon, on our walk to the NFED office.

 As you are walking, you will hear many cries of “Siliminga Hello! (Siliminga means white person) from the local children that appear almost anywhere that you go. 

The view of the community is amazing, with houses only being made up of 
bungalows and thatched roundhouses.

 Households can be a collection of several roundhouses and a bungalow,
 and occasionally accommodate up to 50 people if they are holding a special occasion!

Tolon is always busy with small stalls

 and food-sellers selling things like fried yam with groundnut powder, 

or beans and rice, and you’ll always 

see women walking with gallons of water balanced effortlessly on 
their heads, travelling back from the water pumps.

 You can find anything you need in Katinga Market. Piles of old clothing for sale, spread out right next to

 food sellers frying up their goods and women selling oranges and banana’s everywhere.

 The most colourful fabric stalls are everywhere, as well as random
 electronic stalls, shoe sellers and bikes.

Tamale Cultural Centre! Here you can purchase the most amazing Ghanaian souvenirs or gifts, 

as well as beautiful original paintings and artwork, 

and even more fabric and pipes. You can find anything you need here, but they wont be having it if 
you try and haggle!

Transparency in volunteering with ICS: Volunteering in the spotlight

Post by- Iddrisu Issahaku 

Sitting on the waiters’ seat at the cafe, every second was like an  hour, counting the second hand of the clock, I could tell the time off-head without watching the clock as the ticking on the clock was as if its powered by my brain. My hope of getting access to a client computer was getting slimmer and slimmer as all the clients kept ordering for more time in hours. The only option was to go back home and bring my own laptop to the café. This trauma was to account for my eagerness to file my interest to volunteer with International Service on the ICS program.

*

The birds had gone back to their nests; the only dominating sound was passing-by vehicles and flying bats. After having done with my daily routine, I was at the roadside relaxing and chatting with friends hoping for a chance to see the most beautiful vehicles of the tamale metropolis. I heard the sound of my phone in the midst of the several sounds of the evening. Guess who it was?

A land line, recognized by my phone as strange; which came with a lady’s voice.
It said; "Good evening! Am I speaking to Iddrisu Issahaku?"

I said yes. 

"I am calling from International service. Congratulations! You have been selected for interview/assessment on the 19^th November 2015, 8:00am at GNAT Hall. Please do come with any valid identification card and your criminal report form"

After this interview, I was now hoping that what I presented should be convincing enough to pave me the way to formal volunteering with International Service. Finally, this time, (not with a lady’s voice) was a message congratulating me and inviting me for further assessment and training at the same venue and time on the 22^nd December 2015. However, the venue was later changed to the Resource Center Tamale.

All I had was my effort, all I had was my interest, all I had was my faith and desire resting within my chest, where nobody could see or feel it, with nobody anywhere near the high seats of the universe. Unbelievably, I was astonished because it is one of the best in fairness and transparent events of my life. An assessment that you don’t need to know anybody anywhere to help you get through, once you have what it takes to be on board, you are set to go. I was amazed how ICS could easily get me through without any protocol. I think ICS has proven to me that there is still a number of programmes that  goes by merit, Hence, a reason to be hopeful without protocol access.

We had a two-day assessment/training where we were told in detail about ICS and what its objectives are; things we knew already and others that we had just heard. There was much expectation and hope on the faces and hearts of almost all the potential volunteers regarding placements with various partner organizations that existed. Little or none of us had made provisions to be placed at the new project an extremely rural area called Tolon. So needless to say there there was mass-disappointment when our placement as volunteers in our various project were communicated to us. The best way of defeating any disappointment is to accept the situation as if that was the desired result; so, I accepted it in good faith and pledged to put in my best at my newly discovered placement, Tolon NFED.

The next stage was the final assessment and training that was to take place as a goodbye to us and to get all volunteers (UKVs and ICVs) together to present us with important details of everyone's various pairs and host homes, team leaders, etc. This took place at the GILBT training Center and lasted for 3 days. We departed to our various placements after the 3^rd day.
 

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Volunteering in the spotlight
  

I think accountability can only be sought if the populace is aware of the responsibilities of those in steering positions across the world. With ICS, I have inculcated the habit and importance of knowing more about the nitty gritty of whatever is going on both nationally and internationally. This I think will put our leaders on their toes to give us what is due of us as a people, as we are getting more aware than ever.

Volunteering is one of the most momentous yet less-recognized means through which public services get to the poorest and most marginalized communities, this is because I have just got to know of formal volunteering and wish I could volunteer through my life as I am ready to go anywhere to serve.

Through the world there is extensive infrastructure of schools, hospitals, security services, and even social protection schemes, but poor people do not get access to them. I think volunteers can play a significant role in helping to bridge this gap; adding in numbers and experience to the existing public service workforce and helping to ensure the purpose of these services to the communities they have been set up for.

More so, there is an increase in the need for the involvement of young people in development and planning of developmental issues. This is evidenced by the words of the UN general secretary, Ban Ki Moon "We need young people’s participation more than ever. Their energy and idealism can help make up for lost ground and achieve our development goals in full and on time."  I think this is achievable with volunteering.  

Volunteering is also a win-win activity, because an Australian study has shown that for every $1 spent or invested on volunteering you gain $4. Therefore I think countries especially the global south countries should embrace volunteering as it can also serve as a workforce supplement.

Hmmm, I don’t want to say goodbye, but ……….. I think that's it for now... until next time.