SSU Students Transform Communities in Ghana Through Education

News Summary

Students from Savannah State University engaged in a transformative study abroad experience in Ghana, exploring health education challenges while fostering cultural understanding. Guided by Professor Deloach, they conducted workshops focusing on mental and physical well-being for local communities, despite facing logistical hurdles. Their journey highlighted the importance of immersive learning and international collaboration, inspiring future students to engage in similar meaningful experiences.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah State University (SSU) students Kyla Chandler and Jessie Herbert, along with peers Jamya Brundage and Kayleen Tarentine Hill, participated in a transformative study abroad trip to Ghana from May 11 to June 2. The group was guided by Professor Roenia Deloach, who oversees the Master’s program in Social Work. This service-learning experience aimed to enhance the students’ cultural understanding and adaptability while providing much-needed health education to the local communities.

Throughout their journey, the students faced various challenges, including sporadic electricity and limited internet access. Adapting to local cuisine, particularly tough chicken, also tested their resilience. Despite these difficulties, the SSU group successfully conducted health education workshops focusing on mental and physical well-being for local community members and school children, addressing pressing health issues relevant to the region.

Educational Workshops and Community Engagement

The primary objective of the trip was to foster attitudinal development among the students, simulating the challenges faced by children in Nakpanduri, Ghana. The team undertook a significant 16-hour car journey to reach Nakpanduri, which amused many of the local residents. The feedback from the community highlighted the students’ capability to connect and work collaboratively with others in a culturally immersive environment.

Chandler described her experience as humbling and underscored the camaraderie and hard work demonstrated by the people they encountered. As the group engaged with local wildlife, including goats, chickens, and pigs, they learned to appreciate the richness of Ghanaian culture. Key cultural excursions included visits to Cape Coast and the Last Bath, significant sites related to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, further enriching their understanding of Ghana’s history.

Reflections on Cultural Insights

Herbert, reflecting on his identity as an African American, pondered the emotional complexities of experiencing Ghana. The students observed the limited educational resources available to teachers and students in remote villages, which inspired ideas for creating a “Global SSU Library” aimed at providing books to those without access.

Deloach pointed out the stark statistic that only about 5% of Ghanian students in the villages they visited proceed to college, signaling a critical need for support in encouraging local children to achieve educational success. The workshops covered critical topics such as substance abuse prevention, measures against sexually transmitted diseases, and menstrual hygiene management, addressing significant local health challenges. At one workshop, local students expressed the need for contraceptive items, highlighting a notable gap in resources for sexual health education.

Logistical Challenges and Funding

The students’ trip was not without its logistical hurdles, as securing funding for the program can take nearly a year, with costs approximately $4,500 per student. Funding assistance was received from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and various local organizations, including the Savannah Council on World Affairs. Deloach has led this Ghana study abroad program since her own transformative college experiences and sees this year as her tenth trip.

Deloach continues to seek additional funding opportunities under SSU President Jermaine Whirl, emphasizing the importance of such immersive educational experiences. The students also documented their journey in a video that will be shared with the broader academic community during the upcoming academic year.

Chandler highlighted the significance of being present in Ghana, emphasizing the value of personal connections over mere academic readings about the culture. The students established lasting relationships with their Ghanaian peers, maintaining communication through WhatsApp post-trip. Herbert has encouraged other students to seize opportunities for international travel, particularly to developing countries, hoping to inspire future generations to engage in similar meaningful experiences.

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Additional Resources

• Savannahnow: SSU Students in Ghana
• WSAV: SSU Students Participate in Ghana Trip
• WSAV: SSU Students Engage in Ghana
• Wikipedia: Savannah State University
• Google Search: Savannah State University Ghana