Not A Typical Day

Andy's adventures in Ghana as a Peace Corps Volunteer

Making a difference

May 26, 2025

Disclaimer: “The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Ghanaian Government.”

Dear friends and family,

A dear friend who is serving in Peace Corps in Ghana is seeking to raise funds to teach leadership skills to deaf students in junior and senior high school. Alana, who is also deaf, is so filled with energy and creativity that I know this project will have a profound effect on the 64 students who are lucky to be chosen to participate. My own project did not require that I solicit funds from friends and family, so if you would like to make a contribution to this project I would be ever so grateful. Here is her description of the project:

As I enter my third and final year as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, I am excited to share my final major project! I am collaborating with the Ghana National Association of the Deaf to host a nationwide Deaf Youth Leadership Camp for 64 deaf students. Our goal is to cultivate future leaders within the deaf community by providing essential resources and teaching important leadership skills. This camp aims to empower our youth to make positive contributions to the deaf community.

The camp will be completely FREE for every student, but we cannot achieve this without your help! Please consider donating and sharing this project with your family and friends. Together, we can make a meaningful difference!

CLICK THIS LINK TO DONATE: https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate/projects/pp-25-641-005

Thank you so much for your support.

Warmest regards,

Alana Smith

Peace Corps Volunteer Ghana 2022-2025

ghanaandy

6 responses to “Making a difference”

  1. influenceralmost0afd16a319 Avatar
    influenceralmost0afd16a319

    Thanks, Andy, for the opportunity to contribute.  We love your posts and pics.  Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights, Teacher Kwadwo!Peggy Longeway (206) 571-1547

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    1. ghanaandy Avatar
      ghanaandy

      Thank you!

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  2. Sue Fite Avatar
    Sue Fite

    Done!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. ghanaandy Avatar
      ghanaandy

      Thank you!

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  3. ginny09 Avatar
    ginny09

    Andy, in a separate email, I sent you a link to apply for a Minnesota grant, to hire sign language teachers for you.. Sign language can be taught from the US using ZOOM…….maybe buy some big TV screens for you. Using this organizatiion, have them find a sign language teacher (more than one) for you willing to take the challenge to teach sign language to deaf students in Ghana from Minnesota. I will keep looking for funding… BEST, Vicci

    >

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    1. ghanaandy Avatar
      ghanaandy

      Vicci, thank you, although it’s not quite as straightforward as we might hope. Andrew Foster, the pioneer of deaf education in Africa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Foster_(educator)), introduced American Sign Language (ASL) in Ghana in 1957. Since then a variant called Ghanaian Sign Language has evolved that meets the needs of Ghanaians better than ASL. Upon arrival in Ghana, my deaf colleagues were confused by GSL and had to take language training just like those of us who are not hearing impaired. So recruiting ASL teachers in the US won’t meet the needs of students in Ghana. But I’ll pass your thoughts on to Alana and ask about other resources that are needed in the deaf community here.

      Andy

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