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Shani joined us in Ghana for a Psychology and Mental Health programme spring just gone – and she has shared such a wonderful story with us. Read on to learn about her time at the hospitals, with the partner foundation, and Ghana overall!
Arriving In Ghana & Meeting the Team and Volunteers
Honestly, I was quite anxious, not knowing what to expect with so many emotions running through me. Once I stepped outside the airport doors, I had many people approach me asking if I needed transport or help with my bags. I felt a real rush of overwhelm but within a minute, Zazuu – our volunteer coordinator – found me in the crowd, gave me a hug and introduced himself. From that point forward I knew I was in safe hands. The two-hour drive from Accra to Senya Beraku was full of laughter and amazement. Out the car window I tried to take everything in, watching a city go past unlike I had ever seen before. The streets looked busy and slightly daunting, but it was also incredible.
On arrival in Senya Beraku, I was impressed with the accommodation: we had a well sized house with a secure gate; air conditioning; a living room; kitchen; two bedrooms and two bathrooms…everything we needed was there. After 26 hours travel journey with about 3 hours sleep the adrenaline had kicked in and I just wanted to keep going, so we went straight to the partner organisation where we were introduced to the beautiful children and the team. We stayed for hours laughing, dancing, and connecting – I instantly felt like this is where I was meant to be. I was lucky that I did not experience any culture shock; within the first few hours I was fully immersed in the experience and that continued to blossom with each day that went by.
That first meeting at the foundation will be a memory that stays with me forever – they welcomed us with such love and gratitude it was hard to feel anything but pure joy. In particular, there was one moment during a tour of the grounds where I made eye contact with one of the younger boys who looked about 3 or 4 years old. He didn’t say anything to me, I just smiled at him, knelt on the ground, and he ran straight into my arms. For the rest of the evening he did not leave my side, holding my hand wherever we walked.
Speaking to the team there – Monica, Gad and Seth – I was overcome with gratitude that they had opened their world to us and they spoke with such passion about the organisation and children whose lives had changed as a result of the work they were doing. I think the organisation is incredible and truly making a lasting impact. I think considering resources and funding, currently the organisation is providing the best they can.
In terms of the other volunteers – it’s funny, you would think a group of individuals coming from all different sides of the world would need a while to bond and get to know each other. That wasn’t the case with us. Within the first day the girls I was with felt like good friends, and after just a week they were like sisters. Not only did we spend every second at our accommodation together talking, laughing, dancing and playing Uno, but we also worked exceptionally well as a team in professional settings. I feel very lucky to have been on this journey with this group, they inspired me to work hard every day and I know I am now better having worked with them.
Clinical Experience at the Hospitals
Throughout my time, I worked at two local hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, and with the children at the partner foundation.
At the hospitals, the girls and I prepared and delivered presentations to the children and to patients in the psychiatric wards, we studied new content, conversed with many different stakeholders, provided therapeutic support to patients and administered general mental health assessments as a team.
It was such an enriching experience; one I would have never had the opportunity to gain back home. Particularly my time in the psychiatric hospital. It was so educational observing and participating in clinical psychology sessions, including in depth case consultations with the treating psychologists and having the opportunity to write up and sign my name to session notes. I had the opportunity to build rapport with patients with wide ranging diagnoses including schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, bipolar I and II, borderline personality disorder, depression, addiction, substance induced psychosis, and global developmental delays. Many of these cases I saw both on the wards and in therapeutic sessions, learning and assisting in their treatment plans. Within these therapeutic sessions I was exposed to ranging psychological treatment modes including dialectical behaviour therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Not only did I learn the practical application of these therapies, but I also built on my clinical note taking skills and had the opportunity to write up session notes. I observed narcotics anonymous meetings and led a psychoeducational presentation for the patients in the rehabilitation ward on emotional triggers and regulation skills in recovery. I also had the opportunity to observe occupational therapy sessions which included anger management sessions, activities of daily living assessments, and leisure activities.
Some of the standout experiences from this trip was this exposure to the complex cases and being able to engage and assist in treatment of these patients and being a part of major case breakthroughs.
I built rapport with a particular client with a diagnosis of bipolar I. She had an exceptionally complex case, with presentations of a personality disorder that she had little insight into. Whilst never being exposed to a case such as this, I quickly learnt the complexities of her presentation, how this manifested in conversations, rapport building and treatment. I did a mental state examination on her and observed her counselling sessions where a particular treatment recommendation was suggested to her, and in session she completely disengaged and was hostile towards this. However across a few conversations with her I was able to steer her in the direction of participating by realigning her with her goals of rehabilitation. This progressed to her attending the sessions, working through the parts of her illness that were still holding her back, and when I said my final goodbye to her as I was leaving, I got word that she would soon be discharging. To see this progress and be a part of this breakthrough in a case that was extremely complex was something I will carry with me into my future career.
A majority of the clinical work within the hospital was directly transferable to my previous university studies. I was exposed to the varying case presentations; with diagnoses we had only ever read about in university. Having this exposure now allows me a much greater understanding of how these psychological disorders present, as well as the complexities and nuances, beyond just the DSM-5 checkbox criteria. I observed a range of clinical treatment modalities, once again having studied them in university, however never seeing their application. Further, I was involved in many consultations with the treating psychologists and additional stakeholders, which allowed me to develop my case conceptualisation skills, learning to look beyond just the clinical presentation but the individual beneath.
Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime and genuinely the best thing I have done. I cannot chose a main experience, as looking back on it I am overwhelmed with beautiful memories. The clinical placement has had a lasting impact on me as a future practitioner and I have vast amounts of knowledge and perspective now.
Volunteering With The Children
The children’s foundation will stay in my heart for the rest of my life, connecting with these kids was the highlight of my trip. It was exceptional.
Throughout my time, we delivered presentations to the kids on various psychoeducational topics, helped them with homework and chores, and engaged them in lots of physical activity (skipping, football, volleyball, running). They taught me local games like Owari, finger finger, and country country. They taught us their dances, we taught them uno and duck duck goose, and so much more. It was a beautiful exchange of lives and culture that helped form meaningful connections. Some I held when they cried, others made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt, we were greeted every day with big hugs and smiles, and when we said our final goodbyes, I left with tears and heavy heart. Some of these kids had come from heartbreak, many without parents to help them grow, but watching these kids, I saw they created their own family filled with joy and love and I was honoured to be a part of it, if only for the small time I was there. Whilst I made incredible connections with a lot of the kids, I particularly connected with a couple of the younger boys. From the first day I noticed these little ones had some issues with emotional regulation and self-soothing, likely a direct result of past trauma.
Throughout my time, I worked to try and help develop these skills with the boys, offering comfort when it was needed, and prompting emotional identification. One of the young ones tended to become dysregulated very quickly over small triggers (not unlike many kids his age), however when he would become upset he withdrew – his automatic response was to make himself smaller, hiding in dark corners and turning away from opportunities of co-regulation which at his developmental age I had not seen before. Throughout the weeks, I made an effort to show him safety and support in times of emotional distress.
Travelling in Ghana
Although I know unfortunately I did not get to see it all, I can confidently say I saw Ghana in all its beauty and magic. Whilst I saw the hardships and the vulnerabilities, this is part of what made the pure joy of the locals so magical. The landscape is incredibly beautiful and vast, and in particular Cape Coast felt like a place I could truly breathe, and Senya Beraku felt like a home. We organised trips with the help of Zazuu, he was great at knowing the best places and times to go to where we wanted. We had open communication with all the members of our group, ensuring everyone was happy and comfortable to do each activity, and then we talked to Zazuu to organise timing, drivers and budget before going on trips. We got to go sight seeing in Accra, visited many beach resorts and markets like Cape Coast and Kasoa. Some nights we stayed in and had games nights, some nights we went to sleep early to keep rested due to the busy days, but we also had lots of fun going out to beach resorts, pubs, karaoke bars and clubs. At no times when we went out did I feel unsafe or overwhelmed, we had so much fun dancing and laughing. Our group looked out for each other and I think that was the most important part.
But also, what was a massive part of this trip was the ‘down time’, the time I spent with my Marnie, Kiran, Romy, Tina and Zazuu, these guys became like family and because of them my days were spent laughing and smiling. We went on some awesome trips like Kakum National Park and Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, but I will always treasure the little moments like signing in the car, eating breakfast together when the power was out, going for walks into town, or playing uno until late at night because maybe the next round Tina might just win.
Advice for future Volunteers
- Life saving packing items were a portable charger, a fan, GOOD deodorant, crocs for my placement, uno cards, a microfibre towel, a mirror, and a book.
- Also bring a fan and portable charger – this was optional on the packing list but with the frequent power outages in Senya it is definitely a necessity.
- If you are thinking of having a movie night or want something to watch during down time, download a movie prior to leaving! It is close to impossible to do it once you are there.
- Take a journal, even if you don’t like writing, find some way that works for you to document your days.
- Go in with no expectations, be open to fully immerse yourself, take time to connect with those around you and try to stay present in every moment, it will be over sooner than you think. I wouldn’t say I had many expectations before I left which I believe was a blessing as I was able to take in everything as it came. I feel had enough information in preparation and am grateful for the team at Vocational Impact for being there in the lead up and answering even my silliest of questions.
Career Experience and Parting Words of Wisdom
After four years of studying psychology, I had lost sight of my passion – I was unable to clearly see the reason why I was working so hard on such a long pathway, until I went on this trip. With the combination of the clinical placement, and the time at the foundation, I am more passionate than ever to complete my master’s and gain my registration, with the dream of becoming a clinical psychologist specialising in child development. I strongly believe having this unique experience will make me a much stronger candidate when I apply for my master’s program, as well as a more desirable prospective employee. In Australia, very few fourth-year graduates can say they have clinical experience, it is just not something that is an option until our master’s programs or beyond. With the knowledge and perspective I have gained from my time in Ghana, working with complex conditions in an environment and culture vastly different from my own, I am able to confidently say I am far better prepared for my future as a clinician.
Take time to stay present and grateful every day of your placement. There will be times that will be hard, you will be tested, but as long as you stay connected with yourself and your physical and emotional needs each day, you will end your time wishing you could do it all over again. I would encourage anyone interested in making a difference to come to Vocational Impact. Particularly my peers in psychology, as mentioned previously in Australia this kind of experience is non-existent, if they want a chance to experience real clinical work whilst travelling the world and seeing a place of pure happiness, they should participate. It will change the person you are for the better.
