Introduction to the team

On behalf of the NFED team, welcome to our blog! Or as they say in Dagbahni, the local language here in Savelugu, ‘Amaraba’.We are newly formed team of 12 volunteers and 2 team leaders working on a new project, with a new project partner. International Service is working in partnership with the Non Formal Education Division (NFED) in order to help six communities with their income generating activities. By income generating activities we are referring to farming and processing activities, but more on that in subsequent blogs. We are laying the foundations for subsequent cohorts of volunteers, setting the bar high and this needs a well-rounded team!

International Service - NFED Cohort 1, September 2015

So here we are outside our office in Savelugu, looking good (well at least I think so). We are a mixture of UK Volunteers and In Country (Ghanaian) Volunteers or UKVs and ICVs as the cool kids say. Every Volunteer is matched with a counterpart from the other country, including team teaders. You sleep, eat and work with them and quickly get to know how they like their eggs in the morning. I like mine with a kiss. Strangely that never happens.

Joking aside, we have become close as a team in this short space of time and here's a brief introduction into who everyone is.

Let's start from the left. So team leader Tom is first on your left, from Wales. He is paired with Fusca, our other team leader, on the right in the blue skirt. She is from Wa, in Ghana. This dynamic duo will lead team NFED to victory. Well by victory, hopefully a successful and sustainable project. These leaders, both of whom were once regular volunteers themselves have the wonderful task of coordinating, monitoring and evaluating our progress. They're doing an awesome job!

Just behind Tom (second from left) is Philip. He is from Charia. He is paired with Matthew, directly to his left, a UKV from London. Katie and Linda are directly in front of them and also paired together and are from Coventry, England and Volta region, Ghana respectively. Behind Linda is Florence from York and she is paired Sophia from Kabor, she is wearing the pretty shoes with the bows. 

Behind Sophia and next to Florence is Hamid from Tamale. He is with Chris from London, Chris is the tallest of the bunch so isn't too hard to find in the picture. Next to Hamid is Fred from Mankessing and he is paired with Jenniah, second from left, another Londoner. Finally you come to Suweiba from Tamale and she is paired with me!!! Candace!! And I’m from London too.

All together we are on the NFED project and, although this post is light hearted, we are serious about making a positive impact and delivering the best possible outcomes for the beneficiaries! We are dedicated and strong minded individuals who all contribute to a great working environment.

The team in the office, Cohort 1, September 2015

Look here's a picture of us working now. We actually get along, which, if you've ever worked with other people, doesn't always happen haha. Anyway, thanks for reading, next week we’re going to talk about building relationships with our communities, which is a huge challenge with massive rewards!!!