In this interview, we hear from Liz Madisetti. Liz is a Peace Corps volunteer working as a Education volunteer in Ghana. What Liz shares gives us a better understanding of the work volunteers do. We learn about the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that happens from volunteering in a new place. Liz talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Liz’s journey and see how volunteering with Peace Corps can change lives.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
- Community Projects and Interactions
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as an Education volunteer in Ghana?
I teach in the Junior High School in a very rural community. The school has a primary section, K – 6, and a junior high grades 7 – 9. My main classes are with the 7th and 8th graders in math and science, but I do help with the 9th-grade class as they prepare to take exams. I review math topics with them twice a week, once in the morning before school and the other class meets in the evening.
The ninth grade students take exams at the end of the school year which determines which senior high they can attend. Most of the senior high schools are boarding schools and some are very selective so high scores on the final exams are important for students who want to continue their education.
I teach in English, but people in my community speak Ga and Twi. Many of the students struggle with their English, but all of them speak much better English than I speak Ga or Twi. So we help each other!
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Ghana?
I first joined the Peace Corps in 1993 and was stationed in Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean. It was a fabulous position and I was absolutely loving it, but I accidentally got pregnant. The father was my SCUBA diving instructor. Although it was an accident, it was the best accident of my life.
At age 37, I had resigned myself to never having children. So I was medically separated and returned to Seattle to have the baby. I returned with the baby to Dominica and spent the next 29 years there until the “baby” convinced me that I should join the Peace Corps again and finish what I had started!
As a lifelong, but retired, teacher, I wanted to teach math and science preferably in Africa. When I browsed the openings I found the perfect positions were offered in Ghana.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation:
As I mentioned, my community is very rural. There are only dirt roads leading to it and the nearest paved highway is about a mile and a half away. I ride a bike or walk to the highway when I need to go to my market town or Accra. From there I can catch a tro tro (minivan that serves as a public bus) Most people in my community ride on the back of motorcycles to get to the main road, but as PC volunteers we are not allowed to ride on a motorcycle. I don’t mind the exercise and occasionally there is a car or taxi that picks me up!
I live alone in a cement block home with 3 rooms, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. I have electricity and a pretty good internet connection using data. I don’t have running water although there is a toilet, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink. I have to use water stored in two large barrels. During the rainy season, I can collect rainwater, but usually, students will carry water for me from the well. They carry the basins and buckets of water on their heads and I am always so grateful for their help.
I live close to several of the other teachers, and although they are all much younger they have been very welcoming.
Surprises, Challenges, and Personal Growth
4. What has surprised you most about Ghana?
One of the best aspects of living in Ghana is the friendliness and helpfulness of the people. Everyone is willing to help if you are carrying a heavy load or need directions.
I enjoy the small children who live near me, but I can’t sit on my porch and just have some alone time. The kids just gather around wanting to play and interact. This is fine sometimes, but not all of the time, so if I want to be alone, I have to stay inside with my door closed.
The biggest challenge for me has been learning the local language. (see below)
5. What challenges did you face while working with community members in Ghana?
While working on our project there were definitely some miscommunications. Our chief, the queen mother, and the chairman of the PTA do not live in the community which meant that decisions were sometimes made without including everyone.
6. How have you grown and developed during your time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana?
I have become much less stressed about all of the little things that can go wrong and have learned to go with the flow and be resilient and flexible. I have stopped trying to control things that are not in my control. Also, practicing gratitude every day has kept me feeling positive whenever things seem to go wrong.
Community Projects and Interactions
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
I worked with the headmaster and two other teachers to develop the project and then we presented it to the chief and community elders. They all agreed it would be beneficial to the students and the community. I wrote the grant through the Peace Corps and the community had to contribute 25% in either cash, in-kind, or labor. Unfortunately, our headmaster died before the project was completed. The room is now complete and we have dedicated it to his memory.
8. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had with community members?
Some of the kids helped me dye about 100 hard-boiled eggs before Easter. With adult help we hid the eggs very early in the morning and the children came out and looked for them. No one here had ever heard of an Easter Egg hunt. The entire weekend of Easter is a big celebration here with the carrying of river water, candlelight vigils, and special services.
Another nice memory was when two boys who were brothers went to their farm and brought me some of the cocoyam leaves. Then they cooked the kontomire sauce for me using the leaves and other ingredients.
I also had a fun birthday celebration and a big celebration right before Christmas when my son visited me in my community.
Advice and Support
9. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Education volunteer in Ghana?
You don’t need any teaching experience, although it can help. Just an open mind and willingness to learn.
10. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for a Education volunteer?
Resilience and flexibility. Expect the unexpected!
11. How has the Peace Corps staff and training helped you during your service?
The training program and staff have been very helpful. Every workshop from Reconnect to the ISTs to MST has been great, if nothing else a chance to enjoy hot running water, flush toilets, and AC. And it is always great to see other volunteers share experiences.
Want to know more about what serving as a volunteer in Ghana is like, check out our huge info page on PC Ghana here. It has tons of information and links to give you a great overview of serving in Ghana.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
12. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Ghana volunteers?
I love my solar lights, the Luci type, that are clear plastic and blow up. Also so happy to have a moka pot to make coffee every day. Don’t bring too many clothes as it is really fun to have clothes made here from the local fabric. Almost everything you may want is available in Accra at the big malls.
13. How has learning the language been?
There are over 50 different languages spoken here so I wouldn’t worry about learning a language before arriving. If you do want to learn a language, Twi is the most widely spoken, but don’t get too attached as you may end up having to learn another language.
I have struggled with the language, but having a good sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself definitely helps. The language teachers are all awesome! I did pass my LPI at the end of training but my language skills definitely declined. I didn’t do very well on my LPI at the MST, but I didn’t do very well on my LPI at the MST, but they are not going to send you home if you are a successful volunteer in other ways.
Final Thoughts
Liz Madisetti’s interview gives us a peek into the life of a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. Liz teaches math and science to kids in a rural village, facing challenges but also finding joy in her work. She tells us about the friendly people she’s met and the projects she’s been part of, like setting up a computer lab at the school. Liz’s story teaches us about resilience and the rewards of helping others. Through her experiences, we learn how volunteering can change lives, both for the volunteers and the communities they serve.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Ghana Government.
