We landed in Accra after about a 10 hour flight from New York. I thought to myself, "I am in Ghana." I could not comprehend the impact the next few weeks would have on my life. Sitting back at Holy Cross in April, we were learning so much classroom material about Ghana, I thought the day would never come that I would actually be there in a few short months. I am sure many of you have heard this and have probably even said it, but it needs to be said again and again. It is a truly eye-opening and impacting journey.
The people I met, the friendships I made, not only with the Brothers down there, but the students I went with, I will carry with me. I still miss the smell and the sight of driving along the road by the coast and taking it all in. Even the market, which was a unique smell, will sometimes creep into my memory as I sit and class and miss Ghana.
I truly hope that anyone who gets a chance takes the opportunity of a lifetime, to change their life, build friendships, and live with our brothers and sisters in Ghana for a few weeks. I promise you, a piece of Ghana will always stay with you.
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District of West Africa
Jay Dunne and his students
This is a typical room, very nice!
This is our dining room
scene from Cape Coast
with Cardinal Turkson
The Retreat Center where we stay
Mary Miller with her pupils
Republic of Ghana
Brothers of Holy Cross - Midwest Province
District of West Africa
Holy Cross Service Corps
The Holy Cross Service Corps is one of the newest endeavors of Holy Cross College. HCSC is a post-graduate service program housed in the Center for International Programs. The concept for the year of voluntary service was born out of the enthusiasm exhibited by our students returning from their International Experience. So many of our students return saying the same thing, “I want to go back!” HCSC gives our graduates the incredible opportunity to return to the sites of their International Experience to help advance the mission of the Brothers of Holy Cross.
In July of 2007 the inaugural volunteer for the Holy Cross Service Corps left the United States for a year of service alongside the Brothers in Ghana, West Africa. The undertaking was a complete success and will spur the growth of this exciting new program to include our other International Experience sites. A great deal of work will be done throughout this year to continue to structure this program so that our graduates may continue the mission of Holy Cross which “sends us across borders of every sort.”
HCSC Mission Statement
The mission of the Holy Cross Service Corps is to provide volunteers, or Moreau Fellows, named after the founder of the Holy Cross Congregation Fr. Basil Moreau, with an opportunity to improve their personal relationships with Jesus Christ through service, simple-living, and prayer. The goal of HCSC is to establish a more intimate relationship between the professed brethren and the laity all the while advancing the mission of the Holy Cross brothers as educators in the faith.
In July of 2007 the inaugural volunteer for the Holy Cross Service Corps left the United States for a year of service alongside the Brothers in Ghana, West Africa. The undertaking was a complete success and will spur the growth of this exciting new program to include our other International Experience sites. A great deal of work will be done throughout this year to continue to structure this program so that our graduates may continue the mission of Holy Cross which “sends us across borders of every sort.”
HCSC Mission Statement
The mission of the Holy Cross Service Corps is to provide volunteers, or Moreau Fellows, named after the founder of the Holy Cross Congregation Fr. Basil Moreau, with an opportunity to improve their personal relationships with Jesus Christ through service, simple-living, and prayer. The goal of HCSC is to establish a more intimate relationship between the professed brethren and the laity all the while advancing the mission of the Holy Cross brothers as educators in the faith.
Jay Dunne and his students
The Ghana Global Immersion Experience
This is a 17 day experience in Ghana, a culture ancient yet ever-changing, poor yet developing. In that land are some of the most significant sites in the history of the world. For example, we visit the slave prisons that held millions of Africans when the coast of Ghana was the center of the slave trade, beginning in the 1500's. We spend time with church officials, like Ghana's only Cardinal, Peter Kodwo Turkson. And we spend much time at the retreat center where the Holy Cross Brothers share their life with us. Below are some pictures. Also, fyi, the emergency contact with us in Ghana:
Brother Paul Mensah, CSC
Telephone: 011-233-910-1624 or
011-233-42-91482
Mobile: 011-233-20-834-4631
His email is: pkmensahcsc@yahoo.com
Brother Paul Mensah, CSC
Telephone: 011-233-910-1624 or
011-233-42-91482
Mobile: 011-233-20-834-4631
His email is: pkmensahcsc@yahoo.com
This is a typical room, very nice!
This is our dining room
scene from Cape Coast
with Cardinal Turkson
The Retreat Center where we stay
Mary Miller with her pupils
Of course, the trip is about more than history, and so we will encounter more than anything else the beautiful people of Ghana and the indomitable Ghanaian spirit. A phrase that will be heard often coming from the local children is "Bruni, Bruni!" meaning, "hey white people!" It is quite an experience to be in the minority, but they make us feel quite welcome.
Another important aspect of the program is to experience the amazing Holy Cross Brothers. They show us a hospitality and friendship beyond what we could hope for. We begin each day by joining them for morning Mass in the beautiful Brother Andre Chapel, and they brighten each day by accompanying us on our journeys.
We will also visit the world famous Kakum Rain Forest, home to a unique canopy walk--rope bridges that allow us to walk the treetops. Are you ready?!
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1 comment:
Deuschebag!
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