Peace Corps Volunteer 2003-2005

from Sobechi Nzelibe's portfolio

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Northern Ghana my focus was on water, sanitation, and health. I went through Peace Corps Training in Ghana 9/03/-11/03: an intense training in community development program planning, language skills, (Mamprulli), as well as cross-cultural sensitivity and HIV/AIDS training.

After training I was assigned to Kparigu, a community with about 2,500 people living in a cluster of huts in West Mamprusi District of Northern Ghana. I lived in the community’s clinic run by Parenthood Planning Association of Ghana (PPAG) a non-government organization (NGO). PPAG 's clinic offers basic medical treatment, family planning, and pre-natal care with an operating room for labor and delivery. The closest hospital is located an hour and half drive away. Due to the distance of the hospital, surrounding communities frequented PPAG's clinics for medical emergencies. In my two years of living in Kparigu, the clinic only had one Midwife/nurse and medical assistant who worked tirelessly around the clock without electricity. I supported the clinic by participating in and organizing community health talks, rearranging the clinic, and providing assistance when they were short staffed. I also worked with the Kparigu community on various projects.

My time in Kparigu and speaking the local language Mamprulli enabled me to understand local cultural nuances and dynamics.