by Alan Quick

A MAN from Zeal Monachorum, near Crediton, has returned from working as a volunteer on a project tackling misconceptions around disability in Ghana, where more than two million people live with a disability and struggle with a lack of opportunities and in many cases derision from their communities.

Joda Pow (24), a former student at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton returned from Sandema, Ghana in October of last year and, having reflected on his time there, is ready to share his experiences and the lessons he learnt on the International Citizen Service (ICS) once-in-lifetime placement.

ICS is a UK government-funded programme, delivered by the development charity, International Service, allowing young people aged 18 to 25 years-of-age make a real difference across the world.

Joda worked on a project run by the charity, which works with overseas partner organisations to support marginalised groups including women, children and people with disabilities.

Their projects range from supporting female artisans in Ghana to earn a fair wage, to using sports to reduce stigma surrounding people with disabilities in Burkina Faso, to giving Palestinian women access to legal support.

Working hand-in-hand with fellow UK volunteers, and both local and national Ghanaians, Joda helped deliver sensitisation training, run teacher training workshops, assist with local youth clubs and work to develop the confidence and capabilities of the local Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) to aid in the fight for equality for those with disabilities.

Reflecting on his experience, Joda remembers one of the biggest challenges was the misconception that a person’s disability carried.

He explained: “From day one you realise the scale of the challenge, realising that people are of the belief that the disabilities of their friends and families are caused by a curse from God or evil spirits attracted by the wrongdoings and sin of their victims.

"These feelings of disquiet, revulsion and shame towards those with disabilities often run deep within the community, compounding the stigma and frustrating the efforts of those trying to raise awareness and enhance the status of persons with disabilities.”

However, Joda recalls the realisation that, whilst the community spirit of Ghanaians and their strength of faith proved one of the biggest challenges, it could also be the best aid in the push for disabled rights recalling that: “Ghanaians have a strong sense of community, with strong tribal, church and community networks, which allowed us to identify and target these key groups and their leaders as a means of spreading our message and furthering the impact of our project."

He added: “Previous cohorts had approached schools as a means of spreading this message; however, with it being farming season and the school holidays we decided that the best method of reaching out to people would be through their churches and mosques, of which there were over a dozen just in the small community of Sandema. I remember visiting these centres of faith with my fellow volunteers and engaging in many meaningful discussions with the congregations around, what remains, the very taboo topic of disabilities.”

Thinking back, Joda says: “Initially I signed up as a means of increasing my awareness of other people and their cultures and hopefully to have some small positive impact on the lives of others; which, on reflection I think we have done and I am proud of what we achieved as a group with our friends in Ghana.

"One day soon I hope to return to Sandema to see what has been achieved since we left and to visit friends and the people who made us so very welcome in their homes and community. To them I will be forever grateful.”

But it was living with his host-brother Paul that Joda says was the true standout moment for him, saying: “As part of our placement, we all lived with a Ghanaian counter-part and I had the pleasure of living with Paul. Paul was from the local community and had a physical disability that he developed as a child, leaving him without the use of his legs.

"Working and living alongside this incredible man was an honour and witnessing his courage and determination to succeed in all he did in the face of discrimination was an inspiration for me and all those that knew him.

"I don’t think a day went by when he didn’t have a smile plastered across his face! It was the experience of a lifetime and I heartily recommend it to anyone with the inclination to learn new skills, meet new people and help others less fortunate than ourselves”.

ICS offers young people the chance to develop personally and learn about team working and leadership on projects that are of genuine value to communities around the world.

Joda would like to take the opportunity to wish David Nathan, who was featured in the "Courier" last month, all the best in his work with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Zambia in the fight against AIDs.

To find out more about ICS or to apply, visit: www.ics-uk.org.uk or telephone 0208 780 7400.