Wrap Up

I've been putting this off majorly, seeing how long I've not been in Ghana at this point, but now it's time for me to finally give this blog a proper sendoff.

My experiences working with CRS and OIC allowed me a glimpse of the efforts going into micro-development. Working from the bottom up in terms of empowering people to improve their lives is crucial. You always hear of countries shelling out billions of dollars in aid to developing countries, but you don't really hear what happens after that. Recently, the responsibility of developing rural communities has transferred from governments to local NGOs. I think this is a good strategy, since the locals have the advantage of knowing the customs of the people they're helping.

One of the most important things I learned about development efforts was the concept of helping people help themselves. It wasn't about drastically changing people's way of life, but integrating new methods and skills into their daily routines. So when village women are taught how to process their rice better, an activity in which they already participate, they are able to sell it at a higher price, which improves their standard of living as well as maintaining their way of life.

On the flip side, I'm now curious about the macro aspect of development--the bigger picture, to put it in other words. What policies can be enacted to effect a real, sustainable change in the economy of Ghana, and other developing countries? These are questions I'm excited to continue exploring at school and *gasp!* maybe even grad school?

Going to Ghana by myself was a big step for me. Not only do I feel this sense of freedom and liberation, but now there's this itch to travel and see more of the world. I also hope to make my visits to Ghana more frequent so that it can truly feel like my second home. This trip has made me realize how big my world is. To think that the world, my world, extends beyond the bubble in which I've enclosed myself for so long boggles my mind, yet fills me with an incredible sense of warmth.

Thanks for reading. I hope it was as fun reading as it was to write this. This summer was chock-full of truth and mangoes, the latter, of course, being tastier.