Libby DownInterviewed in 2020

Originally from Somerset in England, Libby Down first came to Ghana as an 18-year-old volunteer in 2012. She has been so lucky to work and study in a variety of countries, but Ghana has always had a special place in her heart. In 2018, she was lucky enough to move to Ghana to work for Atlas Volunteers. She now spends most of the year on the ground working with fabulous volunteers.

What inspired you to work for Atlas Volunteers?

I have seen first hand the fact that some volunteering experiences have become very business orientated. Sam, who manages Atlas, and I were both so keen to put the passion and development back into development projects and make sure that the local community is benefitting fully from volunteers being there.

What is your favorite part of your job?

For me it's seeing the personal development of the volunteers and the local children. Being able to see a volunteer on Day One compared to the third month or fourth month is just amazing and I love watching volunteers fall in love with the country and the area that I love so much. As well as this, walking into a school before any volunteers go into the school and seeing the progress and changes that happen over even one semester just warms my heart.

What are some current projects you are working on?

We are currently running a renovation project on a school in one of our remote villages. We have successfully built a KG block and are now renovating the main school. As well as this we have a reading club that has been set up by volunteers, as well as maths tutoring for those who are struggling in our schools. We have volunteers working at multiple schools, assisting in all aspects of teaching, from English and math to arts and sports.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

Open your mind and your heart. Enjoy every moment of it because time flies way too fast. Remember to take photos and to name them all because you will forget the names of everywhere you go but you won't forget the feelings those places gave you or the memories of your time there.

What makes your organization special?

We are a small team of local staff and two Brits who have been connected to our area of Ghana for eight years and 10 years. This means we have a genuine passion and investment in this area of Ghana and we share this with our volunteers and invite them to be invaluable members of the community. Our volunteers live here, they aren't just visiting. We work closely with the local government teams so that our projects align with their long-term development goals and ensures sustainability.

What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?

Our passion. Every member of our team loves the work we do and is proud of their role within the team. This is something that is obvious as soon as you arrive. As well as this, our location is on top of a mountain surrounded by rainforests, the views themselves make people want to choose us.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I hope they go home with an increased gratitude for their place in the world and increased awareness of other people and cultures through learning from their fellow volunteers as well as the locals. I also hope they go home with a fresh love for life and a new confidence that can be seen in almost all Ghanaians around our area.

Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

It is so vital for self growth, you can't know what you like or don't think what you believe and don't believe unless you go out and experience it. In a world that is made so much smaller by technology it is easy to believe that we understand other cultures but it's not until you've actually been there, physically experienced a new way of life that you can truly understand the broad spectrum of possibilities that exists. Your world can be larger than the small town you are born into.

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

When you go to a new country you get to experience so much. You see new sites, eat new foods, and meet new people. There is always a buzz around you of chatter in the local language. That background noise makes up such a massive part of your experience and if you haven't been able to learn the local language then that is a massive part of everyday life that stays unknown to you.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

Do it. It doesn't matter how you do it, just do it. It doesn't need to be a massive trip at all, even if you just pop into your neighbouring country you will be amazed by how much you can learn and experience.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel for me involves self development. For me it is when you get back from your travels not just with souvenirs or a couple stories but with a new way of looking at the world.

What qualities in program and host community relations are important to you? (And your organization?)

Mutual development. Some volunteers will feel that they will come and teach the locals, they will expand their horizons and help them in any way they can. However, it is so vital that volunteers learn from the local communities. There is so much for volunteers to learn and the changes that the volunteers undergo throughout their time within our host communities is often monumental.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLvAm6momZRjsLC5jqKlrZ2iq7amw9Joo6Kakq56pbvWp2Svp5yqu7WxxKtknKefp7GqusCtpqtlkaOxbrzRqKGem6RiuqK6wKCcqw%3D%3D