Ghana Expedition

One opportunity to see the impact of DfG Kits firsthand can be found through DfG Expeditions. In the past, DfG has offered Expeditions to Uganda and Nepal. In May, a new group of Days for Girls adventurers set out for Ghana to visit the Center in Accra, work with a Micro-Enterprise in Northern Ghana, and to enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation.

Above: The Ghana Expedition, led by Jennifer Ting (second from right), with Founder and CEO Celeste Mergens.

The group started out in Accra with the Days for Girls Center. Centers are larger management hubs that train Micro-Enterprises and oversee the Micro-Enterprises' supply chain. Micro-Enterprises provide Kits on a community level, and are more commonly located in more remote, rural areas.

The group traveled with the Center staff to participate in a distribution outside the capital. Below are women receiving their DfG Kits, made by the Ghana Center.

After spending time with the team in Accra, the group traveled north to Tamale, to visit a Days for Girls Micro-Enterprise.

Above: a Sewist with the Tamale Micro-Enterprise.

Above: Eli, one of the co-leaders of the Tamale Micro-Enterprise.

Jennifer writes of the group's arrival in Tamale, "Upon our arrival, there were at least a dozen young women out front, singing a welcome song. A shade tent and chairs had been rented for our use and the tables were covered in orange tablecloths. We received cold water while introductions were made and Rhoda [Eli's co-leader] welcomed us. The sewing machines were all set up on the veranda. It was very impressive. We fanned out and began sewing shields and liners with the young women." The Expedition group spent the next few days visiting with the Micro-Enterprise, supporting them in sewing shields and liners, and staying with families in the village.

One day, the group accompanied the team in Tamale to do a distribution at a nearby village. The village was just a 10-minute drive from the enterprise. Jennifer writes, "The travelers were thrilled to be greeted with singing and drumming. We danced together for over an hour, providing many good photo ops and videos. Claudia declared, 'This alone is worth the price of admission!'” The group was glad to be able to participate in multiple distributions, and to see women and men working on creating Days for Girls Kits throughout Ghana.

After their time in Tamale, the group set off for Mole National Park, where they enjoyed a restful few days after their action-packed time in Accra and Tamale. The team then returned to the capital for their flights home.

A huge thank-you to Jennifer for orchestrating the trip, for all those who joined the Expedition, and for the teams in Ghana who welcomed Jennifer and the rest of the group, giving them an unforgettable experience.