With a lot of hard work and the generous donations of many Bermudians, Troy Hewey of The Education Centre, visited "the motherland", Ghana, Africa, this spring.

He was not alone; fellow TEC students together with teachers Declan Harris and Lucinda Worrell-Stowe travelled via Dubai, to Accra, Ghana to be present for and participate in the Independence Day celebrations on March 5.

While in the capital and economic centre of Ghana, they visited a number of cultural centres and points of interest.

Travelling on a 12-passenger van with no AC, they also went to Elmina, to visit the infamous Elmina Castle and slave entrepot; Kakum National Park; and Kusami, to visit the traditional Kente weaving villages in the Ashanti Region.

A significant moment for Mr. Harris was crowding into one of Elmina Castle's rooms, "smelling the walls and being told first hand what took place in that very spot many years ago; hearing from the tour guide the indignation that his forefathers were subject to and how they were treated like a product and not a human being with a sense of dignity."

The Bermudians also stayed in Dagamete, a small "traditional" village east of Accra very close to the Togo border. They lived amongst the locals, visited the local school and place of worship.

Mr. Harris noted that compared to Bermuda, Accra was, "Very different in that there it was pitch black at night.

Street lights were almost non-existent. Animals, like goats and cattle, roamed the street like pedestrians and true inhabitants. Street vendors were everywhere, selling everything from fresh coconut to plantains and live chickens.

Troy Hewey was impressed by, "the people struggling, with a lack of money. People of all ages were selling items, plastic bags of water, clothing, or begging."

The heat was also significant. "It was hotter than the hottest day in August in Bermuda," Mr. Harris noted.

Karl-Shay Spalding stated emphatically, "It was too hot. It made everyone miserable."

For Troy, visiting the village of Dagamente was the best part of the trip because it was something he had never experienced before.

He enjoyed seeing how the villagers lived, cooking out of doors and eating foods unfamiliar to him. He brought back as a souvenir a bracelet with his name woven into it made by a young boy. They had lots of opportunity to eat the local cuisine, from fresh coconut and fried plantains to fresh fish, and fresh vegetables and fruit were plentiful.

Accommodation, however, was in some cases basic. Electricity was not guaranteed and toilet flushing was often by bucket.

There was also ample opportunity to mix with the young people, especially while staying in Dagamente.

There the group stayed in the Kathy Armstrong lodge, and though there were doors, the local children walked in and out freely.

The Bermudians communicated with them in English, played games and helped them with their schoolwork.

"They live hard but they are very happy people," observed Karl-Shay.

The trip had a significant impact on the young Bermudians lives. "It was a big experience," noted Karl-Shay. "I got to visit Ghana. Not many people do."

While all the travellers noted the hardship of life in Ghana, Mr. Harris pointed out, visiting Ghana "over an extended period of time would make many young and older Bermudians appreciate the lifestyle that we have been afforded in Bermuda and how fortunate we are.

"At the same time I believe that individuals would learn basic survival tactics and the ability to function without very much materially."