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Ghana Leadership Program
March 2011

The Ghana Leadership Program provides a once in a lifetime experience to partake in service learning, volunteerism, and educational programs in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Participants will travel to Ghana and connect with the schools, missions, and parishes of the Presentation Brothers and Jesuit Fathers. Ghana is a stable democracy and a part of the Commonwealth.
 
Participants will have the opportunity to explore and enhance their leadership through combining meaningful service learning and educational activities.   Participants will spend the vast majority of their time volunteering at local schools, teaching, and helping in concrete ways to improve the local community, while having the opportunity to interact intensively with the local people.   Moreover, hands on learning about development, world issues, leadership, environmental conservation and biodiversity through interactive seminars will engage individuals to consider the importance and challenges of much needed development, while ensuring the protection of the world’s most wondrous flora and fauna. Students will also learn about the history of slavery.

Rationale
The motivation for this proposal was derived from the personal and professional experiences of its authors in conjunction with the vision prescribed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).  The authors believe that Learning, Leadership, and Service within the context of Safe Adventure is a very powerful educational paradigm. This experience will enhance the historic links between Brebeuf College School and the Presentation Brothers and Jesuit Fathers and give students and teachers the chance to put faith into action for the common good.

Service Learning
A unique and distinguishing component of this program is the concept of “service learning”.  Service learning can be identified as experiential education when the learner adopts a life role that provides meaningful service to a community in order to learn about oneself and others.  The pedagogical value of the service increases when the following are added to the learning:  an academic component designed to prepare the learner in terms of content and competencies relevant to the service; an opportunity to reflect upon and think critically about the experience; an element of adventure and challenge; an international and cross-cultural context; and an alignment of individual, placement, and system goals. 

Affiliation
The delivery of this programme is in conjunction with Adventure Learning Experiences, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Brebeuf College School, the Presentation Brothers, and the Jesuit Fathers. The two religious orders, which formerly administered Brebeuf College, have had an extensive presence in Ghana for over forty years. Through dedicated service in their schools, parishes, and missions, they have helped to lift people out of poverty and give them skills to be able to help themselves. These connections ensure a warm welcome for us and active co-operation and advice throughout the trip.

Participants

Students
Approximately 20 students will be selected for admission to this program.  This number has been governed by the practical exigencies of traveling to these areas of the world.  Students will be selected according to the following criteria:
 
            1.        Trustworthiness and reliability
            2.        Respectfulness of other people and cultures
            3.        Adaptability to new experiences
            4.        Parental support
           
Interested students will be invited to submit an application and two letters of reference.  All participants will also be expected to complete a TCDSB Parent/Guardian Informed Consent Form For International Excursions.  The limitations of TCDSB responsibilities with respect to this program are also indicated in a letter from Adventure Learning Experiences to Mr. Alex Mazzucco who is an officer with TCDSB. 

Code of Conduct
Each student will be expected to pledge commitment to a Code of Conduct,  which will be designed to ensure that respect for each participant, his/her property, and well-being is safeguarded.  This code will preclude harassment and abusiveness and will prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs.  Above all, the rights and responsibilities of all participants will be clearly defined so that the objectives of this program may be achieved within a healthy and safe environment. 

Adult Supervision
It is expected that there will be a minimum of four teachers, including at least one female, who will be taking part in the programme.  They also see the experience as opportunities for their own personal and professional development. Instruction for the preparatory learning program will be led by these teachers, and all will be accompanying the students to Ghana.

Interviews
Each applicant and his/her parents will be invited to a private interview with the Directors to assess his/her suitability for the program. This will also give the applicant and parents the opportunity to determine if the program serves their needs and interests. Each applicant will be asked to bring their letters of reference to this meeting as well their most recent report card. Interviews will take place on September 19th at Brebeuf. All deposits will be refundable in the event that the applicant is refused.

Program Design
The authors propose that this learning program be offered as a one credit co-operative education model using the Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum document.  The course will be designated IDC4O or IDC4U and will derive learning expectations from a variety of courses.  

In-Class Component
These meetings will take place on the following dates: 

There will be 7 additional meetings arranged during the experiential component (14 hours). 

There will be one formal examination that will be scheduled following the group's return from Ghana. This date will be determined shortly.  

The assignments in this program are designed to provide background to the course themes and to stimulate relevant learning and personal reflection.  To this end required readings will be assigned and considerable options with respect to written assignments will be offered.  There will be two types of written assignments: 

1.    Discovery Paper:  This is primarily intended for learning new information
                                        about a topic.
                                         
2.    Reaction Paper:  This is primarily intended for reflecting about a course theme that was                                       previously reviewed in class, was part of one’s experiences on the                                       trip, or contained in a reading. 


Learning Resources 

Primary Resources:

Lewis, S. (2005).  Race Against Time. Toronto: House of Anansi Press. (232 pages)

Meredith, M. (2006). The Fate of Africa: Hopes of Freedom and Hearts of Despair.

Presentation Brothers (2009). At the Desert’s Edge .

Wise, M. (2002). The Travel Doctor. Toronto: Firefly Books.

Secondary Resources:

Clawson, D.L. (2001).  World Regional Geography:  A Developmental Approach (7th Edition).  New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 

Mountjoy, A.B. & Hilling, D. (1988).  Africa:  Geography and Development.  New Jersey: Barnes & Noble Books. 

Goodall, J. (1988).  In The Shadow of Man.  London: Phoenix Giants. 

Experiential Component
This excursion to Ghana will serve as the Service Learning component of the program.  

There will be a variety of service learning opportunities distributed across a few locations.   The primary focus will be to volunteer in various local settings.  Formal classes will be conducted whereby teachers and students will be given opportunities to discuss their reactions to the learning experiences and which will offer support for their adjustment to the new environments.  Upon returning to Canada, the students will meet to reflect and process their experiences, and will be given an opportunity to formally present their learning to family and friends.  

Topics for discussion during classes in Africa will be governed by the nature of the activities in which the students will be engaged.  Daily journal writing will be an essential component of this time.  A composite journal with representation from each participant will be compiled, edited, and published upon completion of the course.

Service and Leadership Opportunities

1. Community development: Lend your hands to volunteer at schools and missions.
2. Cultural education: Attend workshops, walk through traditional villages, and learn local languages.
3. Leadership training: Experience intensive and interactive training.
4. Environmental education: Learn about environmental challenges on a fieldtrip.
5. Safari adventures: Get up close and personal (through the lens of your camera) with Africa’s wildlife while on a safari in Mole National Park. 

Tentative travel dates:  March 3 to March 21, 2011

Experiential Component :    
(updated June 9, 2010. Subject to change)    

Travel Arrangements

Transportation
Local transportation will be organized and provided by local professionals as recommended by our hosts.  International air travel will be provided by a reputable national carrier, expected to be KLM Airlines.

                                              
Accommodation
In Ghana, the accommodations will be retreat centres or hotels recommended by the Presentation Brothers and Jesuit Fathers.   The adult supervisors will always reside in close proximity to the student residences.  Appropriate separation between genders will always be ensured in these residences. 

Finances
The cost of this programme is $4195 Cnd. This will cover return airfare from Toronto to Ghana, all travel expenses within the country, meals, accommodations, training materials and donations to the local communities. It also includes all expenses associated with the Study component. The only expenses not included are private expenses, health and flight insurance, passport and visa, and special inoculations.

Payment will be made by regular installments according to the following schedule:

            $   595            Deposit accompanying application
            $1,200             December 5, 2010
            $1,200             February 1, 2011
            $1,200             March 1, 2011

Note: Participants are asked to submit a series of postdated cheques according to this schedule. Cheques should be made payable to Adventure Learning Experiences Inc.

Fundraising

There are two fundraising activities designed to help students offset their trip expenses.

Sponsor Booklet: This is intended to provide an overview of the program and will feature the participants. Students are invited to sell advertising for the booklet and these funds will be directly applied to their trip fee, except for a nominal fee for the printing of the booklets. Please be aware that advertisements that are purchased by companies in support of a student will not be eligible for a refund in the event that the particular participant being supported withdraws from the program.

Raffle: Students will be invited to proportionally share in the proceeds of a raffle that will be held in June. This optional activity is available to all participants who donate a raffle prize worth $75.

Financial Plan

Students are expected to take responsibility in planning to meet the financial commitment involved in this program. To assist in this, the participants will be expected to submit a plan to achieve this goal.

Refund Policy

For withdrawal before January 1st, 2010 a full refund minus $150 will be provided.

For withdrawal between January 1st, 2010 and February 1st, 2011 a full refund minus $500 will be provided.

For withdrawal after February 1st, 2011 a full refund minus $700 will be provided.

Other Costs

Costs that are not included in the above price are as follows:

            Passport (this must not expire within 6 months of departure)
            Ghana Visa                                                     $56
            Out-of-country health insurance                     
            Inoculations (depending upon one’s private insurance coverage)
            End-of-trip banquet in Accra                          $25
            Retreat                                                            $25
            Spending Money

Health and Safety
Careful attention to sound health and safety practices will be an important part in the preparation of the program.  This will involve mandatory immunizations, learning  healthy eating and drinking habits, and understanding effective illness prevention practices. For maximum benefit it is recommended that participants, in general, be in good health and achieve a sufficient level of fitness prior to the trip.  Physical and dental check-ups are highly recommended prior to the departure date. 

Immunization

a)           The following are ordinarily administered through one’s family doctor in the course of                normal Ontario health care.  All participants are asked to ensure their protection with                inoculations against the following diseases:

               Tetanus – Diphtheria
               Polio
               Measles-Mumps-Rubella

b)            Protection against malaria is by tablet and is taken on a regular basis prior, during, and                following the trip.  The exact regimen will be prescribed by a travel clinic. 
               All participants will be expected to bring a mosquito net and protective skin lotions. 

c)            Inoculations against the following may be required: 

                        Typhoid
                        Meningococcal meningitis
                        Hepatitis A
                        Hepatitis B
                        Yellow Fever (mandatory to apply for visa to Ghana)
                        TB skin test

The cost of these inoculations are not covered by OHIP but may be included in private health plans. 

Precautions

As indicated above, careful preparation prior to departure about safe eating and drinking habits and illness prevention practices will be undertaken.  Participants will be expected to purchase “The Travel Doctor” by Dr. Mark Wise (Firefly Books, 2002) as part of this preparation.  A close working relationship has been developed by the authors with Dr. Mark Wise.  Dr. Wise is a family physician in Willowdale, whose medical practice includes a travel clinic. He  is considered a leading authority in tropical and parasitic diseases.  Dr. Wise will conduct a 90 minute training workshop about preventative health practices for our students prior to departure and will make recommendations about appropriate inoculations.

It is expected that our groups will greatly benefit from the local contacts which the authors have established in Kenya with Leaders Today in the event that medical care is required. Each participant will be expected to purchase out-of-country health insurance. In addition, each participant will be expected to purchase evacuation insurance, called Flying Doctor insurance, upon arrival in Kenya at a cost of $50 US. This will guarantee emergency airline service from an airstrip near the Leadership centre to a leading  medical clinic in Nairobi. In addition, Dr. Lato and Mr. Rogers are both members of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT). 

It is most strongly recommended that each participant seek proper medical advice for all potential health concerns at a travel health clinic prior to departure. 

It is advised that each participant complete the Consent to Medical Treatment Form in the event that urgent and emergency care is required.

• A 1 credit High School Course
• Lend your hands to volunteer at schools and missions
• Experience an African Safari in Mole National Park
• Develop Your Leadership Skills Through Service