Biography
Posted by Matthew Curran on August 26th, 2010
Hello! My name is Matthew Curran and I am setting off in a few weeks to do a three month internship in Sogakope, a town of 8000 people in the Volta Region of Ghana. I am currently in my last semester at the University of Ottawa where I am completing my honours degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology.
I enjoy experiencing new things and have always been fond of travelling but I have never stepped foot in a country as foreign as Ghana . While in Ghana I will be working with an NGO called TOYACE (Tongu Youth and Children Evangel). TOYACE is involved in many different projects including providing irrigation and safe drinking water to surrounding communities and managing a radio station. Additionallly, they run youth development programs and an orphange – both of which are of particular interest to me.
I find these progams appealing because I believe that I will be able to apply the theory I acquired in university and the experience I gained while volunteering with youth in a program called S.T.A.R. (Skills through Activity and Recreation), to empower some of the youth at TOYACE to become more self-reliant.
I’m really looking to integrating myself in Ghanaian culture and learning as much as I can while I am there.
Matt, you are going to find a part of yourself in Africa that you didn’t even know existed.
Remember, we are all with you in Sogakope, every day, at least in spirit.
LOL (lots of love)….. not the other LOL
Mom and Dad, Meg Bridget and Clancy
Enjoy every minute of this new experience ! Anxious to receive updates !
Dear Matthew:
I am very impressed with your blog. I have no doubt this is going to be a very rewarding experience. I’ll look forward to reading all your weekly updates and I will be faithfully respond to these updates.
Miss you already,
Much love,
Grannie
I was so excited to hear your voice yesterday — I spoke to your mom today in Italy and gave her all your news. I will try to reach Arianne to get more news.
Love ,
Grannie with Lina xo