For six months starting in October 2008 I volunteered at Hardthaven Children's home. Although the experience was a mere 6 months, it will eternally stay in my heart and soul. As soon as you step foot in Ghana, you feel the invigorating culture surrounding and embracing you. Ghana was no longer just a destination for me, but a new way of seeing things. Unlike in North America, you cannot walk the streets without being greeted by everyone you see, stranger or friend. Edem, the Ghana Executive Director of Hardthaven, greeted me with open arms, introducing me to the culture and helping me adjust to foreign environment that surrounded me. Edem is strongly involved in his community and cares more about Hardthaven and the children than anyone else - he is truly an altruistic person and a role model for all. Immediately after walking through the gates of Hardthaven for the first time and being welcomed by hugs and millions of questions from the children I knew why I was there. These children have pasts that one could not even try to imagine, yet they are here today and with such loving and vivacious natures. While travelling and visiting other parts of Ghana, I was always anxious to come back to my home ñ Hardthaven in Kpando. I was quick to realize Kpando was a very special place, and everyone there is exceptionally friendly and hospitable. After only two days of travelling, I could not help but to miss Junior and Big Emma's hilarious antics together, Asantewa screaming "Aunty Sarelle", Elikplim and Kafui teasing me about the spiders I was scared of and I especially missed my hug goodnight and good morning from each one of the children everyday. Coming back from a four day trip to Mole National Park, I still remember Israel rushing to be the first to hug me hello. He squeezed me tightly and said, "Aunty I was scared you weren't coming back and I did not get to say goodbye". It is moments like these that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. They will forever remain close to my heart and very vivid in my mind. I made family and friends on this experience that will last me a lifetime. Hardthaven and Kpando was more than just a trip for me, it became a second home to me. Not a day goes by where I don't think about each and every child. I am only 19 years old and I no longer feel only accountable for myself, but for the lives of these children as well. I volunteered because anyone can send money somewhere, but it takes a lot for someone to raise the money, buy the meds, bring it over, and to feed it to the baby yourself. To be able to teach the young adolescent mother how to change her baby's diaper and then to watch her do it and watch her comfort her child afterwards. I worked at Hardthaven to be more than just someone not in the eyes of others but simply in my own eyes and in the eyes of the children; to really mean something to them "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." -Immanuel Kant. Help us create a bright future for each of these kids, because god knows they deserve that and much more. - Sarelle Sheldon

My September 2007 volunteer trip to HardtHaven was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. Rich cultural immersion aside, I met people who will stay in my heart forever. Edem, the Ghana Executive Director, was an enthusiastic and gracious host who exemplified all that is great in a young, open minded, future-leader in his community (trusting as well, as he often needs to leave volunteers in charge). Meeting the silly, cuddly, dancing kids who have pasts full of starvation, illness, and bereavement will humble you. In addition, as a volunteer (or at least a white female one) you'll learn to hike up a skirt to pee in a ditch, the appropriate response to being addressed by strangers as "whiteman", and to eat food of bizarre texture that's hotter than the blazes of hell. If you're looking to escape reality, go to the beach. If you're overflowing with idealism and energy to change the world "small small" and go into this knowing you will continue your relationship with HardtHaven long after your volunteer-vacation is over, then there are some awesome kids in Kpando who would like you to know that you are welcome. - Dana

Julie Wynne was a 26 year old social worker who volunteered at HardtHaven from February to September 23, 2008. She took an extended leave from her job and life in Ireland so she could come and be a profound help here. She was instrumental in ensuring that the home ran on a day to day level. Everything from creating a petty cash accountability log, helping with the annual report for grant applications, navigating the sometimes complex world of social welfare reports to ensure the home was up to standards as well as making sure the childrenís birthdays were celebrated and dealing with supervising the work conduct of the matrons. Her presence at HardtHaven was a nurturing and vital one and I know that everyone, Edem, the children, Tassi our Matron and the other long term volunteers are forever grateful for having her in our lives and her help, compassion, support and guidance will be forever cherished and missed. Written October 2008 by Sonjelle Shilton, who is grateful for having met Julie for many reasons, the foremost for being Julieís ability to keep calm in a crisis and for always putting things into much needed perspective.

The first opportunity to make a difference to these children came this weekend, where there are a total of 20 children living in Hardt Haven. Age's range from one to 16 years old, and all the children are native to the Kpando/East Volta region. When we showed up as a team we were just trying to help in some small way. Christina and I adjusting the children; Mari Lise and Jess playing ball and blowing bubbles with the younger children and the other volunteers playing referee and learning about a nervous system free of interference. The bright and powerful Ghanaian sun stopped nobody as Frisbees and smiles flew with little regard for who or where they were thrown. It was altogether wonderful and to make it just a little better, everyone received the power of a chiropractic adjustment.

At the end of the day when we headed back to Accra we let with a sense of accomplishment and sadness. There was the feeling of accomplishment and happiness that we were able to make the lives a little bit better for two dozen wonderful vibrant children; at the same time we were all a little sad that we couldn't help out a little more. This feeling would be temporary, though as the director of HardtHaven, Sonjelle, called later in the day and told us that for the first time in his short life, little baby Wisdom had taken solid food. It's great when you can make a difference to children at the moment, but when you know for certain that your gifts transcend time and space, you can't help but smile a little wider and become a bit more driven to make a difference.

Jay D. Breitlow D.C.
Director - Journey to Solidarity
www.journeytosolidarity.org
+1-804-366-5461