Blog

What we’re up to

Operation Hernia Fundraising

The Etape du Tour is done and dusted…I did it.. That was probably one of the toughest events I have ever done. Never again springs to mind…!

It was amazing most of the time and agony some of the time.

Thoughts that immediately spring to mind now were the intense heat during the climbs, the crowds lining the route and screaming at me “Allez Allez” and “Bravo madame” which made for an emotional moment at one stage.

What with the enormity of the day and of all the months of preparation beforehand, and of course the people this would help in Africa, this was one fine day out and an experience I’ll never forget.

Of the 10,000 starters, 1499 did not finish. I came in 3143 place in 9 hours 16 minutes, still in one piece and so thrilled just to finish on top of the Col de Tourmalet I couldn’t stop grinning!

Thanks to everyone who sponsored me. I did think of you all along the way and also especially of the people in Ghana who we will help in November.

Dee Richards

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The Ghana View of the Link

We asked Nana Kofi Adjei Imbeah, the GES Metropolitan Directorate,
Sekondi-Takoradi a few questions after his visit to Plymouth during Ghana Week

Click here to see what he had to say!>>

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Energy and Infectious Rhythm from Sabey!

The musical duo Sabey caused a stir during Ghana Week. Their busy schedule included running workshops with schools at Plymouth Music Zone, Lipson Vale Primary School, the Devonport Art in the Community Event, the Link Reception at the University and performing on BBC Radio Devon.

Sabey at the Devonport Art in the Community Event

Click to download and listen to the BBC Radio Devon interview>>
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Operation Hernia Fundraising

“For the past 6 months you might have noticed I have been spending a lot of time on my bike. The reason is twofold. I wanted to set myself a personal challenge of riding the L’Etape du Tour and at the same time raise money for the charity Operation Hernia.”

“This year the event is in the Pyrenees on 18th July and along with 9,500 other riders I’ll be on the start line ready for 181km of road racing, climbing 3 mountain cols (all 13,530 ft of them!) with the finish on top of the biggest hill, the Col de Tourmalet at 6633ft.”

Please help support Dee Richards by making a donation however small. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/Dee-Richards

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Recent Visit

Pat Frean and Cletus Moisob from Plymouth High School for Girls recently visited Ahantaman Secondary School to attend the final PTA meeting before Mrs. Evelyn Osei retired as Headteacher. Awards were presented to both sides in mutual recognition of the commitment and vision brought to sustaining the partnership between the two schools. Evelyn had long had a dream to build a Skills Centre at the school and even at the last hour was campaiging to gain recognition.

Cletus and Pat were able to arrange a meeting with a Minister of State, and through him with the Minister of Education. At the time of writing it looks very hopeful that Ahantaman will be having its new building started in 2010.

Click to download a presentation providing an insight into the relationship between Plymouth High School for Girls and Ahantaman School>>

The Minister of State for Education who has sent a video message of support for the launch of Ghana Week!

Mrs. Osei, Cletus Moisob
and Pat Frean (left to right)

Cletus Moisob and the
Minister of State for Education

The Plymouth leg of the Community Xchange

Read the comments left in the ‘Enormous Scrapbook’ kept by the Community Xchange Participants during the Plymouth visit>>

“The beach is mostly flooded with a category of people; ones with emotional attachments. It means Cx is more than just a group for learning and sharing, but that we actually see ourselves as one. It was lovely”
Tili

Community Events in Bolgatanga and Plymouth

Read about the Community Events organised as part of the Community Xchange>>

Global Xchange is a partnership programme managed and delivered by the British Council (BC), Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and local partners around the world. GX delivers a range of international exchanges, with an overall vision for ‘a world where active global citizens create positive change and build mutual understanding and respect.’

What is Community XChange?

Community Xchange (CX) is an opportunity for those working with young people to experience a cross-cultural, professional development programme, through work shadowing in two communities – for three weeks here in Plymouth and then three weeks in Bolgatanga, Ghana. The exchange is supported with community based and on-line learning.

The ultimate aim of Global XChange (GX) for CX participants is to widen the scope of their work in promoting ‘Active Global Citizenship’ to the young people they have contact with.