Needham Student Volunteering at Ghana School This Summer

When Anna Robinson was ten years old, her older brother went to Mali for a month to shoot a documentary on solar energy. He brought back sculptures and artwork, shared his stories, and showed her his film. 

"I remember being amazed that there was a place in the world that was so different from where I lived, and I wanted to experience it for myself," said Robinson. "Ever since then Africa - any part really - has been on my short list of places I want to visit." 

Robinson, from Needham, is now 19 years old and attending Muhlenberg College as a freshman. When she heard about an opportunity to go to Ghana, she was determined to get there. 

She plans to volunteer this summer for three weeks at The Heritage Academy in Ajumako, Ghana. There, she will teach children in grades 6-9 a singing class with another volunteer, help with reading circles, and work on a community service project to help repair and enhance the school. 

"It's a special school because it focuses on providing a progressive education," said Robinson. "The school wants to not only build students who can pass national exams, but more importantly, create students who can think critically so they may go on to succeed and flourish in college and the rest of their lives."

Robinson says she knows she won the "birth lottery." Growing up in America, where she is free to pursue what she loves is something she realizes does not happen everywhere. 

"I don't have to marry or have children if I don't want to," she said, "and in comparison to many places around the world, I am only slightly discriminated against for my gender. Sitting around and feeling guilty for my privilege is useless and does nothing for anyone. Instead, I have decided to turn this privilege into an ongoing life goal and do good of others whenever possible." 

Though she doesn't necessarily view the trip as a "preparation for something else," Robinson says she hopes her time in Ghana will give her experiences of interacting and connecting with kids from vastly different cultures. She feels strongly about the issues of sex trafficking and female genital mutilation, and hopes to one day help victims of these human rights violations. 

"This trip will definitely give me a platform of experience on how to interact with people my age from different cultures," said Robinson. 

Though it's a volunteer position, the trip will cost Robinson. The trip, which includes airfare, food, shelter, water and transportation while there, costs $2,500. With funds bolstered by a GoFundMe page, which has already raised $600, she hopes to cover at least $1,500. 

"I really believe in the idea that people do not forget how they felt around you," said Robinson. "I want to make kids feel like they are not just an anonymous number in the greater system. I want to get to know these kids and I aspire to make them feel important and valid. I have been told in preparation of the trip that the kids will want to know a lot about me and it may be difficult getting them to tell me about themselves. To them. I am a very special, important perform from America, but I want them to know that they amaze and intrigue me and I want to know just as much about them as they want to know about me."