Prince George exported to Ghana

Kids from West Africa are being treated to a Prince George summer camp.

Since it is impractical for 100 children to travel across the Atlantic, the organizers are bringing the experience to them in their home country of Ghana.

This is the second year that The Humanity Exchange is conducting a summer camp in Ghana. Last year about 60 children were able to take part and this year's organizer Allison Fedorkiw is expanding it so more can have the benefits.

"Once the school year is over there is literally nothing for these kids to do, or there are a lot of kids who don't go to school at all, so this is something special for them," said Fedorkiw. "I was living there and couldn't help noticing there wasn't a whole lot going on for the kids so I had this idea. It was something we could do for them."

Fedorkiw is also the founder of 27 Million Voices, a group opposing the trafficking of humans in Africa, especially children. Her work for that group, and the community development work of The Humanity Exchange, has her in close contact with African communities and other partner agencies that she works with for the benefit of the kids in Ghana and the general region (Togo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc.).

Fedorkiw splits her time between Prince George and the Gulf of Guinea region. She is hoping others from Prince George will sign up for the tour of cheerful duty in Africa. Camp counsellor positions are available, on a volunteer basis. It is particularly suited, she said, to anyone interested in a career in recreation, education, social work, anthropology, international development, or travel.

Last year, the counsellors signed on from Canada, the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom.

"I remember I was so nervous on the first day, but the kids were fantastic and were so game to try whatever crafts and activities we had for them, they were so grateful for the things we were doing with them, that I wasn't nervous for long," said Tiara Dhenin, one of last year's helpers who is working again on this year's summer camp.

The camp runs from July 21 to Aug. 5 in various rural villages in Ghana. It is supervised by The Humanity Exchange and its partner agencies so all participants have to do is cover a subsidized partial-cost fee ($890) to sign up. Included in the 10-day trip is three meals per day, beachfront accommodation, tours of two UNESCO world heritage sites, several peer companions and on-site organizational support. Fedorkiw said particpants get all the arts, crafts, sports and sing-along activities they can handle.

Anyone interested can learn more on The Humanity Exchange's website or make contact by email ([email protected]) or phone (778-349-3209).