Abdul-Latif Alhassan  |
| “Thoughts without action is empty and actions without thought is blind” |
Hi, I am Latif, Ghanaian Team Leader for the ICS LIFE Project in Sandema. I probably have the longest name on ICS but you can keep it as short as Alhassan Lanbong Nyela Kpalapuka Abdul-Kubli Voo bii Koko (Tobiko Gbain) Captain Hereditch Abdul-Latif and as long as Latif or Abdul, that’s cool!!
Serious reggae business is my thing as it gives me inspiration and positive vibes every time and if you’ve got the latest action movies in town, come let’s huff and puff in my lovely Host Home in Sandema after work or over the weekend (when I'm not travelling to explore beautiful Ghana and meeting new people). John Perkin’s “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man” is my favourite book, all the controversy lovers should grab a copy of it, you will enjoy it! Blue is the colour, football is the game!!!
Leaving a positive lasting impact in the lives of people wherever I find myself is what drives me in life and hopefully the LIFE Project offers me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, contribute significantly in improving the living conditions and recognition of people living with disabilities and ultimately becoming a robust active global citizen. Championing the cause of the vulnerable in society and taking on new challenges is my passion.
Appearance is not reality and as a reflector, my favourite quotation is “Thoughts without action is empty and actions without thought is blind” by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. These few days in Sandema have been fantastic, never mind the Accra-like Dumsor style here.
Local Integration for Empowerment (LIFE), you matter, everyone matters, respect for diversity, such should be Life!!!!
Carlyn Miller
“If you are crazy enough to think you can change the world, you should definitely try.”
Hello! I’m Carlyn, the UK Team Leader for the LIFE Project. You might remember me from the first blog over 10 weeks ago now with cohort 12 who achieved so much and have all now moved on to new and exciting things. The first week without them was really strange, I sat in the office alone, listening to our favourite songs and crying onto my mango. But last Sunday, I was given a brand spanking new team and my tears have dried ;) Over the next 9 weeks, we’re going to continue to raise awareness of disability rights through sensitisations, workshops, research and teacher trainings. The time is going to fly by but I know that cohort 13 are going to make my last 9 weeks in this beautiful country entirely worthwhile and enjoyable.
Favourite Song: Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here,” as it reminds me of a really happy time in my life.
Favourite Movie: Airplane (obviously)
Favourite Quote: “If you are crazy enough to think you can change the world, you should definitely try.”
Life aspiration: I don’t really have a single life goal, I’m 25 and still don’t know ‘what I want to do when I grow up.’ But I guess for me as long as your life is devoted to making someone else’s life better then it’s worth living. After all, what we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others remains – or something like that.
PEACE
Anaab Godiva
"No matter where you come from your dreams are valid" Lupito Nyongo
My aspiration is to meet the UN millennium goal on eradicating poverty and literacy. I believe with this aspiration I will be able to also do my best my goal as well as theme LIFEs goals
I hope to achieve if not all but a few of my aspirations like helping girls know how to keep themselves clean during menstruation and sex education. Also hope to reduce the stigmatisation on people living disabilities.
My fav song is "I win" by Sinach. My fav movie is Empire.
That's me Godiva Anaab mostly called DyVaH OR toy.
IN LIFE EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY.
Ailiś Deans
“Everything happens for a reason”
Hi! My name is Ailiś and I am from Scotland in the UK. I still can’t believe that I am actually in Ghana and so far away from home; however I am loving life in Sandema! So far I have drunk water from a plastic bag, suffered what feels like a million power cuts and eaten most meals without a knife and fork. But I am enjoying all of these experiences nonetheless. As a typical Scot the things that I am missing most from home are IRN BRU and square sausage (and we have only been here just over a week!).
The main things I want out of life are to be happy, healthy and have a loving family. But in the mean time I would like to finish the degree I am doing then study Law with Human Rights, in order to hopefully work as a Human Rights lawyer for the United Nations. My favorite bands are Snow Patrol and Coldplay – I couldn’t chose between them – and my favorite movie is Schindler’s List. We have a saying in my family that is “Everything happens for a reason”, and no matter what we go through there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of my time here in Sandema I hope to have made an impact on the lives of the people we work with and know that we have helped to make a difference within the local community.
Benny Barnabas
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow, Learn as if you were to live forever” – Mahatma Gandhi
HI! My name is Benny. I'm from a town called Sutton Coldfield in the UK and I am currently at University studying Law.We arrived in Sandema last week and it has been a wonderful experience, from the people to the new foods it has been enjoyable. The heat and the power cuts we could do without but its all part of life here.
Song - Could You be Loved – Bob Marley
Quote - “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, Learn as if you were to live forever” – Mahatma Gandhi
Movie – Home Alone (1999)
Aspiration and end goals are normally realised when you enter university, for many it’s a childhood dream that has become a possibility for me however it’s neither. In the UK we pick our degrees from the A-levels we do and so I chose Law partially for the minimal interest I have, which is required to go through the endless hours of reading and secondly for the benefits that can be garnered in the future. But my true end goal is wherever I end up in this path I’ve chosen to be the best and to be in a position where I am able to give back both to my family and community.
Mohammed Mohib
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
Hi I am Muhib, I am Ghanaian from tamale in the northern region of Ghana. As ICS volunteers for international service, I always have the thought that, no human being is a repository of knowledge and wisdom and that every human being no matter your tribe, colour, culture, etc. Has a fair share of knowledge and wisdom. But the problem sometimes is that, we fail to recognise some of these unique values possessed in us. This sometimes stems out of the fact that there is no one to facilitate our learning and understanding, so as to create our awareness and recognition of these admirable unique values to enable them manifest in us.
Another interesting fact which I strongly uphold is the notion that, life is all about making safe choices and taking advantage of the wonderful opportunities that comes on our ways. The people we meet, places we have travelled to, observations made and lessons learned, all in whole tend to form an invaluable part of our life achievements and/or documentaries of which we can better prepare ourselves to assume any responsibility and to better adjust to any situation in the near future.
As an ICS volunteer, I share a lot of aspirations in life, which happens to appear in my dreams most often. I always uphold to these particular axioms or beliefs which guides my aspirations in life and which are: Never settle for anything less, my mind is my powerful tool and my failures are my lessons. My aspirations for joining ICS as a volunteer is to build on my confidence and presentation skills not withholding the important aspect of helping others. But more generally, my aspiration in life is to be a CEO of a multinational financial institution and to be great contributor in providing solutions to economic problems.
The golden Rule of management happens to be my favourite quote in life which postulates that; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. And my favourite poem happens to be an African poem written by David Diop and that is “your presence”. Coming to my favourite songs, I love this reggae music by lucky Dube with the name “Different colours”.
In conclusion, we as human beings are social beings that need love, care, support, protection, motivation, and morale. This is to tell us that, in trying to impact positively into a person life, we do not need to possess all the worldly riches before doing so. Just a word of wisdom and you will be doing a great service to somebody’s life. Challenge yourself now to change your world. Thank you.!!!
Nyasha Makiyi
“Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” Paul Bradnt
My aspiration is to become a Senior Peace Envoy for the United Nations explains my favourite quote.
I don’t have a favourite movie but I am a fan of almost all the Ridley Scott movies. When it comes to music I will listen to whatever sounds good to my ears. During my volunteering position at LIFE I hope I become more confident to travel by myself and meet new people.
Al - Hassan "Palasco" Adamah
"Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause" Robert Greene
I am Al-hassan Adamah the people who know me call me Palasco…meaning greatness... I have a knack for perfection and in everything I do I always strive for perfection. My major goal in life is to achieve equality for all and empower people to take up challenges and use their potential to the fullest.
I enjoy all kind of music that helps me meditate and my favourite movie is 24 by Kiefer Sutherland.
Being born into this wonderful world is my greatest joy and waking up every day and putting joy and smiles into people’s faces and seeing my family happy is what I aspire to achieve every day.
Being a member of life is great for me as a person. Life is an avenue where I can get to explore, interact and help people develop their dreams and also take charge of their life by actually building their capacity and empowering them in actualizing their dreams.
Robert Greene: Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you an aura of efficiency and speed. In the end your helpers will be forgotten and you will be remembered. Never do yourself what others can do for you.
Carly Waddell
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”
Hey :). I’m carly, a UK volunteer from Scotland and newly found vegetarian, participating in the LIFE project in Sandema. The food so far has not really agreed with me, therefore I have declared myself a vegetarian. I am really missing the food from home as well; things like potato scones, cheese and ham toasties!! While participating in the LIFE project I hope to raise more awareness of persons living with disability in Sandema and encourage inclusion in mainstream schools. My goal in life is to finish my studies in sports therapy. Once I have completed the LIFE project and head back home to my community, I want to start up a variety of sports classes for girls as there is not a great deal of sports for girls in the community.
My favourite song is “See you Again” by Wiz Khalifa and my all-time favourite film is White Chicks - it’s hilarious. My favourite quote is: “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”
Azalekor Ruth
‘Aspire to achieve what you inspire’
Hi my name is Azalekor Ruth and my friends normally call me big brain. My favourite quote is ‘Aspire to achieve what you inspire’. I like the poem ‘If I rule the world’ written by my tutor. The song which I listen to the most is ‘Life is short’ because it reminds me that life is really short. My favourite movie is Marlin
I want to help educate people in deprived communities on the importance of girl child education and help eradicate poverty in other to make them have a sense of belonging through this programme.
I want to develop upon the skills I already have and learn more during my time on the LIFE project.
Mohammad Abdul Raafay
"Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality"
My name is Raafay, but you can call me Raf.
Inception and all other movies by Christopher Nolan. My goal in life is to one day become a physicist and a photographer, as the prospect of devoting my efforts in pushing the boundaries of human knowledge excites and sparks my curiosity.
This is probably a long-term goal, however currently I’ve become interested in photography. This has led me down an unexpected path in meeting lots of new people and hearing amazing stories from them. Hopefully one day one of my pictures will make it to the front page of the TIME magazine!
Al - Hassan Sumaya
"Destiny can only be delayed but cannot be denied"
Hello, I am Sumaya, ICV LIFE Project in Sandema.
I like listening to cool music and watching of Nigerian movies. My aspiration in life is to be a recognised person in my society and a role model in future. My favourite quotes are (a) Destiny can only be delayed but cannot be denied (b) Life has twists and turns. What I want to achieve on the LIFE Project is that I want to develop useful personal skills, learn more about people with disability and also built good personal relationship with the community and my team as well.
