Jill Kelly with some of the students in Chorkor

A WOMAN who recently travelled to Ghana to teach underprivileged children is urging Islanders to experience the country for themselves.

Jill Kelly (21) spent two months in Chorkor teaching English, maths, science and religion to children aged 12 to 16. And she said it was the best time of her life.

‘I am definitely going back before the end of the year,’ she said. ‘It was the best experience of my whole life. The people were amazing and so welcoming. A lot of people think there is a lot of trouble in Ghana, but I think it is the most peaceful place in Africa. I want people to think about going to Ghana themselves.’

Originally from Ireland, Miss Kelly went to Ghana as part of Basics International, a teaching programme for children. ‘I just taught the basics,’ she said. ‘They can speak pretty good English but they found the writing difficult.’

Miss Kelly, who works at iQ in Burrard Street, taught in Chorkor, a poor area of Ghana where parents cannot afford to send their children to school. ‘It’s one of the derelict areas and it’s very poor,’ said Miss Kelly. ‘Not many kids go to school.

It’s very underprivileged. My visit was a real eye-opener. I had to live with no running water or electricity. There were rats, cockroaches and I had to wash in cold and dirty water every day.’

But despite the unhygienic living conditions, Miss Kelly decided to stay in Chorkor for an extra month.

‘I was initially going for a month but changed my flights so I could stay for two months. I felt as though I hadn’t finished or fulfilled what I wanted to do there. I felt I had more to do.’

The best part of her trip was on her last day when she realised what an impact she had had on the children.

‘It was so sad, I didn’t stop crying,’ she admitted. ‘They all wrote me letters to say they would remember me. I have about 100 letters at home. There was a big presentation and my class read a letter to me. What I taught was basic, but they were so appreciative.’

Miss Kelly hopes that her experience will encourage Islanders to go to Ghana and spent time with the people out there.