37 days......

37 days until I turn 30... old age here I come!!....

I have just TWENTY days until I fly to Ghana... time has travelled really fast. I can't believe it's nearly here already!!! I am mostly ready though. I now have my visa, which I had no trouble getting other than long waits at the High Commission. I also have got most of the bits and pieces I need to take personally. Just need to pack it all. I've had another £75 of donations since my last post and a HUGE amount of clothes, books, toys etc donated for the kids. I definitely have enough to fill my suitcase and am hoping to get money towards taking an extra bag so if anyone fancies donating 200 euros, that's how much KLM are going to charge me for an extra bag. I tried to get them to allow it for free because it's for the orphanage but alas, they were not feeling charitable that day.

I was given some items which were not suitable to take over to Ghana so I have sold some of those on Ebay and raised another £25 which is great. I have so many books now and a limited luggage weight allowance so I will be selling some of the unsuitable books at my upcoming jewellery & massage party. All the support I have been recieving is amazing and I really appreciate it. I can't wait to get out there now and meet the children. Please please keep donations coming in and help me to make a difference.

I am holding a jewellery and massage party next weekend (31st October 2010) in Letchworth Garden City (The Guide Hall, Icknield Way, Letchworth) from 1.30-6pm. I will be selling jewellery from my shop (www.corriekay.com) and offering 15 minute mini massages in order to raise more funds for Ghana. As it's on Halloween there will also be face painting for kids so bring them along before going trick or treating!

I am getting very excited about the trip now and can't believe how fast it has come around. I have been in touch with several other volunteers, both past and future, and feel I have prepared myself. I am looking forward to meeting the other volunteers out there but most of all I can't wait to meet the children and do what I can to help their situation.

Thank you all for your time and donations. I really appreciate it. Keep checking back for updates and stories from Ghana and please share this blog and ask friends to donate. I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks

Corrie

49 days.....no turning back now!

So there are now 49 days until my 30th and just 32 days until I fly out to Ghana. I am now much more organised. I have had my injections, sorted out clothing and malaria tablets and just have my visa left to get in the next week or two. Feeling much better about it all now I'm organised.

I had another £60 of donations since my last email appeal and then the tins at work raised another £50. I also had a very large donation of brightly coloured wool which I will use to entertain the kids and teach them to make bracelets or crochet. Another appeal email sent today with a list of items needed so hoping that will bring in even more! :)

If you would like to help but are unable to donate money then there are things that other volunteers and the agency have suggested I bring so feel free to donate these items and post them to me at Corrie Buckland (Ghana), c/o Claybury International, The Pixmore Centre, Pixmore Ave, Letchworth, SG6 1JG.

Items needed are:

• Children’s underwear & clothes
• Nappies, wipes and baby supplies
• Vitamins/ Calcium tablets (ones like sweets are good as kids think it’s sweets)
• Antibiotics/Antiseptics / alcohol, wipes
• First Aid / medical supplies
• Plasters (band aids)
• Medical Family guides
• Any books on health care relevant to Africa
• Hankies
• Electric/battery Razor for cutting kids hair

Items for entertaining/teaching/ treating children

• Balloons
• Toys
• Books
• Bubble Solution
• Face paint
• Stickers/Stamps
• Games (bingo, snakes & ladders etc)
• Pens/Pencils/ Paper/ Crayons
• Chalk / pavement chalk
• Sweets

Anything you are able to help with is very much appreciated. I can’t wait to get out there now and meet the children. I’ve been watching videos and talking to previous volunteers and I am ready to get out there and do what I can to help.

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to sharing the experience with you.

Corrie :)