Speaker Anna Cockburn
Fri, Aug 25th 2017 at 12:55 pm - 2:10 pm
Topic:- Anna Cockburn - International Service
President Stewart Wilson opened the meeting by announcing several club events scheduled for the next six months. The President's night will be on 23rd November at the Stirling Highland Hotel, and our Xmas charity collection at the Thistle Centre will now be on 23rd December when we will be joined by the Salvation Army band. Jane Wilson is to organise a fund raising Scottish Night on 23rd March 2018, and next year's AM/AM will be on Friday 25th May 2018.
Our speaker Anna Cockburn opened her talk on her trip to Ghana by wishing us Wontango, good afternoon. Anna was part of a group from International Service, an organisation based in York, who aim to promote the rights and improve the lives of young people women and the disabled. Her journey took her to Accra, a further flight to Tamale, and then by bus to Bolgotango the capital of North West Ghana, where she joined a group of seven youngsters, five from UK and two from Ghana. For three months, she lived with a local host family, and was allocated to a variety of work, marketing, research and admin, all directed at developing local activities, increasing local self-sufficiency, developing local trade and reducing poverty. Much of this was aimed at bridging the gap during the dry season when agriculture and earning power diminish. They aim to develop local groups, which will continue the work, which must be sustainable if it is to be of value. Clearly, International service is well organised locally and makes good use of the abilities of the participants. Anna spoke enthusiastically about her experience and her contacts with the Ghanaians she met, something she will take with her for the rest of her life.
The vote of thanks was given by Crawford Gordon. Our next meeting is
on 1st September, Speaker's host Ranald Ross Watt, Visitor's host Elspeth King. Please note the following meeting will be on Thursday 7th September 6.30 for 6.45pm.
Dr I Richardson
Our speaker Anna Cockburn opened her talk on her trip to Ghana by wishing us Wontango, good afternoon. Anna was part of a group from International Service, an organisation based in York, who aim to promote the rights and improve the lives of young people women and the disabled. Her journey took her to Accra, a further flight to Tamale, and then by bus to Bolgotango the capital of North West Ghana, where she joined a group of seven youngsters, five from UK and two from Ghana. For three months, she lived with a local host family, and was allocated to a variety of work, marketing, research and admin, all directed at developing local activities, increasing local self-sufficiency, developing local trade and reducing poverty. Much of this was aimed at bridging the gap during the dry season when agriculture and earning power diminish. They aim to develop local groups, which will continue the work, which must be sustainable if it is to be of value. Clearly, International service is well organised locally and makes good use of the abilities of the participants. Anna spoke enthusiastically about her experience and her contacts with the Ghanaians she met, something she will take with her for the rest of her life.
The vote of thanks was given by Crawford Gordon. Our next meeting is
on 1st September, Speaker's host Ranald Ross Watt, Visitor's host Elspeth King. Please note the following meeting will be on Thursday 7th September 6.30 for 6.45pm.
Dr I Richardson
