Graham Prosser
"Nothing could have prepared us for the overwhelming welcome they gave us as we entered the village, complete with music, dancing, tribal ceremony and drumming.
The whole village and more were there and we all sat in seats of honour at the front. It was an amazing spectacle. You had to keep reminding yourself you weren't on a film set." Clare Roche, Volunteer
The Assin Endwa Trust is a small charity based in the U.K & Ghana, formed to help the people in the village of Assin Endwa in the Central Region of Ghana.
Our three week working holidays are designed to give you a comprehensive view of the life in the friendly West African country of Ghana. During your time there you will work alongside local people helping with projects that are important to them, get involved with the people and learn something of their culture. This challenging and varied work is broken up by well earned breaks at some of the best holiday spots in the country.
It started in May 1999 when a young British volunteer - Kathryn Prosser - was “Enstooled” as the “Development Queen-Mother “ of a small settlement in the Central Region of Ghana called Assin Endwa.
Kathryn had been working on projects allied to the tourist industry in Ghana when she attracted the attention of the Chief of Endwa, Nana Ntiomah for her analysis of the tourist potential of the Assin area. Although not particularly favourable, the report did highlight some potential areas worth cultivating for tourism. Kathryn was invited to help with some other work in the village, including teaching in the local schools where she struggled with the inadequate equipment and poor facilities.
She was approached by Nana Ntiomah, who after consultation with the village elders, the head of the Royal Family and the District Chief Executive, requested that she assume the role of Development Queen - Mother to help publicise Endwa and attract some foreign interest and possibly aid.
At the Enstoolment a joint Trust was proposed between Ghana and the UK where like minded people in both countries could help develop Endwa in a manner that would benefit the people of the village without destroying their culture.