Over the past couple of months, you’ll have hopefully noticed a reappearing name, Ghana Outlook. Penistone Scouts’ have a long history spanning twenty years; one that we’ve recently begun to refocus our energy upon – our key goal being young people supporting other less-fortunate young people.

Given the time-span that’s elapsed since Ghana Outlook began, we spoke with Richard Galliford (one of the original leaders involved) and asked him to give some presentations to our youth sections (these are in the pipeline, with Explorers already having had theirs) and to share with us a potted history we could publicise more widely. In a paragraph or so, you’ll find Richard’s words and some photographs. Before we get to them, we need your support please in raising awareness of Ghana Outlook and the great work they do.

What can I do today?
  • You can “Like” Ghana Outlook’s Facebook page
  • You can visit Ghana Outlook’s website and make a donation by Bank Transfer / Regular Standing Order (including Gift Aid)
  • Share details of Penistone Scouts’ link with Ghana Outlook and encourage others to support the cause
  • Contact Richard if you’d like to fundraise, ask any questions or support the charity further
  • If you’ve young people in the scout group, you can make a cash donation via your section leader (in an envelope please)

Thank you for your amazing support – we hope you enjoy Richard’s write up.

The origins of Ghana Outlook are Scouting in Penistone

Ghana Outlook started its life as a Penistone Venture Scout project in 1998.

In 1996 we had a good bunch of Venture Scouts quite capable of undertaking an expedition of their choice. They were asked for ideas of an expedition they would like to do. They choose to do a project that would help young people in the third world less fortunate than themselves.

After a lot of work, the leader team were in a position to propose a school building project for children of Dzolo Gbogame, in the Volta Region of Ghana. We took the project to the Youth Explorers Trust and after a very intense interview, they sanctioned the project.

Indeed they [Youth Explorers Trust] told us that they had never had young people attend an interview before, it was normally done by the adult leader team. We were confident that our two venture scouts could handle the interview. Initially, the trust said that they would inform us in about six weeks time of their decision, but as we were walking to our car to go home, not sure how we had gone on, we were called back into the interview room to be told that they were so impressed with the organisation of the proposal and the answers given, plus the performance of the two venture scouts, that they had decided to tell us there and then that they supported it! The certificate proving this was sent to the Scout Association and their approval also granted.

Fundraising

Following the approval, we started an 18 month period of fundraising the necessary monies to cover transport costs and the building of two school buildings in Dzolo. The team involved consisted of 26 venture scouts and 6 leaders

Eventually, we raised all the funds required through hard teamwork and many fun fundraising ideas. Total costs needed being a staggering £30,270!

Once in Ghana

On the 31st August 1998, we sent off to Ghana.

Our accommodation was the nearby senior secondary school. We had two classrooms, one male and one female with bunk beds and mosquito nets.

We built our own showers with wooden poles, a watering can and string to pull the can of cold water on to us. Yes, we even built privacy screens.

Each day we would go down to the site and get involved in the building work, there were bricks to be made and laid, concrete to be mixed and lots of painting to be done. In between all that we mixed with the community to sample their life. We played games with the children, sang songs and went hunting. Our venture scouts saw a very different kind of life to theirs. It was not long before they recognised how lucky they were compared to the Dzolo community. It had no electric and water as very poor. The community welcomed us into their homes and hearts.

In no time the two schools were finished and we had a big “Durbar Day” celebration where the British High Commissioner attended to open the school. He congratulated the venture scouts on a brilliant project before inviting the party to the embassy for a meal on our last day in Ghana.

On Durbar Day itself, there was much entertainment provided by the community and we reciprocated in kind. Our team of girls did some Morris dancing which they had prepared for in advance. At the end we were presented a goat, as you can imagine, we did not bring it back home!

Toward the end of the Ghana trip, we visited the rainforest and coast to learn about the slave trade. We saw where they were kept in the forts before being shipped out to the Americas etc.

Since the original expedition

Following the 1998 expedition, another ten youth school projects were undertaken involving youths from organisations not just scouting.

Our last youth project was in 2013. These type of projects have become very expensive and we can no longer raise that kind of funds any more

Ghana Outlook (Registered Charity) was founded in 2000 by four of the original leaders. They saw the need for further help. The idea of the 1998 trip being a one-off was not something the team felt comfortable with, and so Ghana Outlook continues its work today.

We maintain the ethos of helping young people, but with a wider remit which can mean clean water, toilet blocks, farming and school equipment.

I visited the school in November this year (2018) and it is still very much used and excellent condition. Penistone venture scouts are very much remembered and we have maintained a strong friendship there unto this day.

It’s been a 20-year journey so far, but the start of it was initiated by young people from Penistone Scouts’. They made a difference for many young people less fortunate than themselves. They endorsed the scouting ethos in every way. Young people helping young people, no better example of service above oneself.

Finally, they set up the Dzolo Penistone Scout Group, which was still going in 2013. They sing ‘mighty, mighty Penistone’ as their motto. When Penistone Scouts’ turned 100 years old, the group’s neckers were collected in with the 100 year branded ones we wear today given in exchange. The old neckers, along with some camping equipment were then sent to the Dzolo Penistone Scout Group in Ghana.

Editors note
  • The Scout sections used to be slightly different to today’s Beaver > Cubs > Scouts > Explorers > Network. In 1998, we had Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts. Scouts now run from 10.5 to 14.5 whereas it used to be 10.5 to 15.5 years old, with Ventures 15 – 21 years old.
  • We are currently looking at replacing the group’s neckers (we are approaching 110 years old and whole Scout Association is going through a rebrand) and this would be an opportunity to once again send the old neckers to Ghana.
  • As we mentioned in the preamble, we are looking at getting the group sections reinvigorated in this fabulous young people helping young people initiative. We’ve invited Richard to present and we’re looking to support fundraising events Ghana Outlook are putting on.

If we’ve inspired you, could you please (as above)?

  • Like” Ghana Outlook’s Facebook page
  • Visit Ghana Outlook’s website and make a donation by Bank Transfer / Regular Standing Order (including Gift Aid)
  • Share details of Penistone Scouts’ link with Ghana Outlook and encourage others to support the cause
  • Contact Richard if you’d like to fundraise, ask any questions or support the charity further
  • If you’ve young people in the scout group, you can make a cash donation via your section leader (in an envelope please)

Thank you. More to follow in the coming months as we continue to support Ghana Outlook.