Entry: Steve Burgoon, Peace Corps Volunteer
In 2010, WCF signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States Peace Corps which led to our work together in communities in Ghana. Steve Burgoon is the first placement of a Volunteer from the U.S. Peace Corps with a WCF program. He helps with our CocoaLink cell phone farmer extension program as well as our WCF ECHOES Program Resource Center in Nknoya, in Ghana's Western Region.
Greetings from Ghana! My name is Steve Burgoon and I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sefwi-Nkonya in the Western Region. I arrived in Ghana in June and came to my village in September after three months of training. I have since been working on ECHOES projects such as the computer lab that was built in my village as well as CocoaLink.
It's incredible that in such a remote location, people are very enthusiastic and wanting to learn more about the technology we have come so accustomed to using. Even when I am not conducting formal classes children are always coming to the computer lab to practice their skills. The CocoaLink project has also taken off even in towns that do not have electricity.
For those of you who do not know, CocoaLink is a program that connects cocoa farmers via mobile phone text messaging. It allows farmers to receive information from a reliable, unbiased source better farming practices. Every Friday a mass text message containing pertinent information is sent out to all the farmers subscribed to the program. Topics include: planting, fertilizer/pesticide application, harvesting, drying, and storage. The program also allows subscribers to respond with any questions they might have. Currently there are over 2800 farmers in nine communities and counting.
Recently we had a meeting to evaluate this project which was launched in May. We have already exceeded our goal of 1450 farmers in a year and we are looking to expand. The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is willing to support with more information as well as advertisement to "spread the word." I have already talked to neighboring Peace Corps Volunteers to sign their communities up as well. Messages containing important health and business advice is in the works, too.
Of course there are challenges such as reading the texts, receiving the texts and keeping phones charged. Luckily most people can read or know someone that does. The messages are sent in English or the local language, Twi. We are also currently developing voice messages. We are working with local cell providers to ensure timely receipt of messages. Electricity continues to spread throughout Ghana as well.
Ghana is truly a great place and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Everyone is truly grateful for my help and I in turn am grateful for their generous hospitality. Yes there are many frustrations of course but it is all worth it. If you want to read about my personal experiences here I have blog http://steveburgoon.wordpress.com/ and I post all my pictures on my Facebook page.