After multiple mission trips in the U.S., Revere graduate Alex Morrison sat on a plane, prepared to go on her next mission trip. The only difference with this trip was the fact that Morrison will no longer be in the United States, she will be helping children in Ghana. After earning enough money through paychecks, and also donations from her church, Morrison was able to fulfill her dream of helping people in a selfless way.

Morrison has been residing with a family in Ghana whom she met through her church. Once she was in Ghana she was able to teach and also help children who are sick and who require medical attention.

In Ghana, people normally have two names. They have an Ghanaian name and they also have a local name. Morrison’s local name is Wundabili which mean “servant of god” in Dagbani, the local language. Akousua, is Morrison’s African name. It is derived from what day she was born, which is Wednesday.

Through the connection of her church, Morrison was able to find a family that she could live with. She is living with a couple, Di and Dan, who have a daughter named Dzifa. Morrison explains how she was able to organize living with them.

“A family from my church moved to Ghana about seven years ago to be missionaries, so when I decided to go to Africa, Ghana was a natural choice. It has one of the most stable governments in Africa. I met Di through the family from my church. [Di] owns the schools here,” Morrison said.

Isabel Dzifa Dzokotoe is living with Morrison and is fifteen years old. Morrison views Dzokotoe as a sister. Dzokotoe explained how living with Morrison has affected her.

“I feel now I’m living in a home with a mom, a dad and a sister. I feel happy all the time. I have someone to share my experiences with [and] someone who wants to listen,” Dzokotoe said.

Before she left, Morrison had to make sure she would be fine which meant that she would need the proper shots and medication in order to prevent diseases like Malaria. Coincidentally, Morrison is also working with children who have malaria.

“I’m working in a school with very poor children. Just today a girl came in with malaria and I had to take care of her. Last week, I was in a hospital with a girl who was hit by a car,” Morrison said.

Morrison teaches sign language to kids from kindergarten up to kids in sixth grade. Morrison explained why she is teaching sign language to these children.

“In Ghanian culture, if a child is born with any kind of disability, they are shunned and thrown out to fend for themselves. It is seen as a sign of witchcraft to be born with a disabled child. We are teaching the kids in the school that those children are able to live a normal life, and they are no different from the rest of us,” Morrison said.

Morrison works with Wjafe Godwin, who also works in the school. Godwin explained how Morrison has impacted the school.
“She has been a great positive impact on the students and the school as a whole. Her knowledge of sign language has really helped the students to learn quickly, they love it and always want another lesson,” Godwin said.

Morrison not only teaches children sign language, but she works with children who are behind the curriculum and need help with basic studies.

“I have one girl who is 14 and in third grade. She doesn’t know the names of colors or the alphabet. She was transferred from a public school …where the kids only go to school for two or three hours every day and learn nothing,” Morrison said.

This trip has given Morrison a new perspective about life and the world. The culture shock made Morrison feel very lucky to have the life that she does.

“I could never even explain the difference in culture. It’s honestly a different world. It’s like traveling back in time. The kids have nothing; they play with old tires and cans’, but they are so grateful just to be alive. It’s amazing. It makes you feel so blessed to have been born in America,” Morrison said.

Morrison has been truly impacted by this trip to Ghana. The opportunity to teach children has given Morrison a new point of view for which she could not be more grateful.