19-year-old Edina, Minnesota Resident Uplifts Small Health Clinic in Ghana

Rebecca Holloway-Nahum left the United States in August 2006 in order to spend six months as a nurse in a small health clinic in Wiamoase, Ghana (a village northwest of Kumasi). She works three days a week in the clinic and has created a project with her roommate to fund and paint a malnutrition ward three other days of the week.

Here is what Rebecca thinks about her experience in Ghana with United Planet:

“I think one of the most important things about volunteering anywhere whether it be the third world, or a thriving metropolis is that you cannot change the course of the world, but you can do immense amounts of good for others, but more importantly for yourself. Even though I came into this trip thinking I was doing it to change the course of existence of other people, I have come to realize that this trip is more about me. Making myself the best person I can be. I think that’s not only the first, but also the most critical, in making the world a better place.

When I was sitting in a trotro on the way to Kumasi one evening, I had an epiphany that I had changed so much, and hadn't even realized it. Here I was in the third world sitting on fatal and dirty public transportation. The best part is that I felt comfortable. If I can feel comfortable, at home, and at peace there I can do it anywhere. I realized that this experience has given me the ability to place my security within myself, not on things that surround me”

She learned during her mission that talking makes a difference in the world and that allowing yourself to be on the same level as people that would normally not be has great rewards. It is not necessarily the places you go or the things you see, but the people you meet that makes the journey worthwhile.

As featured on CNN, United Planet is a leading international, educational, humanitarian, and peace-building, non-profit organization with members and volunteers in over 150 countries The mission of United Planet is to foster cross-cultural understanding and friendship, support communities in need, and promote social & economic prosperity among cultures in order to unite the world in a community beyond borders.


United Planet Quests provide a meaningful opportunity for both skilled and unskilled volunteers to make a difference in communities in need in around fifty countries worldwide from 1 to 52 weeks, while immersing in and learning about the culture and language of the host country.

Quests enable participants to broaden global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding; improve foreign language skills; work in international teams; develop leadership skills; build lifelong friendships; and most importantly, make a true difference and have a lot of fun along the way.

We hope that this experience interests you as we are convinced it is of interest to your readers to see how much a member of the Edina, Minnesota community cares about making a difference in a country such as Ghana.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Cecile Chappey
Project coordinator
UNITED PLANET