Creating a healthier and safer world for children through the power of sport and playfeatured title

Ben Pegna's Diary

Saturday 2nd June

Jose Mourinho with local coaches

After a good nights sleep back at the Golden Tulip, we were all up early for the next and final visit of our trip.

The atmosphere amongst everyone was again brilliant, and by now the guys were reciting the messages of the Right To Play games, whilst on all our coach journeys.

The coach journeys throughout the trip had been interesting to say the least. But for this short journey we had a new driver, who was a bit more sedate, and only drove on our side of the street!

It had all become quite an adventure, and spirits were again really high.

It seemed like the last few days had gone so quickly, but conversely that we had been there for a long time, and had seen so much and met so many people.

The final trip was to a local park in Accra, where the Right To Play staff had organised a play day for around two hundred children.

The park itself was completely enclosed and offered a good secure area for the kids to play. The whole of our group again got involved straight away, dividing ourselves amongst all the playing groups whilst Michael walked around meeting everybody and taking photos with the kids.

It was a calmer atmosphere than the previous days visit, partly because it was a more low key location, and also due to the police presence.

The Right To Play staff, were again doing an amazing job, and everywhere we have been, all our party have commented on what a great job they do and how well they put the points across that they are making.

As the visit drew to a close Michael presented a cheque to RTP Ghana on behalf of the Chelsea guys who were visiting. Between them they had managed to raise $15,000 US Dollars for use specifically in the park where the play day was held.

The money will have a massive impact and everyone was enthusiastic about how the park could be improved.

After a couple of hours we headed back to the hotel.

I think most of the guys were sad that the work part of the trip had drawn to a close now. It was a strange feeling as we had the afternoon off, and most of us were happy to be heading home, but we were also having such a good time and enjoying seeing all the smiling faces greeting us wherever we went, that we could have easily stayed a couple more days.

As luck would have it the weather turned, and as we put our feet up by the pool, before our evening flight, it started to belt down with rain!!

The highlights of the trip were certainly the welcome from everyone we met.

The Ghanaians are warm people, and their love of football ensured that wherever we went, we were treated brilliantly.

The spirit within our camp was another highpoint and helped make the trip very easy, as we all got on so well, and everyone was so enthusiastic.

I can’t thank the Right To Play Ghana staff enough. From the top down they were all excellent. Highly committed, extremely professional but always friendly, they were great to be around and do a great job for Right To Play there. They really went out of their way to make everything possible for their guests.

I can’t wait to visit them again soon!

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