The Sky is the Limit

My name is Lordia Aseye Alowodo. I participated in the 2007 STAR Conference and am a junior group leader in 2008. Each year it gets bigger.

STARS Conference helps students to know more about each other and their schools, share ideas and meet students from different parts of the country. It helps students to develop their talents.

The Peace Corps volunteers are doing great things to change the lives of people in many sectors especially educational and HIV/AIDS awareness.

The section I like most about this conference is hearing from speakers sharing their life experiences and the challenges most of them face. You've got to tell yourself "I can do it in life." It is true that no matter where you are or who you are, you can make it. Let the sky be our limit.

The greatest thanks goes to God also to my PCV Jenifer Ley and my parents.

It is great to have a baby but the greatest person is the successful man.

-Lordia Alowodo, Junior Group Leader, Owerriman Senior High School

Learning the Real Meaning of Courage

On June 8, we learned about HIV/AIDS. One of the most powerful speakers was a young woman who is HIV-positive. Here, a few students write their reactions to her message.

Dear Sister,
We are very grateful for the talk you gave to us this morning. In fact your speak on the topic HIV/AIDS today has really educated us a lot and all that we say is may God bless you and give more faith and confident so that you will educate the whole world and for that matter Ghana.
Sister, we do not know much about this HIV/AIDS until you educated us and also talk about your own life, we have now know how dangerous it is and we will also extend this education that we have had to every one in our dear communities.
In fact may God bless you so much and give you more courage. Thank you.
-Tia Mary, Wulugu Senior High School, Northern Region

I was moved by Sister’s speech about how she was being infected by the HIV. I do not know anything about VCT until two police officers taught us that, this is necessary for us to go for testing and if the first test is negative we should go for the second time so to be sure whether affected or not.
I also acquire more knowledge about AIDS from Mr. Omar Seidu Sanda Jr., a Young and Wise director, Upper East region. He let us know about value. And he define value as things one have chosen on his/her own without no outside pressure. He also said, we have three types of values and they are Personal, Family and Community values, and we should also value our life time, education and the truth as well.
I am very excited because I can also said something about HIV/AIDS if I am ask to do so. I am very grateful and God richly bless all the Peace Corps volunteers. Thank you.
-Janet Aziamadzi, Akome Senior Technical School, Volta Region

How I Spotted My Stars

As soon as I heard about the STARS conference during training, I knew I wanted to be involved, and when it was time to pick my students, I wanted to be sure that I selected the best students available.

I went through the dusty files of 150 students to select the top-performing students from each class. However, since being a STAR is about leadership and not only about academic achievement, I asked all the teachers to select 3 boys and 3 girls who demonstrated strong leadership.

Selecting only two students was a difficult decision that I pondered for days. I wished I could have brought them all. I finally selected Richard and Millicent. Three days into STARS, I think I made great choices. Every student here is a STAR.
-Miss Kim, Peace Corps Volunteer, Bompata Presbyterian Senior High School, Ashanti Region

Thanking our Stars

Students are endowed with a lot of talents that are earthed. They only need opportunities like this (STARS conference) to unearth such talents. Opportunities and such are lacking in our schools.

The challenges dramatised on stage by our students are the exact challenges they face in their various schools as student leaders. They most of the times resort to punishments and reportings to the authorities that be. Little do they know that they can overcome such challenges without outside hands.

STARS conference has unearthed these talents that have been in the hide out for some time now. What a pity for the schools that have not been represented! Who teaches their student leaders how to overcome their own challenges as leaders? Who brings them in touch with other students for socialization? How do they get to know that they can learn a lot with the use of the Internet? Well, everybody and his/her luck. Students who have participated in this conference are lucky and need to thank their stars.

STARS conference is doing a great job for the schools represented, since their student leaders are being empowered with leadership skills. STARS conference has started and looking at its importance, it must be made to stay. Every effort should therefore be made for its sustenance.

-Sumani Philip Abdulai, Counterpart Teacher, Gushegu Senior High School

Hopes for the Future

I would wish that in future, the number of students should be more than the number allowed for each school, maybe from two to five for each school. More organizations and individuals should come in with support - either cash or in kind, so that more students will be able to benefit from it. Because there are many students out there, looking for such opportunity to shine up and take leadership positions.

-Missah Stephen, Counterpart Teacher, Wulugu Senior High School

I am so Impressed

Wow! I am so impressed with all the talents I've seen displayed, and it's only day 3. In our midst, we have some amazing writers, speakers, actors, and debaters. I wonder if before STARS these students knew they possessed these abilities?

My favorite part is seeing the shy and quiet kids making new friends and becoming more comfortable in the group.

Prepping for and making the conference run smoothly takes a lot of work; but it' worth it when the kids are working together and showing their new skills.

-Carrie Fihe, Peace Corps Volunteer, Manya Krobo Senior High School

Voice from the Crowd

In fact being here has made me so happy. I don't even think I will go back to where I come from. Because what I have observe is that the way of our Peace Corps volunteers talk to us in a polite manner and also they are easy to talk to and they are approachable and kind.

What even impressed me was how they chat with us during dinner time and all what they have been doing.

I have really enjoy coming to the STARS conference.

I really like it very well. Thank you.

-Amponsah Nicholas, Mansen Senior High School

The Country Director Speaks

The STARS Conference is an exciting and amazing opportunity to bring talented students from all over Ghana together to grow and learn together.

I've been extremely impressed with the students and the discussions they have engaged in. It's also very impressive to hear from prominent Ghanaians, who are speaking throughout the conference schedule.

The positive energy that has been created by these students and Peace Corps volunteers is remarkable.

-Bob Golledge, Country Director, Peace Corps Ghana

A Volunteer's Perspective

STARS is amazing. I've looked forward to bringing my students (and counterpart) to the conference for months now.


The first day of STARS was interesting, because we got to see the kids start to open up and show their personalities as they began to meet people, make friends, and start to realize what the STARS conference is about. It's great to get to see the kids shine as individuals as their confidence grows throughout the week.


-Evan Schulz, Gushegu Senior High School

First Impressions

I'm from Jirapa in Upper West Region. Actually being here is very surprising. It's the most exciting and interesting journey I've ever made and conference ever attended. I'm so happy being selected among others to witness this conference, "STARS". I made new friends, I've studied a lot even though we just started.
-Lakyiere Emelia Kantayel, Lassia-Tuolu Senior High School

I am from Wulugu in Northern Region. All the Peace Corps volunteers are lovely and respectful. I hope it is going to be interesting for the rest of the days and a lot of fun.
-Braimah Yahaya, Wulugu Senior High School