Project Leaders
Volunteer with Turtles in Ghana

Tom Miles - Project Staff

Tom has a long-standing interest in Africa that began with his own volunteer placement in Zimbabwe in 1996. Tom is a keen sportsman, an outgoing, hard-working individual with strong beliefs. His guesthouse, which is close to the project locations, is run following a philosophy of environment and community oriented tourism. The lodge is powered entirely by solar energy. He actively promotes sensitive and respectful tourism and will ensure he passes on this ethos to volunteers. He has a specific interest in the conservation project, the scientific research involved and also the community education that goes alongside. He also has a passion for football and so will also have an input in the football coaching project. Tom is very approachable and responsible which makes him an excellent person to run the volunteer projects and be at hand when support is needed. The fact that he has been living in Ghana since September 2003 means he has a clear knowledge of the local area and the culture and is therefore an ideal mediator between volunteer and community.

Jo Miles - Project Staff

Jo has a passion for travel and a love of Africa which have grown from her own volunteering experience in Uganda in 1996. This experience as a volunteer and the fact that, on a daily basis at the lodge, she meets young people volunteering in Ghana, means she has a strong awareness of the needs of a volunteer, the level of responsibility, information and support. Her job as a Learning Mentor and also her volunteer teaching experiences mean Jo has a sound knowledge of the principles of education, an understanding of child development and the need for providing extra support in the classroom. Thus, she has a specific interest in the volunteer teaching project and will be an ideal person to provide assistance and support to volunteers who have never taught in a classroom before. She is a practical person and also has a special interest in the construction projects. Residing at the guesthouse so close to the volunteer projects means that Jo is always available for support. The fact that she has been living in Ghana since September 2003 means she has a real understanding of the local culture and is therefore an appropriate mediator between volunteer and community.

Samson Blay - Project Staff

Samson is a trustworthy and reliable project leader. His work for the Wildlife Department increased his awareness of conservation, and the need for the protection of turtles is something he feels strongly about. Although his main occupation is farming, Samson also works with the local fisherman and so is in an ideal position to mediate between volunteers and fisherman during community education workshops on turtle conservation. He is an upstanding member of the community who is involved in many projects within the village such as community education programmes. He is a member of the local Tourist Management Committee and so has an interest and an understanding of the needs of foreigners visiting the area and the importance of eco-tourism. This knowledge will help him when co-ordinating conservation volunteers for their input in the local eco-tourism project.