Women's Soccer

June 17, 2009

Women's Soccer Standout Teal Bryan '12 To Spend Seven Weeks In Ghana


COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College women's soccer standout Teal Bryan (North Yarmouth, Maine/Greely) will travel nearly 5,000 miles this week to Ghana, as the rising sophomore will spend the next seven weeks volunteering at an orphanage in this Third World African nation.

For Bryan, this is the second time in the last 15 months that she has traveled to Ghana. She graduated a semester early from Greely High School in Cumberland, Maine during the 2007-08 academic year, so that she could spend 10 weeks in the spring of 2008 volunteering in Africa through Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS), a non-profit organization based in New York and the United Kingdom.


"I have never been more excited," said Bryan, who leaves the United States today (Wednesday) and is expected to return to New England on Tuesday, August 4. "I cannot wait to return and see the smiles on the faces of the children. I know it will be an unbelievable feeling."

In her first trip to Ghana, Bryan was placed with the small Eugemot Orphanage, which consists of approximately 50 children and is made up of one boy's bedroom, one girl's bedroom, a common room, a small kitchen, and a bedroom for the house mother. As an 18-year old at the time, Bryan taught mathematics, English, history, social studies and agriculture to children at the orphanage ranging from ages 8-13.

"I never imagined I would be able to handle such a responsibility, but once my relationships grew with the children it came naturally," recalled Bryan. "The languages and education barrier were a bit hard at first, but I was able to adjust easily for the children to understand."

In addition to helping at the orphanage and teaching a wide range of classes, Bryan also spent her first trip to Ghana playing soccer with the children at the orphanage. She organized games and worked on foot skills with the children, despite playing on a field with two netless goals made of bamboo.

"Having the opportunity to engage, get to know, and interact with the orphans was by far the most incredible and life-changing experience I have ever had. Seeing the smiles and hearing the children laugh instantly touches your heart in many ways," said Bryan. "One of the most touching moments occurred when one of my students, Derrick, whom I formed a good relationship with, asked if I would adopt him. Although it was heartbreaking to tell him I wasn't able to, it meant the world to me to know that I had such an impact on him."

Bryan's trip to Ghana this summer is expected to be even more eye-opening. She has arranged this trip without the services of CCS, and as a result, she will be living at the orphanage, which has no running water, no maids, no cooks, and very limited electricity. Her meals will consist primarily of rice, chicken, porridge, and cultural dishes such as banku. She also is expecting to share bunk beds with the children with no sheets or pillows, and will bathe in the riverside near the orphanage instead of using a shower.

"As a volunteer this time, I feel as though I will be acting more as a friend and ?mother' for the children, rather than as a teacher," said Bryan prior to her departure. "I am not sure how much time I will be spending in the classroom, but I will be watching over and playing with the children all day, every day."

Bryan had a very successful first season for the Saint Michael's women's soccer team in 2008 under head coach Marcel Choquette. She played in all 18 games for the Purple Knights last fall, helping the squad finish with an 8-8-2 record, and tied for the team lead with six goals and two game-winning scores. She finished second on the squad with three assists and 15 points, and was named to the Northeast-10 Conference All-Rookie Team.

Following the soccer season last fall, Bryan volunteered for the remainder of the academic year at the Milton (Vt.) Elementary School, working in particular with a special-needs student. She enters her sophomore year with a 3.425 cumulative Grade Point Average, earning Dean's List honors last spring.

For more information on the Eugemot Orphanage, visit www.myeugemotorphanage.org.

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