Maputo Mensah

Trip Reports
Find out what the people who went on the trip in 2008 are saying. Then sign up and come with us in 2009! Contact us!

"This trip changed my life. I did things I never thought I would do; I saw things I had never imagined. After only one day of being there my cup was already overflowing and all of my senses were stirred. The beauty and happiness that I found in Ghana is incomparable to anywhere I have ever been in the United States.

"All of the teachers were absolutely incredible, and I feel so lucky to have been in their presence. The Ga language lessons were great and the teacher was amazing."
Alicia, University of Colorado student, August 2008

"I have been to over 40 countries all over the world, and never have I had such a life-changing experience. In Ghana with Maputo, I learned more about myself in one month than I have ever learned in a year. I think this is because of the Ghanaian culture and the people that I met there. Everyone I met was much friendlier than in the U.S. and I learned that no matter how much money you have (or if you live in Ghana and make $1 a day) you can still be as happy or happier than someone who has all the money in the world.

I hadn't really done much African dancing before I went to Ghana, but now I have learned it's one of the best ways to relax and feel your body and have a really good time. I now have a drum and am taking African drumming and dancing classes, which I never would have even thought of before. Thank you to all of those people who made this experience possible, because I am a new person now.
Ambrose, High School student, Boulder, August 2008

"Thank you for connecting us with such fabulous teachers. Mr. Ano was an excellent drumming teacher who helped me improve and deepen my relationship with the ancient art of drumming. In addition, one of the most amazing experiences was having the legendary Mustapha Tetteh Addy visit and teach our group.

"I also enjoyed the dancing classes. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn authentic dances and rhythms. I know when I participate in one of your classes or tours that I am experiencing the "real thing" from  a very learned and experienced teacher and leader. I am very luck and honored."
Haydee, Boulder Middle School teacher, August 2008

"We loved the dancing and drumming. And the trips to the slave castles and fetish priest village were powerful, emotional and wonderful educational experiences. We loved the fun trips to the rainforest canopy walk, the monkey forest and waterfalls for the awesome natural  beauty of the land.

"One of the things that we enjoyed most was the Ghanaian people, their ready smiles, generosity of spirit and their friendliness. We were truly blessed to be able to meet and work with Maputo's teacher and reknowned master drummer Mustapha, and were privileged to meet Emmanual of the movie Emmanuel's Gift. Men such as these are true inspirations.

The beauty of Ghana lies in the hearts and smiles of its people and its a wonderful inspiration to live, give, love and simplify our busy lives. What a wonderful place."
Karlene Soehn, Boulder, August 2008

"From the moment we got there, the Ghanaian hospitality surprised me. the people that we met were open, easy to talk to, and very helpful. In Kokrobite, I loved the dirt roads, the beach and our hotel, The Dream. I had never taken African dancing or drumming classes before, but I fell in love with them the first time I tried: the freedom and different muscles used in teh dancing, and the rhythm and sound of the drumming.

This trip has changed me more than any of the other vacations we have taken because of the people. I began to question the importance of material things, and to wonder how much happiness they actually brought, because even though the Ghanaian people have so little, they are infinitely more wealthy because of their strong love of their family, their love of living each day, and their gratefulness for the things they do have."
Isabelle, Boulder Middle School student, August 2008

"I've never been so happy as the day we danced in the pouring rain then raced along the beach. The dance, drum, and Ga lessons didn't quench my interest in West African music -- it made it grown into a full-blown passion! The instructors were not only our teachers, but our good friends as well. The employees and neighbors of the Dream Hotel are people I will always remember.

"If I could repeat the Ghana Adventure again, I would in a heartbeat. Traveling to Ghana not only opened my eyes to another world, but allowed me to squint a little more closely at my own. Because of this trip, I know that I will be a better dancer, a more well-rounded music educator, and a more humble and appreciative person."
Abby, August 2008

"This is the second time for me going on the Maputo Mensah's Spicy Juicy Ghana Adventure and my mind and heart were blown away as if I had never been there before. I truly believe that what Maputo Mensah is doing by bringing Americans to a distant land is very important educational and enlightening for our American community. By going to Ghana, West Africa, I get to see the truth with my own eyes.

I encourage anyone and everyone to step outside of the neatly composed box that we live in here in America and take a trip to distant lands like the Spicy Juicy Ghana Adventure, because we must make our world view bigger to understand more how can love ourselves and each other fully, truthfull, and in abundance."
Musa, University of Colorado, Film Studies student, August 2008

 "From the beginning of getting off the plane, to leaving the airport in Accra, I can honestly say I had never experienced such an amazing trip emotionally, educationally, and never has such a trip impacted my life so incredibly.

"Not only was our group able to experience this type of beautiful culture firsthand, but we also got to learn about our/their past through special trips to places like slave castles, and points of interest like a Fetish Priest, and an amazing excursion to the Wli waterfall in Northern Ghana. Along with meeting dancing and drumming legend Mustafa, founder of AAMA and an amazing individual, and meeting so many people in Ghan I can call great friends, I can say with my whole heart this trip has changed my life and the way that I look at things for the better.

"I cannot thank enough the amazing group I went with, or the leaders of the group, Maputo and Mawue Mensah, for everything they did and the impact they all had on my life."
Graham, University of Colorado student, August 2008

"Maputo's passion for this trip was obvious and he took much time and effort to provide many opportunities to see Ghana's beauty, culture,hisotry and struggles. He also provided a very comfortable accomodation for us at the Dream Resort which was perfect for our purposes.

"Some of the highlights to me were events where we were invited into the lives of the people we met. One such time was a funeral we were invited to, where we were unexpectedly asked to dance, which was both terrifying and exhilarating. The crowd came undone in support of us and I will never forget that feeling of connection. They were truly thrilled we had learned something of their culture."
Sandy, Boulder, Colorado, August 2008

"My journey  through Ghana, West Africa with Maputo Mensah's Spicy Juicy Ghana Adventure had a profound and touching impact on my life. There is an undeniable spirit or presence in the land and the people. Though we saw many sites, heard many sounds, and tried many things, I have to say the most moving part of the trip was simply the hearts of the people.

For me the most touching and valuable part of this trip was observing firsthand the strength and determination of the human spirit. I was very much uplifted and inspired by this trip and very much hope to go again in the future."
Ben, Boulder, Colorado, August 2008