We recently checked in with our WWOOF Independents hosts to see how their season was going. Bless Agamah, who hosts WWOOFers on his farm in Hohoe, Wli, Ghana, wrote back with a reply that says a lot about what this community means. We wanted to share it in his own words.

A life of farming

Bless has been farming almost his whole life. “I am 27 years old, and I have been farming for almost my entire life,” he wrote. “I was born into a farming family and was raised by my grandmother, who lived to the remarkable age of 115. She passed down invaluable indigenous farming knowledge that continues to guide everything we do today. It is an honour to preserve those traditions while sharing them with people from all over the world.“

Impact that reaches beyond the farm

Bless says the reach of hosting goes well past his own fields. “Together with our WWOOFers, we work alongside local community farmers, helping them on their fields, exchanging farming techniques, introducing sustainable and indigenous farming practices, and encouraging them through shared work. These moments have strengthened relationships within our community and created a spirit of cooperation that benefits everyone involved.”

WWOOFers at Bless’s farm also spend time with local kids and young people. “By sharing stories, skills, and experiences, they inspire local youth to dream bigger, appreciate agriculture, and see themselves as part of a global community. Since I usually host young WWOOFers, they naturally connect with the children and youth here, creating friendships and memories that leave a lasting impact on both sides.”

One part of hosting stands out to him the most. “One of the most touching parts of this journey has been hearing from the parents of some of our young WWOOFers. Many have contacted me to say thank you for the care we gave their sons and daughters and to tell me how much they had grown mentally, emotionally, and physically after returning home. Knowing that our farm has contributed to their personal growth is something I will always cherish.”

Learning goes both ways

For Bless, the farm works in both directions. “Our farm is a place for learning and unlearning. WWOOFers don’t just learn how to farm, they learn about culture, resilience, community living, and themselves. At the same time, we also learn from them, their cultures, and their different perspectives.”

He’s also honest that hosting isn’t always smooth. “Of course, hosting people from different countries and cultures also comes with challenges. Every WWOOFer is unique, and sometimes we face misunderstandings or different expectations. However, I have learned that patience, communication, and understanding are always the way forward. These experiences have helped me grow just as much as they have helped our WWOOFers.”

Building something bigger

Bless sums up what all of this adds up to. “Looking back, I can confidently say that the impact of WWOOF on our farm and community is far greater than I could ever fully describe. We are building genuine friendships, connecting people across cultures, supporting local farmers, inspiring children and young people, preserving indigenous knowledge, and creating a positive global network that will benefit future generations.“

“Thank you for creating a platform that makes these life changing connections possible,” he wrote. “We are grateful to be part of the WWOOF family and look forward to welcoming many more WWOOFers in the years ahead.”

To WWOOF with Bless, check out his host profile here.

Interested in hosting WWOOFers like Bless does? Check out our Host FAQs to learn more about getting started and setting expectations with WWOOFers.

Want to share your WWOOF story? Email us at [email protected]!