It's been almost two years since I made my journey to Ghana. Being back home in the US, I've reflected on my experiences in Ghana almost daily and my desire to go back is still burning strong. I've been blessed to maintain my relationships with my "family" and friends in Ghana since being back in the US. They became a huge part of my heart and there they've remained. I believe that my trip to Ghana was the 1st of many and the foundation to something much bigger. I'm picking back up on my blog because I am planning to journey back to Ghana soon and I would love to share it with you all once again. This time however, I am planning something a little different...
Some of you may not understand why I care so much about helping people half way across the world. Well, the time I spent in Ghana allowed me to opened my eyes to what life is truly about; happiness. For four months I witnessed people who had "nothing" but yet had a genuine happiness. I learned happiness comes through sharing meaningful, loving, true relationships with people. To develop such a relationship you have to be willing to care for others and be selfless in your actions. I can never express in words my gratitude for the people of Ghana and all they taught me about life. However, I can give back to the community of people who changed my life by sharing with them, resources and opportunities that may change their lives.
When I originally had the idea to go to Ghana, my mission was to go experience another part of the world and volunteer before I started a career (I had just graduated college). I assumed my time in Ghana would lead to me growing as an individual and helping some people along the way, but the outcome was way beyond what I ever imagined. As my relationships formed with the people in Ghana, and my love grew for this community, I was given a vision to continue my relationships in Ghana and to give back.
Life in Ghana, like many other places in the world, is difficult. There is limited resources and opportunity for those who are born into poverty. Attending school is not a freedom, it's a privilege to those who can afford it. There aren't even libraries for people to borrow books so they can learn and educate themselves. Bottom line is with no money, education isn't an option and it's very hard to break the cycle of poverty. That is why I am so passionate about sharing with this Ghanaian community what I have been so blessed with and that is the opportunity of learning.
I am working on developing my own non-profit that is focused on creating opportunities for people in Ghana so that they have access to resources that will allow them to enhance their potential in life. This is something that is very heavy on my heart and I feel it is the path God has asked me to take. I won't spell out all my future plans quite yet but I will tell you that in the near future I will be doing a fundraiser to raise enough money to bless 300 orphans with uniforms and shoes so they can go to school.
Before closing out this blog entry I would like to express my thankfulness and appreciation for each of you that took the time to follow me while I was in Ghana. Your support was encouraging. My hope is that I can also encourage you to go beyond what you think is possible and go beyond yourself. Experience life for all it has to offer. I love you all and hope that you continue to follow and support me on this ongoing journey as I step out in faith once again.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday, February 23, 2009
There is definitely a lion on the loose near my village
I should 1st warn my mother not to read this blog posting, because I know she'll just be worried, so Mom, "stop reading this".
Last week was quite interesting. Lets see, Wednesday a little rock slipped into my shoe as I was running it cut the skin around my achilles tenuous and left a nice blister/cut, Thursday I fell sick again with a fever and pains all over my body (I went to get a malaria test but the lab was closed for the day), Friday, right before I went in my room to go to bed for the night, a bee came up and stung me on my face (I haven't been stung by a bee since I was probably 4 or 5), Saturday morning as I attempted to jab a knife into a can of cream to open it, I missed the can and stabbed my hand instead (I thought all my blood was coming out of my body it was bleeding so much). Then Sunday I heard the news on the radio that there is a lion on the loose near my village (there aren't even lions in this region but they're saying he came from Togo) and actually it attacked someone last week. With the luck I was having, I figured next thing to happen would be the lion attacking me. LOL. I even started to think that someone in the village put a curse on me (Speaking of curses, I'll say more about that later on in this blog). But even with all this, I am not ready to come back to America. Even yesterday I had to go in my room because my eyes started to tear up thinking about saying good-bye. I just love the people here and the peacefulness of the village life.
On a more upbeat note, yesterday I went to a dinner party at my German friends' house (the older man and his wife). The food was amazing! I wanted to be greedy and just keep eating until I couldn't eat anymore. At the dinner party was some Germans living and working in Ghana, some native Ghanaians working with them or married to the Germans, and then me, the one American. It was fun. You know I love to talk to anyone, so I just sat and talked, and ate up the good food.
Oh, so I told you I would tell you more about the curses people are putting on each other in the villages. At 1st I didn't know if I believed it or not but after hearing all the stories and even witnessing this woman who was normal when I first got to the village and now she is mad, I know that it's really happening. The mad woman is always visiting me. Last week she came to me with no shirt on, but she had placed band aids on her nipples and was walking around singing and smoking cigarettes. The kids tell me not to talk to her, but I feel bad for her. This pastor lady I know told me that the woman will be normal and then maybe once a year or once every two years she'll go mad for a couple months. The pastor said someone proposed to her a while back and she denied him and after that the man disappeared and people believe he put a curse on her. Crazy stuff.
Time is ticking away too fast. If I didn't have to come home and get a job I would definitely stay here longer. I wish everyone could come life in my village for a couple weeks and understand what I'm talking about. One thing that I think is so funny is the perception most of us as Americans have about the African continent. (That's our 1st problem is that we generalize an entire continent.) I can even say I had my own pre-notions before coming here that I quickly realized where absolutely incorrect. We buy into the stereotypes way too much. I know that one of my jobs now that I've lived in Ghana, is to share with people my experiences so they start to understand one of the African cultures better. It's a beautiful country and a beautiful culture, I hope more people take the opportunity to come see for themselves. Even last evening Guenther's wife (she's a native of Ghana) was telling me that in Germany she was taking care of an 84 year old man. He would always say to her that Africa was uncivilized and say all sorts of things that showed he believed in all the negative stereotypes. She always would tell him to come with her and she'd show him it wasn't that way. So at 84 years old, the German man decided to come with her. She said he was speechless in disbelieve when he drove around the country. He even apologized to her for all the things he had said to her about Africa. I'm not saying there isn't poverty here or children who are starving. What I am saying though, is it's not everywhere, and it doesn't make up what this country is. If someone only looked at the negative aspects of America and based their idea of our country on that, we would look pretty bad too.
Okay I need to run, so until next week I will talk to you all later.
Last week was quite interesting. Lets see, Wednesday a little rock slipped into my shoe as I was running it cut the skin around my achilles tenuous and left a nice blister/cut, Thursday I fell sick again with a fever and pains all over my body (I went to get a malaria test but the lab was closed for the day), Friday, right before I went in my room to go to bed for the night, a bee came up and stung me on my face (I haven't been stung by a bee since I was probably 4 or 5), Saturday morning as I attempted to jab a knife into a can of cream to open it, I missed the can and stabbed my hand instead (I thought all my blood was coming out of my body it was bleeding so much). Then Sunday I heard the news on the radio that there is a lion on the loose near my village (there aren't even lions in this region but they're saying he came from Togo) and actually it attacked someone last week. With the luck I was having, I figured next thing to happen would be the lion attacking me. LOL. I even started to think that someone in the village put a curse on me (Speaking of curses, I'll say more about that later on in this blog). But even with all this, I am not ready to come back to America. Even yesterday I had to go in my room because my eyes started to tear up thinking about saying good-bye. I just love the people here and the peacefulness of the village life.
On a more upbeat note, yesterday I went to a dinner party at my German friends' house (the older man and his wife). The food was amazing! I wanted to be greedy and just keep eating until I couldn't eat anymore. At the dinner party was some Germans living and working in Ghana, some native Ghanaians working with them or married to the Germans, and then me, the one American. It was fun. You know I love to talk to anyone, so I just sat and talked, and ate up the good food.
Oh, so I told you I would tell you more about the curses people are putting on each other in the villages. At 1st I didn't know if I believed it or not but after hearing all the stories and even witnessing this woman who was normal when I first got to the village and now she is mad, I know that it's really happening. The mad woman is always visiting me. Last week she came to me with no shirt on, but she had placed band aids on her nipples and was walking around singing and smoking cigarettes. The kids tell me not to talk to her, but I feel bad for her. This pastor lady I know told me that the woman will be normal and then maybe once a year or once every two years she'll go mad for a couple months. The pastor said someone proposed to her a while back and she denied him and after that the man disappeared and people believe he put a curse on her. Crazy stuff.
Time is ticking away too fast. If I didn't have to come home and get a job I would definitely stay here longer. I wish everyone could come life in my village for a couple weeks and understand what I'm talking about. One thing that I think is so funny is the perception most of us as Americans have about the African continent. (That's our 1st problem is that we generalize an entire continent.) I can even say I had my own pre-notions before coming here that I quickly realized where absolutely incorrect. We buy into the stereotypes way too much. I know that one of my jobs now that I've lived in Ghana, is to share with people my experiences so they start to understand one of the African cultures better. It's a beautiful country and a beautiful culture, I hope more people take the opportunity to come see for themselves. Even last evening Guenther's wife (she's a native of Ghana) was telling me that in Germany she was taking care of an 84 year old man. He would always say to her that Africa was uncivilized and say all sorts of things that showed he believed in all the negative stereotypes. She always would tell him to come with her and she'd show him it wasn't that way. So at 84 years old, the German man decided to come with her. She said he was speechless in disbelieve when he drove around the country. He even apologized to her for all the things he had said to her about Africa. I'm not saying there isn't poverty here or children who are starving. What I am saying though, is it's not everywhere, and it doesn't make up what this country is. If someone only looked at the negative aspects of America and based their idea of our country on that, we would look pretty bad too.
Okay I need to run, so until next week I will talk to you all later.
Monday, February 16, 2009
My depature date is nearing closer :(
I would just like to know, where did the time go??? I honestly feel like I’ve been here maybe 1 month. But soon I will be saying my very sad good-byes. Crazy!! This trip has taught me so much about life and I am beyond thankful for this opportunity. Of course there are things about home that I miss, but honestly I could stay here longer. My mind is so free here, and there so few worries. I know within hours of touching down in the US I’m going to be reminded of the chaos and worries of everyday life we focus on in the US. Gas prices, our failing economy, finding a job, what to wear, who said this and that….. But if there is one thing that I’ve learned here it is that life is short and we have to make the best of each day, and the best of this life. I’m going to try and hold on to the worry free attitude that I’ve developed here. That is not to say I won’t focus on finding a job and staying on my grind towards success, it’s just that I’m not going to worry about it, because even in the bible it says not to worry because tomorrow will worry about itself. With all this said though I’ll give you an update of my life in the village…
Last week I finished my TFA application and submitted it. THANK YOU MARISSA, ROCHELLE, ERICA, JENNIE, and BABY T for your help!!!! Love ya:) I’m thankful to have that completed and now I’m just praying that the selection committee will see my passion exemplified throughout my application and grant me an interview. I will know by February 24th so I’ll keep you posted. At this point I leave in God’s hands to handle.
Let me tell you about the gift I received yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Do you know that this young boy, probably 17 or 18 years old in my village who I’ve maybe greeted once or twice weaved 11 kente clothes for me, out of special threat he bought in Kumasi (a city that’s like 10 hours away). I had no idea that I was receiving anything at all from anyone. It was a gift from him and his family to me, so that I can make a traditional dress from it (BTW, it’s absolutely beautiful!!). If he would have sold it in the market he would have probably gotten close to 200 Ghana Cedis (which is basically 200 US dollars). I was almost brought to tears because who I am to deserve this gift from a family that isn’t starving or suffering, but who are by all means economically disadvantaged (they live in a mud hut with a grass roof). Even Fo Dela told me that no volunteer has received a gift like this before. The family that gave it to me said that they appreciated the way I’ve been free and friendly with everyone in the village. I guess this goes to show that we never know who is watching us, and who our behavior affects (whether positively or negatively).
If you’re wondering, I’m feeling 100% better now. I don’t think its malaria anymore (thank GOD!!) I most have eaten something or who knows. But do you know I stubbed my toe last week and the whole thing turned black and blue. I could barely walk for 2 days. All the children who are a little older keep telling me Africa isn’t good for me. LOL! First I got sick, then I basically broke my toe, and then last week when I washed my clothes, my skin got tanner and the kids hate that (when I’m in the sun). It’s too funny! Especially Francis, my neighbor who’s 7, he always tells me when I’m in the sun that I need to sit in the shade and that if I don’t he’ll tell Fo Dela and that Fo Dela will cane me.
Okay, so the last thing I want to say is that when I leave I don’t know what I’m going to do it. I will be so lonely. How do you go from living in a village and being surrounded by people all the time, to being in a house with 2 or 3 people? And how will I cope with not being surrounded with 10 to 20 children around me pretty much all day long? I’ve actually gotten use to the crying babies (don’t feel bad, mostly they cry cause they aren’t getting their way). It’s going to be very hard. I love my kids too much!! And I love the people in my village. I’m not looking forward to the day I say fair well:( Even though I already have a plan for coming back, it will still be really hard.
Alright, I’m all out of words. Talk to you next week. Please pray for me and the TFA application I submitted. Love ya:)
Last week I finished my TFA application and submitted it. THANK YOU MARISSA, ROCHELLE, ERICA, JENNIE, and BABY T for your help!!!! Love ya:) I’m thankful to have that completed and now I’m just praying that the selection committee will see my passion exemplified throughout my application and grant me an interview. I will know by February 24th so I’ll keep you posted. At this point I leave in God’s hands to handle.
Let me tell you about the gift I received yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Do you know that this young boy, probably 17 or 18 years old in my village who I’ve maybe greeted once or twice weaved 11 kente clothes for me, out of special threat he bought in Kumasi (a city that’s like 10 hours away). I had no idea that I was receiving anything at all from anyone. It was a gift from him and his family to me, so that I can make a traditional dress from it (BTW, it’s absolutely beautiful!!). If he would have sold it in the market he would have probably gotten close to 200 Ghana Cedis (which is basically 200 US dollars). I was almost brought to tears because who I am to deserve this gift from a family that isn’t starving or suffering, but who are by all means economically disadvantaged (they live in a mud hut with a grass roof). Even Fo Dela told me that no volunteer has received a gift like this before. The family that gave it to me said that they appreciated the way I’ve been free and friendly with everyone in the village. I guess this goes to show that we never know who is watching us, and who our behavior affects (whether positively or negatively).
If you’re wondering, I’m feeling 100% better now. I don’t think its malaria anymore (thank GOD!!) I most have eaten something or who knows. But do you know I stubbed my toe last week and the whole thing turned black and blue. I could barely walk for 2 days. All the children who are a little older keep telling me Africa isn’t good for me. LOL! First I got sick, then I basically broke my toe, and then last week when I washed my clothes, my skin got tanner and the kids hate that (when I’m in the sun). It’s too funny! Especially Francis, my neighbor who’s 7, he always tells me when I’m in the sun that I need to sit in the shade and that if I don’t he’ll tell Fo Dela and that Fo Dela will cane me.
Okay, so the last thing I want to say is that when I leave I don’t know what I’m going to do it. I will be so lonely. How do you go from living in a village and being surrounded by people all the time, to being in a house with 2 or 3 people? And how will I cope with not being surrounded with 10 to 20 children around me pretty much all day long? I’ve actually gotten use to the crying babies (don’t feel bad, mostly they cry cause they aren’t getting their way). It’s going to be very hard. I love my kids too much!! And I love the people in my village. I’m not looking forward to the day I say fair well:( Even though I already have a plan for coming back, it will still be really hard.
Alright, I’m all out of words. Talk to you next week. Please pray for me and the TFA application I submitted. Love ya:)
Monday, February 9, 2009
And I'm back bloggin...
I hope you didn't miss my blog update too much last week (joking). I was really busy both days I came into Ho because the electricity in my village was out for a whole week so I had to do a lot of typing here in the office. But I thank God cause it finally came back on Saturday!! I don't know if I have time to update you on everything that's happened since I last wrote but I'll at least tell you the as much as I can before either the internet fails, the electricity goes out, or my hand grows tired.
Last Tuesday I taught english to class 6. I was really happy that I did, because it clarify for me that if I get accepted to Teach For America (pray that I do), that I will love my job!! I might go back again tomorrow morning but I have to focus and get this application finished before Thursday so it can be finished!!
Then Friday, my Ghanaian grandmother, (I call her this because her kind heart reminds me of my grandma) had a big celebration. She is Dela's aunt but he even says she's like his 2nd mother. She had surgery and recovered so she had a three day celebration were everyone ate, danced, and praised God for her successful recovery. I can really appreciate this fact about the Ghanaian culture. They always celebrate and give thanks to God whether it's in regards to their health, the completion of a new house, or whatever. They stay thankful, it's a beautiful thing. This is one thing I know I will take as a lesson learned and put into practice as I journey back to the US.
The celebration was really nice. Her son owns the biggest hotel in our region so he's kinda a big deal. I still haven't met him yet, but I definitely spent the night at his mother's house and slept in the bed with her. You may be asking why, why did I sleep in the bed with the 80 some year old woman in her house. But Dela went to go stay with his family on night in Ho (the town I come to to use the internet) and she lives really close to him so I stayed with her. When I went to go lay on the mat on the floor she told me I could come sleep in the bed with her so I did. She is just too sweet. Well I actually don't really understand anything she says but her spirit is so kind. So Momma's party (Momma is what you call your granny in Ewe) was a big celebration with plenty of people and fun and drumming and dancing. loved it:)Oh yea, and I definitely took witness to a 4 year old taking a shot of gin. I'm absolutely not okay with this but who am I to say anything. I'll leave it at that.
Well, I loved the party until I got sick. Friday morning I was feeling a bad headache. Then my whole body was feeling extra tight and in pain, then by afternoon I had caught a fever and by 4pm my fever was up to 104. Kinda thought I was nearing death, not going to lie! To make matters worse, it was probably close to 110 degrees outside, and there was no electricity to provide me with a fan or ANYTHING cold!! Even the water from the dam was warm. I almost went to the hospital but seeing that would have entail waiting for a tro tro and then riding in a hot ass tro tro with 20 some people for 1 hour on a road that jerks your body left to right, up and down, I decided to wait on the hospital. Luckily my fever went down some before night time, but I was still hot and my room felt like a furnace. So Dela made me a bed outside and he even sat in a chair and slept out there too. It was pretty bad. But I felt fine the next morning. I'm praying it's not Malaria, cause the missionary lady told me that's a sign (the high fever coming one day and then it will leave and then a few days later return). But I'll just keep watching my health and praying.
But I need to get back to the village. The office is closing. Peace and Love.
Last Tuesday I taught english to class 6. I was really happy that I did, because it clarify for me that if I get accepted to Teach For America (pray that I do), that I will love my job!! I might go back again tomorrow morning but I have to focus and get this application finished before Thursday so it can be finished!!
Then Friday, my Ghanaian grandmother, (I call her this because her kind heart reminds me of my grandma) had a big celebration. She is Dela's aunt but he even says she's like his 2nd mother. She had surgery and recovered so she had a three day celebration were everyone ate, danced, and praised God for her successful recovery. I can really appreciate this fact about the Ghanaian culture. They always celebrate and give thanks to God whether it's in regards to their health, the completion of a new house, or whatever. They stay thankful, it's a beautiful thing. This is one thing I know I will take as a lesson learned and put into practice as I journey back to the US.
The celebration was really nice. Her son owns the biggest hotel in our region so he's kinda a big deal. I still haven't met him yet, but I definitely spent the night at his mother's house and slept in the bed with her. You may be asking why, why did I sleep in the bed with the 80 some year old woman in her house. But Dela went to go stay with his family on night in Ho (the town I come to to use the internet) and she lives really close to him so I stayed with her. When I went to go lay on the mat on the floor she told me I could come sleep in the bed with her so I did. She is just too sweet. Well I actually don't really understand anything she says but her spirit is so kind. So Momma's party (Momma is what you call your granny in Ewe) was a big celebration with plenty of people and fun and drumming and dancing. loved it:)Oh yea, and I definitely took witness to a 4 year old taking a shot of gin. I'm absolutely not okay with this but who am I to say anything. I'll leave it at that.
Well, I loved the party until I got sick. Friday morning I was feeling a bad headache. Then my whole body was feeling extra tight and in pain, then by afternoon I had caught a fever and by 4pm my fever was up to 104. Kinda thought I was nearing death, not going to lie! To make matters worse, it was probably close to 110 degrees outside, and there was no electricity to provide me with a fan or ANYTHING cold!! Even the water from the dam was warm. I almost went to the hospital but seeing that would have entail waiting for a tro tro and then riding in a hot ass tro tro with 20 some people for 1 hour on a road that jerks your body left to right, up and down, I decided to wait on the hospital. Luckily my fever went down some before night time, but I was still hot and my room felt like a furnace. So Dela made me a bed outside and he even sat in a chair and slept out there too. It was pretty bad. But I felt fine the next morning. I'm praying it's not Malaria, cause the missionary lady told me that's a sign (the high fever coming one day and then it will leave and then a few days later return). But I'll just keep watching my health and praying.
But I need to get back to the village. The office is closing. Peace and Love.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thank God for wireless internet!!!
Well I said last week that I would have more to say this week, and I do, but I'm in Accra and I need to hurry up and start my journey back to the village soon so this won't be all that detailed... Last week I finished up my 1st drafts to my TFA application (all that know me well, know that I spent hours writing it because I have A.D.D. and can't stay focused for more than 10 minutes at a time), so I'm happy to be finished with that step of the process at least. But why on Thursday after riding my bike 10 miles to town I got there and found out that the entire town had no internet service. So I met up with my German friend Guenther and his wife for a soda and got my ass back on the bike and rode 10 miles back to the village. This situation made me really, really, really, appreciate the internet in the US. Even when I left the village on Saturday to travel to Accra, I was traveling through Ho the city that I go to, to use the internet, and the internet was still out!!! Might still be out today, who knows. But I wasn't taking my chances so I just decided to use the internet in Accra before heading back.
I came to Accra this weekend to go to Dr. Mensa Otabil's church. He is a pastor here in Accra, Ghana and he and my pastor in the US are friends. Dr. Otabil came to my church before in America and my pastor comes out here I think once a year to preach at Dr. Otabil's church. But I'm really happy I made the journey because he is an amazing preacher! I'm going to try and come back at least one more time to his church but maybe even 2 more times. But I somewhat hate traveling to Accra because the drivers here are crazy!!! It was too funny coming here because I was in a big van and the driver was going soooo fast and whipping around corners, and driving like he was in a race. I was a little scared for my life, I had to say a prayer. But the funny part was when both me and the other white person reached to put on our seatbelts. All the other passengers I don't even think notice his crazy driving, but the white people (me and the other girl) were all nervous (LOL).
Okay that is where I'll leave off today. I might get to the internet on Thursday (if it's working). But otherwise God Bless you and I'll check in later!
I came to Accra this weekend to go to Dr. Mensa Otabil's church. He is a pastor here in Accra, Ghana and he and my pastor in the US are friends. Dr. Otabil came to my church before in America and my pastor comes out here I think once a year to preach at Dr. Otabil's church. But I'm really happy I made the journey because he is an amazing preacher! I'm going to try and come back at least one more time to his church but maybe even 2 more times. But I somewhat hate traveling to Accra because the drivers here are crazy!!! It was too funny coming here because I was in a big van and the driver was going soooo fast and whipping around corners, and driving like he was in a race. I was a little scared for my life, I had to say a prayer. But the funny part was when both me and the other white person reached to put on our seatbelts. All the other passengers I don't even think notice his crazy driving, but the white people (me and the other girl) were all nervous (LOL).
Okay that is where I'll leave off today. I might get to the internet on Thursday (if it's working). But otherwise God Bless you and I'll check in later!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Quick update from Ghana
So basically this is going to be a very short blog because I didn't have anytime since last Monday to write anything before I came here to Ho and I have a lot to do in the town today. Last week the kids went back to school so things have been a little quieter. Although Francis, my 7 year old neighbor didn't go to school last week for whatever reason so he kept me company, and the sad thing is, he probably learned way more staying at home sitting around the house with me then if he had gone to school. The school in our village is a joke. THe kids spend half the time fetching water and weeding the grass. A 13 year old boy that comes over every night to learn can't even spell Ghana and he goes to school everyday. So everynight I sit on the porch and any kids that come over, we sit and I teach them math and english. There's at least 4 or 5 kids everynight there waiting for me when the sun sets.
Last week I spent most my time working on this dang ol' Teach For America letter of intent and essay and i'm hoping to be finished with the 1st drafts by this Thursday. Other than that, just observing, learning, growing, being thankful, and loving life. Next week I will have more to write, but until then I'm out of time and words. I will close with saying that I'm a little sad I'm missing the big historical day tomorrow but I'm so excited that when I come home that Bush will be out and Obama will be in!!!! YAY OBAMA!!!!!
Last week I spent most my time working on this dang ol' Teach For America letter of intent and essay and i'm hoping to be finished with the 1st drafts by this Thursday. Other than that, just observing, learning, growing, being thankful, and loving life. Next week I will have more to write, but until then I'm out of time and words. I will close with saying that I'm a little sad I'm missing the big historical day tomorrow but I'm so excited that when I come home that Bush will be out and Obama will be in!!!! YAY OBAMA!!!!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
If you though this experience would change me to like manual labor, you thought wrong (LOL)
I am at my half way mark!! Wow, it's going by incredibly fast. Last week I didn't do too much of anything. One day I went with Dela to paint someone's house. I didn't mind the work so much but the fumes were getting to me a little. My eyes were burning and my nose was running. I thought, this can't be a good sign (lol). So when Dela informed me that we'd be coming back to finish the rest of the house (total of like 5 or 6 days) I had to let him know I didn't know if I was down with it. I am trying to be as open to everything as possible but when I feel like paint fumes are poisoning my body... nah, I'm okay. Then another day he went to harvest some corn and he told me he would come and get me when he needed my help, and sorry if this is going to sound bad but I was really happy that time never came. I really don't like manual labor, and no experience will change that. It's just not how God made me. If anything I've become more willing to help people do it and not complain, but I still dislike it... strongly.
On Wednesday night, Dela put me on the schedule to be the speaker for our bible study class. Although I don't really like speaking to groups of people, it definitely helps that the people I'm speaking to don't understand me that well (if at all). Dela just interpreted for me, so I figured even if I messed up or was sounding bad, he would just make it sound better when he translated it to them. So it was fine. Although, I was suppose to speak for an hour and I think it was maybe 30 minutes. But I think most people were actually happy about that.
One thing that is really interesting about my experience here is that I'm always with Dela, so I feel like I'm understanding everything more so from a man's point of view. For example, last Sunday evening the bible study class came over and all the women cooked. Since I don't really know how to cook what they were cooking and most of the women don't speak English, I just kinda sat back and watched them. Then, when some of the food was finished, the women served the men and as the men ate the women finished cooking their food. Dela invited me to eat with all the men so it was one bowl of fufu, 6 men, and me eating together. There was one bowl because like most things in the village, things are communal, even the way they eat. I don't think that I've ever seen someone eating by themselves in their home. Anyways, by the time the women started eating, they barely had any food, cause the men ate most the food. I felt bad and awkward in this situation because here I am a woman, but receiving "the rights" of a man. I wish I could understand better how it is to live as a woman here in the village. But the only way I can understand this is by observing, although my observation is limited as well, seeing that I don't speak the language and I'm not around the woman as often as I am the men. I ask Dela a lot of questions concerning how the women live and what their role is, but this is a man's point of view. Sometimes I get a sense of how it is to be a woman here from the things people (mostly men) say to me. But because I'm a foreigner, volunteering in this village, I know that they treat me different then what they treat the women of the village.
So, not a lot to tell. Just busy trying to work on these proposals for my committee and trying to get this application for Teach for America finished. Hope all is well back in the U.S. I'm a little sad I'm missing the inauguration of our new President next week but when I get back to America I'll try and watch it then, cause I know trying to watch it here is going to be way too difficult. Talk to ya'll later.
On Wednesday night, Dela put me on the schedule to be the speaker for our bible study class. Although I don't really like speaking to groups of people, it definitely helps that the people I'm speaking to don't understand me that well (if at all). Dela just interpreted for me, so I figured even if I messed up or was sounding bad, he would just make it sound better when he translated it to them. So it was fine. Although, I was suppose to speak for an hour and I think it was maybe 30 minutes. But I think most people were actually happy about that.
One thing that is really interesting about my experience here is that I'm always with Dela, so I feel like I'm understanding everything more so from a man's point of view. For example, last Sunday evening the bible study class came over and all the women cooked. Since I don't really know how to cook what they were cooking and most of the women don't speak English, I just kinda sat back and watched them. Then, when some of the food was finished, the women served the men and as the men ate the women finished cooking their food. Dela invited me to eat with all the men so it was one bowl of fufu, 6 men, and me eating together. There was one bowl because like most things in the village, things are communal, even the way they eat. I don't think that I've ever seen someone eating by themselves in their home. Anyways, by the time the women started eating, they barely had any food, cause the men ate most the food. I felt bad and awkward in this situation because here I am a woman, but receiving "the rights" of a man. I wish I could understand better how it is to live as a woman here in the village. But the only way I can understand this is by observing, although my observation is limited as well, seeing that I don't speak the language and I'm not around the woman as often as I am the men. I ask Dela a lot of questions concerning how the women live and what their role is, but this is a man's point of view. Sometimes I get a sense of how it is to be a woman here from the things people (mostly men) say to me. But because I'm a foreigner, volunteering in this village, I know that they treat me different then what they treat the women of the village.
So, not a lot to tell. Just busy trying to work on these proposals for my committee and trying to get this application for Teach for America finished. Hope all is well back in the U.S. I'm a little sad I'm missing the inauguration of our new President next week but when I get back to America I'll try and watch it then, cause I know trying to watch it here is going to be way too difficult. Talk to ya'll later.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy 2009 everyone!!! As the new year approached, I thought of all that God has blessed me with throughout this year: each day in 2008 I woke up to see another day (365 blessing right there), I graduated (finally) from the University of Minnesota, I have traveled to safely to Africa where I’m learning and growing so much, and I have been blessed with the presents of amazing family and friends. So as I enter into this New Year I anticipate great things because God is good.
So on New Year's Eve I we went to church from 10pm to about 12:30am. It was mostly singing and dancing and giving thanks to God for bringing us safely into the New Year. The highlight of that night for me was when this man who is the father of one of my favorite kids in the village (Francis) stood up, walked to the front of the church, and gave the leaders of the church money to dance. He called them out in front of the members of the church and said “you never dance, so we want to see you dance!” He was definitely intoxicated and it was too funny. So the drummers started playing their drums and the leaders got up and danced along with the drunk man. When they were finished dancing one of the leaders said to the man, who had went back to his seat in the back of the church, “You said that you never see us dancing in church, but we never see you coming to the church?!” Everyone was laughing cause they know the man and they know he is what you might call a town drunk or I guess village drunk. So that was New Year's Eve for me. Out of the 3 holidays I spent here, for some reason I was missing my family and friends this day more than any of the others. But at the same time I felt very fortunate and happy to be in Ghana, in my village, with my people.
On New Year's Eve Day, me and Fo Dela went to Ho to do some things. When I was in the internet cafe, I saw my German friend Guenther who I forgot to tell you about in my previous blogs. He is this older man (probably like 60 or something) from Germany that has been doing work in Ghana and all over the world the last 40 years. I met him in a tro-tro coming back from Accra to Ho last month. He lives in Germany, but he and his wife have a home in Ho also (his wife is a native of Ho). He's just one of those people in this world that know all the right people and can connect you to a lot opportunity. Plus he is very nice and his stories are very interesting to listen to. So, after seeing him in the internet cafe he invited me to come have a soda with him and his wife. So we all just sat around and talked for a while. Also, before Christmas, me and Fo Dela met him for sodas and he brought me a birthday present. He gave me a book and a post card to send to my great grandmother. The reason being (for the postcard), when we were in the tro tro I was telling him that I had some German roots. He asked me if anyone in my family still spoke German and I told him that my great grandmother who is 105 is the last person I know that knew any German (although I said I was unsure of how much she knew anymore). So, on the post card he wrote a short message to her in German for me to send to her. I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful. Sometimes when I take a moment to pause and reflect about my time here, I just think about the experiences I'm having and the people I'm meeting that I would never have met otherwise. So I am very thankful.
Next point of discussion… Presidential Elections! Thinking that once my man Barack won, and I left America that the election season was over and no more campaigns... WRONG. I get to Ghana and they're Presidential election is still going. Voting was on December 7th but because no one got 50% + 1 vote, they had to have a 2nd vote with just the two main parties going head to head. So finally on December 28th they had a 2nd vote. As the votes were coming in it was looking very close, yet one party was leading by maybe .7%. So on Monday, people had already started celebrating the leading party's victory. The taxis were driving down the road waving the NDC flag and honking their horns, people were parading in the streets and stopping traffic and it was just a big celebration. Here I am thinking that FINALLY elections are over. Tuesday night however, they announced to the country that an entire region (about 20,000 people) didn't vote on the 28th of December because the supplies needed for the polling stations didn't get delivered. (The corrupt government at it's finest. Sort of reminds me of a situation we had years back in America). So then they announced that the region would vote Friday so they could declare an official winner by Saturday. So THANK GOD, Saturday about 11am, the announcement came on over the TVs and radios that NDC (similar to the democrats) won. Everyone in my village, minus 4, was for the NDC, so you can imagine it was a huge celebration. They had a bonfire, people parading up and town the street, people covered in baby powder (a sign of victory), people carrying coffins with R.I.P. NPP (the losing party), the kids dragging a wooden elephant down the road beating it with a stick (NPP's symbol), laughter, dancing, drumming, and it was just excitement and happiness everywhere. And for those 4 people whose party lost, it was too funny. All the people in the village were making fun of them and just giving them a hard time.
I could go on and tell more but I think I'm getting to a spot where most of my friends and family's are losing their attention (you know who you are, lol). Let me just say this in closing out... It is hard to believe that I've been here almost 2 months now (half way mark). I'm actually getting sad that it's going by so quick. I feel like I still have a LOT of things I want to accomplish while I'm here so please just pray for me that God gives me the resources and the ability to complete everything. I’m currently working on 3 proposals, researching funders, trying to devise a plan to get our road fixed, and also in the beginning stages of creating a new project to open up a youth center in my village (my goal is to open it in the summer of 2010). So as you can see my plate is full. So thank you for all your prayers and I just ask that you continue to pray for me, as I will continue to pray for all of you. Until next time, I’m out.
So on New Year's Eve I we went to church from 10pm to about 12:30am. It was mostly singing and dancing and giving thanks to God for bringing us safely into the New Year. The highlight of that night for me was when this man who is the father of one of my favorite kids in the village (Francis) stood up, walked to the front of the church, and gave the leaders of the church money to dance. He called them out in front of the members of the church and said “you never dance, so we want to see you dance!” He was definitely intoxicated and it was too funny. So the drummers started playing their drums and the leaders got up and danced along with the drunk man. When they were finished dancing one of the leaders said to the man, who had went back to his seat in the back of the church, “You said that you never see us dancing in church, but we never see you coming to the church?!” Everyone was laughing cause they know the man and they know he is what you might call a town drunk or I guess village drunk. So that was New Year's Eve for me. Out of the 3 holidays I spent here, for some reason I was missing my family and friends this day more than any of the others. But at the same time I felt very fortunate and happy to be in Ghana, in my village, with my people.
On New Year's Eve Day, me and Fo Dela went to Ho to do some things. When I was in the internet cafe, I saw my German friend Guenther who I forgot to tell you about in my previous blogs. He is this older man (probably like 60 or something) from Germany that has been doing work in Ghana and all over the world the last 40 years. I met him in a tro-tro coming back from Accra to Ho last month. He lives in Germany, but he and his wife have a home in Ho also (his wife is a native of Ho). He's just one of those people in this world that know all the right people and can connect you to a lot opportunity. Plus he is very nice and his stories are very interesting to listen to. So, after seeing him in the internet cafe he invited me to come have a soda with him and his wife. So we all just sat around and talked for a while. Also, before Christmas, me and Fo Dela met him for sodas and he brought me a birthday present. He gave me a book and a post card to send to my great grandmother. The reason being (for the postcard), when we were in the tro tro I was telling him that I had some German roots. He asked me if anyone in my family still spoke German and I told him that my great grandmother who is 105 is the last person I know that knew any German (although I said I was unsure of how much she knew anymore). So, on the post card he wrote a short message to her in German for me to send to her. I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful. Sometimes when I take a moment to pause and reflect about my time here, I just think about the experiences I'm having and the people I'm meeting that I would never have met otherwise. So I am very thankful.
Next point of discussion… Presidential Elections! Thinking that once my man Barack won, and I left America that the election season was over and no more campaigns... WRONG. I get to Ghana and they're Presidential election is still going. Voting was on December 7th but because no one got 50% + 1 vote, they had to have a 2nd vote with just the two main parties going head to head. So finally on December 28th they had a 2nd vote. As the votes were coming in it was looking very close, yet one party was leading by maybe .7%. So on Monday, people had already started celebrating the leading party's victory. The taxis were driving down the road waving the NDC flag and honking their horns, people were parading in the streets and stopping traffic and it was just a big celebration. Here I am thinking that FINALLY elections are over. Tuesday night however, they announced to the country that an entire region (about 20,000 people) didn't vote on the 28th of December because the supplies needed for the polling stations didn't get delivered. (The corrupt government at it's finest. Sort of reminds me of a situation we had years back in America). So then they announced that the region would vote Friday so they could declare an official winner by Saturday. So THANK GOD, Saturday about 11am, the announcement came on over the TVs and radios that NDC (similar to the democrats) won. Everyone in my village, minus 4, was for the NDC, so you can imagine it was a huge celebration. They had a bonfire, people parading up and town the street, people covered in baby powder (a sign of victory), people carrying coffins with R.I.P. NPP (the losing party), the kids dragging a wooden elephant down the road beating it with a stick (NPP's symbol), laughter, dancing, drumming, and it was just excitement and happiness everywhere. And for those 4 people whose party lost, it was too funny. All the people in the village were making fun of them and just giving them a hard time.
I could go on and tell more but I think I'm getting to a spot where most of my friends and family's are losing their attention (you know who you are, lol). Let me just say this in closing out... It is hard to believe that I've been here almost 2 months now (half way mark). I'm actually getting sad that it's going by so quick. I feel like I still have a LOT of things I want to accomplish while I'm here so please just pray for me that God gives me the resources and the ability to complete everything. I’m currently working on 3 proposals, researching funders, trying to devise a plan to get our road fixed, and also in the beginning stages of creating a new project to open up a youth center in my village (my goal is to open it in the summer of 2010). So as you can see my plate is full. So thank you for all your prayers and I just ask that you continue to pray for me, as I will continue to pray for all of you. Until next time, I’m out.
Monday, December 29, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
I hope everyone had a good Christmas! As for me I enjoyed my Christmas in the village. On Christmas Eve I went to the Missionary family's house for dinner. They had croissants filled with turkey and turkey gravy drizzled on the top, and then cooked carrots. Not gonna lie, my taste buds were really happy and partially in shock as they were reintroduced to seasoning and yummy gravy. Being at their house, it felt a little more like Christmas because they had a Christmas tree up, but as soon as I stepped back outside into the heat I was back to feeling like it was summer time. Celebrating Christmas with no snow on the ground is the strangest feeling. If it was up to me, I would live in the warm sun everyday of the year with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I do not miss the cold, that's for sure!
After dinner I left their house, and went with Fo Dela to church service. It was suppose to start at 7 and I'm pretty sure it was about 8:30 when we actually started. No, no... we weren't misinformed of the time, but in the village if someone says 5 that translates to 5:30 or 6. So basically I think that I've been reunited with my people (lol). Joking, but I always tell Dela that being on time is not my thing either.
Christmas morning I woke up and I cooked 4 loaves of bread worth of french toast for some of the people in the village. Mary and Eunice helped me (they are the two woman that cook for me). Everyone really liked it a lot, so I was happy. Cause, dang that would have been bad if I served all those people some food that they thought was nasty. After I cooked, we went to church for Christmas service. One thing about the church I go to is that they be jammin! They have the drums and some other instruments and it just moves your spirit. It's really nice.
After praising the Lord, me and Fo Dela went around and greeted a lot of people just wishing them a Merry Christmas. One of the preachers in the village invited us to come eat dinner with him and his family so we went over there and ate. We had rice with pepper sauce, beans, and something similar to coleslaw. They kept insisting "eat more, eat more" so I was so full when I left. I also talked to my family on Christmas and it was so nice to here everyones' voice and it put a BIG smile on my face. (Love you family!!) So that was Christmas in the villlage. Everyone cooks and eats and shares with their family and neighbors. No gifts, no Santa Clause, just unity and celebration of Christ's birth.
On Friday and Saturday, our bible study group fasted from 6 am to 12pm (not so much fasting but kinda). During this time, we went to the church to sing, pray, and also hear the Word preached. At first I didn't really want to do it, cause I was like "I went to church Monday Wednesday and Thursday" and I just felt like it was overload, but when I completed the fasting I was really happy I had gone and done it. It was long but it was really powerful. So that was Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, was voting day. They had to do a second vote because none of the parties had 50% + 1. Fo Dela didn't even try and get out of it this time cause he knows I would lecture him (lol). So, today we are just waiting for the results to come to see who will be the next President.
Okay my people, I'm out of words. I hope that everyone has a safe and fun New Year's. Whatever changes you need to make in your life, let 2009 be the year to do it. Don't wait, don't resitate, live your life to it's full potential and with no regrets. So until next year, peace and love.
After dinner I left their house, and went with Fo Dela to church service. It was suppose to start at 7 and I'm pretty sure it was about 8:30 when we actually started. No, no... we weren't misinformed of the time, but in the village if someone says 5 that translates to 5:30 or 6. So basically I think that I've been reunited with my people (lol). Joking, but I always tell Dela that being on time is not my thing either.
Christmas morning I woke up and I cooked 4 loaves of bread worth of french toast for some of the people in the village. Mary and Eunice helped me (they are the two woman that cook for me). Everyone really liked it a lot, so I was happy. Cause, dang that would have been bad if I served all those people some food that they thought was nasty. After I cooked, we went to church for Christmas service. One thing about the church I go to is that they be jammin! They have the drums and some other instruments and it just moves your spirit. It's really nice.
After praising the Lord, me and Fo Dela went around and greeted a lot of people just wishing them a Merry Christmas. One of the preachers in the village invited us to come eat dinner with him and his family so we went over there and ate. We had rice with pepper sauce, beans, and something similar to coleslaw. They kept insisting "eat more, eat more" so I was so full when I left. I also talked to my family on Christmas and it was so nice to here everyones' voice and it put a BIG smile on my face. (Love you family!!) So that was Christmas in the villlage. Everyone cooks and eats and shares with their family and neighbors. No gifts, no Santa Clause, just unity and celebration of Christ's birth.
On Friday and Saturday, our bible study group fasted from 6 am to 12pm (not so much fasting but kinda). During this time, we went to the church to sing, pray, and also hear the Word preached. At first I didn't really want to do it, cause I was like "I went to church Monday Wednesday and Thursday" and I just felt like it was overload, but when I completed the fasting I was really happy I had gone and done it. It was long but it was really powerful. So that was Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, was voting day. They had to do a second vote because none of the parties had 50% + 1. Fo Dela didn't even try and get out of it this time cause he knows I would lecture him (lol). So, today we are just waiting for the results to come to see who will be the next President.
Okay my people, I'm out of words. I hope that everyone has a safe and fun New Year's. Whatever changes you need to make in your life, let 2009 be the year to do it. Don't wait, don't resitate, live your life to it's full potential and with no regrets. So until next year, peace and love.
Monday, December 22, 2008
My Birthday week... Amazing!
My birthday was like no other I've had before. Although the Tro Tro caused my pretty birthday cake a few dents, it was still a nice celebration. I'm not gonna lie though, my little birthday girl spoiled self was so irritated at first that my cake wasn't perfect but then I was like Laura check yourself! "Does it really matter?" Then I was fine. About 25 people from the village came over and countless number of children. They prayed for me and my 24 years on this earth and then they all sang me Happy Birthday. We didn't have any plates so you know, I just cut the cake and placed it in my hands to theirs. It was fine :) Everyone was really happy that I decided to celebrate my birthday with them and Fo Dela 's uncle even gave me 5 Ghana Cedi's which is basically 5 dollars, which for most people here is a days salary. So I was really happy that I decided to celebrate my birthday with my village "family". Then there was 3 boys from California that came through our village that night to climb the mountain and spend the night so they joined in the celebration. Two of them were studying in Ghana for the year and one was studying in London and had just came to visit them for a couple weeks. They invited me to join them play a dice game and so we just sat and played the game and talked. So that was my "BIG" bday celebration in Ghana.
The next day I woke up at dawn to run my 3 miles. So far i'm sticking to my goal of doing it every other day. After running and eating breakfast we went to the church to help lay cement. Everyone thinks it's so funny but so great to see me joining in the work. I was carrying sand and rock and water on my head from point A to point B. I'm actually getting pretty good at not spilling anything and I can almost balance the big bucket using no hands. The men shoveling the sand and rocks into my bucket kept trying to put just a little in the bucket and I kept telling them "do you think I'm weak? Put the same amount as the other woman have." They just laughed. Fo Dela kept saying "are you okay?" I was like "I'm fine, my dad had me doing this manual labor stuff my whole life" (lol) Although I complained the majority of the time but thanks dad for preparing me for life in the village.
So Friday was the last day of school for everyone in the village, so the high school threw this community event in the evening. I would say half the H.S. students are above 18, and the reason is because in Ghana you have to pay to go to High School and most families can't afford to send their children so they go when they are adults and can pay on their own way. Anyways, so the H.S. students walked from the begging of our village to the end and back to the Primary School's campus (probably a mile and a half total) singing Christmas songs and playing the drums. Everyone from the village came and met at the campus and their was dancing and singing and drumming the first half. Then for the second half some students read bible verses and then their was a few people from the village (mostly teachers) that gave speeches. Oh, don't worry I was informed about 10 minutes before, that I would be giving the closing speech to the community (200-300 people) on the importance of education. Not only do I fear public speaking more than ANYTHING!! But to make the situation even more horrifying was the fact I had 10 minutes to prepare a speech in my head. I was thinking how am I gonna get out of this one. Finally I realized that I wasn't so that I might as well take a deep breath, pray, and go make a fool of myself. I don't really remember what I said, I just kinda went up to the microphone and opened my mouth and then after a few minutes when no words came out anymore, I said "that's all". It was definitely the most horrifying public speaking I've ever had to do, but maybe it will help me get over my fear.
Then Saturday morning after our 3 mile run, Fo Dela had me go to his farm to help him harvest. I told him on the way there that I know God does everything with a purpose and I'm really happy that he made me a city woman and not a farm woman. He was laughing so hard. When we got to the farm he was like "come on city woman". I don't really know how much help I was to him, I just followed him around the corn field holding the bucket as he picked all the corn. Farming... definitely not my thing.
Okay so that was pretty much my birthday week. Now that it's Christmas week I'm preparing for that. Instead of buying everyone individual gifts, I'm getting some bread and eggs today, and on Christmas morning I'm going to cook French toast for like 20 people. They liked it a lot last time Sarah and I made it, and it's simple enough so that's my plan. Wish me luck getting the eggs all home in one piece (I'm carrying them in my back pack, riding bike from the town to the village.)
Well, Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you all enjoy the holiday with the ones you love. Even though I will be absent from my family this year, I feel so blessed to be celebrating it with people who I adore and love so much. Be safe and much love and peace to everyone. Love ya!
The next day I woke up at dawn to run my 3 miles. So far i'm sticking to my goal of doing it every other day. After running and eating breakfast we went to the church to help lay cement. Everyone thinks it's so funny but so great to see me joining in the work. I was carrying sand and rock and water on my head from point A to point B. I'm actually getting pretty good at not spilling anything and I can almost balance the big bucket using no hands. The men shoveling the sand and rocks into my bucket kept trying to put just a little in the bucket and I kept telling them "do you think I'm weak? Put the same amount as the other woman have." They just laughed. Fo Dela kept saying "are you okay?" I was like "I'm fine, my dad had me doing this manual labor stuff my whole life" (lol) Although I complained the majority of the time but thanks dad for preparing me for life in the village.
So Friday was the last day of school for everyone in the village, so the high school threw this community event in the evening. I would say half the H.S. students are above 18, and the reason is because in Ghana you have to pay to go to High School and most families can't afford to send their children so they go when they are adults and can pay on their own way. Anyways, so the H.S. students walked from the begging of our village to the end and back to the Primary School's campus (probably a mile and a half total) singing Christmas songs and playing the drums. Everyone from the village came and met at the campus and their was dancing and singing and drumming the first half. Then for the second half some students read bible verses and then their was a few people from the village (mostly teachers) that gave speeches. Oh, don't worry I was informed about 10 minutes before, that I would be giving the closing speech to the community (200-300 people) on the importance of education. Not only do I fear public speaking more than ANYTHING!! But to make the situation even more horrifying was the fact I had 10 minutes to prepare a speech in my head. I was thinking how am I gonna get out of this one. Finally I realized that I wasn't so that I might as well take a deep breath, pray, and go make a fool of myself. I don't really remember what I said, I just kinda went up to the microphone and opened my mouth and then after a few minutes when no words came out anymore, I said "that's all". It was definitely the most horrifying public speaking I've ever had to do, but maybe it will help me get over my fear.
Then Saturday morning after our 3 mile run, Fo Dela had me go to his farm to help him harvest. I told him on the way there that I know God does everything with a purpose and I'm really happy that he made me a city woman and not a farm woman. He was laughing so hard. When we got to the farm he was like "come on city woman". I don't really know how much help I was to him, I just followed him around the corn field holding the bucket as he picked all the corn. Farming... definitely not my thing.
Okay so that was pretty much my birthday week. Now that it's Christmas week I'm preparing for that. Instead of buying everyone individual gifts, I'm getting some bread and eggs today, and on Christmas morning I'm going to cook French toast for like 20 people. They liked it a lot last time Sarah and I made it, and it's simple enough so that's my plan. Wish me luck getting the eggs all home in one piece (I'm carrying them in my back pack, riding bike from the town to the village.)
Well, Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you all enjoy the holiday with the ones you love. Even though I will be absent from my family this year, I feel so blessed to be celebrating it with people who I adore and love so much. Be safe and much love and peace to everyone. Love ya!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Hi Everyone. Usually I have something typed before I come to the town to use the internet but I'm just gonna try and write something off the top of my head today since I didn't get a chance to type anything in the village. So in advance, forgive me for any spelling and grammar errors, and also randomness.
So tomorrow is the big day! lol. You know I like to think of my B-day as the biggest day of the year. I'm kidding (kind of). But all that I've planned is having some people in the village come over for cake. I found cake, probably the most expensive birthday cake ever, but I have to have a cake and somewhat of a celebration. I even managed to find birthday candles that were also very expensive but whatever. So that's my BIG plans.
I forgot to mention in my last blog that my committee and I passed out 300 new uniforms and shoes some of the orphans in our community last Friday. They do this every 2 years so I just happened to come at the perfect time. It was really nice to see all the kids recieve these uniforms and shoes cause for them it means they are able to continue going to school. My main mission while I'm here in Ghana is finding funders for this committee so that they can continue with this project, expand on this project, and create new projects. There are so many children that aren't in school here either because they don't have money for uniforms (which are manditory) or they don't have the money to pay school fees. So I'm really going to try my hardest to do all that I can. If you have any ideas please shoot me an email and let me know. The committee I'm working with is wonderful and they are really trying hard to give kids from their community a chance to have an education and to have an opportunity. I pray almost everyday that God gives me the tools that I need and the wisdom I need to make some sort of impact while I'm here. So that's were i'm at in terms of my work here.
The election here in Ghana ended up being a run off, so come December 28th there will be a second vote. But everything seemed to be quite peaceful so I'm thankful for that.
My Ewe is getting better each day. The people in the village love that i'm learning their language.
I've been waking up every other morning at dawn (5:30) for a 3 mile jog with Fo Dela. It was my idea but he seemed to be happy I suggested it. You know I got to get my workout on.
Oh, I almost forgot... On Friday at my committee meeting, they told me to come to the church the following day at 4pm. They said it was a suprise. So when I arrived they were there to give me a welcome ceremony. It was a bit of a late welcome ceremony but it was really nice and thoughtful. They presented me with a bracelet with beads made in the village I live. They prayed over the beads and tied it on my wrist for me. And then they just spoke a few words of thank you to me, and I gave a small thank you speech as well. It was really sweet.
I can't really think if there is anything else I should tell you but I'll be here in town again Thursday so if I left out anything I'll add it then.
Happy Holidays everyone. Celebrate life, and appreciate all that you have. When you think that you're day is going bad, remember all that is going right. Each day wake up and be thankful to see another day. I'm out.
So tomorrow is the big day! lol. You know I like to think of my B-day as the biggest day of the year. I'm kidding (kind of). But all that I've planned is having some people in the village come over for cake. I found cake, probably the most expensive birthday cake ever, but I have to have a cake and somewhat of a celebration. I even managed to find birthday candles that were also very expensive but whatever. So that's my BIG plans.
I forgot to mention in my last blog that my committee and I passed out 300 new uniforms and shoes some of the orphans in our community last Friday. They do this every 2 years so I just happened to come at the perfect time. It was really nice to see all the kids recieve these uniforms and shoes cause for them it means they are able to continue going to school. My main mission while I'm here in Ghana is finding funders for this committee so that they can continue with this project, expand on this project, and create new projects. There are so many children that aren't in school here either because they don't have money for uniforms (which are manditory) or they don't have the money to pay school fees. So I'm really going to try my hardest to do all that I can. If you have any ideas please shoot me an email and let me know. The committee I'm working with is wonderful and they are really trying hard to give kids from their community a chance to have an education and to have an opportunity. I pray almost everyday that God gives me the tools that I need and the wisdom I need to make some sort of impact while I'm here. So that's were i'm at in terms of my work here.
The election here in Ghana ended up being a run off, so come December 28th there will be a second vote. But everything seemed to be quite peaceful so I'm thankful for that.
My Ewe is getting better each day. The people in the village love that i'm learning their language.
I've been waking up every other morning at dawn (5:30) for a 3 mile jog with Fo Dela. It was my idea but he seemed to be happy I suggested it. You know I got to get my workout on.
Oh, I almost forgot... On Friday at my committee meeting, they told me to come to the church the following day at 4pm. They said it was a suprise. So when I arrived they were there to give me a welcome ceremony. It was a bit of a late welcome ceremony but it was really nice and thoughtful. They presented me with a bracelet with beads made in the village I live. They prayed over the beads and tied it on my wrist for me. And then they just spoke a few words of thank you to me, and I gave a small thank you speech as well. It was really sweet.
I can't really think if there is anything else I should tell you but I'll be here in town again Thursday so if I left out anything I'll add it then.
Happy Holidays everyone. Celebrate life, and appreciate all that you have. When you think that you're day is going bad, remember all that is going right. Each day wake up and be thankful to see another day. I'm out.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Traveling in Ghana
December 5th, 2008
It doesn't seem like I've been in
But anyways... We went to the slave castle in
On Monday we went to the ocean in
December 7th, 2008
Today I went to a funeral with Dela. It’s kinda similar to one in the
Also, today was voting day. It was exciting to be here during their election, just to see how it's done in other countries. One thing I thought was real nice is that last night our village had a gathering at sun down. It was to pray for a safe election. It was probably between 200 and 300 people there and it was just really nice to see community coming together like that even though they weren't all voting for the same party. Dela almost didn't vote, but after I lectured him several times, he finally decided to go and rock the vote!
Each day I'm seeing new things, observing, and learning. The conversations I have with people everyday are helping me to broaden my thoughts and how I see the world. The relationships I am making are allowing me to embrace and love people that much more. I feel myself transforming into a stronger person and a better person and I know that this is all part of God's plan for me.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25th, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
A day in the life of a Ghanian
November 20th, 2008
Things that I've seen in Ghana that I've never seen before:
· People walking down the main roads with machetes in their hand and nobody scared for their life.
· People asking the tro-tro driver to stop so they can squat real quick, in viewing distance for all to see.
· Numerous of exposed breasts (old women walking around with them saggin low or a nursing mother whippin out a nipple for her child to eat from anywhere, anytime).
· Goats stealing children's afternoon snacks (peanuts), resulting in the child chasing them with a stick shouting in Ewe.
· Riding in public transportation with living chickens sitting in the back and goats tied to the roof.
· A man selling aloe lotion, a toothbrush, a new testiment bible (purse size), matches, a pen, and a pencil all in one package deal for one Ghana Cedi (close to $1.00 in America), and people taking him serious; not looking at him like he's a crack head...
Hello all! I'm loving Ghana, and I wanted to share with you a list of things that I've seen that I find to be humorous in comparison to our American living. So that is the reason for the list.
Anyway...yesterday was a fun but long day. We went to Vli Falls which is a waterfall like 3 hours away from our village but worth the trip. Oh, and 'we' meaning me, Sarah, and Dela. We took a Tro-Tro into town. I don't know if you ever get use to the Tro-Tro. I was squished between people and sacks of coal. I felt like I might pass out from lack of air to breath and I also couldn't stop myself from thinking of what my escape plan would be if the tro-tro tipped over. The road is so bad and the tro-tro tips super far from the left to the right as it drives down the road. I just have to shut my eyes sometimes and think of happy thoughts lol. But when we got to Ho, we got on a 15 passenger van (the best 2 hours ever in a car seeing that I hadn't felt cold air for almost 2 weeks and it felt so good). When we got to the village, we had to take a cab to the Falls which was about another 20 or 30 minutes. Traveling here is tiring to say the least. After a small hike we were at the falls. It was so beautiful! The water was nice and cold so we wade in it for a while. It was pretty nasty though when Sarah pointed out the thousands of bats posted up high by the waterfall. But other than the bats being there it might have been the most beautiful place I've ever been.
When we got to Ho (the town that I come to once a week) it was dark out and we almost didn't catch a tro-tro back to the village. We ended up having to pay a cab driver 10 Cedis total (basically $10) to take us into the village. It really isn't a lot at all compared to the cost of a cab in the U.S. But here, the cabs to the village would normally be 1 cedi each. So after a long bumpy ride we made it home.
Today was my first time washing my clothes which I have to give these woman a lot of props for and anyone reading this blog that has ever had to do it. Washing by hand (in the hot sun) is no joke! The two ladies that cook all our food helped me wash my clothes and it seemed to take forever. I wish I could just wear the same thing for like a whole week so I didn't have to wash so much stuff but since there's dirt/sand everywhere and kids everywhere I get dirty so quick. So I guess I'll just be really good at washing by hand by the end of my time here.
After I washed my clothes, Me and Sarah cooked lunch for Dela and are caretakers Mary and Eunice. We cooked French Toast with honey and pineapple. We were going to make it for breakfast but we decided since we've been having to get up and do things somewhat early, that we would “sleep in” and make it for lunch instead. Oh yea and I love that the one day I have a chance to sleep in I wake up at 5:15 and couldn't fall back asleep. But anyways, the lunch was really good and they liked it a lot. The honey was made in the village by a bee farmer and it was amazing and the pineapple we bought at the market yesterday and it was also amazing and I might just buy them all the time seeing that they are like .20 cents.
So life in the village is good and more and more I have appreciation for things such as wash machines, safe public transportation, and toilets. If I don't post another blog before Thanksgiving I hope everyone enjoys the holiday and eats a little extra turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing, greens, corn, and pie, for me! And also I really love and appreciate all the comments from everyone. They really make me smile! Love ya all!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Mountain climbing in Ghana
November 15th, 2008
Life in the village
November 12th, 2008
Today is Wednesday and I'm a few days into my stay here. So far (and I say this with my fingers crossed that I'm not jinxing my luck) I have not gotten sick or home sick for that matter. Although yesterday my two caretakers Mary and Eunice thought that I was sick because I slept until 8am. Here in the village people fall asleep around 9pm and wake around 6am. But this morning I woke up around 6am, ate some breakfast (oatmeal) and me, the other volunteer Sarah, and Dela (our counterpart) rode bike into the town of Ho. It took us around 1 ½ hours to do this and was so exhausting, but I was happy to get my workout on. Plus, it was such a beautiful day and I just soaked it all in and felt so blessed to be where I am. When we got to town we went to the internet cafe, where I sat and wrote a posting for my blog and right as I was finishing up, the electricity went out. Sarah was like “Welcome to Ghana”. So I'm on my second attempt at writing this blog. We have a old ass computer in the village in Sarah's room so she said that I should just start typing out my blogs here, save them to a flash drive, and bring them with me to the internet cafe; so thats what I'm going to do from now on.
On Monday night Dela took me with him to his bible study. His group meets three times a week and he invited me to join them as much as I would like. It was really similar to any bible study I've ever been to with the exception it was in Ewe (the language spoken in this region). Dela did a good job translating for me so that I could understand the message being spoken.
Real quick I should probably give a brief description of Dela since I will be talking about him a lot throughout my stay here. Dela is my counterpart. All the volunteers that come to Ghana with Global Volunteer Network (the organization I am with) stay in a village surrounding the town of Ho, and in the village they are assigned a counterpart. This person's role is to teach them the language, the culture, introduce them to people, and go with them anywhere they would like to go or invite them places they are going. So Dela is basically my new best friend. He is a really great man of what I have came to know so far. He is 35, he has a wife and three children. He is originally from the village I am living and although he has traveled a lot throughout West Africa, he has resided here is entire live. At this time his wife and children stay in Ho, about 45 minutes away. This is so that his children can have a better education. The reason he stays in the village still is because that is where he is able to make the most money for his family. This scenario is not uncommon here. Many families are broken up to increase the wellbeing of everyone. He still sees his family about twice a week though...
Tuesday, I met with my committee. There are 6 members and they are all from the village I'm staying. They are called A.I.E.C. and they are in charge of getting donors to support the needs of orphans in the village so they are able to go to school. Right now they are sewing 300 school uniforms for orphans so that these children can continue their education. Here in the region I am staying and I think all of Ghana, if you don't have a uniform, you can't go to school. Also, after 6th grade, each student has to pay $150 a year to go to school. This might not seem like a lot to us, but to them this can be unfordable (especially if they have only 1 parent or no parents at all). So they also give scholarships to orphans to go to Junior High School and High School. I am going to be assisting this group by helping them write proposal letters to different businesses and organizations. My main goal while I am here is to get as much outside founding as possible so that more children in the 9 villages are able to attend school. I'm also going to be volunteering in the schools while I'm here. I don't know exactly what I will be doing yet, but it should be a good experience and help me a lot in what I want to do with my career.
Later on Tuesday night, after meeting my committee members, I was sitting on my porch playing with the children. The children come over everyday after school and play with me and Sarah until bed time. One boy that was over here had a horrible cut on his knee. It was full of dirt and the flies kept getting into it. So finally I went and got my First Aid kit and cleaned it and bandaged it up. He had the biggest smile on his face when I was finished. Next thing I knew, I had bandaged up 5 kids, and they all called me nurse Laura. It made me sad to see them running around with these cuts that were so easy to clean up yet were on the verge of infection. So I did what I could. I'm going to have to go buy some more ointment and bandages while I'm here cause they all want to come to me now when they have a cut.
The children here are so appreciative of the most simplest things. That same night I showed a bunch of the kids how to make paper airplanes and they were so entertained and so happy. They also are so excited whenever I pull out paper and pens so that they can practice writing and doing math problems . Its so interesting to see how the most simplest things make them happy. I love being around these children cause they have the warmest and brightest spirits.
So after a few days here, I am still loving it. It is so peaceful and everyone is so friendly. Living in a village is something that everyone should experience in their lives. It makes you realize how people should treat each other. It is so communal and everyone treat their neighbor like their brother or sister. They feed each others kids, they give each other warm greetings when they pass one another, and they live in harmony with one another. It is a beautiful thing.
Monday, November 10, 2008
I MADE IT TO THE VILLAGE!
Well, the journey to get here was long and interesting. It started off rocky. I was at the airport checking in and trying to move things from one bag to another bag and in the mix of it all, my phone got zipped into my suitcase and put on the belt before I even noticed it was gone. So you already know I made a scene cause that phone is my baby and I knew if I had to spend my last 2 hrs without a phone a would go crazy. So after shedding a few tears and complaining, the lady called and got my bag sent back. I got to make a couple last phone calls and I was off to the motherland.
The flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam I sat next to a 400lb German man that didn't speak any English which is probably a good thing because I can get to talkin. So I just made sure not to drink a lot on that flight cause I was on the inside and I couldn't imagine making the fat man get up to let me out a bunch of times. So I slept a lot and watched a couple movies.
When I arrived in Amsterdam, I used the internet for a minutes and then found a chair that I slept on for 4 hours. That time difference had me so messed up. But when I woke up from my nap in Amsterdam I got some quiche and a latte and made my way to the gate.
On my way to Ghana, I sat next to a man that was originally from Ghana who was going back for a visit. He was real nice, gave me a bit of advice and assured me that the people would make me feel very at home. On my flight, half the plane was filled with Europeans headed to Ghana for vacation which I had no idea Accra was a tourist city. I spent my time on this flight sippin a little Chardonnay and watching "Sex in the City". I thought, I might as well enjoy this shit while I can.
So I got into Accra, went threw customs and got my bags. Then I stepped outside and was officially in Africa. There was tons of people outside holding up signs and it was overwhelming but thank God my man Joy was right there in the front. Joy is the man that picks all the volunteers up from the airport and brings them to their village. He is real cool and super nice. We took a cab to the hostel. And when we got to the hostel he gave me some time to settle in and then we went to grab some food. We walk to this restaurant in a hotel and the food on the menu was not at all African food. I order some shrimp fried rice as my first meal in Africa lol. But I can't lie, that shit was good.
So when I got back to the hostel, I was so ready to sleep. The hostel was... different then what i'm use to, but it worked. When I get a chance to post pictures I will. The funny thing is, as much as I was like "damn" in regards to the hostel, it seems like a 5 star now that I'm in the village. The hostel had a "shower" which I will describe like this. You open a old wooden door to a hole in the wall that is tiled. There is water that comes out of the wall on the right side, out of what you could maybe call a shower head but not really and then with a small step up there is the toilet. There is no wall, no curtain, just running water, which after my first bucket bath last night, it sounds like heaven.
After a wonderful nights rest I was ready to venture on. I woke up and Joy and I had breakfast downstairs in the hostel. We then took a cab to the bus station. The bus was small, and old with about 25 people crammed up in there. It was a long three hours and all I could think was I can NEVER EVER complain again about the greyhound or the megabus. When we got off the bus we waited at Joy's house for about 2 hours for a car to take us into the village. We sat and watch an old MTV VMA's dvd from about 3 years ago and ate bananas and peanuts. Oh yea, there is mad chickens and goats roaming freely here which the goats I can do the chickens scare me though. But back to my story.
We got in this car that was covered in red dust inside and out, which at that point I didn't understand. The driver looked at Joy and said "did you warn her about the road". And then they both chuckled. I was so clueless to what I was soon to encounter. When I say this road is bad..... THE ROAD IS BEYOND HORRIBLE!!! I thought more than once, I am going to die in this damn cab. Again, I will be posting pictures. But it's not until you have to drive on that road you can even imagine how bad it is. (oh, and it's definitely the road we take to come to the office, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour).
I arrived in the village in the afternoon. There is one other volunteer staying in my village (which I guess doesn't happen often). The crazy thing is she is from Bloomington,MN (5minutes from where I am from). She has been helping me get use to a lot of things, such as techniques to bucket bathing and knowing the language. Most the people in my village don't speak English so it is going to be essential that I learn Ewe. I only know to say "woezo" (welcome) and reply "yoo" (ok) and "Efoa" (how are you) and reply "edo" (fine). I have a lot to learn. I met a lot of the children yesterday. They are just too dang cute. There was also a funeral going on when I arrived, which with the way they do funerals, Friday the funeral starts and Sunday is the last day of "celebration" and they dance and drink all day. So this older lady came and got me and I was dancing with the people to the beats on the drums. It was fun and I just feel like I need to embrace each and every part of this journey when the opportunity arises.
After I danced, my caretaker Mary had prepared dinner for me and the other volunteer. We ate fish and rice. It wasn't bad. Then I took my first of many bucket baths outside in the bathing room (which is 4 walls about 5ft high, with a whole on the ground in the corner to let the water drain). Me and my counterpart Dela (a man from the village) walked down the road to meet the secretary of my committee. I am working with them to write proposals to get funding for uniforms for the orphans in the village. He was very nice. We sat and talked for a while about Ghana, America and Barrack Obama. They LOVE Barrack out here! When I was through talking to Francis (the secretary of the committee), me and Dela walked back. I have my own room here. Its nice. Has a bed, a fan, and a chair! Way more than expected. I slept good, and woke up to the morning sun at 6:30 am (no alarm clock).
This morning, I ate a good breakfast, egg sandwich and tea!! yum. Half of my committee came to greet me so I got to meet them and practice my greetings in Ewe. Then me, Dela, and Sara (the other volunteer) head into Ho. Mondays and Thursday are office days, so on these days we come into the town of Ho on "Hell Rd". We took a Tro-Tro, which is a van/land rover/the bumpiest ride ever. It's market day today, so everyone in the village was pushing and shoving to get on the tro-tro. It took us an hour of bumpy road to get into Ho. We made it and I met Bismark the head man of the organization "The Bridge". He gave me a brief but very informative orientation. I met a few of the other volunteers, one from Melbourne and one from New York. And then I came downstairs to the internet cafe to update my blog. And after typing this much I'll leave a closing reflection and be done.
Life in Africa is so different then America, yet so beautiful. I think the fact the people in my village are so happy yet have so little is a beautiful thing and it makes you realize that having everything is nothing. I can't wait to learn the language more so that I can make relationships with the people in my village. I also want to volunteer in one of the schools while i'm here. The kids were already using some of my pens and paper to write words and you can tell they have a passion for learning. The people here are going to teach me so much and I can't wait. I already love it here and know that this is where God wants me to be.
The flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam I sat next to a 400lb German man that didn't speak any English which is probably a good thing because I can get to talkin. So I just made sure not to drink a lot on that flight cause I was on the inside and I couldn't imagine making the fat man get up to let me out a bunch of times. So I slept a lot and watched a couple movies.
When I arrived in Amsterdam, I used the internet for a minutes and then found a chair that I slept on for 4 hours. That time difference had me so messed up. But when I woke up from my nap in Amsterdam I got some quiche and a latte and made my way to the gate.
On my way to Ghana, I sat next to a man that was originally from Ghana who was going back for a visit. He was real nice, gave me a bit of advice and assured me that the people would make me feel very at home. On my flight, half the plane was filled with Europeans headed to Ghana for vacation which I had no idea Accra was a tourist city. I spent my time on this flight sippin a little Chardonnay and watching "Sex in the City". I thought, I might as well enjoy this shit while I can.
So I got into Accra, went threw customs and got my bags. Then I stepped outside and was officially in Africa. There was tons of people outside holding up signs and it was overwhelming but thank God my man Joy was right there in the front. Joy is the man that picks all the volunteers up from the airport and brings them to their village. He is real cool and super nice. We took a cab to the hostel. And when we got to the hostel he gave me some time to settle in and then we went to grab some food. We walk to this restaurant in a hotel and the food on the menu was not at all African food. I order some shrimp fried rice as my first meal in Africa lol. But I can't lie, that shit was good.
So when I got back to the hostel, I was so ready to sleep. The hostel was... different then what i'm use to, but it worked. When I get a chance to post pictures I will. The funny thing is, as much as I was like "damn" in regards to the hostel, it seems like a 5 star now that I'm in the village. The hostel had a "shower" which I will describe like this. You open a old wooden door to a hole in the wall that is tiled. There is water that comes out of the wall on the right side, out of what you could maybe call a shower head but not really and then with a small step up there is the toilet. There is no wall, no curtain, just running water, which after my first bucket bath last night, it sounds like heaven.
After a wonderful nights rest I was ready to venture on. I woke up and Joy and I had breakfast downstairs in the hostel. We then took a cab to the bus station. The bus was small, and old with about 25 people crammed up in there. It was a long three hours and all I could think was I can NEVER EVER complain again about the greyhound or the megabus. When we got off the bus we waited at Joy's house for about 2 hours for a car to take us into the village. We sat and watch an old MTV VMA's dvd from about 3 years ago and ate bananas and peanuts. Oh yea, there is mad chickens and goats roaming freely here which the goats I can do the chickens scare me though. But back to my story.
We got in this car that was covered in red dust inside and out, which at that point I didn't understand. The driver looked at Joy and said "did you warn her about the road". And then they both chuckled. I was so clueless to what I was soon to encounter. When I say this road is bad..... THE ROAD IS BEYOND HORRIBLE!!! I thought more than once, I am going to die in this damn cab. Again, I will be posting pictures. But it's not until you have to drive on that road you can even imagine how bad it is. (oh, and it's definitely the road we take to come to the office, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour).
I arrived in the village in the afternoon. There is one other volunteer staying in my village (which I guess doesn't happen often). The crazy thing is she is from Bloomington,MN (5minutes from where I am from). She has been helping me get use to a lot of things, such as techniques to bucket bathing and knowing the language. Most the people in my village don't speak English so it is going to be essential that I learn Ewe. I only know to say "woezo" (welcome) and reply "yoo" (ok) and "Efoa" (how are you) and reply "edo" (fine). I have a lot to learn. I met a lot of the children yesterday. They are just too dang cute. There was also a funeral going on when I arrived, which with the way they do funerals, Friday the funeral starts and Sunday is the last day of "celebration" and they dance and drink all day. So this older lady came and got me and I was dancing with the people to the beats on the drums. It was fun and I just feel like I need to embrace each and every part of this journey when the opportunity arises.
After I danced, my caretaker Mary had prepared dinner for me and the other volunteer. We ate fish and rice. It wasn't bad. Then I took my first of many bucket baths outside in the bathing room (which is 4 walls about 5ft high, with a whole on the ground in the corner to let the water drain). Me and my counterpart Dela (a man from the village) walked down the road to meet the secretary of my committee. I am working with them to write proposals to get funding for uniforms for the orphans in the village. He was very nice. We sat and talked for a while about Ghana, America and Barrack Obama. They LOVE Barrack out here! When I was through talking to Francis (the secretary of the committee), me and Dela walked back. I have my own room here. Its nice. Has a bed, a fan, and a chair! Way more than expected. I slept good, and woke up to the morning sun at 6:30 am (no alarm clock).
This morning, I ate a good breakfast, egg sandwich and tea!! yum. Half of my committee came to greet me so I got to meet them and practice my greetings in Ewe. Then me, Dela, and Sara (the other volunteer) head into Ho. Mondays and Thursday are office days, so on these days we come into the town of Ho on "Hell Rd". We took a Tro-Tro, which is a van/land rover/the bumpiest ride ever. It's market day today, so everyone in the village was pushing and shoving to get on the tro-tro. It took us an hour of bumpy road to get into Ho. We made it and I met Bismark the head man of the organization "The Bridge". He gave me a brief but very informative orientation. I met a few of the other volunteers, one from Melbourne and one from New York. And then I came downstairs to the internet cafe to update my blog. And after typing this much I'll leave a closing reflection and be done.
Life in Africa is so different then America, yet so beautiful. I think the fact the people in my village are so happy yet have so little is a beautiful thing and it makes you realize that having everything is nothing. I can't wait to learn the language more so that I can make relationships with the people in my village. I also want to volunteer in one of the schools while i'm here. The kids were already using some of my pens and paper to write words and you can tell they have a passion for learning. The people here are going to teach me so much and I can't wait. I already love it here and know that this is where God wants me to be.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Day before I leave
Well its a day before I take off and all that know me well, know that I'm just about to start packing. If I was leaving for the week this would be understanable, but im leaving for 4 months and haven't even pulled out my suitcases yet. But im kinda good at doing things super last minute so it will be fine. I think because I have a million things to do today, I haven't even been able to fathom the thought im leaving for the motherland tomorrow, by myself, for 4 months, to live in conditions far from my normal way of life. But I know that God has put this desire in my heart to go do volunteer work in Africa and has made it possible for me to go, so I know that this journey will be a true blessing and I can't wait to see how I grow and change from this experience. To my family and friends, I want you to know I love you with all my heart and I thank you for all the support you have given to me. I don't know how often I will be able to get on my blog but hopefully often enough to keep you updated with my journey to Ghana. Peace and Love:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)