This is what I am told everyday (although I still think I have a LONG WAY to go before I become "black." haha. Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone! I have been explaining this (quite) American holiday to people here in Ghana, mostly discribing it as an excuse to drink beer (sometimes green beer) in which I am told "why do you need an excuse to get drunk?" I was hoping to meet up with some of my American friends (I'll explain) and enjoy a guiness, something that is very easy to fine here, but due to our locations, we are going to have to celebrate later this week.
I am planning on spending quite a bit of time on the computer today so forgive me if this blog takes you longer to read that the first few. I have been told (by my parents) that I am writing about people without reminding my readers who they are so here is a quite review:
Catherine: My first volunteer friend in Ghana. From England, was working at Columbus school since early January-returned home one week ago.
Isabella: Another volunteer teacher at Columbus, from Norway, spent 5 weeks working as a teacher, is now in South Africa about to start a 45 day camping safari all over Southern and Eastern Africa (also the one with the terribly romantic boyfriend).
Douglas and Nana: my organziation's coordinators who work closely with all ICYE (International Cultural Youth Exchange) volunteers. They are also students in Ghana, both are 24 I think. They are quickly becoming friends as well as coordinators and are the ones we go to with any questions or concerns.
Martina and Klara: From Switzerland and Denmark respectively and are my fellow teachers at Columbus (both are also part of ICYE).
Emily: My wonderful American friend (who I FINALLY met Saturday night)...she and I have been communicating over the phone since October and were both scheduled to go to Kenya, then choose to go to Ghana together, were told we would be roommates but are now working at different projects about an hour and a half away. She is also 22, from Arkansas and is leaving in two months because she plans on attending law school in August and must move to D.C. and find an apartment.
Columbus Opea: My host father and the owner of the prep school/orphanage. He has quite an interesting story and is someone I am always trying to figure out. He is the pastor is single-handedly named himself bishop and most recently prohet, although the man seems quite un-holy to me.
Georgina: My host mother (mama) and Columbus' wife (is 7 months pregnant).
Naomi: My host sister, age 19. She and I have grown quite close and will only grow closer.
Patrick: My younger host brother, not yet two but I am not sure of his birthday.
There are a number of orphans living at Columbus too but I promise to always give a background when writing about them.
Alright...where to start? Last week was my first full 5 day week at the school. Before that there was Independence day and the week before that I was taking care of other odds and ends during the week due to my absence at orientation (and I am happy to report that I am hardly coughing any longer). I am taking charge and writing my own schedule, trying to incorporate time between classes 3, 4 and 5. Each day I am taking 4 to 5 kids out of the classroom (for 3 different periods daily) and am working on Math and English. I can hardly believe that I am capable of teaching Math because I have always had such a hard time but I am actually enjoying it. Everyday I have to learn new ways of explaining how to check times tables (without looking at their cheat sheets), convert fractions into decimals, do long division, find the volume and area of shapes etc. I remember each of thes topics and equally remember HATING them but realize now that I do in fact understand how to do it, and that there are many easy tricks to learn to help you. Dad-memories or you drilling me on my times tables and various math equations have some flooding back to me and I want to tell you that I now know I am quite fortuant to have parents who nagged and yes, greatly helped me get through "the impossible." So, thank you.
Each day I am writing down in my own notebook the names of children that understand, both right away and after some work with me, and those that are simply copying and have no idea what I am talking about. In the next few weeks I am trying to start taking one or two of these children out of the classroom to do basic, basic math and reading. This is hard because there are so many kids that could really benefit from one on one time but for now I am going to stick to the kids that are really behind. One girl in class four suffers from dyslexia (I am pretty sure), at least with numbers. She is always mixing up the order of numbers and writing her 3's backwards. She also struggles with writing and reading so she is going to spending a lot of time with me.
New topic: I have bought some dvd's in Kumasi, on the street for 3 Ghana cedi's each. Each disc has anywhere between 10 and 30 movies on it! Obviously the quality is not great but totally watchable. One of the disc's is full of disney movies so I have enjoyed watching Shrek 1 and 2 as well as Peter Pan (so far) with some of the kids that live at Columbus. They get a kick out of the animation. There is a tv for my room but it is being repaired (a part of me is really looking forward to being able to watch a movie (I bought Titanic) before bed some nights.
Another quick statement...I found a big supermarket (because no one knows what I am talking about when I ask for a grocery store) and bought Jiffy peanut butter and jelly. I am in heaven with pb & j sandwiches (when I decide that I just can not eat much of the meal given to me). I also discovered where to find twix chocolate bars (I have to have some american, processed junk food!).
Sorry if my toics seem somewhat random but I am constantly writing down things I encouter and then want to share with you all at home. Breastfeeding: for all the Americans who get super umcomfortable when a woman is publicly breast feeding her baby-Do not come to Ghana! Personally I think it is perfectly natural and really a mother is simply feeding her child but due to the number of "sicko's" in the US, I would try to conceal breasts to a point. My story: the other day I was taking a tro tro alone to Kumasi. There were two young children that I did not recognize but they did (they go to Columbus) who were shouting "madam" and Obruni to me. I smiled and waved as them behind me and as I turned there was a woman (their mother I believe) feeding her child, both breasts out for the world to see. when the child pulled away the woman made no effort to cover herself but simply waited for the child to finish eating when she was ready. This whole time she too was smiling and trying to talk to me. It was all I could do to not laugh was I thought of a number of friends in the US who would have no clue as to what to do in this senario.
Water: Mom, I am sorry but I have not yet used my somewhat pricey water purification device. Filtered water is quite easy to find here and you can buy a .5 peswa square, plastic pouch full of water (not sure of the exact amount but around 16 ounces). Although I could save some money by putting my UV ray h2o purification system to use, it may be awhile before I do so.
Alright...last topic for today: disciplining the children while in school. While I am sure there are still children being beat both and home and in the school somewhere in the US, I (thankfully) have never encountered this type of discipline. In Ghana however, the teachers hold small "canes" (sticks made of wood) that they use to scare and hit the kids that are "being stubborn" or that did not do their homework. Of course the other volunteers and myself absolutely hate seeing these children wince (and the younger ones cry) after being "beat." The younger ones are simply hit if they are not paying attention or are out of their seat-mostly I think it is just a power trip for the teachers because they were beat as children too). But the older kids are "beat" for things like not doing their homework or like today for not bringing 1 Ghana cedi in for printing fees. The students must pay for their second term examinations to be printed. Apparently they teachers say they have informed the children to ask their parents or guardians for the money on Friday and when many claimed they forgot Mr. Bochie (class 5 teacher, who overall I like and respect very much-BUT hate seeing what happened today) made each child stand and hold out their hand as he slapped the wooden stick, HARD, on the palm of their hand. I watch as the child winces in pain and is then forced to hold it out for a second beating. Almost every child flintches. I was teaching class 4 about number placement (10 thousand, thousand, hundred, tens, ones) because Bismark (the class 4 teacher had not yet arrived) and I could see over the wall into the next classroom. Mr. Bochie saw me and just told me I do not understand. Later I ask him why he was caning the kids and he tells me about the fees. I says this way they will not forget tomorrow or they will be beat again. For this I am very happy to have grown up in the US. The teachers get a kick out of out uncomfortable the volunteers get when we see canning taking place and they have asked what teachers do when students are stubborn and forget to do things. I say they teacher raises his or her voice and if need be, send the student to the principal. Obviously this does not always solve the problem but I informed the teachers here that if they beat a child in the US they would be sent to jail and would most likely never work as a teacher again. I am also told that many parents use wire or canes to beat their children at home. Again when asked if my parents ever beat me when I was bad and I say no. (For the most part), when my parents yelled at me, that was enough. This makes the teachers laugh because the kids hardly listen to yelling (this is something I can confirm because even though I won't ever beat the children, I have had to seriously raise my voice many times and usually it accomplishes nothing. The worst part is seeing the children "beating" each other in both play and in actual fighting. I have had to break up numerous fights. And when I am trying to take back order in the classroom and one student is really acting out, the other will say, "Madam, beat him." I respond "I will not be beating anyone but SIT DOWN!" Today I told Mr. Bochie to hit my hand, Iwanted to see what it felt like. He did (although he said he didn't do it as hard has he does to the kids) and it of course hurt really bad. My open palm had a welt for a long time. Poor kids.
alright, I am done for now. Hope you have a great week and I will write more soon.
-Erin
Monday, March 17, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
title here
Well...where has the week gone? Suddenly everything is going by so quickly. It will be eleven pm and I am lying in my room wondering what I did the whole day. Here I am though, with another check list of topics to include in this week's blog. First off...Happy Birthday Mom (yesterday)! The time difference is taking a tole on available talk time to the U.S. but I am glad I was able to wish you a happy birthday this morning.
Now...starting last weekend: on Saturday I attended a wedding. I was invited by Isabella and Issac (or Kofi is his Ghanaian name). Issac is Isabella's organization coordinator and also this person she was living with. The person getting married was Issac's stepmother's sister, Akia (I know I am spelling her name wrong). Because Issac and the rest of his family are fairly well-off I was told this wedding was a bit more extravagant than most Ghana weddings. We arrived and were immediately given seats in direct view of the bride and groom (who that this point were saying prayers about their engagement (they were not even in proper wedding attire yet). A man sat down next to me and tried to explain what was going on (because of course everything was in Twi). Overall I just looked around at all the beautiful traditional African clothing and enjoyed the sunny day. One thing to mention, Issac had yet to show his face, Isabella and I had gotten a ride from his stepmother. After the engagement "party" the couple changed clothes and everyone walked to the church. Akia looked stunning! After a half hour of having no idea what was said the ceremony was over and everyone walked up in a line to congratulate the couple. Then we walked back to the place we were originally and it was time to party (mind you it was just 12:30 pm). Isabella and I were wondering where Issac was since he had missed the entire wedding but he suddenly appeared and asked us to come outside. Here is where I witnessed the most romantic thing I could imagine...Isabella's boyfriend (who I have heard SO much about) pops out of a taxi at the wedding. He had arranged with Issac to surprise her and he had gone to get Ali (the b/f). I thought Isabella was going to faint when she saw Ali! (I know this doesn't have a whole lot to do with Ghana but I am simply sharing last week's events). Anyhow the rest of the wedding was equally shared by the bride/groom and Isabella and Ali. Everyone wanted to see these two love birds dance and enjoy themselves. We arrived home around 3pm and I left the reunited couple to themselves.
The rest of the weekend I mostly relaxed, talked to my parents and went through all the supplies Catherine had left me to use with the children. On Tuesday morning I joined Martina and Klara on the Columbus school bus (which leaves at 6:30 am and returns after 8am). This school bus should be referred to as a deathtrap on wheels and the last thing any child should be allowed in. While I know see how vital it is (by picking up 40 plus children from many surrounding villages), it is literally falling apart and the amount of exhaust that comes into the bus practically forces you to stick your head out of the window so you won't suffocate. The hardest part is passing many other school buses on the way and realizing that Columbus needs help! Not all the school buses look like this...but Columbus is a work in progress (and is only 4 years old I believe). We were greeted by smiling faces of all the children, and quite a few girls from the classes I teach cram onto the same seat as me. This is a good sage way into explaining more about the school building itself. I think I mentioned something about it before but just to clarify: there are no windows in this "building." It is pretty much a cement structure with a roof but no solid floor (just dust) and no proper rooms (just cement blocks to break apart the "rooms"). Therefore, you can hear the what is going on in each classroom and often the young ones are so loud it is hard to teach. Tuesday was a good day however, it was Isabella's last day but she had raised money from home to purchase materials for the school before she left. She and Ali brought $400 dollars worth (or whatever the Norwegian currency is) of workbooks, English/math books and pencils. She pretty much left everything in my care and said farewell but she knows I will make sure they are put to good use. And I have, everyday this week I have been using the textbooks and the children enjoy having anything new.
My tutor program is coming together. Each day I have taken children out of classes 3, 4 and 5 and worked with them on a more individual bases (while still covering what the teacher is covering with the rest of the class). I see improvement in some children but in others I see they are so far behind, I need to really work with them one on one. When this happens I simply write their name down for future reference. Hopefully in the next two weeks I can get my own schedule started and find the time to work with these kids individually. I am having trouble finding enough time while in school however. I am mainly working with classes 3, 4 and 5 but within each class is anywhere between 6-15 students that could benefit from one on one time. I am also being called by the teachers of the younger grades to help them as well. I will get myself on a solid schedule and will figure it out. I will say that I have even MORE respect for anyone in (or preparing to get into) the teaching field. Teaching is difficult!
In addition to school time, I have been working with the ten or so children that live at Columbus. We have been doing homework together or simply writing and practicing reading. The kids really want to learn! They would rather spend their "free time" getting help to read or trace letters than play. I think I will be able to see improvement in these children the most. I am making time to play with the kids as well. The other night I was teaching some of the girls "slide," this is a hand clapping game that all American girls learned on the playground in grade school. They all had fun and kept lining up to play with me. Then the girls taught me a hand clap game that they play in Ghana.
I see that I have just 4 minutes left for my Internet time (and still so much to write!)...I am pretty sure I will make time to write more this weekend. Until then...thank you so much for all your comments! I am having problems with the pictures but will work in it. check back soon for more!
-Afia
Now...starting last weekend: on Saturday I attended a wedding. I was invited by Isabella and Issac (or Kofi is his Ghanaian name). Issac is Isabella's organization coordinator and also this person she was living with. The person getting married was Issac's stepmother's sister, Akia (I know I am spelling her name wrong). Because Issac and the rest of his family are fairly well-off I was told this wedding was a bit more extravagant than most Ghana weddings. We arrived and were immediately given seats in direct view of the bride and groom (who that this point were saying prayers about their engagement (they were not even in proper wedding attire yet). A man sat down next to me and tried to explain what was going on (because of course everything was in Twi). Overall I just looked around at all the beautiful traditional African clothing and enjoyed the sunny day. One thing to mention, Issac had yet to show his face, Isabella and I had gotten a ride from his stepmother. After the engagement "party" the couple changed clothes and everyone walked to the church. Akia looked stunning! After a half hour of having no idea what was said the ceremony was over and everyone walked up in a line to congratulate the couple. Then we walked back to the place we were originally and it was time to party (mind you it was just 12:30 pm). Isabella and I were wondering where Issac was since he had missed the entire wedding but he suddenly appeared and asked us to come outside. Here is where I witnessed the most romantic thing I could imagine...Isabella's boyfriend (who I have heard SO much about) pops out of a taxi at the wedding. He had arranged with Issac to surprise her and he had gone to get Ali (the b/f). I thought Isabella was going to faint when she saw Ali! (I know this doesn't have a whole lot to do with Ghana but I am simply sharing last week's events). Anyhow the rest of the wedding was equally shared by the bride/groom and Isabella and Ali. Everyone wanted to see these two love birds dance and enjoy themselves. We arrived home around 3pm and I left the reunited couple to themselves.
The rest of the weekend I mostly relaxed, talked to my parents and went through all the supplies Catherine had left me to use with the children. On Tuesday morning I joined Martina and Klara on the Columbus school bus (which leaves at 6:30 am and returns after 8am). This school bus should be referred to as a deathtrap on wheels and the last thing any child should be allowed in. While I know see how vital it is (by picking up 40 plus children from many surrounding villages), it is literally falling apart and the amount of exhaust that comes into the bus practically forces you to stick your head out of the window so you won't suffocate. The hardest part is passing many other school buses on the way and realizing that Columbus needs help! Not all the school buses look like this...but Columbus is a work in progress (and is only 4 years old I believe). We were greeted by smiling faces of all the children, and quite a few girls from the classes I teach cram onto the same seat as me. This is a good sage way into explaining more about the school building itself. I think I mentioned something about it before but just to clarify: there are no windows in this "building." It is pretty much a cement structure with a roof but no solid floor (just dust) and no proper rooms (just cement blocks to break apart the "rooms"). Therefore, you can hear the what is going on in each classroom and often the young ones are so loud it is hard to teach. Tuesday was a good day however, it was Isabella's last day but she had raised money from home to purchase materials for the school before she left. She and Ali brought $400 dollars worth (or whatever the Norwegian currency is) of workbooks, English/math books and pencils. She pretty much left everything in my care and said farewell but she knows I will make sure they are put to good use. And I have, everyday this week I have been using the textbooks and the children enjoy having anything new.
My tutor program is coming together. Each day I have taken children out of classes 3, 4 and 5 and worked with them on a more individual bases (while still covering what the teacher is covering with the rest of the class). I see improvement in some children but in others I see they are so far behind, I need to really work with them one on one. When this happens I simply write their name down for future reference. Hopefully in the next two weeks I can get my own schedule started and find the time to work with these kids individually. I am having trouble finding enough time while in school however. I am mainly working with classes 3, 4 and 5 but within each class is anywhere between 6-15 students that could benefit from one on one time. I am also being called by the teachers of the younger grades to help them as well. I will get myself on a solid schedule and will figure it out. I will say that I have even MORE respect for anyone in (or preparing to get into) the teaching field. Teaching is difficult!
In addition to school time, I have been working with the ten or so children that live at Columbus. We have been doing homework together or simply writing and practicing reading. The kids really want to learn! They would rather spend their "free time" getting help to read or trace letters than play. I think I will be able to see improvement in these children the most. I am making time to play with the kids as well. The other night I was teaching some of the girls "slide," this is a hand clapping game that all American girls learned on the playground in grade school. They all had fun and kept lining up to play with me. Then the girls taught me a hand clap game that they play in Ghana.
I see that I have just 4 minutes left for my Internet time (and still so much to write!)...I am pretty sure I will make time to write more this weekend. Until then...thank you so much for all your comments! I am having problems with the pictures but will work in it. check back soon for more!
-Afia
Sunday, March 9, 2008
the basics
Greetings...
It is Sunday and I have had a long weekend! Since school pretty much ended by Wednesday of last week, I am ready for the week to start. I come to the Internet cafe with an actual list of topics to write in this blog. I realized I have left out some vital basics to my everyday life that I want to share with you all. First off...Ghana (or most of western Africa) does not have a vast population of wild animals to see roaming the grasslands. We do have one national park (Mole) that I hear is quite nice and plan to visit at some point in the new few months but not nearly as many animals as I came across while in South Africa. However, Ghana does have an abundance of goats, chickens and lizards running every which way on the sides of the roads and in the villages. I have yet to eat goat although I hear it is quite good. There is a chicken that has been sitting my the kitchen for over a week now but I am almost positive it will be dinner soon. I have been holding my breath as I walk by the kitchen however, always kind of hoping my little chicken friend is still there. The lizards are everywhere! They are small and never get very close but I still find them fascinating, mostly because I like to picture what would happen if lizards were running about on Queen Anne Hill and still find myself laughing. There are also many dogs and cats that the kids like to tell me are their pets but really these animals fend for themselves.
My host family: Even though I am living within the orphanage, I do have a host mother, father and siblings. My host father is the pastor, Columbus Opea. I have only spoken to him a handful of times and honestly I am still figuring him out. He claims he is in his late 40's but he doesn't look a day over 30. I also hear he used to be a "bad man" who used drugs and sold them to others but has since found god and was reborn. Now he is pastor and continues to one up himself by adding bishop and most recently "prophet." I personally think this is quite entertaining but I struggle to decide if I think he is sincere. His wife (who looks like she may be able to be his mother) is Georgina. She is quite sweet although her English is slim. She is 7 months pregnant however and I am very excited to see the new infant. Georgina and Columbus have a 1 1/2 year old son Patrick. He is very cute and he knows it! This makes him quite spoiled and stubborn (it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the new baby). I do love to make faces at him although he likes to pick which days he likes me and which days be begins to cry as soon as he sees me. Then there is Naomi. Although most people say she is Georgina's daughter, she is actually Columbus' daughter from a previous relationship. She is 19 and is the one I am closet to within my new family. She makes all of the volunteers meals and she is the one I tell if I will be out late or decide to go into town for lunch instead. She helps in the school a lot but does not teach herself. I am hoping to help her learn how to type because she has asked on numerous occasions. She is also extremely involved in the church (which is located right where I live). There are also a number of associate pastors that live in this "village" (for use of a better word) and a about 10 orphans. In Ghana, a child is called an orphan is just one parent has died so there is a family of 6 siblings who have a living mother but no father. Because they come from a single parent household, they have moved into the orphanage. There are 4 girls and 2 boys in this family, all of which I am growing more and more fond of. Mamaya (or just ya) is 14 and is in class 5 but is one of the many who is very behind in her reading. Catherine has been trying to work with her individually and I am going to try to take over. Edith and TK (8, 6) are two other orphans (although they may have one parent alive) that I see everyday. They are always there to greet me with a "Madame Erin" and a big hug. Of course they also ask for books and markers everyday as well. I am still learning the names of the 10 plus kids that actually live at Columbus but give me one more week and I will have it down.
Every Ghanaian has an African name and another name either made up or given to them. The second name is usually western sounding. This Ghanaian name is based on the day of the week you were born. I finally figured out what day of the week I was born and was then given my Ghanaian name (by my coordinators, just one more thing I missed at orientation): Afia Henewaa. This means I was born on Friday and the last name means princess or queen. For the most part, when people we do not know ask us for our names, we are to use our Ghanaian name. I do like the reaction I (and all the volunteers) get after telling them my name is Afia Henewaa (usually a smile and a little chuckle).
What else is on my list? Oh the march last Thursday...I do believe it took longer to just get the ceremony started then the ceremony itself. We did not get to go to the stadium but instead were at a large field to watch all 52 schools march. I was told there would be shade for the teachers and therefore forgot to put on sunscreen. I now have my first real sunburn. It is starting to get better but I have a brutal tan line of a "v" on my back (something Africans find hilarious because I am turning red instead of black, and of course they don't burn ever). We were also told we had to march behind our school to show our support. Out of all 52 schools, I did not see one other "obruni" so Columbus prep school was very popular when all 5 western female teachers followed the students, attempting to march just like them. I think we looked ridiculous but it was still fun.
I have not completed two loads of washing and I am here to say that I will NEVER complain about doing laundry at home ever again! I am too lazy to hand wash clothing while in the states so this was a wake up call. First you take a bucket full of water, add washing powder and soak your clothes. Then one by one scrub each article with a soap bar until you are tired and then you must soak the clothes in clean water/rinse in the shower (I am so spoiled here) until you think most of the soap is out. Then hang to dry. I believe my first load had more soap than water left when I hung them up but I will get the hang of it! :-)
There is much more to say about the church I am a part of (Pentecostal) and I am not sure how often I will be attending but I think I will have to save that for a later date. My time on the Internet is running out. Just one more thing before I go...I don't believe I have mentioned anything about the Ghanaian language. Majority of the country speaks Twi (although it is pronounced more like "ch-ie"). So far I know "Welcome", thank you, how are you, I'm fine and I think that is about it. Although I am told by someone new everyday that they want to teach me Twi. I hope I can pick up quite a bit before my return to the states.
Alright, I am off. This will be a full week at school, and this time Martina, Klara and I will be alone. I plan on continuing tutoring the kids that need help the most while planning some fun art projects as well. I'll keep you posted.
In addition...I haven't been writing many personal emails but I would always love to hear what is going on with everyone back home. Please send me updates on your life as well! erinknutsonwilliams@yahoo.com
until next time:
Afia Henewaa
It is Sunday and I have had a long weekend! Since school pretty much ended by Wednesday of last week, I am ready for the week to start. I come to the Internet cafe with an actual list of topics to write in this blog. I realized I have left out some vital basics to my everyday life that I want to share with you all. First off...Ghana (or most of western Africa) does not have a vast population of wild animals to see roaming the grasslands. We do have one national park (Mole) that I hear is quite nice and plan to visit at some point in the new few months but not nearly as many animals as I came across while in South Africa. However, Ghana does have an abundance of goats, chickens and lizards running every which way on the sides of the roads and in the villages. I have yet to eat goat although I hear it is quite good. There is a chicken that has been sitting my the kitchen for over a week now but I am almost positive it will be dinner soon. I have been holding my breath as I walk by the kitchen however, always kind of hoping my little chicken friend is still there. The lizards are everywhere! They are small and never get very close but I still find them fascinating, mostly because I like to picture what would happen if lizards were running about on Queen Anne Hill and still find myself laughing. There are also many dogs and cats that the kids like to tell me are their pets but really these animals fend for themselves.
My host family: Even though I am living within the orphanage, I do have a host mother, father and siblings. My host father is the pastor, Columbus Opea. I have only spoken to him a handful of times and honestly I am still figuring him out. He claims he is in his late 40's but he doesn't look a day over 30. I also hear he used to be a "bad man" who used drugs and sold them to others but has since found god and was reborn. Now he is pastor and continues to one up himself by adding bishop and most recently "prophet." I personally think this is quite entertaining but I struggle to decide if I think he is sincere. His wife (who looks like she may be able to be his mother) is Georgina. She is quite sweet although her English is slim. She is 7 months pregnant however and I am very excited to see the new infant. Georgina and Columbus have a 1 1/2 year old son Patrick. He is very cute and he knows it! This makes him quite spoiled and stubborn (it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the new baby). I do love to make faces at him although he likes to pick which days he likes me and which days be begins to cry as soon as he sees me. Then there is Naomi. Although most people say she is Georgina's daughter, she is actually Columbus' daughter from a previous relationship. She is 19 and is the one I am closet to within my new family. She makes all of the volunteers meals and she is the one I tell if I will be out late or decide to go into town for lunch instead. She helps in the school a lot but does not teach herself. I am hoping to help her learn how to type because she has asked on numerous occasions. She is also extremely involved in the church (which is located right where I live). There are also a number of associate pastors that live in this "village" (for use of a better word) and a about 10 orphans. In Ghana, a child is called an orphan is just one parent has died so there is a family of 6 siblings who have a living mother but no father. Because they come from a single parent household, they have moved into the orphanage. There are 4 girls and 2 boys in this family, all of which I am growing more and more fond of. Mamaya (or just ya) is 14 and is in class 5 but is one of the many who is very behind in her reading. Catherine has been trying to work with her individually and I am going to try to take over. Edith and TK (8, 6) are two other orphans (although they may have one parent alive) that I see everyday. They are always there to greet me with a "Madame Erin" and a big hug. Of course they also ask for books and markers everyday as well. I am still learning the names of the 10 plus kids that actually live at Columbus but give me one more week and I will have it down.
Every Ghanaian has an African name and another name either made up or given to them. The second name is usually western sounding. This Ghanaian name is based on the day of the week you were born. I finally figured out what day of the week I was born and was then given my Ghanaian name (by my coordinators, just one more thing I missed at orientation): Afia Henewaa. This means I was born on Friday and the last name means princess or queen. For the most part, when people we do not know ask us for our names, we are to use our Ghanaian name. I do like the reaction I (and all the volunteers) get after telling them my name is Afia Henewaa (usually a smile and a little chuckle).
What else is on my list? Oh the march last Thursday...I do believe it took longer to just get the ceremony started then the ceremony itself. We did not get to go to the stadium but instead were at a large field to watch all 52 schools march. I was told there would be shade for the teachers and therefore forgot to put on sunscreen. I now have my first real sunburn. It is starting to get better but I have a brutal tan line of a "v" on my back (something Africans find hilarious because I am turning red instead of black, and of course they don't burn ever). We were also told we had to march behind our school to show our support. Out of all 52 schools, I did not see one other "obruni" so Columbus prep school was very popular when all 5 western female teachers followed the students, attempting to march just like them. I think we looked ridiculous but it was still fun.
I have not completed two loads of washing and I am here to say that I will NEVER complain about doing laundry at home ever again! I am too lazy to hand wash clothing while in the states so this was a wake up call. First you take a bucket full of water, add washing powder and soak your clothes. Then one by one scrub each article with a soap bar until you are tired and then you must soak the clothes in clean water/rinse in the shower (I am so spoiled here) until you think most of the soap is out. Then hang to dry. I believe my first load had more soap than water left when I hung them up but I will get the hang of it! :-)
There is much more to say about the church I am a part of (Pentecostal) and I am not sure how often I will be attending but I think I will have to save that for a later date. My time on the Internet is running out. Just one more thing before I go...I don't believe I have mentioned anything about the Ghanaian language. Majority of the country speaks Twi (although it is pronounced more like "ch-ie"). So far I know "Welcome", thank you, how are you, I'm fine and I think that is about it. Although I am told by someone new everyday that they want to teach me Twi. I hope I can pick up quite a bit before my return to the states.
Alright, I am off. This will be a full week at school, and this time Martina, Klara and I will be alone. I plan on continuing tutoring the kids that need help the most while planning some fun art projects as well. I'll keep you posted.
In addition...I haven't been writing many personal emails but I would always love to hear what is going on with everyone back home. Please send me updates on your life as well! erinknutsonwilliams@yahoo.com
until next time:
Afia Henewaa
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
It's March!
Hello Everyone,
Let's see...there is much to tell. I am in the middle of my second week here in Ghana although the school week ended today. Tomorrow is the Ghanaian Independence Day and (from what I hear) most of the city will be watching hundreds of schools march in a parade and then we go to the stadium as a school for a big ceremony. You will just have to wait for the next blog to know how that goes. Then friday is also a national holiday (because the children will be too tired from marching to go to school...this is what the teachers tell me, haha). Some volunteers are venturing off again to see other parts of Ghana but I will stick close to "home." Catherine is leaving this friday and I will be quite sad to see her go. I know I just met her a little over a week ago but we have been sharing a room, stories and struggles since then. I hope to visit her in England sometime soon. Isabella is also leaving but not until Monday. She and I are planning on spending more time in the cultural centre and there is also a swimming pool located at a hotel in Kumasi that you can pay to swim in if you are not a guest, so that sounds like a good possibility.
I hope I am sounding more upbeat...from what I have heard I sound timid and somewhat negative. This is not at all how I want my experience here to be perceived although I will be honest...I am just not feeling more at ease. Everything has always been fine but I came to the conclusion that I was so ready to just get out of the states, I just assumed that there was nothing that would get in my way once I arrived and that I could take on any obstacle without much effort. Basically I was overly optimistic. Then I became too pessimistic (something I rarely am) but now I think I have really found my balance.
Last weekend Isabella, Catherine and I made our way to Lake Bswanthi. The total journey took about three hours I think. We took too tro-tros (the mini buses that cost .25 pesewas -Ghanaian coins), the second taking almost an hour, hoping aboard a shared taxi and then walking 2 kilometers (I hate that the US is the only country that does not use the metric system) in 100 % humidity! I do feel as though I am sweating off pounds here, and that I am getting exercise. We arrived at the Lake Point guesthouse and were so happy to be there. This is a beautiful guesthouse run by a Ghanaian and Austrian couple and the menu looked delicious! We settled into the dorm (we were the only ones however, in a dorm with 6 bunk beds) and headed to the lake. This is the largest artificial lake in Ghana and I believe is over 30 kilometers around (and it felt wonderful!). I put on SPF 50 and laid out to attempt to turn my white skin a less white shade but couldn't lay out for very long before being drenched in sweat again! Later that night we settle into the main bar/kitchen/lounge area (all outdoors) and had chicken and rice stew with beer (and later, wine). What a beautiful way to spend my first weekend. Although the next day I did wake up sick-I had felt it coming on for a while though-and I assume anyone who had traveled knows the kind of sick I am referring to. Oh well. I stayed away from the lake and under a fan with constant water and coke near me and a book or two. Still...I was quite relaxed. I was able to go swimming the next day to cool off before our journey home. There were quite a few other travelers using this facility too (you can rent cabins for much more than it costs to rent the dorm) from Germany and Hungry and Sweden. I love how I will be learning about numerous cultures while I am here in Ghana (including many European cultures).
Starting on Monday, Martina and Klara (Switzerland and Denmark) moved into Columbus (the prep school/orphanage I am working in), but into their own room, and we began to discuss exactly what we want to accomplish while we are here at the school. They decided that they want to stick to working with the younger children in grades 1 and 2 in addition to the two kindergarten classes (KG1 and KG 2). Normally I would love to work with the little ones but I think I could be of more use in the upper classes, class 3, 4 and 5. It is easiest to explain the classes as basic 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade but it is much more complicated that that. Technically, most of the grades are being taught similar topics to my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade years but the levels of the children range drastically. There are many students that are in the upper classes due to their age but should actually be in class 1 or 2 based on their ability. Both Monday, Tuesday and today I worked mostly with class 4 since Catherine and Isabella have been working with the other two classes. On Monday I took 5 students out of class 4 and worked on Math with them. They were working on division problems. After quickly reminding myself how to do this correctly (it is a shame how dependent I am on my calculator), I work out problems with the students. Maybe 3 of them know how to answer the questions correctly but they are using their times table charts and do not know how to just try to count in their heads. Other other two simply copied and tried to look like they knew what they were doing. I made them stop and I wrote out a problem on a piece of paper that they could all see then made them work through the problem with me. Overall they do get it but struggled when I wouldn't let them look at their charts. I then tried to teach them the 9 times table "cheat rule" that all American students know (using all ten fingers). Basically I am trying to figure out where each student lies in math (and then English) levels. Then I plan to take the students that need the most help out of class often to help them catch up. There is one boy who can hardly write and another girl (age 10 I think) who can hardly read at all. Isabella and Catherin are going to write down names of kids they know that need extra help too. In addition to my tutor program I still plan to conduct some art projects (to give each classroom more color) and help stimulate their minds.
Lastly, in April or May I plan to take all the girls out of class 5 and the 6 girls in the vocational school to an isolated classroom for the period after lunch to discuss sexual health and puberty. I think this is very important, especially because women still have little power here and they need to be able to take control of situations they are bound to encounter in the upcoming years. I am very excited about this. Overall I had not wanted to teach but I am glad to be in the situation. The class 4 teacher and I have become close and he tells me that once the other girls leave I will find my calling and will be able to see that I am making a difference.
To finish...I am feeling just about all better (physically) and am discovering new foods to eat. I put some pictures up in my room and attempted to make it a bit more homey. There have been many thunder/lighting storms at night (some are quite scary) but I am told they get worse towards the middle of the rainy season (starting later this month) so I must get used to them. Tonight a few of us girls and one or two of our coordinators are going into town for dinner and then to try out a bar that plays music. This is Catherine's last night since she leaves so early on Friday. We are planning to actually put on some make up! haha. This weekend I am also going to get an address and also postcards and stamps. Hopefully I can send some mail soon (I am curious how long it takes to get to the US). As always I hope this finds each and every one of you well. Keep sending comments, emails and US updates (I have no idea if Clinton or Obama is winning) and I will write more soon.
Sending virtual hugs,
Erin
p.s. I am working on getting some pictures up soon!
Let's see...there is much to tell. I am in the middle of my second week here in Ghana although the school week ended today. Tomorrow is the Ghanaian Independence Day and (from what I hear) most of the city will be watching hundreds of schools march in a parade and then we go to the stadium as a school for a big ceremony. You will just have to wait for the next blog to know how that goes. Then friday is also a national holiday (because the children will be too tired from marching to go to school...this is what the teachers tell me, haha). Some volunteers are venturing off again to see other parts of Ghana but I will stick close to "home." Catherine is leaving this friday and I will be quite sad to see her go. I know I just met her a little over a week ago but we have been sharing a room, stories and struggles since then. I hope to visit her in England sometime soon. Isabella is also leaving but not until Monday. She and I are planning on spending more time in the cultural centre and there is also a swimming pool located at a hotel in Kumasi that you can pay to swim in if you are not a guest, so that sounds like a good possibility.
I hope I am sounding more upbeat...from what I have heard I sound timid and somewhat negative. This is not at all how I want my experience here to be perceived although I will be honest...I am just not feeling more at ease. Everything has always been fine but I came to the conclusion that I was so ready to just get out of the states, I just assumed that there was nothing that would get in my way once I arrived and that I could take on any obstacle without much effort. Basically I was overly optimistic. Then I became too pessimistic (something I rarely am) but now I think I have really found my balance.
Last weekend Isabella, Catherine and I made our way to Lake Bswanthi. The total journey took about three hours I think. We took too tro-tros (the mini buses that cost .25 pesewas -Ghanaian coins), the second taking almost an hour, hoping aboard a shared taxi and then walking 2 kilometers (I hate that the US is the only country that does not use the metric system) in 100 % humidity! I do feel as though I am sweating off pounds here, and that I am getting exercise. We arrived at the Lake Point guesthouse and were so happy to be there. This is a beautiful guesthouse run by a Ghanaian and Austrian couple and the menu looked delicious! We settled into the dorm (we were the only ones however, in a dorm with 6 bunk beds) and headed to the lake. This is the largest artificial lake in Ghana and I believe is over 30 kilometers around (and it felt wonderful!). I put on SPF 50 and laid out to attempt to turn my white skin a less white shade but couldn't lay out for very long before being drenched in sweat again! Later that night we settle into the main bar/kitchen/lounge area (all outdoors) and had chicken and rice stew with beer (and later, wine). What a beautiful way to spend my first weekend. Although the next day I did wake up sick-I had felt it coming on for a while though-and I assume anyone who had traveled knows the kind of sick I am referring to. Oh well. I stayed away from the lake and under a fan with constant water and coke near me and a book or two. Still...I was quite relaxed. I was able to go swimming the next day to cool off before our journey home. There were quite a few other travelers using this facility too (you can rent cabins for much more than it costs to rent the dorm) from Germany and Hungry and Sweden. I love how I will be learning about numerous cultures while I am here in Ghana (including many European cultures).
Starting on Monday, Martina and Klara (Switzerland and Denmark) moved into Columbus (the prep school/orphanage I am working in), but into their own room, and we began to discuss exactly what we want to accomplish while we are here at the school. They decided that they want to stick to working with the younger children in grades 1 and 2 in addition to the two kindergarten classes (KG1 and KG 2). Normally I would love to work with the little ones but I think I could be of more use in the upper classes, class 3, 4 and 5. It is easiest to explain the classes as basic 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade but it is much more complicated that that. Technically, most of the grades are being taught similar topics to my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade years but the levels of the children range drastically. There are many students that are in the upper classes due to their age but should actually be in class 1 or 2 based on their ability. Both Monday, Tuesday and today I worked mostly with class 4 since Catherine and Isabella have been working with the other two classes. On Monday I took 5 students out of class 4 and worked on Math with them. They were working on division problems. After quickly reminding myself how to do this correctly (it is a shame how dependent I am on my calculator), I work out problems with the students. Maybe 3 of them know how to answer the questions correctly but they are using their times table charts and do not know how to just try to count in their heads. Other other two simply copied and tried to look like they knew what they were doing. I made them stop and I wrote out a problem on a piece of paper that they could all see then made them work through the problem with me. Overall they do get it but struggled when I wouldn't let them look at their charts. I then tried to teach them the 9 times table "cheat rule" that all American students know (using all ten fingers). Basically I am trying to figure out where each student lies in math (and then English) levels. Then I plan to take the students that need the most help out of class often to help them catch up. There is one boy who can hardly write and another girl (age 10 I think) who can hardly read at all. Isabella and Catherin are going to write down names of kids they know that need extra help too. In addition to my tutor program I still plan to conduct some art projects (to give each classroom more color) and help stimulate their minds.
Lastly, in April or May I plan to take all the girls out of class 5 and the 6 girls in the vocational school to an isolated classroom for the period after lunch to discuss sexual health and puberty. I think this is very important, especially because women still have little power here and they need to be able to take control of situations they are bound to encounter in the upcoming years. I am very excited about this. Overall I had not wanted to teach but I am glad to be in the situation. The class 4 teacher and I have become close and he tells me that once the other girls leave I will find my calling and will be able to see that I am making a difference.
To finish...I am feeling just about all better (physically) and am discovering new foods to eat. I put some pictures up in my room and attempted to make it a bit more homey. There have been many thunder/lighting storms at night (some are quite scary) but I am told they get worse towards the middle of the rainy season (starting later this month) so I must get used to them. Tonight a few of us girls and one or two of our coordinators are going into town for dinner and then to try out a bar that plays music. This is Catherine's last night since she leaves so early on Friday. We are planning to actually put on some make up! haha. This weekend I am also going to get an address and also postcards and stamps. Hopefully I can send some mail soon (I am curious how long it takes to get to the US). As always I hope this finds each and every one of you well. Keep sending comments, emails and US updates (I have no idea if Clinton or Obama is winning) and I will write more soon.
Sending virtual hugs,
Erin
p.s. I am working on getting some pictures up soon!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Feeling it out...
I believe this is my 5th morning (well afternoon) in Ghana and I am starting to feel alright about the next 6+ months. I am getting a bit weary however, the two girls I have been all of my time with (Katherine and Isabella, both are not with my program) are leaving by the end of next week. There are two girls from my program that are supposed to be moving in to the project to start teaching but they have been sick since they arrived and I have not spoken with them much. So far I have used Katherine and Isabella as my crutch for everything, even though both of them have had to figure out most things for themselves, I see them as my mentors. This is both good and bad because I am going to have to be on my own for quite a bit of this journey. We are leaving tomorrow for the weekend however. The three of us, plus Emily (the other American from my program and Jeanette from Denmark) will be heading to a Lake about two or more hours away. I have forgotten the name of the Lake as it is difficult to pronounce but Katherine has been there and says it is just lovely. We can lay on the sand, swim in the lake and rest in hammocks. There is a cheap bed and breakfast hostel right on the lake that we can stay in. This should be a nice way to spend the weekend. Apparently it is a good idea to try and leave most weekends as there is not much to do at the school. Most of the children are bused in and there is only so much to do in the town.
I am still coughing and also have a mild cold but mostly it is just annoying because I do not feel sick. Although it is hard to be in the front of a hot, humid classroom with dusty floors and made to write in chalk (as this only makes me cough more). I have been asked many times if I have medicine and that I should try local remedies. As for food...there is plenty but I am already growing tired of rice (although it is something I can always count on). I am not a picky eater but sometimes the food just does not appeal to me. Breakfast is fine, usually a rice porridge or oatmeal with bread and tea and lunches have been fine but the other night I was given a red curry type dish with egg. I began to eat it then had to stop chewing to pull out a few bones, one of which got stuck in my throat and then I turned to Katherine who showed me a fish head in her bowl. They use dried fish here and then crush it into a stew. That is one dish I do not think I will ever get used to. I still have some trader joes nut and fruit mix and a protein bar or two but they will not last. Once I get my address...mom and dad please send some protein bars. It is somewhat difficult to get protein here, other than eggs.
I don't think I will ever get used to the driving here although I don't cover my eyes as much. It's as though there are no driving rules what so ever and no lanes. Also it is your own risk to cross the street so watch out. I have seen a few other "whites" walking around but not many. When in town the other day I actually saw a young boy and his father, both with hair blond like mine. We just smiled at each other. We are stared at quite a bit while walking around but for the most part I have not once felt threatened or like a complete odyssey. The centre of Kumasi is bustling with so many people, mostly selling various foods or TONS of second hand shoes and clothes. I have seen a Kobe Bryant jersey and a sonics jersey so far and plenty of american and european brands. I still don't know exactly how hot it is here but I am going to guess in the 80's with HIGH humidity. I have gotten a few bug bites lately but overall not too bad.
Teaching...the school is interesting. I feel very overwhelmed because most teachers just expect I can come in and do anything when really I know not the first thing about being a teacher. I know how to work with children and offer love and friendship but to try to formally teach children in levels one through 5 is quite tough. There is actually just one computer right now and apparently there is a computer teacher, although she does very little I am told. So I am abandoned teaching computers for now. I have taught two class sessions to level 4 and I feel so frustrated, like I am not helping at all. It is so hard to come into a classroom where the students should be at a certain level but are at all different levels. I tried to teach some lessons using adverbs only to realize that they hardly know the difference between nouns, adjectives and verbs. I guess I will just figure everything out. I keep being asked what I want to do by the headmaster Mr. Odame (although he does hardly anything himself and hasn't a clue about anything really) and I never know how to respond. I am hoping to start a tutor program. I want to be with each level one day a week, taking a few kids out of the class at a time to work more one on one. Today there were a few boys who really wanted to grasp the ideas of nouns, adjectives and verbs, and adverbs so I was quizzing them and could see a huge smile when they got it right. There are also a large number of young kindergartners so just run up to you and cling, shouting obuni, obuni (white person). They have such wonderful smiles and just love to touch my hands and wrap themselves around my legs (and the other volunteers of course). I have much to learn but also a lot of time. The girls before me were smart and brought many colors and crafts to make the classroom colorful (since they have nothing). The school is pretty much a huge cement room with cement dividers between each classroom. There is no lights although during the day that does not matter. The floor is compacted dirt but because it is so dry, dust flies everywhere. I have taken pictures but have not figured out the best way to get them on the blog. March 6th and Ghana's independence day and all 52 prep schools in the district will be marching. That should be a fun event. The district is very small as well so there are literally schools everywhere although I assume they are all similar.
I will get the hang of things soon I am sure but I do anticipate being homesick too. I am happy to say that it is quite easy/inexpensive to make calls home (but the 8 hour time difference has been an issue). But please leave comments and write emails. I am in the centre again today but there is an internet cafe much closer to where I live so I expect to be online closer to 3 times a week. Alright, time to go to the pizza place the girls have told me about. There is this place to get pizza and ice cream and it is also the place where any European in Ghana goes. I am looking forward to eating something other than rice!
Have a great weekend all and I will write more soon.
-Erin
I am still coughing and also have a mild cold but mostly it is just annoying because I do not feel sick. Although it is hard to be in the front of a hot, humid classroom with dusty floors and made to write in chalk (as this only makes me cough more). I have been asked many times if I have medicine and that I should try local remedies. As for food...there is plenty but I am already growing tired of rice (although it is something I can always count on). I am not a picky eater but sometimes the food just does not appeal to me. Breakfast is fine, usually a rice porridge or oatmeal with bread and tea and lunches have been fine but the other night I was given a red curry type dish with egg. I began to eat it then had to stop chewing to pull out a few bones, one of which got stuck in my throat and then I turned to Katherine who showed me a fish head in her bowl. They use dried fish here and then crush it into a stew. That is one dish I do not think I will ever get used to. I still have some trader joes nut and fruit mix and a protein bar or two but they will not last. Once I get my address...mom and dad please send some protein bars. It is somewhat difficult to get protein here, other than eggs.
I don't think I will ever get used to the driving here although I don't cover my eyes as much. It's as though there are no driving rules what so ever and no lanes. Also it is your own risk to cross the street so watch out. I have seen a few other "whites" walking around but not many. When in town the other day I actually saw a young boy and his father, both with hair blond like mine. We just smiled at each other. We are stared at quite a bit while walking around but for the most part I have not once felt threatened or like a complete odyssey. The centre of Kumasi is bustling with so many people, mostly selling various foods or TONS of second hand shoes and clothes. I have seen a Kobe Bryant jersey and a sonics jersey so far and plenty of american and european brands. I still don't know exactly how hot it is here but I am going to guess in the 80's with HIGH humidity. I have gotten a few bug bites lately but overall not too bad.
Teaching...the school is interesting. I feel very overwhelmed because most teachers just expect I can come in and do anything when really I know not the first thing about being a teacher. I know how to work with children and offer love and friendship but to try to formally teach children in levels one through 5 is quite tough. There is actually just one computer right now and apparently there is a computer teacher, although she does very little I am told. So I am abandoned teaching computers for now. I have taught two class sessions to level 4 and I feel so frustrated, like I am not helping at all. It is so hard to come into a classroom where the students should be at a certain level but are at all different levels. I tried to teach some lessons using adverbs only to realize that they hardly know the difference between nouns, adjectives and verbs. I guess I will just figure everything out. I keep being asked what I want to do by the headmaster Mr. Odame (although he does hardly anything himself and hasn't a clue about anything really) and I never know how to respond. I am hoping to start a tutor program. I want to be with each level one day a week, taking a few kids out of the class at a time to work more one on one. Today there were a few boys who really wanted to grasp the ideas of nouns, adjectives and verbs, and adverbs so I was quizzing them and could see a huge smile when they got it right. There are also a large number of young kindergartners so just run up to you and cling, shouting obuni, obuni (white person). They have such wonderful smiles and just love to touch my hands and wrap themselves around my legs (and the other volunteers of course). I have much to learn but also a lot of time. The girls before me were smart and brought many colors and crafts to make the classroom colorful (since they have nothing). The school is pretty much a huge cement room with cement dividers between each classroom. There is no lights although during the day that does not matter. The floor is compacted dirt but because it is so dry, dust flies everywhere. I have taken pictures but have not figured out the best way to get them on the blog. March 6th and Ghana's independence day and all 52 prep schools in the district will be marching. That should be a fun event. The district is very small as well so there are literally schools everywhere although I assume they are all similar.
I will get the hang of things soon I am sure but I do anticipate being homesick too. I am happy to say that it is quite easy/inexpensive to make calls home (but the 8 hour time difference has been an issue). But please leave comments and write emails. I am in the centre again today but there is an internet cafe much closer to where I live so I expect to be online closer to 3 times a week. Alright, time to go to the pizza place the girls have told me about. There is this place to get pizza and ice cream and it is also the place where any European in Ghana goes. I am looking forward to eating something other than rice!
Have a great weekend all and I will write more soon.
-Erin
Monday, February 25, 2008
I am here!
Hello everyone,
After a rough journey to Ghana and having spent two nights here I feel better. The jet lag is wearing off and I had a good night's sleep (despite the heat of course, and I think the nyquill helped). So my flight to New York went smoothly. My good friend Lauren arranged for a car to pick me up at the airport and the two of us had a wonderful dinner in Brooklyn. I went back to JFK around 9PM (my flight was supposed to leave at 11:45). I began calling friends and family one last time before leaving the states and then learned that my flight was delayed. I only had two hours to connect to my Ghana flight in London so I was worried. We finally left by 1am. I was able to sleep on the plane somewhat but was indeed late into London. I missed my connecting flight into Ghana. Just one more thing to delay my trip! After spending all day in the damn Heathrow airport (I have no desire to go there again haha) to track down my luggage, the airline put me up in a hotel for the night. I met another woman who was headed to Ghana (and missed the same flight as me) and she and I had dinner together and had rooms right next door. She is also doing volunteer work but just for 4 weeks. Even though I just wanted to get to Ghana already I was so happy for another shower (I took two) and a good meal. The next day we left very early to catch a plane to Frankfurt Germany and then to Ghana. While in the Frankfurt airport my new travel friend (from the previous night) , Marjori and I decided to eat at McDonalds. I never do this in the states but it sounded good at the time. I finally arrived in Ghana at 5:40PM on Saturday (Ghana is 8 hours ahead of West coast time). After customs I found Joseph, the man from my program. He helped me into a taxi and off we went.
Right away I could feel the heat/humidity and non of the cars have air conditioning, the open windows is the a/c. Because I was so late I had missed orientation completely and I could not meet the other volunteers that night. I stayed with Joseph's mother and sister and his nieces and nefhews. I was tired and hungry but was given a rice and egg dish and clean water to drink. I shared some candy with the kids and showed them my seattle post cards. I was given my own room for the night with a ceiling fan although the room was still quite warm and the fan simply circulates stale air. The time change was still bothering me and I fell asleep for just a bit but woke up at 3am wide awake. I could not find my flash light to read so I listened to my ipod and thought about what people were doing in Seattle since it was just 10PM there. Finally I fell back asleep. The next day the young boys were happy to see all the random things I had brought with me in my luggage and to talk about the US. I was given way too much bread and butter for breakfast but I could barely finish it. Joseph picked me up and we tried to find an atm. Joesph lives in Tema, which is outside of Accra so there were few atm's. He and his brother and his brother's wife took me in their taxi to the train station in Accra. They helped me on the bus (this costs 7 Ghana ceties which is just under $7) and I was off on a new 4 hour journey. I was the only white person (obroni, this means white person, which I am called often) but the women around me were very nice and were worried that no one would be at the station in Kumasi to meet me. I thought I would get much reading done but there was too much to look at while on that 4 hour ride. I saw both a busy city/market place and the brush/small towns. People would stare and sometimes smile at me through the windows. I saw a lot of garbage on the sides of the roads and shacks for homes. It is so hard to believe that it is 2008 and the way people must live in Africa is so vastly different than the US. There are goats everywhere and chickens. I think I heard roosters at all hours of the night the first evening I was in Ghana.
People generally look dusty but then you will also see men and women walking through the dirty streets in lovely, clean, beautiful dresses and suits. I was traveling on a Sunday so I think many were making their way to churches. Catholism is the most praticed religion here, and I plan to attend church at few times. After the 4 hours I arrived in Kumasi and Na Na was waiting for me, another coordinator for my program. We hopped in a taxi (they are everywhere) and made our way to through the busy market place to the resident living area. People drive like mad here and they do not care if people are walking ahead of them. It is quite scary at times. It was dark, hot and dusty when we arrived. One thing I have noticed here is I am never allowed to carry my luggage. I'm not sure if it is because I am a woman or what but I only carry my backpack. Once inside this living space I met two other volunteers from the program. Matina from Switzerland and Klara from Denmark. Klara actually had just come back from the hospital because she had become feverish and discovered she had malaria...already! It was caught very early though and she was giving medicine and is feeling better. The room was very small and I was told that I actually was not sleeping there. After checking on the girls I was brought 5 minutes away (down a very bumpy,dusty road) to the community Medoma. This is where the Columbus orphanage and school is located. Once again I had kids carry in my luggage, I tried to help but was told no. There were many people welcoming me and kids running about. This was all fine but I was feeling quite alone. I learned that there was infact another girl living here but she is from a different program. As soon as I met Katherine (an 18 year old from England) I felt better. She is very nice and has been here for 6 weeks. She and Isabell (22, from Norway) were hanging out. Isabell is also from another organization and is living down the road but works at the same school. This room was quite large and has a running toliet AND a shower!! There is one large bed but it is a queen I think, we shared that last night but with our own sheets. She and I talked all evening and she helped me understand what I would be doing. We looked at pictures of freinds and family and just chatted. I later took at shower and washed my hair. Even though it is wonderful to have a shower please know that it is cold water only and the spout is small, nothing like the shower I took in London, still I am grateful. Others must use buckets to wash themselves. I woke up feeling refreshed and with a better attitude. I am still coughing alot but I think it is just the dust because I do not feel sick at all. I came into town today and met another volunteer from Denmark named Janet. She is also 22 and seems to me enjoying herself. I have now been at the internet cafe for over an hour so I must go but I am told it is easy to get to the cafe's. I will write much more soon.
I now have a phone and a phone number. If you use skype it is quite easy to call. Just in case here is my number: from the U.S. dial +233-24-896-0094.
I am now happy and ready to get a routine started. I begin teaching tomorrow and am told I may be working with computers (no internet though), teaching typing to the older students and teaching P.E. in the afternoon with the youngsters. We will see though. Katherine tells me things are fairly unorganized and we must just figure things out for ourselves.
I hope everyone is doing well in the states and please keep in touch.
-Erin
After a rough journey to Ghana and having spent two nights here I feel better. The jet lag is wearing off and I had a good night's sleep (despite the heat of course, and I think the nyquill helped). So my flight to New York went smoothly. My good friend Lauren arranged for a car to pick me up at the airport and the two of us had a wonderful dinner in Brooklyn. I went back to JFK around 9PM (my flight was supposed to leave at 11:45). I began calling friends and family one last time before leaving the states and then learned that my flight was delayed. I only had two hours to connect to my Ghana flight in London so I was worried. We finally left by 1am. I was able to sleep on the plane somewhat but was indeed late into London. I missed my connecting flight into Ghana. Just one more thing to delay my trip! After spending all day in the damn Heathrow airport (I have no desire to go there again haha) to track down my luggage, the airline put me up in a hotel for the night. I met another woman who was headed to Ghana (and missed the same flight as me) and she and I had dinner together and had rooms right next door. She is also doing volunteer work but just for 4 weeks. Even though I just wanted to get to Ghana already I was so happy for another shower (I took two) and a good meal. The next day we left very early to catch a plane to Frankfurt Germany and then to Ghana. While in the Frankfurt airport my new travel friend (from the previous night) , Marjori and I decided to eat at McDonalds. I never do this in the states but it sounded good at the time. I finally arrived in Ghana at 5:40PM on Saturday (Ghana is 8 hours ahead of West coast time). After customs I found Joseph, the man from my program. He helped me into a taxi and off we went.
Right away I could feel the heat/humidity and non of the cars have air conditioning, the open windows is the a/c. Because I was so late I had missed orientation completely and I could not meet the other volunteers that night. I stayed with Joseph's mother and sister and his nieces and nefhews. I was tired and hungry but was given a rice and egg dish and clean water to drink. I shared some candy with the kids and showed them my seattle post cards. I was given my own room for the night with a ceiling fan although the room was still quite warm and the fan simply circulates stale air. The time change was still bothering me and I fell asleep for just a bit but woke up at 3am wide awake. I could not find my flash light to read so I listened to my ipod and thought about what people were doing in Seattle since it was just 10PM there. Finally I fell back asleep. The next day the young boys were happy to see all the random things I had brought with me in my luggage and to talk about the US. I was given way too much bread and butter for breakfast but I could barely finish it. Joseph picked me up and we tried to find an atm. Joesph lives in Tema, which is outside of Accra so there were few atm's. He and his brother and his brother's wife took me in their taxi to the train station in Accra. They helped me on the bus (this costs 7 Ghana ceties which is just under $7) and I was off on a new 4 hour journey. I was the only white person (obroni, this means white person, which I am called often) but the women around me were very nice and were worried that no one would be at the station in Kumasi to meet me. I thought I would get much reading done but there was too much to look at while on that 4 hour ride. I saw both a busy city/market place and the brush/small towns. People would stare and sometimes smile at me through the windows. I saw a lot of garbage on the sides of the roads and shacks for homes. It is so hard to believe that it is 2008 and the way people must live in Africa is so vastly different than the US. There are goats everywhere and chickens. I think I heard roosters at all hours of the night the first evening I was in Ghana.
People generally look dusty but then you will also see men and women walking through the dirty streets in lovely, clean, beautiful dresses and suits. I was traveling on a Sunday so I think many were making their way to churches. Catholism is the most praticed religion here, and I plan to attend church at few times. After the 4 hours I arrived in Kumasi and Na Na was waiting for me, another coordinator for my program. We hopped in a taxi (they are everywhere) and made our way to through the busy market place to the resident living area. People drive like mad here and they do not care if people are walking ahead of them. It is quite scary at times. It was dark, hot and dusty when we arrived. One thing I have noticed here is I am never allowed to carry my luggage. I'm not sure if it is because I am a woman or what but I only carry my backpack. Once inside this living space I met two other volunteers from the program. Matina from Switzerland and Klara from Denmark. Klara actually had just come back from the hospital because she had become feverish and discovered she had malaria...already! It was caught very early though and she was giving medicine and is feeling better. The room was very small and I was told that I actually was not sleeping there. After checking on the girls I was brought 5 minutes away (down a very bumpy,dusty road) to the community Medoma. This is where the Columbus orphanage and school is located. Once again I had kids carry in my luggage, I tried to help but was told no. There were many people welcoming me and kids running about. This was all fine but I was feeling quite alone. I learned that there was infact another girl living here but she is from a different program. As soon as I met Katherine (an 18 year old from England) I felt better. She is very nice and has been here for 6 weeks. She and Isabell (22, from Norway) were hanging out. Isabell is also from another organization and is living down the road but works at the same school. This room was quite large and has a running toliet AND a shower!! There is one large bed but it is a queen I think, we shared that last night but with our own sheets. She and I talked all evening and she helped me understand what I would be doing. We looked at pictures of freinds and family and just chatted. I later took at shower and washed my hair. Even though it is wonderful to have a shower please know that it is cold water only and the spout is small, nothing like the shower I took in London, still I am grateful. Others must use buckets to wash themselves. I woke up feeling refreshed and with a better attitude. I am still coughing alot but I think it is just the dust because I do not feel sick at all. I came into town today and met another volunteer from Denmark named Janet. She is also 22 and seems to me enjoying herself. I have now been at the internet cafe for over an hour so I must go but I am told it is easy to get to the cafe's. I will write much more soon.
I now have a phone and a phone number. If you use skype it is quite easy to call. Just in case here is my number: from the U.S. dial +233-24-896-0094.
I am now happy and ready to get a routine started. I begin teaching tomorrow and am told I may be working with computers (no internet though), teaching typing to the older students and teaching P.E. in the afternoon with the youngsters. We will see though. Katherine tells me things are fairly unorganized and we must just figure things out for ourselves.
I hope everyone is doing well in the states and please keep in touch.
-Erin
Friday, February 15, 2008
FINALLY...
I can hardly believe that February is already half over...and I am still in the U.S. I am over the top frustrated and want nothing more than to be in Africa right now. Last night I was supposed to finally leave from JFK and would happily be arriving in Ghana right now, meeting my new roommates etc. Instead I was diagnosed with pneumonia Monday night. Oh well, I try not to ask sympathy because I am doing plenty of self pity. Of course I don't feel well at all (although today is starting to look better), I mostly and just bummed because once again I had to postpone my travel date. My dad was able to talk to the airlines and get a new ticket free of cost! My new travel date (that won't be altered for anything) is Thursday Feb 21st.
Most know that I changed my volunteer location from Kenya to Ghana although not all may know what I will be doing. From the fairly short paragraph I received about my duties I can tell you that I will be working in an orphanage with both orphans and non orphans. I will be working with them in the classroom, help with basic internet skills and offer swimming lessons. Everything else I will learn when I get there. I am still living in Kumasi, 100 miles north of Accra, the capital of Ghana. I am working in a small community called Medoma where there are 3000 people living, as well as good drinking water, and electricity. Again, I am sure I will be able to provide a much better discription in one week. Until then I am instructed to stay inside (at least at night), get my rest and repack my suitcase since it looks although it may explode! It has been a full week since I have been sick and not been able to do a whole lot, or leave the house so Thursday cannot get here fast enough!
Thank you everyone for your concern and friendship while I have been stuck here. Please keep in touch, I promise to write much more from now on.
Most know that I changed my volunteer location from Kenya to Ghana although not all may know what I will be doing. From the fairly short paragraph I received about my duties I can tell you that I will be working in an orphanage with both orphans and non orphans. I will be working with them in the classroom, help with basic internet skills and offer swimming lessons. Everything else I will learn when I get there. I am still living in Kumasi, 100 miles north of Accra, the capital of Ghana. I am working in a small community called Medoma where there are 3000 people living, as well as good drinking water, and electricity. Again, I am sure I will be able to provide a much better discription in one week. Until then I am instructed to stay inside (at least at night), get my rest and repack my suitcase since it looks although it may explode! It has been a full week since I have been sick and not been able to do a whole lot, or leave the house so Thursday cannot get here fast enough!
Thank you everyone for your concern and friendship while I have been stuck here. Please keep in touch, I promise to write much more from now on.
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