Hey everyone,
I can't believe this will be my final entry of my Ghana journey.
The next couple of weeks are extremely busy with travel and fun, so internet visits will be very low on my priority list as I wrap up my stay in Ghana... Here is what is planned.
This Thursday is the graduation ceremony for the school I have been teaching at. I will be installed as Queen Mother of the school [the first!] (which means I'll be wrapped in traditional kente cloth with large beads and a crown - I shared this experience last week at the graduation ceremony at the school that my friends are at in Sega - it was quite the experience and the pictures are phenomenal!).
Friday/Saturday is a festival in Big Ada which will commemorate the people who fought for this tribal existence and culture over the years through Nigeria down to Ghana.
Then on Sunday, 3 of us from the group will head North to a place called Kumasi. We will go visit some beautiful waterfalls as well as a monkey sanctuary (where people and monkeys live together).
On Tuesday or so we will head further north to a place called Tamale and to Mole National Park (where you can get within 20 m of elephants and other large and small animals! A real African safari!!!!) We'll spend a few days there then head to a place called Ada Foah (closer to home) where we will relax on the beach for 2-3 days to unwind. I will go back to Kpong on the 15th (Wednesday) to say my final goodbyes and then I fly on the 16th. My 'husband' will escort me to the airport from Kpong and I will meet up with the rest of the group there to get ready for our long journey home (*note* I arrive at 3:45pm in Toronto on a Friday afternoon... by the time I get my bags and the car it'll be closer to 5pm... on a Friday, driving north... rush hour is going to be brutal... especially after all those hours on the plane and the 7 hour layover in Frankfurt - I'll probably pass out in the car - that's my hope at least, or be so driven by adrenaline that I don't notice the 2-3 hours it'll take to get home!)
Like I said, it's going to be busy, but lots of fun.
I'm excited to pack so much into my last final weeks here, but no matter how much I pack into this end of the journey, it does not distract me from the sadness that accompanies my leaving this place and these people that have affected my life.
It's hard to put into words how it feels to be leaving. I have been trying to talk about my departure without 'leaving before leaving', meaning, my head and heart can't be gone quite yet from this place, there is still so much to discover, but I have to acknowledge that within a few weeks I will be getting on a plane and leaving this place.
The hardest part is answering 'when will you come back?' I don’t know, and I can’t promise anything because life gets in the way of some of the things I’d really like to do. It’d be so easy to promise to be back, to send supplies, to do all the things I would love to do, but realistically it just isn’t so. I’ll try, I’ll hope, I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee anything. It’s so hard.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has read my blog over the last few months, it has been quite the journey and I feel so lucky that you have all come along for part of the ride. I appreciate it greatly and can’t wait to get home to show you the pictures that are associated with all the experiences I have had – which are countless at this point. I know that this has been a journey of a lifetime and although it hurts so much to leave, it will be part of me for the rest of my life.
Today is a busy today – I visited Akosombo dam, which is the main source of power generation for the country, I am currently at the internet café, and then I have a wrap-up debrief meeting with Youth4Change this afternoon. Tomorrow is a packing day and Thursday is graduation… it’s moving so quickly that at times I lose the hours as they pass by, but at the same time try to take in as much as I possibly can. What’s that old saying, you don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone. I’m trying to acknowledge that and take advantage of what I have now before it really is gone.
I’m going to go on my way, back to Kpong and enjoy the rest of my experience here in Ghana as it comes to an end. If anyone has any dire messages for me, please call mom and she’ll pass the message along – if there isn’t anything else I’ll see a great majority of you when I return in a few weeks.
Wa ma kpe (We shall meet)
Rasta (after 7 hours of getting my hair braided!) Dede xox
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Time is Flying and Soon I'll Be Home
Hey everyone!!
The time is just flying and I am trying to make the best of what little I have left... it really is coming up fast, especially since I have so many plans within the next few weeks before making the trip back home.
Firstly, a few things that have happened that I just have to tell you about!
I was sitting one day with my family at the house, hanging out like usual and one of my host-brothers brought me a letter and set it in my lap. It was addressed "Dede Amanda" with the school's address. I didn't have a clue who it was from, so I opened it up. There was a picture of a man as well as a letter. I didn't know who the young guy was (my age maybe?) and didn't recognize the name on the letter. When I opened it up, it was a letter from a guy who was passing through my town and saw me teaching at the school one day when he was visiting his mum. He wants to be friends (whatever that means) and said that he has no bad intentions (I'm sure - who would say they DO have bad intentions?). It was really eerie. A 'good
Samaritan' he said gave him my name (probably one of my students) and so he decided to solicit friendship from me via a letter. Odd - but somewhat familiar - anyone heard of dating websites? Although the people around me said it was strange that he had done it without coming to introduce himself first. Another amusing experience in Ghana!! We all had a good laugh.
On a different note, I have found different radio programs at night on my short-wave radio that I brought, from Canada. It's been really great to listening to the news to hear what's going on and to hear that familiar Canadian 'accent' that I really don't notice until I'm away from home. It's called The Link: Canada International. It's been refreshing and a little taste of home right before I go to bed (around 9pm my time - 5pm your time).
Last week I had an activity with Youth4Change all about stigmatization and how to treat people who have a terminal disease (in the case of HIV/AIDS). I taped signs on their back (about 18 students) that said "HIV-POSITIVE" and had them sit in class and spend the day that way. They were to learn what it is like to be treated differently. What a lesson it turned out to be!! They told me at our lesson that afternoon that they were beaten (e.g. slapped on the back where their sign was) and insulted, people refused to sit with them, share seats, or share objects with them...overall they were treated very poorly and it wasn't a good feeling. I asked them how they felt about knowing 40 million people in the world wear the HIV-POSITIVE sign every day of their lives - we had a good talk and it was an amazing lesson, I'll never forget it.
Last Friday I went to Accra (the capital) with Pops to go to the Ghana AIDS commission. I had been playing phone tag with them (more so one-sided as they didn't ever call ME back, but I called numerous times), in order to get educational materials for Youth4Change. I headed down there, met with the public relations guy, he apologized profusely and sent me on my way with so many materials that my arms and back ached the whole next day. I was so excited, and yesterday I shared the materials with the group who were thrilled :) It's been a great experience and I've been trying to do the most that I can for them in order that they are set up with resources and information for when I leave. I'm also waiting on t-shirts and a banner that should have been done yesterday, but may come tonight and HOPEFULLY tomorrow for our big lesson... *fingers crossed* I really want to show up with our shirts, looking professional and organized ;) (Canadian culture coming through there...)
Next week I'm going to Sega for their school graduation, then one or two of the girls will come back with me to see where I've spent my summer, that'll be nice to show them around! Then the next week we will have a goodbye party for me (the 1st), our graduation is on the 2nd and then I leave on the third to go to a 2 day festival - HUGE! On the 6th, 4 of us are taking a 15 hour bus ride north (through the night) to Mole National Park (SAFARI!!) which is SOOO exciting, I can't wait!! But the 15 hour hike is not something I really want to think about right now. We'll spend a few days there, meeting the animals and whatnot before heading back. We may spend a day at the beach, I'll head back to my hosts quick to get some things and then I'm heading home!! It's busy and crazy!! No time to be sad... but, it's there, I can feel it already. I'm not really ready to leave, but I'm preparing for it as I want to see everyone at home and share my experiences and pictures face-to-face.
Anyway, the internet is being SUPER slow so I have to post this with 6 min left or it won't go!
I'll be back soon hopefully before heading off on the next adventure before heading home!!
Miss you bunches but will see you all soon!
Dede
The time is just flying and I am trying to make the best of what little I have left... it really is coming up fast, especially since I have so many plans within the next few weeks before making the trip back home.
Firstly, a few things that have happened that I just have to tell you about!
I was sitting one day with my family at the house, hanging out like usual and one of my host-brothers brought me a letter and set it in my lap. It was addressed "Dede Amanda" with the school's address. I didn't have a clue who it was from, so I opened it up. There was a picture of a man as well as a letter. I didn't know who the young guy was (my age maybe?) and didn't recognize the name on the letter. When I opened it up, it was a letter from a guy who was passing through my town and saw me teaching at the school one day when he was visiting his mum. He wants to be friends (whatever that means) and said that he has no bad intentions (I'm sure - who would say they DO have bad intentions?). It was really eerie. A 'good
Samaritan' he said gave him my name (probably one of my students) and so he decided to solicit friendship from me via a letter. Odd - but somewhat familiar - anyone heard of dating websites? Although the people around me said it was strange that he had done it without coming to introduce himself first. Another amusing experience in Ghana!! We all had a good laugh.
On a different note, I have found different radio programs at night on my short-wave radio that I brought, from Canada. It's been really great to listening to the news to hear what's going on and to hear that familiar Canadian 'accent' that I really don't notice until I'm away from home. It's called The Link: Canada International. It's been refreshing and a little taste of home right before I go to bed (around 9pm my time - 5pm your time).
Last week I had an activity with Youth4Change all about stigmatization and how to treat people who have a terminal disease (in the case of HIV/AIDS). I taped signs on their back (about 18 students) that said "HIV-POSITIVE" and had them sit in class and spend the day that way. They were to learn what it is like to be treated differently. What a lesson it turned out to be!! They told me at our lesson that afternoon that they were beaten (e.g. slapped on the back where their sign was) and insulted, people refused to sit with them, share seats, or share objects with them...overall they were treated very poorly and it wasn't a good feeling. I asked them how they felt about knowing 40 million people in the world wear the HIV-POSITIVE sign every day of their lives - we had a good talk and it was an amazing lesson, I'll never forget it.
Last Friday I went to Accra (the capital) with Pops to go to the Ghana AIDS commission. I had been playing phone tag with them (more so one-sided as they didn't ever call ME back, but I called numerous times), in order to get educational materials for Youth4Change. I headed down there, met with the public relations guy, he apologized profusely and sent me on my way with so many materials that my arms and back ached the whole next day. I was so excited, and yesterday I shared the materials with the group who were thrilled :) It's been a great experience and I've been trying to do the most that I can for them in order that they are set up with resources and information for when I leave. I'm also waiting on t-shirts and a banner that should have been done yesterday, but may come tonight and HOPEFULLY tomorrow for our big lesson... *fingers crossed* I really want to show up with our shirts, looking professional and organized ;) (Canadian culture coming through there...)
Next week I'm going to Sega for their school graduation, then one or two of the girls will come back with me to see where I've spent my summer, that'll be nice to show them around! Then the next week we will have a goodbye party for me (the 1st), our graduation is on the 2nd and then I leave on the third to go to a 2 day festival - HUGE! On the 6th, 4 of us are taking a 15 hour bus ride north (through the night) to Mole National Park (SAFARI!!) which is SOOO exciting, I can't wait!! But the 15 hour hike is not something I really want to think about right now. We'll spend a few days there, meeting the animals and whatnot before heading back. We may spend a day at the beach, I'll head back to my hosts quick to get some things and then I'm heading home!! It's busy and crazy!! No time to be sad... but, it's there, I can feel it already. I'm not really ready to leave, but I'm preparing for it as I want to see everyone at home and share my experiences and pictures face-to-face.
Anyway, the internet is being SUPER slow so I have to post this with 6 min left or it won't go!
I'll be back soon hopefully before heading off on the next adventure before heading home!!
Miss you bunches but will see you all soon!
Dede
Monday, July 9, 2007
Wow. I've been in Ghana for 2 months now, 2 whole months of experiences of a life time. Lots of lessons, discussions, excursions, relationships, and the like... there's been a lot of everything really!
It's been a couple of weeks since I've updated so I made it a top priority to get to the internet cafe today. Luckily for me, there is electricity this morning, that's not always a guarantee. I have the cell number of the guy who runs the place so I call him and ask before I head out, it's much easier this way. I le ni. (I am smart).
So, last weekend was the July 1st weekend, and what a weekend I had! A friend of mine, Yahaya came home from school for the weekend, which was very exciting. He and I get along better than some others, because we both think similarly - with an open mind in regard to the world around us. I have found that some others are very strict in their beliefs and views and are unwilling to compromise. Yaya and I have an understanding and it makes for great entertainment sometimes!
We spent an hour or so one day playing Frisbee in the school 'playground' and the children had such a blast chasing the Frisbee once we had dropped it. The kids are fascinated with everything I have to bring, especially bright red coloured frisbees that say "Canada". It was great fun. Yaya and I walked to town at least 1/2 a dozen times just for something to do. People began calling him my husband, and we had a good laugh - he might as well be, I get harassed less by other men when they think he's my husband. There is much more respect shown towards a married woman (perhaps the men are afraid of the husband?). It's been interesting to see.
Yaya also helped me with my wash one morning. I have learned that I cannot wash large sheets very well. I get wet, the sheets get all tangled and nothing really gets cleaned... so I handed it over to him and he took the lead. I was very appreciative because it would have taken me forever to get it all sorted out, and he made it look so easy. He's got 22 years experience!
We also headed to a soccer game (sorry - football game) one afternoon and cheered for the local team. We won, 1-0.
One morning I went with Pops and his 4th born son, Joshua to the internet cafe to help them set up a website. Currently it is a work in progress: http://freewebs.com/newagekps I hope it works! We'll put a picture and description up soon.
I've had the fortunate opportunity to build such trusting and honest relationships with people that I have learned so much about the inner struggles of people in my community. The woman living beside me, Tina is a perfect example. She dated her husband for two years before they married. She got pregnant after 2 years with him as his wife, then found out he had, had another wife and children (he was divorced) - and she now became responsible for his daughter. He now works away from home and is unfaithful. Tina had her sister-in-law (a policewoman) follow him one night. Now, this poor woman is afraid of getting HIV or some other disease from this man. She's also afraid of getting pregnant again but there isn't much she can do but abstain from him (which isn't exactly encouraged in this culture). Her plan is to refuse him until he demands divorce, in hopes that she'll receive a little money from him (demanded by the court) because she has a 7 month old baby. It's a terrible situation and we've talked about different options she has... but she has no money and the burden of it all would rest on her father.. she's 27. She'd like to get contraceptives (whatever is available, we don't really know) but the money really is a problem.
Another woman I met, has one leg, and barely manages to sell enough oranges and toffee to support her two young sons, one of which has currently got malaria. I don't know if she has the money to get him the medicine, or if he'll make it through at all. I guess we'll see.
It's heart-wrenching scenarios like this that take a toll on me because I feel helpless and want so much to do all that I can to help these people. The worst part, is that this exists all over the country, the continent and the world, but what is my role and how can I help? There are some big questions I've been struggling with and it's been a fight everyday to try and understand how much I take my own luxuries and life for granted.
On a lighter note, 15 of us headed to a beach on Monday, July 2nd. July 1st was their Republic Day so we had Monday off. The beach was great, we had a lot of fun in the waves, although my legs got cut up pretty bad from some of the rocks. My "husband" was so worried about me, but I insisted that I'm a strong woman and everyone let it go. Everyone really looks out for me here, they really want to ensure I'm happy and safe from harm. There were 3 women and the rest men. We had a great time and had sand everywhere for at least 2 days afterwards!
I taught the Youth4Change group about condoms last week and it went over sooo well! Their ages range from 9-15 so it was quite the experiment to play with condoms, especially in a totally different culture. We went over how to use them, how they protect us from diseases and pregnancy, and then filled them with water and had a few good laughs. It was a lot of fun. Next week the group will be giving their first presentation/lesson to an entire public school! I just found out about this, this morning when I went to speak with the headmaster of the school. Next week!? That's not a lot of time!! We have a lot to do so I have to ensure we are organized and on our way for next week.
Today I've got a meeting with Y4C in order to tell them about the lesson, I have to head back to Kpong before the end of the school day. My two classes this morning had exams so I had no where to be, so I took the opportunity to come to the internet cafe while I had the time, and there was electricity. This week is going to be busy!
Today - meet with Y4C, buying material for a banner I'm having made for them
Tuesday - official Y4C lesson - GREAT stigmatization lesson I have planned for them!!
Wednesday - market to pick up some more fabric
Thursday - Y4C meeting
Friday - tie up loose ends
Saturday - going to visit Yaya at school - have a look around campus
Sunday - Godwin (our coordinator) is coming to see me as it's been a few weeks since I've seen him and I've had quite the cold to struggle with so he's coming to check up on me :)
Anyway - 1 minute left and I've got to get going!
I'll be back in a week or so!!
Lots of love and special hellos to everyone reading, thank you for following me on my journey!!
Dede
It's been a couple of weeks since I've updated so I made it a top priority to get to the internet cafe today. Luckily for me, there is electricity this morning, that's not always a guarantee. I have the cell number of the guy who runs the place so I call him and ask before I head out, it's much easier this way. I le ni. (I am smart).
So, last weekend was the July 1st weekend, and what a weekend I had! A friend of mine, Yahaya came home from school for the weekend, which was very exciting. He and I get along better than some others, because we both think similarly - with an open mind in regard to the world around us. I have found that some others are very strict in their beliefs and views and are unwilling to compromise. Yaya and I have an understanding and it makes for great entertainment sometimes!
We spent an hour or so one day playing Frisbee in the school 'playground' and the children had such a blast chasing the Frisbee once we had dropped it. The kids are fascinated with everything I have to bring, especially bright red coloured frisbees that say "Canada". It was great fun. Yaya and I walked to town at least 1/2 a dozen times just for something to do. People began calling him my husband, and we had a good laugh - he might as well be, I get harassed less by other men when they think he's my husband. There is much more respect shown towards a married woman (perhaps the men are afraid of the husband?). It's been interesting to see.
Yaya also helped me with my wash one morning. I have learned that I cannot wash large sheets very well. I get wet, the sheets get all tangled and nothing really gets cleaned... so I handed it over to him and he took the lead. I was very appreciative because it would have taken me forever to get it all sorted out, and he made it look so easy. He's got 22 years experience!
We also headed to a soccer game (sorry - football game) one afternoon and cheered for the local team. We won, 1-0.
One morning I went with Pops and his 4th born son, Joshua to the internet cafe to help them set up a website. Currently it is a work in progress: http://freewebs.com/newagekps I hope it works! We'll put a picture and description up soon.
I've had the fortunate opportunity to build such trusting and honest relationships with people that I have learned so much about the inner struggles of people in my community. The woman living beside me, Tina is a perfect example. She dated her husband for two years before they married. She got pregnant after 2 years with him as his wife, then found out he had, had another wife and children (he was divorced) - and she now became responsible for his daughter. He now works away from home and is unfaithful. Tina had her sister-in-law (a policewoman) follow him one night. Now, this poor woman is afraid of getting HIV or some other disease from this man. She's also afraid of getting pregnant again but there isn't much she can do but abstain from him (which isn't exactly encouraged in this culture). Her plan is to refuse him until he demands divorce, in hopes that she'll receive a little money from him (demanded by the court) because she has a 7 month old baby. It's a terrible situation and we've talked about different options she has... but she has no money and the burden of it all would rest on her father.. she's 27. She'd like to get contraceptives (whatever is available, we don't really know) but the money really is a problem.
Another woman I met, has one leg, and barely manages to sell enough oranges and toffee to support her two young sons, one of which has currently got malaria. I don't know if she has the money to get him the medicine, or if he'll make it through at all. I guess we'll see.
It's heart-wrenching scenarios like this that take a toll on me because I feel helpless and want so much to do all that I can to help these people. The worst part, is that this exists all over the country, the continent and the world, but what is my role and how can I help? There are some big questions I've been struggling with and it's been a fight everyday to try and understand how much I take my own luxuries and life for granted.
On a lighter note, 15 of us headed to a beach on Monday, July 2nd. July 1st was their Republic Day so we had Monday off. The beach was great, we had a lot of fun in the waves, although my legs got cut up pretty bad from some of the rocks. My "husband" was so worried about me, but I insisted that I'm a strong woman and everyone let it go. Everyone really looks out for me here, they really want to ensure I'm happy and safe from harm. There were 3 women and the rest men. We had a great time and had sand everywhere for at least 2 days afterwards!
I taught the Youth4Change group about condoms last week and it went over sooo well! Their ages range from 9-15 so it was quite the experiment to play with condoms, especially in a totally different culture. We went over how to use them, how they protect us from diseases and pregnancy, and then filled them with water and had a few good laughs. It was a lot of fun. Next week the group will be giving their first presentation/lesson to an entire public school! I just found out about this, this morning when I went to speak with the headmaster of the school. Next week!? That's not a lot of time!! We have a lot to do so I have to ensure we are organized and on our way for next week.
Today I've got a meeting with Y4C in order to tell them about the lesson, I have to head back to Kpong before the end of the school day. My two classes this morning had exams so I had no where to be, so I took the opportunity to come to the internet cafe while I had the time, and there was electricity. This week is going to be busy!
Today - meet with Y4C, buying material for a banner I'm having made for them
Tuesday - official Y4C lesson - GREAT stigmatization lesson I have planned for them!!
Wednesday - market to pick up some more fabric
Thursday - Y4C meeting
Friday - tie up loose ends
Saturday - going to visit Yaya at school - have a look around campus
Sunday - Godwin (our coordinator) is coming to see me as it's been a few weeks since I've seen him and I've had quite the cold to struggle with so he's coming to check up on me :)
Anyway - 1 minute left and I've got to get going!
I'll be back in a week or so!!
Lots of love and special hellos to everyone reading, thank you for following me on my journey!!
Dede
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