Nearing the End

Today I didn’t go to school in the morning, because I’ve spent the last few days being nauseous after I eat, but I feel better in a few hours without too many issues, so then I feel silly for not going to work.

We walked to library by ourselves. The people on the way know us now and so we offer greetings back and forth, in Twi. They know we know the traditional greetings, so they switch it up a bit to test us. I keep getting confused between the reply to “Etusen?”, which is “Eya” and the reply to “Aiko!”, which is “Ya-e”. I always have to pause and think about “Ya-e”, which makes them laugh at me, but we are laughing together.

We pass a school that is always getting out just as we come by. Cliff and I were thinking that the chorus of, “Obroni, Obroni!” make us feel like superstars. Perhaps we’ll have to put on a show, now.

Kara had a bag made to take back all the lovely swag that is, wood and hand crafts, that we’ve gotten here, but the zipper isn’t big enough, so we dropped it by for Noah to put another zipper in. Which brings to mind that our days here are numbered: we go home in just a few days.

This is a beautiful place, and the people here have left an imprint on me. Each day when I teach, I meet the children under a mango tree during their break, to play. Mango trees are ubiquitous, here. They’re everywhere! So, when I think about coming back, bringing my family and my friends to enjoy some of the things I have discovered, and some of the people I have met, and who have let me into their community and their hearts, I do not think about good-bye. I think, someday, I’ll just meet you under the Mango Tree.

The Clinic

Today was a teachers meeting so there was no school for Cliff and Rhonda wasn't feeling well so she stayed home from work. I went to the Senchi Ferry clinic today and it was again very busy which I enjoyed and the people were again welcoming, but this time did not get in a tizzy when I made a mistake.

I worked with Charity the head nurse today and her assistant. Their roles here are more complex than mine at home. I had to explain to her that some things are not in the scope of my practice so I can't diagnosis, but I can do some things under a doctor’s order and assist with vitals or paper work as needed. Once my role was clearer to her she was more apt to be assistive.

Another procedure I watched was the I/D of a finger abscess. It was also done in the office with the woman sitting in a chair, her hand hanging over a regular waste basket, unsterile technique or instruments which were not washed afterwards. The woman had a gaping finger wound, no anesthetic besides one extra strength Tylenol and then a sloppy dressing placed which will not promote healing. I was grossed out and terrified by this practice. She used scissors and a spreader to open the wound. The patient almost passed out so they had to move her to the table to lie down, give her some oral rehydration salt water. She was told to get up after a few minutes they gave her some oral antibiotics to take home and she left.

After clinic time had lunch then Margret came with our dresses, mine were great and I was very pleased as I know I can wear this any where I want. We lay down for a while then learned library was canceled so we laid down some more. Everyone is getting some good rest and feeling better today.

Beginning of the Last Week

We entered our last week today. I headed to the Senchi Ferry clinic and Rhonda went to the New Akrade clinic. It was much busier at this clinic and felt more welcoming today as they started off with all the patients and providers singing and praying together, then discussed the process of checking in. We saw 26 patients in the 1st hour of opening. I helped do vitals while another man did the intake paperwork. The check in process was complicated as the patients had to go from station to station before they were seen by the nurse. Several forgot their ID cards which show their folder number and this is what allows the nurse to see their history. This clinic doesn't charge for the cards or folders as the New Akrade clinic does. The practices and availability of services between the two clinics are like night and day.

Rosemond one of the cooks at the St.James guest house checked in today as she was still quite sick and might have malaria, but she didn't have her card so they made her wait a long time to check in as they allowed others to check in before her. It would be easier to use the patients name rather than a number to make their folders and that way they don't have to bring another card with them other than their insurance card.

We had my favorite meal today curry sauce over rice. Then napped until library time. It was cooler today, but very humid so I was sweating a lot. The kids were quieter than they have been in the past, but there were more of them today. When we returned Cliff was gone, but Margret came with our dresses. Mine were a little tight, but can easily be fixed so I ordered a few more items and will have them before I leave.

Things I've learned about Ghana

Day 15, Saturday, March 17^th, 2012

Since we have made it through 2/3rds of our stay in Africa, I thought I would revisit some of the things I’ve learned since I’ve been here.

Things I’ve learned in Ghana:

1.      Africa is made primarily of hot.

2.      Lizards will come into your house. Deal with it.

3.      Hand sanitizer is essential.

4.      Toilet paper is not.

5.      Neither are toilets, for that matter.

6.      The romance of a mosquito net over your bed is inversely proportionate to the amount of time you’ve spent sleeping under one.

7.      Vascular clamps make good clothespins.

8.      It is possible to take an effective shower using just two, 1.5 litre bottles of water.

9.      It is possible to drink or eat almost everything, including spaghetti, out of a plastic bag with no utensils

10.  It is okay to love someone for the color of their skin.

11.  It is not okay to hate them for it (I knew this one before. I just thought we should all review).

12.  Greet people. All of them. All the time. Preferably in their language. It feels good.

13.  No matter how many times I tell people my name, I am still the Obroni in the purple hat.

14.  Obroni is the word for “White person” which people, usually children, use to call out to us wherever we are. It must be acknowledged by a wave or reply, or it will continue in sing-song fashion. Sometimes they will come running to us, yelling “Obroni! Obroni! Obroni” and jump into our arms. This is always wonderful, and sometimes makes you cry. It is okay, they can’t tell because of the sweat. It just mixes in. Your cheeks were already dripping.

15.  It is okay to reply “Obibini!” when you don’t know the child’s name, and which means black person. The children are delighted by this and giggle. I think this type of exchange would not go over well in the States, but in Ghana, we are all honored by acknowledging our differences and celebrating our similarities.

he only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them.

Today and yesterday were fairly typical days for work, although I did more teaching both days. Yesterday, I had the class by myself for most of the morning. Today, I had the class for the second half of our work day, and I broke the class up into small groups to work on the skits we will perform for the rest of the class tomorrow. The children have trouble taking initiative in planning, although they are eager for the learning and the experience, they often need both very specific instructions and permission to act on their own. They need lots of encouragement to share their own ideas and implement them. It’s very different from home.

After work we ate a quick meal of sandwiches (an egg and cabbage mixture that was fabulous) so we could get to Akosombo market again. This is the first time I had been on a market day, and the market was booming! Stalls were everywhere and seemed to go on forever. People were often surprised to see the Obronis there, but eager to show off their goods. The fabrics, as usual, were stunning, and there is always more I want to buy. It would be easy to get myself in trouble in such a place.

The girls ventured out again after dinner and went to the Volta bridge. What a moment to have the batteries in my camera die! I walked quickly through the market square on my own while Ashley and Kara walked the bridge, so I could replace my batteries. Being an Obroni alone in the market at the end of day is quite different. Many of the vendors can be insistent, it is the end of the day and they are eager to sell the rest of their goods. It can be a lesson in assertiveness, although played out in another language, which can present difficulties. Success in finding the batteries had me back at the bridge where I took the most amazing pictures as evening fell. The clouds were afoot, and the evening shadows lent an incredible effect to the photos. We met many people, and, as usual, many men who were interested in coming to America with the Obroni women, but all were unfailingly polite and interesting to talk to.

As we were looking for a tro tro in the dark we met Desmond., a cabbie, who was very eager to carry us to our African home, so much so that it didn’t cost more than 60 American cents to take the taxi over the tro tro, and it was totally worth it. We jammed out to reggae music on the all too short trip, and queried Desmond about his life growing up in Akrade. I arrived home ready to dance the night away, but instead we stayed up for “Girl Talk” in Ashley’s room while she showed us what treasures she was bringing home as she leaves tomorrow.

I am really going to miss Ashley as she leaves the team after just one more work day. It’s very odd to get close to people so quickly, but new experiences tend to forge stronger bonds, and we have confided in each other about our experiences here in this beautiful place. I wish she could stay another week so we could have more adventures like today.

Another Typical Day

Today was another typical day.  Kara and Rhonda went to the clinic after breakfast, and Cliff and I walked to school with Uncle Meow.  At this point we don’t need him to find our way; we just like his company.  He teaches us songs and makes us laugh.  Its also nice to have someone around who can teach us new words in Twi as we greet everyone we pass. 

The school is becoming more like a second home as we get to know the children and teachers.  Every day we spend a little time in the classrooms, play outside with the children for a while, and then return to the classrooms for a little more learning before uncle meow picks us up.  We walk back for lunch, and show up late and after the clinic girls every day.  We could leave early, but it isn’t easy to leave such an eager bunch of students.   After a short rest, we set off for the library.  There were lots of children there again yesterday since it didn’t rain.  The time passed quickly and soon it was time to close and go home. After dinner Uncle Rabbit, Uncle Meow, Madam Macaroni and I walked to a little place past the school for some drinks.  I saved the bottles for science class.  Then we went to another place to watch football.  This was one more thing we don’t have in the US.  It was a building much like a lot of the other buildings around here, but there were two TVs set up next to each other, each showing a different football game.  All the chairs were set up facing the games.  The people watching with is got very heated and into the game.  A couple of them even looked like they were going to fight.  It was a great time.  After the games were over we walked home with our friends and went straight to bed.  It had been another full day and we were exhausted.

At the Clinic

Rhonda and I awakened and today the others were already up when we went to wake them, this was a pleasant change. After breakfast we had our meeting and then departed for the clinic while Cliff and Ashley returned to the school.

The clinic was busy today with many people coming in pairs. The clinic is seeing a lot of new patients. We held reorganize the patient folders and remarked them to make it easier to read and easier to find them. I was relieved that we did not meet any resistance on this and the nurses continue to be very welcoming. Lydia's son was here again today and Agnes and Mary are over their illnesses so it was a full staff today.

After clinic time we went home and I attempted to wrap up my beautiful woman wall hanging and Ester took it to the post office to see how much shipping would cost. I loved lunch as it had so many vegetables. Then the dress lady came and we were able to get premeasured and tell her what we wanted.

Cliff and Ashley headed to the Akosombo market for fabric and Rhonda and I hung out with Lydia then headed to the library early. We were there before most of the kids and when they did come in they were quite shy. The younger children were much more rambunctious  and I had to stop a few from hurting each other. One girl was very obnoxious, but was so beautiful it made me sad to watch her. The walk home seems to be getting easier, but I still would be lost on my own. When we returned home I was really hoping for a shower, but instead I got a large mouth full of bug spray. What a bummer. So we watched a movie on Rhonda's laptop then the power went out and we had dinner by flashlight. It was fun, but hot and then suddenly the power was back on. I showered and called my husband then read for a while before going to sleep for the next day.