Ghana Team Journal

So another day begins with the troops meandering to the dining room to enjoy a breakfast of eggs and toast. Amy and Benjy appear to need a few extra hours of sleep while some of us were
thinking of the day ahead. A few of us were talking about the schools that we were teaching in, so Kathleen decided to read us some information about the Ghanaian school system. It confirmed our experiences, which were that the children seemed to be memorizing their lessons, but not really understanding them. I think we all went about our day noticing this even more and trying to address the problem. As we all headed off to our respective places, the construction crew, which has been so efficient, had to be reassigned due to lack of work. Benjy, Amy and Ellen
headed to the library, while I headed off to Beacotu Elementary school. Lisa and I walked to the school together because Lisa was working with a class there. She ultimately went to work with another class, because it seems that there is a system in place, where if a teacher teaches a class for you, in return the next day, you take their class. So, although, the Kindergarten Teacher was in, she sent the students to the teacher next door leaving Lisa with no pupils. I went to third grade to observe Madame Esther at work. The first part was math problems with graphs. I was really in over my head. But after looking at the children’s work, it came back to me. I
was amazed at what they did without seeming to be able to read the text. After that came a class about costumes and props. That was funny. Trying to get that concept across was
difficult. It was really sad, that the only actors and props were a doctor, Preacher, farmer and street seller.

Finally it was lunch. A few trekked back by foot, while the others rode in a taxi. Lunch was filling so some of us went to rest while Ellen and Lisa went to the market to do some fabric shopping. In no time, it was back to the library for reading, sweating and child hugging. In between all of this chaos, Kathleen wanted to know if we wanted to see batik cloth making. The shoppers that we are, we exited the library ASAP and went to see what was available for purchase. The fabric was unbelievable. We were all grabbing at things and left the artist with IOUs and promises to come back after the library to see the batik-making process, which we did. It done with wax stamps and dye to create the patterns. A few more items left the rack at that time too. Whew. Back to the St James for a quick dinner with pasta and sauce, which we all seemed to enjoy a little too much. Energized with popcorn, we were set to dance and drum the night away at the dancing and drumming show tonight. We all piled into the van loaded with cameras and bug spray, all claiming “we will not go up there” in various definitive voices. But, when the music started, we lost our inhibitions to shake our things and bang our drums. The talented dancers
and drummers captured our attention as well as the local children’s. We were all glad that we participated, and no one was made to feel foolish. As we waited for the van to pick of us, many of the children, came up to us recognizing us from their school That was really fun. Even though I didn’t teach 4th or 5th grades, they knew me from just being around. They are really observant. Finally loaded on the van, we headed home and scattered to our rooms for the next day’s adventure. As I write this day’s activities, I realized that I faced many fears; teaching, dancing, drumming and journaling. It wasn’t so bad. Mark that off as another thing accomplished
with Global Volunteers.