Ghana Team Journal

Journal by: Margaret Henly

Most of us reconvened at breakfast of omelets, toast, oatmeal, pancakes and baked beans. Well, this once was a British colony, and beans and toast is comfort food. At 10 am we packed the vans- one with all of us volunteers and the other with the driver, Esther, and all the luggage. After an hour and a half drive northeast of Accra, passing roadside lean-to’s and sheds made of wood or cinder block, some with thatched roofs, others with corrugated tin, selling anything from bread to fruit to cell phones, we arrived at the St. James Guest House in New Akrade, and shown to our rooms. The rooms are spacious and clean, with large bathrooms and tubs, but alas, no hot water. Although I have seen only 3 mosquitoes since arriving in Ghana, I will use my mosquito net.

We reconvened at a large communal table in the dining room. Esther laid out the ground rules and described the contributions that Global Volunteers is making in the communities of New Akrade and Senchi Ferry. She taught us the basics of greetings in Twi, the correct way to wave (with the hand open as opposed to “some here” bending the straight fingers at the knuckles). Donations were collected at the door- a bucket of pencils, stacks of paper, soccer balls, markers, etc. .. We each contributed our goals for the weeks ahead, and categorized them into 4 subsets: to learn about the local culture, to serve others, to grow personally, and to have fun (this was Esther’s favorite!).Lunch following was delicious! Curried chicken, rice with green peas, salad of lettuce, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers, and fresh mango and pineapple.

Soon after lunch we walked along the path to the town center, where we were welcomed by our host Samuel, the mayor of New Akrade, the chief of protocol, the headmaster of the middle school, and other village elders. We learned more about the work of Global Volunteers as well. We each stood and introduced ourselves and where we came from. There was lively music, and after the official welcome was over, we were invited to dance with the children and some of the elders. The children were happy t dance on their own, but some became shy around us. They are a lively bunch, with wide smiles and bright eyes.

We had the opportunity to meet with some of the people with whom we will work: teachers, construction leaders and the nurse from the clinic. We also met Amo, Esther’s valuable assistant.

We were all a little more comfortable with our “ya enna” and “ya eja” on our walk back to the guest house. We had a little time to rest before dinner. Dinner again was delicious- pasta in spicy tomato sauce. After dinner, after Amo went home, we volunteers sat down and talked, a very comfortable and collegial group