September 4, 2010

Prepared by Gerard

The day began at 5am with a 4 ½ hour bus ride to Cape Coast. We arrived at 9:30am at the Cape Coast Slave castle. Here we had a glance of the reality regarding the transatlantic slave trade. Each room we viewed told us a horrific story. You could still smell death in the castle. To think humans allowed this behavior was overwhelming. The best part of the tour was our guide. He blamed all humanity for these acts and was more focused on sending a positive message to all visitors.

After the tour, we decided to explore. To our surprise our former group of volunteers we said our tearful goodbyes less than 24 hrs ago pulled up in front of us. It has shown us how small of a world we live in.

Next up was Elmina slave castle. Most of the group was emotionally drained from the first castle so they decided to pass. This castle was the largest transatlantic slave castle in the world. During the tour I could not help to find it bizarre that there were churches residing on the compounds next to all the evil.

After our informative afternoon of history, it was time to shower and head to dinner at coconut grove. The setting was amazing between the sounds of the ocean waves crashing, beach view, and great company of new and old friends.

Expanding our horizons from Senchi Ferry allowed us to discover how precious the village we are helping really is. This adds to my appreciation of my time here more and more.

September 3, 2010

Prepared by Cristina

Quote of the Day: “Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of getting out of one’s self and appreciating. Whatever is noble and loving. Thomas Hughes

Fifth day of labor in the library. Morale is high but it seems like the work is never ending. Since day 2, we were told that the book covering assignment is DONE. But, every day we get MORE boxes to do. We suspect that Samuel inspects our book covering job for Quality Control and remove the covers from those that didn’t pass for us to redo. This has to be the explanation for the additional boxes to be done. It’s Ok because there are those that enjoy wrapping them. The ground around the septic tank needed to be leveled. Kevin, young Tim, and Gerard were at it. The girls took turns with the shoveling after Samuel and young Tim has broken the dirt. Kevin and Gerard took turn wheeling the dirt. The apron duty was also still in progress. Carl, Patty and Katie helped carry the cement to the masons. THE SUN WAS BEAMING ON US. The phrase “for the kids, for the kids, for the kids” was playing over and over in my head for motivation. The electrolyte drinks and power bars also helped. The kids being there as distractions made a tangible reminder of the purpose for the labor. Mickey and Bev faced their challenge for another of teaching 20 or so enthusiastic children learn how to use a computer WITH ONLY 2 laptops to work with. The others that were wrapping books were again told that book wrapping is finally done.

Samuel had a treat for us. It was a hike to the river to venture on the history of Senchi-Ferry. It was sad to hear how the building of the bridge led to the FALL OF THE SENCHI Empire. We saw remnants of the old hotel that used to lodge travelers that would visit the town for business or leisure. We also hiked through a cassava and banana plantation.

Throughout the whole day, we carried a sad burden of knowing that part of our group will be returning for home. We have enjoyed each other’s company so much that we are dreading saying goodbye. Patty gave a speech about how fulfilling their volunteer experience was and how the young ones have inspired them. After group pictures, Patty had a prayer for our continued success with the library and for the health and safety for the remaining volunteers. While seeing the Minnesota group off, Jessica and I expressed how we felt that they portrayed what Gerard wrote as one of our purpose of being volunteers which is “TO LIVE”. These beautiful people raised their families, held their careers and had their share of sorrows but have LIVED FULLY by not confining themselves in a box. THEY GOT OUT AND SAW THE WORLD and learned how other people live their lives. There were tears all around. It was hard saying good bye to them. We pray for their safe journey home.

September 2, 2010

Prepared by Carl and Bev

Quote: “One cannot pay in gratitude; One can only pay ‘in Kind’ somewhere else in life. “ - Ann Morrow lindberg

This morning our team gathered again for breakfast. It is so pleasing and amazing that 15 very different and all different ages people have come together to help the Senchi-Ferry community build a library for the children. It has been such “fun” working together. Today we varnished the library shelves, mixed concrete, helped lay tiles, taught computer skills and read to the kids, Oh, and less we forget, we covered many-many more books. It was very sunny today. It is also Ramadan; the young Muslim laborers would not eat or drink water. It is so nice to see Muslims, Methodist, Catholics, and all religious people work together and respect each others’ view in Ghana.

After lunch, we headed back to the Library for more working and fun. This afternoon, Samuel, our boss, the Librarian said we could not let the kids help. I think he inspected so of the boxes. He said the kiddies could just watch us cover the books in plastics. Speaking of Samuel, some of his funny saying to the kids have been, “if you are not good, I’ll put you in the library prison and the monkey will get you. Our 2 nurses Carol and Cristina had a tour of the medical clinic and found it very nice.

We cleaned up and some of the team wore their newly purchased custom made clothing. Gerard called his new attire “African Sheek”. Off we went by tro-tro to the New Akrade community center for our night of peaceful, relaxing musical interlude- Drums and Dancing. As the performance started, we looked around and found ourselves surrounded by the local people and children. GREAT! A large audience to watch “the obroni’s” We were invited to learn a few simple steps. Needless to say, we looked like we had just learned how to walk, let alone dance.

It was a great last night for us old timers who have to leave tomorrow. What wonderful experience to leave the people of Senchi-Ferry alongside some of finest young people this old timer has ever met.

September 1, 2010

Prepared by Betty

Another great day with the people in the village and our team members. A lot of hard work was being done by the villagers and the volunteers; back filling the septic tank , sealed the book shelves, wrapping more books helping the kids with computers and, of course, playing with kids. Mickey brought a soccer ball and Tim had a couple of Frisbees, while Kathleen was having kids draw and color. There was also paper airplanes making and flying and Patty showed the kids how to make paper cootie catchers, A fun and productive day was had by all. After a late lunch, the group decided it was time for a night out so we went to Akosombo to the Volta hotel for some swimming and a what was supposed to be a nice quiet dinner. The dining room over looks over the scenic vista of Lake Volta. We talk about the day and such but our quiet dinner went bye-bye after old Tim read a poem he had composed for the team and a couple of our resident comedians got rolling. Back to St. James and sleep.

August 31, 2010

Prepared by Gary

Quote for the day: “Whom have I served during my waking hours of this day.” Fr. Dave Kohner

The younger volunteers from the east coast continued the hard concrete work. No key available to get water so they pumped water out of the new septic tank. YUK, but creative. Of course it hadn’t been used yet. Another day at the library covering books for the village and its children. The children enjoyed cutting and handing over the tape to us. One girl about 11 years old would watch me so close and hand me the tape before I asked for it, I told Tim that she will be a great nurse or dental assistant because she would give the doctors their instruments before they would ask for them, and everything done with a beautiful smile. We finished up at 4pm and went over to the queens’ palace where she served us some ice cream. The children were in the door way so I motioned them in and proceeded to feed six children my ice cream. Their mouths were open like little chicks in a nest waiting their turn. They said they loved the ice cream but not near as much as I loved feeding it to them.

As I looked around at the village elders and the children’s parents, I could see the enjoyment in their faces as we worked with and played with the children. The children were having so much fun and we were working at their future library. We have been in other developing countries but I felt so much safer and more loved from the people of Ghana and especial the people of Senchi-Ferry. I could also see first hand that the Global Volunteer staff from Ghana, Esther and Amo, Katie from St. Paul and Kathleen, from Boston, truly enjoy this project, the people, the volunteers and the communities they serve.

August 30, 2010

Prepared by Carol

Quote for the day: “Accept the things to which fate binds you. And love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. “ -Marcus Aurelius

We begin our day with a good breakfast. This is our first day of work and we are excited to begin. We arrive at the library after a walk through part of the village. The children yell “Obruni”, as we pass. Samuel is in charge of the library and shows us how to wrap books. Several people begin sanding shelves and they sand all the shelves. Samuel’s dedication to the library and the children is amazing. Kevin, Girard and Tim worked very hard on the apron and made great progress. They plan to complete it this trip!

The book wrappers are surrounded by children in a short time. They are so anxious to help and didn’t get bored handing us tape. We return to the Guesthouse for a delicious lunch of rice, Red-Red and plantain with a dessert of Oreos. Amo, Esther’s assistant, has his first Oreo; he said it made him sweat.

Then the seamstress came and people ordered dresses, shirts and bags. We return to the library to wrap books and reluctantly stop so we can go for a boat ride on the Volta River. We travel by tro-tro to the Continental Hotel to board the boat. The boat stops running at 5 pm, we are too late, maybe another day. We tour the grounds and see the crocodiles, cranes, peacocks, and monkeys. We stay and have something to drink; a very nice time and a break from our work. We return by tro-tro to the Guest house for dinner. Good food again with popcorn for dessert. We say goodnight, feeling accomplishment and ready to begin tomorrow.

August 29, 2010

Prepared by Pat

Quote for the day: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer

After a long night for Esther, waiting and picking up people from the airport at all hours, we all leave for Senchi-Ferry. It’s our first day we’re meeting the children. It’s what I’ve been waiting most to see! The drive from Accra was an eyeful and hard to look at, similar to other developing countries. But there were still smiles, warm welcomes and a sense of community. One thing that struck me was how nice and well-dressed the people looked, walking home from church: clean and polished, very nice outfits and happy. They probably walked a long distance too. There were lots of people (maybe families), gathered together. We could certainly learn from that: the respect of dressing up for church and the community time. It seemed odd to me to see so many farm animals roaming loose everywhere: lots of goats, chickens, and skinny cows. I wondered what Africa was like, or what Ghana was like 100, or 50 years ago?? How much has changed for the people who live here?

Today was about team-building. What a beautiful group of people we have on our team! We have the young, (the ages of our children), and the old, us! I think we’re going to make a great team. We’re already planning how we would like to attack the work at hand, and what kind of free time activities to do together. The exercises Esther had for us to do today were very insightful and a great way to get us all on the same page.

Our walk to the village was interesting and fun. We met lots of children along the way who came out to greet us want their picture. We were all very happy to be so welcomed! The cameras couldn’t stop clicking. I can speak for the team when I say how honored and humbled we felt to be welcomed so warmly by the chiefs, Queen Mother, the mayor and all the other dignitaries, as well as the children. I loved it!

We also got to see the library, our work site. There is a lot to do!!! But we’re determined to get it done: for the awesome community and most of all for the children!