Patience Pays Off with Kente and Monkeys

Our weekend excursion began with delays and frustration. At least frustration on Judy’s part as she felt responsible for the tour. After a call to the Tour Company we learned that our driver, Wisdom, who left Accra at 10 AM (so he wouldn’t be late!!) was caught in a terrible back-up of traffic from a motorway accident. We waited patiently -- what else could we do? -- and Wisdom finally arrived at 2 PM. We quickly loaded up our Chevrolet Tracker and headed out. A quick stop at a gas station in Atimpoku to top-off the tank, and to buy sodas and wine, and we
crossed the bridge and headed north. Wisdom is not only a wonderful driver, but a terrific story-teller and travel guide. He shared history and legends with us, keeping us well-entertained as we drove along.

The drive was very different from the other drives we’ve had this past week. The towns were smaller, with open land or wooded areas between communities. We passed through a village
that specialized in making pillows with the residue from the textile factory in Akosombo. Another village had coffins lined up under shelters waiting to be purchased, and a third village had hut after hut of drums of all shapes and sizes.

First stop for us was in the village of Tafe Abuipe, a community where all families, starting at age seven, work in the Kente Weaving industry. A short walk from the “Welcome Center” took us into the heart of the village. Looms were set up outside homes and we saw children, ages 11 through 15, sitting in front of the looms weaving faster than our eyes could focus. Back and forth, up and down, the quick fingers flew as the feet worked the floor pedals.

While walking from the center of the village area we cooed at every little child, and called to every goat, kid and chicken. And then we saw it. Amazing! A mother goat JUST gave birth to two babies. There in the path was the placenta and afterbirth, and the little kids were struggling to stand up. With umbilical cords hanging down, within seconds they were under Mama Goat suckling away while she licked them clean and dry.

We left Tafe Abuipe in a hurry as it was getting late and we wanted to get to the Tafe Atome Monkey Sanctuary. With gray skies and occasional thunder we sped along the road, dodging some big fat raindrops for a few minutes. As we pulled in Debbie frantically was searching for her I-phone. The purse was dumped onto the seat, but no phone. The floor was searched, but no phone. She realized that she probably left it in Tafe Abuipe and Wisdom offered to drive back to pick it up while we visited with the monkeys. Just as Wisdom was preparing to get into the
car a motorcycle pulled up and the guide from Tafe Abuipe hopped off with the bright pink phone. A huge hug was offered to him, plus 20 cedis which he asked for, and all was right with the world.

We entered the Tafi Atome Welcome Center and paid our fees -- volunteer rates, even though the woman did not believe that we were really volunteers -- and were escorted just a few hundred feet to the back of some houses. Before we even reached the clearing Mona monkeys of all ages and sizes were dropping out of the trees to visit us. The dominant male of the group greeted us first, trying to steal the bag of bananas right out of our guide’s hands. We then spent about a half hour feeding the smaller monkeys as they greeted us on the ground and then decided to use us as jungle gyms to jump on, as well as to jump from one person to another. Katherine was the first to be climbed upon and at one point had monkeys on her shoulders as another was climbing up her legs. It was a wonderful visit and we left there dirty with monkey prints up and down our arms, as well as all over our shirts, and big smiles on our faces.

After a quick wash-up we left Tafe Atome and began our hour drive to our hotel in Wli (pronounced vlee.) It was dark now, but Wisdom drove carefully and very skillfully, avoiding people, goats, dogs and pot holes every few hundred feet. We were warmly greeted by the owner of the Wli Water Heights Hotel and after dropping our bags in our rooms we headed to the dining room. Delicious meals were enjoyed by the three of us, and then showers and
journal time. Our tour has started wonderfully!

Today, as in all others, we are greeted by a table full of food and drink exquisitely prepared by our distinguished chef, Bless. Our band of twelve eagerly shares our morning meal and inspiring journal entry before heading off to our respective destinations. Ellen, Ben, Amy, Debbie, Ryan and Lisa head towards the B’ Akoto School where the team divides between classrooms and
shovels. Judy proceeds to the Methodist School and Monique to the Nana Amo.

Lynn, Mark and Kathleen head to the Akwamuman Senior High School for a meeting with the Headmaster. During our conversation, the Headmaster expresses his concern that the students in his school are challenged by their science courses. Being the committed leader that he is, he turns to us for our thoughts and suggestions. We proceed to have a lively conversation where Mark mentions that he has several textbooks that may assist the students in their academics as it contains several samples SAT tests. He explains that the students can take these sample tests in practice for future examinations. The Headmaster is most pleased and grateful to Mark and warmly receives these books. We further discuss ways in which we can serve the Headmaster in
supporting his students and we reconfirm our meeting for Wednesday at 7:30am where Ellen will give her inspirational presentation on “planning for achieving
goals”.

When we complete our meeting with the Headmaster, we move and visit the Assistant Headmaster. He has agreed to provide us with the Year 1 grades and Year 2 first term grades for all of the scholarship students. This is a time consuming endeavor as none of this information is computerized. Therefore, we sort through school files and photocopy the student’s results. We soon realize that our labor is worth the effort for most of the students have done well.

At around 1:00pm, all members of our team return to the St James Guest House tired yet satisfied by a morning of accomplishment and fun. After showers, we sit down to yet another fine lunch and share a lively conversation about today’s activities and weekend plans.

During lunch, weekend plans are finalized. Judy, Deb and Catherine will leave later in the afternoon for the trip they have planned to the various art, craft and weaving centers in the vicinity of Hohoe while the Rogan’s and Monique intend to head for an adventure to the
Monkey Sanctuary and the waterfall. After another wonderful dinner, Ellen, Ben and Amy watch a movie on Mark’s computer while Lynn, Lisa, Mark and Kathleen talk, tease, type and discuss information about the scholarship students and they prepare for the meeting to be held on Saturday at the library with the second year scholarship students.

It is hard for me to believe that our first week has come to a close. I am sad to think that the junior members of our team, Ben and Amy, will be leaving us on Sunday. They have been a refreshing infusion of “young blood” and my heart is full knowing that the torch of service has been passed down and eagerly received by this younger generation. We will miss you Ben and Amy!

As I climb into bed, I reflect back upon our week. I feel delighted and blessed to be sharing these wonderful days and remarkable experiences with such an incredible group of people. After months of Arab Spring and Republican debates, my wistful heart has been lifted by the power of love, friendship and service that we have all shared this week.

Lastly, I embrace my thoughts and feelings about the community. After years of visits, we have not tired of each other. The friendly smiles and warm waves continue to grace us as we make our way through the community each morning and afternoon. Our tutoring at the library continues to be filled with the hungry eyes and eager minds of the children from the community. Little King Bello’s shyness and fears have receded as he joins my lap to read yet another book. Big black eyes look up at me as we cuddle together and turn the pages. Many young minds are growing and hearts are glowing as knowledge and love are shared between arms joined from across the globe. This is the gift and it keeps on growing when I join yet another service
program to Ghana. It is for these reasons that I cannot stop myself from coming back.

“Take not the past that lies before you instead chose your own path and leave a trail behind you.” RW Emerson Shared by, Katherine

Today we first had some sort of school-wide religious ceremony. On Wednesday mornings, all the schools do this in their individual buildings. At the RC school, there was much preaching, singing and drumming. I also heard a few “praise Jesus”, and “praise Mohammad”. The students were then sent to class, but my teacher spent her time doing whatever. I read them a story and then began doing site word flash cards. When the teacher came back into the classroom, she told me to continue with my lesson. I wrote simple sentences on the board. We did repeat oral reading, then matched flash card words to the words on the board.
I was very pleased that later on, my teacher built on my lesson. She had them copy their sentences in their book, and I was very impressed with their penmanship. Much to my surprise, there then was an hour-long break. All of the teachers sat under the shade of a tree with the headmaster. All of the children were left to their own devices. When my teacher came back, she said they were meeting with the headmaster to discuss that they had lost a teacher, and they
were deciding how to combine 2 classes. I don’t know why it took the headmaster and all of the teachers an hour to figure this out.

The teacher then continued to use my sentences in a dictation lesson. Most students did very well, but 3-4 students didn’t get it at all. Next the teacher had a lesson in her book on how to make a paper pinwheel. Before she copied it on the board, she went in the yard, and got a stick and a few leaves. She showed the students a Ghana-style pinwheel. While the teacher spent almost 10 minutes drawing the directions on the board, the students ran about the yard making
their own Ghana-style pinwheels. The children were running and laughing and having a great time. I wonder if tomorrow we will make the book-style pinwheels.

Lunch today was a favorite for repeat Global volunteers, Rice Ball soup. This afternoon we did not have an outside adventure, so it a relaxing time to cool off and rest. A bit before 3pm, we were off to the library, where eager children were waiting to be read to or show off their reading
skills. Their enthusiasm for books really thrills “the reading teacher” in me. After library time, we did have another adventure. After 3 weeks in India, and 3 days in Ghana, a fellow volunteer, Ryan, had great expectations for a visit to the Continental hotel. We had to wait a few minutes for a trotro, but eventually got there. We found a perfect spot to sit, except for a very large baboon had escaped his cage and made a mess finishing off someone’s leftovers. We ordered our beverages at the bar, by that time a very comfortable spot was available for us right by the river. Cool breezes and lapping water (and a bit of alcohol) relaxed us all. We returned to
another wonderful dinner. This time it was the Ghana version of Savannah red rice and popcorn. This is only our third day here, and it already feels like home.

We started the official day 4 with a very yummy breakfast including pancakes. Actually we had wonderful food all day. Just confirming my belief that Valentines Day is the best holiday of the year. The kitchen staff received a standing ovation from us for their wonderful cooking and their heart felt effort.

As the team took off for their respective volunteer jobs – Monique, Katherine, Judy, Lisa and Ryan to the school – Mark to the library and Benjy Amy and Debbie to the construction site. I went with Lynn and Kathleen to the Senior High School to meet with the head master to talk about the Ghana Scholarship Fund. On the way out of the school we ran into two scholarship recipients who were all smiles to see Kathleen.

Later in the morning Esther took me, Benjy and Amy to New Akrade to the Presby school to see their friend from our last visit. The kids were warm and welcoming as were the teachers. Many of the children jumped to their feet and yelled Amy and Benjy! One little boy put his head out of the window as we passed by and screamed: Amy I love you! We also saw the progress that was made on the building that we worked on during our last visit. We had laid foundation and now they are up to the second floor. As we left, the kids invited Benjy and Amy back to play soccer.

After lunch we headed off to Aburi for some craft shopping. Once Ryan realized that it was Aburi and not “a brewery,” he decided not to join us. After a long drive we arrived at the stands filled with beautiful wood work and other crafts. The Rogins proceeded to power-shop – finding the heaviest things possible to carry home with us.

We returned back to the guest house, had a sweet filled dinner and were surprisedto be joined by Esther and her beautiful children Yaw and Isaac.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” -Helen Keller

We all woke up yesterday morning feeling refreshed and ready to start our work in the Senchi Ferri schools and community. We started our work day with a tour of the schools in the community, and then went our separate ways, some teaching, some doing construction and other working in the library. Whatever the job, we all felt the 100° Ghanaian weather, especially in construction, with Debbie “The Wheel Barrel Queen” and everyone else lugging sand off the ground, up ramps and into a foundation. After a long morning of hard work we made our way back to the guest house for a delicious lunch. After that we zoomed off to the market to do some speed shopping and dress ordering. Next we went to the library and “obronis” got to read to the kids. When we got back to the guest house we got some down time before a diner of “like-beef” and “like-ham”. We finished the night with a boys night out and a girls night in.

When I woke up on the second day, I quickly became exited knowing that we would be returning the New Akradi, Senchi Ferri area that day. After a breakfast buffet one hundred times better than the egg sandwiches on the plane, we all retrieved our luggage from our rooms, and pilled into the van, and started on the hour long drive to Senchi. After a cramped hour of driving, we finally pulled into the St. James Guest House, where we excitedly unloaded, and headed to our rooms to unpack. After about thirty minutes of unpacking, we all gathered in the dining room for an introduction/group meeting/language lesson/lunch. After lunch, we headed back to our rooms for a few hours to relax, catch some sleep, or watch some tv. At 3 o’clock, we all gathered in the common area, and guided by Amo, began the long journey to Senchi Ferri, where we met
with the chief. After hearing the sad news about the death of the town elders, we still received a very warm greeting from the locals, and where split into our groups to talk about either construction or teaching. After the meeting, we were then taken on a tour of the amazing Senchi library by Samuel the librarian. After the tour, we began the long hot walk back to the St. James, where we then ate dinner. After dinner, we discussed our free time and weekend activities. We then broke into groups, one watching videos of fishermen in Accra, and the other playing a
frustrating game of banana grams. After that, I was then given a crash course on how to play Yatzi by Ryan. Finally, we all headed back to our rooms, with the excitement of the projects beginning tomorrow.

February 2012 Team

As the plane landed in Ghana, there was a sense of excitement. We stepped off the plane into the warm humidwall of air outside. Immediately after exiting the plane, I began sweating. As we walked into the airport, the Akwaba sign above the entrance warmly greeted us. After going through customs and baggage claim, we walked into the foyer of the airport, where we were warmly greeted by Esters outstretched arms. After exchanging hellos and hearing Esters disbelief in how much I’d grown, we met Ryan, and found out that not only had he just come from a global volunteers trip in India, but after his three weeks in Ghana, he was heading to
China for another three weeks. We then loaded into the van, and were shuttled to the Airport view hotel. After we got settled into our room, I went out into the lobby to do some of my home work, and quickly became acquainted with multiple other volunteers. After a long, groggy jet lagged day of trying to stay awake, dinner finally came. When we all sat down at the table, Ester
quickly gave us an introduction to Ghanaian culture, and we promptly dug into the tasty buffet of food. After dinner, while a few lingered around the restaurant to talk and share stories, I quickly
headed to my room to catch some shut eye to relieve my jet lag, and prepare for the next day.