Thought of the day:

Try new things and reach for the stars.

Journal by: Sandy

What a great roommate I have! Pat has wonderful warmth, humor, and intelligence. We enjoy many of the same things, especially music. Today is also a festival marking the end of Ramadan. Schools, banks, clinics, etc. closed. We will visit the arts and crafts “village” and the Botanical Gardens. We will take a picnic lunch – PB & J sandwiches and fruit. Breakfast at 8 – eggs, cereal, toast, and fruit. Esther is off to Accra to meet Kathleen. Amo is ill. Millicent packed us bread, PBJ and watermelon and banana for our day. Mini-van took us at 9 AM to the arts and crafts center.

We went south then west into the mountains, passing large farms, many cemeteries, homes and villages. It was perceptively cooler! Spent 2 hours with “vendors” in the arts and crafts village. Left to go to Botanical Gardens (fee 5 cedi for adults), where we used the bathroom, made our lunches, ate and roamed the gardens. Quite interesting especially Cotton Trees. Many saprophytes growing in the trees, bromeliads and orchids. Lots of folks on holiday enjoying themselves. Met young workers from Poquase who know Dana Dakin – Women’s Initiative.

Left at 2:15 for Volta Hotel and Dam view. Arrived at Volta at 3 pm. Sat on the terrace of this lovely international hotel. Continental menu – great view of this the largest earth dam in the world. The Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world. Home to St. James for 6:30 supper. Spoke with Liz re assignments: she suggests I chat with Esther about teaching.

Another wonderful day.

Julie’s thought for the day:

“Each of us has been put on earth with the ability to do something well. We cheat ourselves and the world if we don’t use that ability as best we can.”

Gracie Allen, 1895-1964, American Comedian and Actress

Journal by: Julie

Cailin and I are sleeping like babies. The local food is tasty and with the humidity, we are tired earlier at night.

Sandy took us on a tour of the clinic on our way to the library. It is actually very nice. Sandy pointed out the shoemaker, the dressmaker and the mosque. She is pretty knowledgeable on all things local.

The computer lab started out a little slow-as did the library. Samuel needed to pick up the forms for scholarships for the kids and was gone for almost 2 hours. The children in the computer lab, all 12-16 years old, are new to computers and eager to learn. We have asked them to write an essay titled “Myself”. They start with their name and age, usually say where they go to school, describe themselves and detail their family members. Many sign off with gratitude for us being there. Most have big dreams for their future-most boys, that is. The girls don’t usually express a future dream. They also talk about sports they play and their favorite foods. We are learning a lot about them. Funny, though, most think they are either 2’, 4’ or 8’ tall.

The library was filled with very young children. Parents just drop them off. At times we kept their attention reading, but they were also energetic. The little ones love Cailin. The older ones in the computer lab are still curious about her and are aware of her knowledge-especially on the computer. They also ask Cailin a lot about her home and home life. It is certainly different than theirs.

We picked Sandy up at the clinic. They are so busy, she could work all day. The walk home was the first in beautiful sunshine, but very hot. I swear we saw Cailin’s rescued lizard!!

Lunch was great-yeah for salad, watermelon and French fries. A hard rain came at the end of lunch. Susan and Liz’s freshly hung laundry got soaked.

We took a taxi back to the library for afternoon reading. Sandy led the group in song while we waited for Samuel. Many children joined us. They love to read and be read to. It rained again while we were at the library.

After we returned to the guesthouse, Liz and I took a walk. When we returned, we shared a beer and pictures of our families. Vivian joined us just before dinner. After dinner we had an in depth discussion of the program. We shared our observations and suggestions. We are all thrilled to be here, love our Ghanaian hosts and the people and want to know what more we can do to make an impact. We are anxious to meet Kathleen.

Thought for the day:

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on it’s ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” --Albert Einstein

Journal by: Cailin

Today we took the lovely walk to the village and said hello to the Queen Mother. After that, Amo dropped us off at the library.

We met Samuel. Only one word to describe him-inspiring. He is so intelligent and so full of life. To take a year off to build the library is amazing. The amount of love he shows not only for the library, but also for the kids is beautiful. To be blessed with the opportunity to meet such a devoted man is so special. Samuel left us to teach the kids on the computer. At first we were clueless. We just didn’t even know what to teach them. After some time we figured out what to do. I asked the kids to type on Word a paragraph about themselves, to talk about their family, friends, school, dreams and anything that came to mind. Once again I was inspired. This time by the children. The two that caught my eye the most were Kwaku Tieku Dadey and his older brother. Kwaku is good with the computers and seems to be street smart. His older brother is brilliant. He wants to go to college in the US and become an engineer. He knows so much and is so bright. All the children are full of knowledge and dreams.

After spending an amazing day with them, everyone came home for lunch. Esther’s friend came to size us for our dresses. Then it was time to go read. Samuel split the kids into groups. I had a large group of younger children. They were so sweet and playful.

After an hour the van came to take us on our 30-minute ride to the Cedi Bead Factory. The way of making beads is so interesting. All the girls bought beautiful jewelry. It was very interesting, on our ride home, to observe the people around us. I’m so intrigued by the emotion worn on all the faces.

We shared a lovely dinner even thought all I had was rice and popcorn. Today was full of inspiration. Even Esther’s choice to adopt and Sandy’s choice to raise 7 children is and inspiration. Being here in a town no one would think of, I find myself surrounded by people that inspire.

Liz’s thought for the day:

“It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears. It’s a world of hope and a world of fears. There’s so much that we share, that’s it time we’re aware. It’s a small world after all. There is just one moon and one golden sun. And a smile means friendship to everyone. Though the mountains divide and the oceans are wide. It’s a small world after all.” --Walt Disney

Journal by: Liz

Took a walk-saw women carrying the baskets on their heads, tro-tro’s and people dressed in their Sunday best for church.

Went by van to Senchi-Ferry. 2 hours. Accra is big-more wealthy houses nearer city, shanties further out. Litter on the road. Saw many stalls where melon, pineapples, bananas, plantains, tomatoes were being sold. Saw where tilapia was sold.

Many rocky outcrops were part of the scenery and low hills. Arrived a St. James Guest House in Akrade. Chicken and goats in the yard, colorful flowers outside. Clean small guesthouse.

Lunch of chicken, salads, vegetables, rice and fruit. Orientation and much talk about tips, TV, cell phones.

Walked on red dirt paths to the palace in Senchi-Ferry. Had hugs from a cute little boy. Passed friendly people. Passed concrete and dirt houses-open windows. Also thatched houses. Laundry and cooking pots, goats, 1 dog,1 cat, 1 kitten, 2 sheep. Schools-open window.

The palace-5 elders and chiefs, queen, another woman were seated on gold chairs. Prayers, speeches, libation, shaking of hands. Very welcoming. Soda drinks. Divided into our groups (We had told our o purpose in coming to the village.). Dinner of a pasta dish. Amo talked with us a little about language.

August team meets in Ghana!

Journal by: Liz

Amazing-arrived in Accra on time even though we left JFK on hour and a half late. Apparently we had to wait for a connecting flight.

This Hurricane Irene is playing havoc with everything. Flights have been canceled. It seems bizarre to arrive in Ghana as helpful volunteers, having left the U.S. where the weather is forecast to be severe.

Esther met us at the airport with big hugs. We took the van to the Airport View Hotel where we rested, showered, took a walk outside in the warm humid air and changed some money. We met Julie and Cailin.

Met Vivian at dinner in the restaurant of the hotel. Had a buffet of many flavors-chicken, rice, salads, tilapia, a meat dish and banku. Ended with fruit.

Esther talked with us about what we would be doing at Senchi Ferry and she gave us the tips about Do’s and Don’ts.

Bon Voyage and Best Wishes, Kristen “Kay” Edwards and of course, George Ostrom, Tracee Mendenhall, and Laurie McMahon

Journal by: Kristen Edwards

Wake up, eat breakfast, pack our bags, and set out on an excursion to seek out one of Laurie’s students for a final goodbye. So begins our last and final day here in Ghana.

As Laurie so deftly put it, it is a bittersweet moment, if nothing else. I’m sure I speak for the group when I say that I am truly torn between two completely overwhelming emotions: Elation at the prospect of returning home to the friends and family I have built my life around, and despair at leaving behind those who I have grown to care so very much for these past three weeks. Though it seems such a short period of time on paper (3 weeks… 22 days… 528 short hours), the circumstances under which we have bonded have led us to forge relationships that are often years in the making. It is with that in mind that we all say a tearful farewell to those individuals who have been our family and our support system throughout our stay.

To Bless (“Rah-rah”): Thank you for the wonderful food, your kind words, your wonderful company, and of course, for teaching us all the correct way to play Uno. I wish you and your daughter the very best that life has to offer!

To Millicent: We never saw much of you, but you kept us full and happy every day here at the St. James! Thank you for the hard work and dedication!

To the rest of the St. James crew: Thank you so much for sharing the guest house with us! You provided us with a temporary home, and we will be forever grateful!

To the host community (the schools in New Akrade, and the library in Senchi): Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to come here to Ghana. You welcomed us enthusiastically, taught us what you could of your culture, and above all else, trusted us with your children. Though we came here with the intention of giving what we could to you, you have given so very much to us in return.

To Amo: We will miss you buddy! I am sorry that we didn’t see you the last two days of our stay, but thank you so much for all of the work you have done and for all the time you dedicated to seeing us safely from site to site. Thanks also for assisting us all with our Twi!

And finally…

To Esther: Please don’t ever underestimate how very much you mean to each and every one of us, and just how profound an impact you had. I know you think you are just doing your job, but you made what we did here possible through your kindness, your diligence, your patience, and your willingness to put up with us crazy obronies. You kept our make-shift family whole and safe! We love you and will miss you greatly, but we will all no doubt meet again! Oh… and we promise not go swimming without our lifejackets.

That said, though we part ways to return to the lives we so briefly left behind, we, one and all, leave a little piece of our hearts behind with the Ghanaian people who welcomed us with such open arms.

Quote of the day: “We are the teaching species. Not only do the young need adults, but adults need the young. Human beings need to teach not only for the sake of those who need to be taught, but for the fulfillment of our identities and because ideas are kept alive by being shared, truths by being professed.”

-Erik Eriksson

Journal by: Laurie McMahon

I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say we knew this would be a bitter-sweet day, much the same, certainly, as it was for our seven friends who left last week. We started our day with my favorite breakfast, French toast. When Esther arrived, she told us construction had been cancelled for the day, so we all headed for the schools. Before leaving for our final walk to school, though, we loaded up Esther’s car with the school supplies we were donating. Once at school, under the big tree in the yard, the supplies were ceremoniously presented jointly by the volunteers and Samuel, our host. It was a short, yet meaningful presentation of our gifts, with the kids all gathered around and photos being taken.

George then headed over to the JHS, where he tutored some kids in math. Kay went with Tracee down to Peace Perfect, for a day typical of the last day before vacation- rather chaotic, full of fun and excited children. It sounded like they had loads of fun, though, as all the kids migrated into Tracee’s room and were treated to playing football with Tracee and piggy back rides from Kay. I went to my usual classroom where I spent the day with many children- my regulars, plus even some brand new faces, for a total of 41 kids! It was a nice day, though, and I finally got the Obama song on video, thanks to three JHS girls. When our dismissal time of 12:00 came around, we were still in the middle of a project and I wasn’t ready to leave. In spite of my telling George, Kay and Tracee that they could head home without me, they dutifully, thoughtfully and patiently waited while we finished up our work and I could finally gather the kids all together to give them a heartfelt talk about how we’ve all touched each other’s lives, as the emotion crept into my voice. I then dismissed the kids amid hugs for all four us and we walked back to the St. James.

Lunch was very pleasurable, with lively conversation and more delicious food. We are getting to know Nelly, Bless’s daughter, more as she becomes more comfortable around us. Bless, whose name we learned today is really Yayra (Blessed in Twi), had told us Nelly was “scared of white people,” but she seems to be overcoming that fear!

We headed for the library for our final day with the children and were surprised when Samuel announced that it was going to be a puzzle day. We all played wooden board puzzles with the kids on the floor and it was fun to teach the kids strategies for putting them together and then watching their excitement. We headed back at our usual time- our final return from Senchi Library and through the Senchi-Ferry community.

After dinner, Esther came by to pick us up for live music and dancing at the Volta Hotel, at her invitation. Once we arrived, though, we learned that there was no live music that night. We had a great time anyway, and there was lots of laughter, mostly at George’s rather unusual and anatomical topics of conversations that he repeatedly brought up, but about which I’m forbidden by Esther to mention in the journal. Unfortunately, you won’t even be able to guess at what they were, since they were so bizarre.

Tomorrow it will be difficult to say goodbye to my three young friends, in spite of the merciless way they have teased me in this last week! The bonds we made in the first two weeks were definitely strengthened through our adventures this last week and I’m glad we all had this extra time together. I wish for them safe journeys home tomorrow night and I’m happy to know they have each other with whom to maneuver their way through the Accra Airport and across the Atlantic. For me, I’m looking forward to my sight seeing excursion on Sunday with Esther’s brother, Ebenezer, and arriving home to see my family on Monday!

As I mentioned in my last quote and to my students today, we have all touched each other’s lives and therefore, been changed in the process. We missed you all, Margaret, Sarah, Mary, Jeff, Will, Steve and Grace and were always excited to receive your emails of your further travels throughout Ghana and your reunions with family and favorite foods!

Lastly, thank you to Esther and Amo, who made this experience so immensely worthwhile, fun and fulfilling. We love and appreciate you dearly!