Kim Comes for a Visit and My Last Day in Ghana

My good friend Kim, aka McGee, arrived on Wednesday June 10th to Accra. This was her first trip to Ghana and I did my best to give her a tour of Accra and the Cape Coast area before we both flew back to the US on June 16th.

Our first stop upon her arrive is a spot called Duplex, owned by a friend named Bob. We ate pizza as we visited with Vossie and Betsy. Then we hit the hay for our big day in Accra.

On Thursday we woke up, ate breakfast at Frankie's and then headed to the National Museum. It took three taxi's to get there (first one got lost, second one broke down).

The museum was educational and well put together. Above Kim stands next to a Kente cloth loom. We also saw artifacts from archeological digs. It was a worthwhile visit.

After the museum we visited W.E. DuBois's (an American, Pan-African civil rights leader) mausoleum which was also W.E. DuBois home in Ghana. A tour guide showed us around and gave us the background of the grounds which included W.E.DuBois's extensive library.

Below is where W.E. DuBois is lay to rest and our guide. It was interesting to find a Clark Atlanta banner that was on display on his grave.

After this day in Accra we made our way to the bus station to catch the 4:30pm bus to Cape Coast. We stayed our first two night in a hotel called the Savoy. First thing Friday morning we had "Brother" my favorite cab driver come take us to Kakum National Park, where Ellen, Tracy, and I visited in January. Kim braved the bridges and we made it through the forest safely.

Once we finished at Kakum we went to a Hans Cottage Botel (a hotel on a boat). The Botel was special because not only was the hotel and restaurant on a swamp area, but the swamp was full of crocodiles. Kim and I were able to touch one without feeding it a live chicken!

Once we left the crocs we headed back to my favorite place to eat- Assasa Paa in Cape Coast. I had a delicious tofu salad, vegetable pie, and tofu kebab. Yum!

After the lunch we headed to the Cape Coast Castle, where Ellen, Tracy, Obama, and I have visited before. It was education and moving.

We hit the hay after a this long day to be ready for our day of Workshops! I signed Kim and I up to attend a Batik (a cloth dying technique with the use of wax)) workshop and Drumming and Dancing workshop from the Women in Progress association. It was a very busy day, but amazing.

Above I am stamping my sheet with wax and below Kim dips her stamp in to the boiling wax.

My finally product is below! As well as our great teacher, Mary.

Below are our drumming and dancing teachers.

Kim drumming during our workshops.

When we finished our workshops we hoped into a cab and headed to Anomabu Beach Resort. This place was fantastic! A must stay if your are traveling to Ghana. It was on the beach and had fantastic rooms, serve, and food. I was so excited to see POTATOES! My first fresh potatoes since I have been in Ghana.

We left Anomabu and headed back to Accra. Once we reached Accra we spend the next few nights with the friends I had made at my time in Accra. Friends like Vossie from South Africa, Mario from LA, Lori from North Carolina, Gemma from England, and Avi from Ghana. We ate great food and did Karaoke at Duplex.

Above Mario and Kim break it down for the crowd at Duplex. Below Gemma and her friend Sharon, who was on holiday visiting, hungout to the wee hours for our (Betsy and I's) going away party.
Below Kim and I have Khebabs at Venus for my last night in Ghana.


George, Avi and Cindy met us out at my final dinner.

Since my flight left at 10am the next morning and Kim's left at 5pm, Lori (on left) hung out with Kim for her finally day in Ghana. This was my last picture of my dancing partner Lori...I hope to see her soon when she returns home to North Carolina.


I couldn't sleep at all my last night in Ghana (June 15th). Kim and I stayed up late talking and even got a call from the hotel manager because we were keep up guest...a first! I tossed and turned. I was worried about forgeting something and sleeping in. I was picked up at 7am by Vossie and he dropped both Betsy and I off at the airport. It was so hard to say goodbye to everyone, but the worst was Vossie. He has been a fantastic friend and it was hard knowing that was the last Vossie hug I would get in a really long time. Below is a picture from a few weeks before of Vossie and Betsy eating sushi at Monsoons.

Betsy and I got our baggage checked, found our gate, and waited for an hour longer than expected. Both Betsy and I sat silently as we waited to board our plane. Here is Betsy looking much more awake then I expected.

Once the flight began to board I felt overwhelmed with sadness and fear. I was sad because I have no idea when I will ever see my Ghanaian friend's again, or if I will ever be back. The fear was due to having no idea how it would feel to be back in America. Back to a overbooked schedule, overpriced items, and overwhelming lifestyle.

The flight home was long, but altough I was exhausted I couldn't sleep. As I flew for hours to New York City I watch countless movies that had been out in the US, but I had never heard of. I already felt as though the culture shock had begun.

June 16 around 5pm we landed in New York City and I exited JFK for my first trip to NYC. As I type these lines it ia August 5 and I can't believe that was months ago. I have been putting off this entry for months, because I haven't yet dealt this the fact I am really back in the US for good. I feel like I am just on some vacation.

I daydream about Agogo constantly and miss the sunsets over the mountains. I miss the children in the neighborhood that called me Madam Alice. I wonder what Ma and Josephine are talking about right now and if my favorite vegetable lady is still selling out of carrots by the end of market day. I even miss the packed tro-tro's and loud chickens that would wake me at 5am.

When people ask me, "How was Africa?" I don't know what to say. I don't think they have the time for me to accurately answer that question. One word will not do, and so far I can't find any words.

When people ask me, "Would you do it again?" I easily say "Yes". This experience has changed me in the best ways I know. I came to help teachers, but the teachers, friends, and coworkers I met gave me 10 times the amount of knowledge that I could ever give.

If you are planning a trip to Ghana or any new country to teach people...UNDERSTAND THIS- you are not there to teach....You are there to LEARN FIRST and help second. Africa is amazing place, but they don't need more foreigners coming the telling them what they need to do. They need support in their quest to better their own communities.

If you have been reading my blog for the last 9 months- I hope I haven't bored you to tears. I have had a great adventure and plan to keep having adventures....so stay tuned. And thank you for your support!

alison

Last Days in Agogo

Betsy and I left Agogo on Sunday, June 7th around noon. It was heart breaking to say goodbye to our coworkers, friends, and students without knowing when we will be able to visit again. On Saturday, June 6th we attended a graduation ceremony for the alumni of APCE (already in their teaching positions). During the graduation ceremony the faculty and students presented both Betsy and I with gifts. The students gave us both nice Woodin cloth (a very fancy English made cloth that is popular in Ghana). The faculty and staff gave each of us Kente cloth, the handwoven cloth originated in Ghana, dresses. We were flabbergasted by these amazing tokens of appreciation.

The hardest part of moving out of Agogo was having to say goodbye to the children in our neighborhood. Betsy spent time with Portia(2) and Vida(3) while I sat with Stephen(9) and Emmanuel(9). Many tears were shed, but I am hopeful that one day I will return to see them all grown up!

The vice principal, Papa, and our old principal, Ma, escorted us to Accra on Sunday. Here we are pictures outside of the IFESH office in Accra.

Broken Foot= New Friends

I didn't brake my foot, but on Tuesday, June 26th I thought I had. I took a step down toward my TRC and I slipped and fell on my butt. As I sat on the step while on lookers were gasping I thought...my foot really hurts. I got up and wiped off my bottom and walked down to the TRC where I put my foot up for 30 minutes before class started. The moment I stepped down on my foot to help a student a shot of pain crippled me. I haven't had the best luck in Ghana lately so I thought, "Even though my foot isn't swollen...I know it is broken". So after sitting down during our 2pm-3pm class I had Betsy take me next door to the hospital for an X-ray. We even had a driver drive us to the hospital, that is seriously next door to the college. The X-ray guy was closing up, but opened his office back up for me. My 10 cedis spent on my X-ray's showed that nothing was broken, but I was asked to wait to see a doctor.

I sat for three hours waiting. While sitting I saw a white girl about my age walk by, which isn't something you see often in Agogo. I introduced myself. Her name is Gemma and she is from the UK. She was spending two weeks in Agogo working at the hospital, but she is living in a village outside of Kumasi for the next few months. She was very friendly and told me that I could walk on my foot and that nothing was wrong....great- I felt really silly for freaking out. After meeting Gemma and met Jope and Floris from Holland. They are working at the hospital until June 23rd. So even though I felt silly thinking my foot was broken I was happy to make some new friends. Below is the crew (Gemma, myself, Floris, and Jope) eating dinner at my house the following Friday.

But before I get too far...let's go back...
Tuesday though I broke my left foot by stepping funny
Wednesday foot felt much better
Thursday I waved to a friend and stepped on a rock and hurt my right foot---IN THE SAME PLACE! This time I just iced it and took some Advil. My right foot hurt for a week.

Well more pictures with the new friends: Below Betsy and Gemma show off our favorite dinner- French Toast (or cinnamon toast for me).

Below is the last dinner we the crew which was two days before we left Agogo for good. It was fun..wish we had met them earlier!

More pictures to come of my new friend Gemma, because she came to Accra before I left (June16). I am now back in the US...but I will write more about my adventures prior to my arrival state side!

World Vision Workshops

Before the last break our students took, in early April, Betsy and I had visitors to the TRC. Teachers and administrators from villages outside of Agogo came to see the Agogo Presbyterian College of Education campus. This teachers, administrators, and students(primary-middle school) were able to see the TRC and hear about what we do. Betsy and I met also met a gentleman named Jonathan from an organization called World Vision. World Vision offices are throughout Ghana, and we have one down the road from us in Agogo. We discussed visited these village schools and hosting workshops for these teachers.

Jonathan was so easy to work with and arranged a trip to take use to seven of the schools of this farming communities. We were able to discuss with the teachers their needs and see their schools progress on utilizing TLMs. Some classes rooms held multiple posters and English labels for "door", "window", etc- while other schools held classes outside under a basic shelter with no walls. After meeting with teachers and administrators we decided that we would come back to a school in their community to teach a three hour workshop for schools in the surrounding areas. We asked teachers to bring rubbish to help in the creation of their own TLMs and ideas for topics of which their students are having difficulty.

When Jonathan and I returned to Magyeda on June 2 (Betsy had to visit a cocoa farm the same day...so we had to split up) teacher had done their homework! We had a great turn out of 22 motivated and attentive teachers.

The teacher above created a number line with positive and negative integers
from pieces of a cardboard box

All of the men, there were no female teachers in the area, worked hard to create one of more TLMs to take away from the workshop. I was amazed at the variety, creativity, and usability of the items made. This was the best workshop I did in the 9 months I have been in Ghana. I am so lucky we made this partnership with World Vision.

A teacher at the workshop breaks out a saw to get the job done!

On June 3rd Betsy, Jonathan, Stella (his associate) and myself ventured to Ananekrom for another beneficial workshop. We had a great turnout and were able to leave behind rubbish for TLMs in the future (examples: cardboard boxes for puzzles, waterbags for pocket charts, etc). I am thrilled by the positive feedback we received and hope that the next IFESH volunteer continues to strengthen the bond we have created with World Vision Agogo.

My partner, Jonathan, from World Vision
is pictures in the red and blue stripes to the left.

Weekends in Accra--May 15 & May 22

My bestest buddy in Accra- Vossie- had his birthday celebration on Saturday May 16th. Besty and I came down to start celebrating on May 15 and finished celebrating two weeks later. Saturday night Lori, a friend I have made that is orginally from North Carolina, and I decorated our favorite Accra hangout- Duplex. It was a night of dancing, visiting, and singing. Yes, Vossie loves when I TRY to sing "Ms. Jackson" by OutKast---so since it was his birthday I did my best job. The turn out was great and I think Vossie had a great birthday.

Sunday, Lori and I went to a beautiful pool in Accra at a hotel called La Palm. I believe it is the same hotel that Obama will stay in when he arrives in July. It was huge and over crowded because most of Accra was without power and the best way to cool down is to hit the pool. They had a huge jungle gym and a swim up bar. After the pool Lori and I met up with a peace corp friend of hers (Lori did peace corp in Togo) and a group of exchange students from University of Ghana. It was strange to meet about 10 Americans at one table. Also- one of the Americans I met was Haley Joel Osmont from the Sixth Sense (the "I see dead people" boy). He is grown up now and was very friendly. He told me that he has family in Norcross, GA. After that Lori and I stayed up by candle night talking like middle school freinds. It was a great day.

Monday, Betsy and I packed up and headed back to Agogo, but we returned the following Friday for Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day weekend was: watch TV, work on IFESH report, watch more TV, visit with my favorite Irish man Jimmy (who was leaving), watch more TV, sing karaoke, and watch more TV. Good times were had. And pictures will come later.

My Trip to the Western Region-April 30

Believe it or not- this was my last planned trip with a fellow IFESH friend. On Thursday morning I met Martha, a therapist and yoga teacher back in LA, in Kumasi for our trip to the Western coast of Ghana. We boarded the STC in Kumasi at noon and arrived in Takoradi about six hours later. Takoradi is a busy industrial city on the coast. It has many ports where goods are shipped in and out. We found our way to the tro-tro stay as night fell. We couldn't find a tro-tro to Beyin, but a gentleman told me he would drop with us and make sure we could get a cab. I expected to be dropped with him at a taxi station, but this wasn't the case. He had the tro-tro drop us at his uncle's house. His uncle, Ali, just returned two days earlier from Maryland, where he lives. His uncle gave us a tour of this new house he was building, gave us a water, a coke, and introduced us to the whole family. He was very gracious. He works traveling around the world, Afgahaistan, India, and many countries in Europe. He was home this time putting the finishing touches on a health center for this community, the Alhaji Nuhu Memorial Health care Centre, in honor of his father.

Muhammad called this cousin who is a taxi driver and took us all the way down a very bumpy road to the Beyin Beach Resort. This beach resort has the best place I have stayed in all of Ghana. It was a quaint resort (4 chalets and 6? smaller rooms). Beyin Beach Resort had hot running water, doors that open a wall up so that the beach less than 30 yards from your door step, amazing food (filtered coffee and for the none vegans -croissants and warm brownies), countless lounge chairs, and fantastic serve. It had a nice king size bed where I can hear the waves.

The Nzulezu village on stilts was interesting. We started out our trip wading through mucky water to our canoes. Once we said down our guides paddled us to a beautiful lake. Once we arrived at the village we got off our canoes and wandered around. After paying the caretaker a donation and 5cedis of a bottle of liquor he told use the history. All I remember is that they moved from Mali and settled many places until they came all the way to this lake where they built their houses on stilts. All children learn to swim early in life- since they could easily fall into the water. They fish the lake for catfish and do have farms on the nearby land.

After the village we paddled out to the nearby crocodile pond where there were no crocs to see, but it was still very nice. As we paddled back to the entry it was just getting hot, which was nice because the day before the people we saw that had gone were sun burnt and tired. My guide/ canoe man let me paddle for a bit after I bugged him enough.

Back at the Beyin Beach Resort I hate more amazing food- my favorite was fufu and light soup that was vegan- yum! Martha and I also met and extremely nice Dutch couple that were on a two week vacation in Ghana. They were even gracious enough to give us a ride to Elmina! That saved us so much time and headache that I will be forever grateful.

I had a great weekend!

Weekends in Accra (Easter Weekend and Jessie's Goodbyes)

The Wednesday before Easter Betsy and I headed to Accra for the long weekend. We stayed at our friends house...it was so nice not have to pay for a room. While there I had a blast. I had not been in the big city since V-day. Wednesday night we went to a place called Duplex where I had great pineapple juice and groundnuts. Thursday we ran tons of errands around town- the highlight was going to Max Mart to buy soft shell tortillas. Later we ate at beach bar and grill called Tawala. It was literally on the beach. As you sit at your table there is sand making its way between your toes. Their vegetable fried rice was fantastic. After Tawala- Lori, a girl from North Carolina, and a few other friends went to the US Embassy for a "Dress You Decade" themed party. It was fun to see what the US military in Ghana do for fun. The Embassy was really nice too. After this short outing we head to yet another destination- Bywells. It was an outdoor bar with a dance floor. I boogied down hard until a woman in high heels stepped down on my bare foot (I only wait sandals here). It was great night. Friday was Good Friday so most things were closed. Vossie, Betsy, Bruce & Rianna (a nice South African couple that the moved here for work), and Awa (Lori's child) spent the day hanging out at the mall. We even when to a MOVIE!!! I forgot how much I love going to movies in the theater. We saw Marley and Me and we all cried our eyes out- all except Awa (she has never had a dog). Later we went back to Duplex where I had a great veggie pizza and did KARAOKE! Could this weekend get any better? Well yes it can when you spend Saturday and Sunday watching TV(tons of rugby which I love), going out to a great hotel for pizza and swimming, ordering pizza delivery, sitting in the A/C and taking hot showers. We left Tuesday to go back to Agogo. I for once missed Accra.



The following weekend was Jessie's last in Ghana. Jessie and I did tons of great stuff on Saturday. We went shopping at the crazy and frustrating Cultural Centre, saw handmade crazy shaped coffins (a lion, tanker truck, camera, a crab, a chicken, a bible, and a Star Beer bottle), and visited Global Mama's for last minute gifts. Sunday we hit our friend's pool and Jessie got more tan to show off to her friend back home. The weekend was fun, but I already hate that she is gone- damn you Jessie!



Currently I am back in Agogo just reading and making TLMs.