First of all I would like to say thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has been emailing, mailing, "facebooking" and texting me. It makes me so happy to hear from everyone, and it makes me feel like I'm not that far away! I have alot of wall space so if anyone wants to mail me pictures, drawings, letters whatever I would love it! My address is as follows:
Rebecca Holloway-Nahum (You have to use Rebecca because I don't use Rebi here)
The Salvation Army Clinic
PO Box 14
Wiamoase, Ghana West Africa
Okay, now that I said that I can move on with this blog. So...the last time I updated I don't even remember what I was doing. Things tend to blur together here, so I will just say and do what I can. First of all, Eli and I tried to go see a movie on Wednesday last week and it was a really hilarious experience. For one thing, they told us the movie theater was "really close" to Kejetia, but in reality was like a 30 minute walk. So when we finally get there they are showing one movie "Action Warriors" haha...then these two guys tried to convince us to get come with them to another movie theater. "Come in our car..." then they got pissed when we wouldn't "We are just trying to help, and you are afraid of us..." What I don't understand is, can't they put themselves in our position? If I had gone with every man who has told me to I would have been dead by now. Anyway, we decided to skip the movie so we drank fanta and ate peanuts at her place...hoorah.
So this weekend Rikke, Eli and Liane came to Wiamoase and we had a nice obruni night. We tried to make cocktails but we all ate too much to be able to drink anything...so typical.
So Eli and I went for the "nature walk" behind our house (its seriously like a hike through the rainforest...ya my back yard kicks ass.) She asked me, "What are you happiest about here?"
So I thought about it, and I decided that I am happiest about the idea of me being me, and it being appreciated and valued the way I originally intended it to be. Seriously, I think I spent the last 2 years of my highschool life trying to prove that at least I meant well. Here, my word is just enough. My actions are just enough. Me as a person, is enough.
Yesterday, we started painting the malnutrition unit. And of course, because this is Ghana, it can't be like normal painting. No, no, no this is an adventure.
First of all I have to duel it out with the spiders that have claimed the room as theirs. Like I am seriously surprised that they don't pick up their shoe to crush me. Then we have to 'broom' the walls (dusting is obviously unheard of here.) Then we have to open the paint, which in itself requires my teeth, my feet and a plyer (sp?) So then we are ready to paint. And its great because we have paint rollers, but you know the plastic thing you roll it in to get paint on it? Ya, they don't sell those here, so we have to flip over a little table and use that instead. So we paint. The walls are so porous though, its impossible to just paint them...you have to a little "ramming the paint into every little damn hole on the wall" kind of thing. On top of it all, these rooms have no fans (AC isn't even considered an option) SO whether its 70 degrees or 99 (which is ENTIRELY possible) we paint.
So thats painting in Ghana.
But let me say, that beyond the problems and blisters and the fact that I feel like I get more paint on myself then the walls its really an awesome thing to be doing. I can actually see and feel the work I am doing for others. Like when I am covered in blue, I am covered in blue for a damn good reason. And when I can't walk in the morning cause my back hurts so much, I feel like that has a purpose.
So I get to work in the clinic tomorrow because I painted by myself today, so that will be nice because my blisters opened on my thumb and they are all blue and the paint stings them. The next day we are going to go to Boadi with Samuel to have him give us an estimate to build a new room for the orphanage. Then we are hoping a trotro for 6 hours to Accra (the capital) to spend the weekend being tourists. We might even get to go camping on the beach :) Plus everyone will get to be together again. ICYE kids are the best. Okay I always forget what I want to write, but hopefully everyone will get enough out of this entry (especially you, Mom.)
Love and miss everyone :)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
I actually feel accomplised...
So, I have been busy for the first time in like a month. We have begun to get our stay here figured out, which is the biggest not only relief, but it gives me so much to look forward to.
So to start where I left off Thursday was the same old. Meaning that the pregnant women came in, and we took their blood pressure and weight and gave them vitamins. So that wasn't all that productive, but meh.
Anyway Friday we went into Kumasi with Samwell and we bought fabric and stuff for our uniforms (they are light blue and really funny, most of you will laugh when you see them.) Samwell, who is like our stand in dad, is actually a contractor in his "spare time"-his real job consists of being an optetrician, and then giving speeches about AIDS and sex ed on campuses around the country. Yes, he is awesome and I love him. So we talked to him about our plan to build a room for the mentally handicapped girl we met in Boadasi (thats where the orientation camp is), and he offered to come scope the place out for us and get people to help us build it...ya I can't believe how lucky we are. I love Samwell.
Anyway, afterwards we went to a going away party for a nurse "Auntie Edna" who is moving to the Central Region with her husband, a priest who is being relocated. It was a really interesting time because they all dressed in traditional African dress, and sang and danced around. We were so awkward, in our Western dress and not to mention the fact that we are white...ya that whole thing.
Anyway, we went to the lake (Bosumtwe) Saturday morning which was a blast. Sanna and Stine, who are 10 hours away in Ho, even came with us. We rented out these bamboo huts right next to the water and got canoes (local canoes, which are planks of wood that are thicker in the middle and thin on the ends...) The whole town got a kick out of the 8 obrunis slipping and slidding and falling off these canoes. We then took a hike to a restaurant like 45 minutes away. The food was expensive and not the greatest, but it was worth it because on the way home we couldn't get a taxi and it was super dark so I broke off a branch, wrapped my underwear around the top and the doused it in oil. Everyone laughed at me except for Stine, but I got the last laugh because it kicked ass, and worked so we had light for a majority of the trip home. Too bad when it went out I fell onto some rocks and scraped up my leg. The next morning I woke up and saw all this dirt and fibers of my pants in it, so then I was smart and took a dirty pair of tweezers and got it out...I am lucky I don't have gangreene. Other than that though, it rocked not only because it was a cool place but because I got to prove my Mcgiver (sp?) qualities.
We came back to Kejetia on Sunday (in Kumasi) and Helene and I tried to find an internet cafe, too bad God hyjacks Ghana on Sundays. I was lucky to get a grilled plantane. Oh and by the way, those of you who don't eat plantanes ona regular basis are missing out. COCONUTS TOO. They sell them on the street and they hack them open for you with a machete so you can drink it, then they hack it open so you can eat the meat. Its awesome. According to Elisabet they are also "vitamin bombs" which is something I need because our cuisine is like rice, spaghetti, plantanes, kenkey, rice, rice, spaghetti, plantanes...I think you get the idea.
Today, which is Monday, we washed our clothes. Every cut I get on my hands never heels because we wash everthing by hand and it just rips them open. Not to mention the fact that I burn myself like every day when I'm cooking because the gas stove will not chill out, and the flame is enormous. However, its really not that bad and in college it will save me trips to the laundromat and money, so in the end I am winning.
Its awesome because in Ghana, at the end ofthe day, I can always figure out the way the glass is half full. Eli and I have extensive talks about this all the time. I find myself saying when there is a problem, "Okay, how can I solve this?" and if I can't, I just move forward. There is no one and nothing to hold me back here, and I am trying to stop doing it to myself.
Eli is fucking awesome. I am so lucky to have met her. We honestly just clicked so quickly. We talk about everything, and its so good to have her to go to if something goes wrote. Hopefully, we are going to travel to the North together for like a week, and she is probably gonna come along with me during my travelling weeks (2) at the end of my stay.
So after we washed clothes, we went to buy paint for the malnutrition clinic. It only cost like $5 a can, which means we can paint an entire room for somewhere around $30. And we thought we would be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on this...its awesome because it gives us more leeway to be able to do more.
We found the soccer field in our town, and I am hoping to vamp it up. Level out the ground, make actual nets, build bleachers and a score board, and some real soccer balls.
Nothing like some manual labor!
Okay I think I have said enough for the day, and this keyboard is making my finger hurt.
So to start where I left off Thursday was the same old. Meaning that the pregnant women came in, and we took their blood pressure and weight and gave them vitamins. So that wasn't all that productive, but meh.
Anyway Friday we went into Kumasi with Samwell and we bought fabric and stuff for our uniforms (they are light blue and really funny, most of you will laugh when you see them.) Samwell, who is like our stand in dad, is actually a contractor in his "spare time"-his real job consists of being an optetrician, and then giving speeches about AIDS and sex ed on campuses around the country. Yes, he is awesome and I love him. So we talked to him about our plan to build a room for the mentally handicapped girl we met in Boadasi (thats where the orientation camp is), and he offered to come scope the place out for us and get people to help us build it...ya I can't believe how lucky we are. I love Samwell.
Anyway, afterwards we went to a going away party for a nurse "Auntie Edna" who is moving to the Central Region with her husband, a priest who is being relocated. It was a really interesting time because they all dressed in traditional African dress, and sang and danced around. We were so awkward, in our Western dress and not to mention the fact that we are white...ya that whole thing.
Anyway, we went to the lake (Bosumtwe) Saturday morning which was a blast. Sanna and Stine, who are 10 hours away in Ho, even came with us. We rented out these bamboo huts right next to the water and got canoes (local canoes, which are planks of wood that are thicker in the middle and thin on the ends...) The whole town got a kick out of the 8 obrunis slipping and slidding and falling off these canoes. We then took a hike to a restaurant like 45 minutes away. The food was expensive and not the greatest, but it was worth it because on the way home we couldn't get a taxi and it was super dark so I broke off a branch, wrapped my underwear around the top and the doused it in oil. Everyone laughed at me except for Stine, but I got the last laugh because it kicked ass, and worked so we had light for a majority of the trip home. Too bad when it went out I fell onto some rocks and scraped up my leg. The next morning I woke up and saw all this dirt and fibers of my pants in it, so then I was smart and took a dirty pair of tweezers and got it out...I am lucky I don't have gangreene. Other than that though, it rocked not only because it was a cool place but because I got to prove my Mcgiver (sp?) qualities.
We came back to Kejetia on Sunday (in Kumasi) and Helene and I tried to find an internet cafe, too bad God hyjacks Ghana on Sundays. I was lucky to get a grilled plantane. Oh and by the way, those of you who don't eat plantanes ona regular basis are missing out. COCONUTS TOO. They sell them on the street and they hack them open for you with a machete so you can drink it, then they hack it open so you can eat the meat. Its awesome. According to Elisabet they are also "vitamin bombs" which is something I need because our cuisine is like rice, spaghetti, plantanes, kenkey, rice, rice, spaghetti, plantanes...I think you get the idea.
Today, which is Monday, we washed our clothes. Every cut I get on my hands never heels because we wash everthing by hand and it just rips them open. Not to mention the fact that I burn myself like every day when I'm cooking because the gas stove will not chill out, and the flame is enormous. However, its really not that bad and in college it will save me trips to the laundromat and money, so in the end I am winning.
Its awesome because in Ghana, at the end ofthe day, I can always figure out the way the glass is half full. Eli and I have extensive talks about this all the time. I find myself saying when there is a problem, "Okay, how can I solve this?" and if I can't, I just move forward. There is no one and nothing to hold me back here, and I am trying to stop doing it to myself.
Eli is fucking awesome. I am so lucky to have met her. We honestly just clicked so quickly. We talk about everything, and its so good to have her to go to if something goes wrote. Hopefully, we are going to travel to the North together for like a week, and she is probably gonna come along with me during my travelling weeks (2) at the end of my stay.
So after we washed clothes, we went to buy paint for the malnutrition clinic. It only cost like $5 a can, which means we can paint an entire room for somewhere around $30. And we thought we would be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on this...its awesome because it gives us more leeway to be able to do more.
We found the soccer field in our town, and I am hoping to vamp it up. Level out the ground, make actual nets, build bleachers and a score board, and some real soccer balls.
Nothing like some manual labor!
Okay I think I have said enough for the day, and this keyboard is making my finger hurt.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
I just bought a fake engagement ring for 30 cents...
It was in the Kejetis market and I almost got fish guts spilled all over me, so it was worth it. Too bad the first person I have met here (well, kinda) I would actually want to give my number to met me right after I put it on. Then bought my roommate and I a cab to this internet cafe because it was obviously "too far" (a mile tops.) That was really sweet. And he didn't ask us for anything. I love Africa.
But I really do. I get frustrated alot here. But when I am falling asleep at night I can reflect on the day and acknowledge that I don't have nearly as many low points throughout the day as I did when I was at home. Not saying I wasn't happy at home, but I am happier here. I don't have to wrap myself up in these preconceived notions people hold about each other at home. Not to mention live up to things I don't actually think I am.
Thinking too much...
But its good. The things I want to think about, however, somehow get pushed into the back of my head. Either they are too painful, or just downright too exhausting to deal with.
This week we finally talked to the captain about getting us more stuff to do. Her reaction? "Always wanting to do more! White people always want to do more." I was a bit shocked by that. I didn't take a year off of the one thing I have dreamed about basically my entire life, and sit on a plane for 30 hours to not do as much as I possibly can to benefit others...
Is that asking too much?
Haha, its funny because they get so flustered when we ask for more work. Samwell, the eye doctor and co-captain, is always on our side which is awesome. He is definately one of my favorites at the clinic. He has really taken Lisette and I under his wing, and wants really to take good care of us, and get us the work we want to do.
Its awesome though because there is a Salvation Army school 10 minutes away where they might need people to teach English a couple days a week...
Also we are going to repaint the inside of the malnutrition clinic bright colors (maybe even with murals!)
On top of that we really want to start figuring out things we could do for the mentally disabled girl we met at the orphanage we visited at orientation camp.
So busy!
Lisette and I got in our first real fight the other day. I was really nervous about the malnutrition painting because I wasn't sure if I wanted to put as much energy into something I didn't think would benefit people alot.
I think what its really about is that I am so scared because at home, especially in school (slc...), I would get myself into these projects, or activities and then end up carrying all the weight. Not to mention I would sacrifice so much more of myself then I really wanted to just so that others (who neither needed or deserved it) would benefit from it.
Boohiss.
Sorry to bash home so much, but even though I loved highschool and most of the people I met throughout the experience, I have just begun to realize some things (also things I did to myself...) about it that drove me crazy.
So Lisette and I came to the conclusion that we can no matter what find a compromise.We deal with people and emotions so similarly that its like we can always find common ground to understand each other on. In my opinion, I don't need to be best friends with her, but as long as we can get each other I think we will be happy.
I really miss my parents, and my brothers. Aaron wrote me an email today and it made me so happy! Its hard to imagine that we hated each other at one point. I can't wait to see him in London.
Sorry this blog was so...diary like, and not more based on what we've been up to. Honestly, the past couple days have been kinda slow, but on an exciting note I am almost finished with Madame Bovary, which I loved.
We are going to meet with the others in a little bit so that we can plan some trips to Accra, Cape Coast, Ho and plenty of other places. We are going to try and see the entire South of Ghana during our volunteer time so that during our 2 1/2 week travel time we can go to the North (which is supposed to be beautiful. It is prodominently Muslim and they have a completely different culture. Not to mention there are ELEPHANTS. And I promised Kojo that I would ride one back to Accra in order to catch my flight.)
Keep the emails coming. They make me smile :)
But I really do. I get frustrated alot here. But when I am falling asleep at night I can reflect on the day and acknowledge that I don't have nearly as many low points throughout the day as I did when I was at home. Not saying I wasn't happy at home, but I am happier here. I don't have to wrap myself up in these preconceived notions people hold about each other at home. Not to mention live up to things I don't actually think I am.
Thinking too much...
But its good. The things I want to think about, however, somehow get pushed into the back of my head. Either they are too painful, or just downright too exhausting to deal with.
This week we finally talked to the captain about getting us more stuff to do. Her reaction? "Always wanting to do more! White people always want to do more." I was a bit shocked by that. I didn't take a year off of the one thing I have dreamed about basically my entire life, and sit on a plane for 30 hours to not do as much as I possibly can to benefit others...
Is that asking too much?
Haha, its funny because they get so flustered when we ask for more work. Samwell, the eye doctor and co-captain, is always on our side which is awesome. He is definately one of my favorites at the clinic. He has really taken Lisette and I under his wing, and wants really to take good care of us, and get us the work we want to do.
Its awesome though because there is a Salvation Army school 10 minutes away where they might need people to teach English a couple days a week...
Also we are going to repaint the inside of the malnutrition clinic bright colors (maybe even with murals!)
On top of that we really want to start figuring out things we could do for the mentally disabled girl we met at the orphanage we visited at orientation camp.
So busy!
Lisette and I got in our first real fight the other day. I was really nervous about the malnutrition painting because I wasn't sure if I wanted to put as much energy into something I didn't think would benefit people alot.
I think what its really about is that I am so scared because at home, especially in school (slc...), I would get myself into these projects, or activities and then end up carrying all the weight. Not to mention I would sacrifice so much more of myself then I really wanted to just so that others (who neither needed or deserved it) would benefit from it.
Boohiss.
Sorry to bash home so much, but even though I loved highschool and most of the people I met throughout the experience, I have just begun to realize some things (also things I did to myself...) about it that drove me crazy.
So Lisette and I came to the conclusion that we can no matter what find a compromise.We deal with people and emotions so similarly that its like we can always find common ground to understand each other on. In my opinion, I don't need to be best friends with her, but as long as we can get each other I think we will be happy.
I really miss my parents, and my brothers. Aaron wrote me an email today and it made me so happy! Its hard to imagine that we hated each other at one point. I can't wait to see him in London.
Sorry this blog was so...diary like, and not more based on what we've been up to. Honestly, the past couple days have been kinda slow, but on an exciting note I am almost finished with Madame Bovary, which I loved.
We are going to meet with the others in a little bit so that we can plan some trips to Accra, Cape Coast, Ho and plenty of other places. We are going to try and see the entire South of Ghana during our volunteer time so that during our 2 1/2 week travel time we can go to the North (which is supposed to be beautiful. It is prodominently Muslim and they have a completely different culture. Not to mention there are ELEPHANTS. And I promised Kojo that I would ride one back to Accra in order to catch my flight.)
Keep the emails coming. They make me smile :)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Not feeling the best...
We are in Kumasi right now and we are going to return home to Wiamoase when we are done here at the internet cafe. I am excited to get home. I've had enough of the city for now. Even though when we get home we have to deal with 500 little kids chasing after us screaming Bruni.
I don't like that I am starting to get a little cynical. I am just tired of the attention that our skin is drawing to us. Not to mention the fact that people alot of the time treat us like walking ATMs. They say G-d bless you for coming to help Africa, and then they ask you for money. Its a little frustrating, however I am learning to deal with these situations in a really composed and mature matter. Wheras a month ago I would be awkward.
The only thing that makes me really uncomfortable here is all the praying. They stay up all night, stand in prayer circles wherever there is room and pray and talk in tongues. I don't at all feel threatened by them, or like they are offending me. I just can't, in anyway relate to that kind of faith.
My theory on faith, and on life is that you should strive to help those around you. If we are all G-d's children as basically every monotheistic religion claims, I would think that he/she wants us to help each other. Most emphasized on in Christrianity is the fact that you should model your life and choices after Jesus.
So whats with all the praying?
In my eyes, its not conductive, and its not helping anyone. I can understand grasping onto religion as a guide and as a matter of comfort, but relying on G-d or a "higher power" to resolve your issues is NOT congruent with how I see the world. I think people need to take more responsibility for their own actions.
We met Rikke, Elisabet and Caro in Kumasi and Agreek last night. G-d, I missed Elisabet. She keeps me so realistic and grounded. She is such a great person, and I am so glad that I know her.
Its funny because I don't really miss home that much, but I miss the people that I've known for a month that are here too. I think its because I am being to realistic to allow myself to miss home too much. I really just don't want to ruin this experience with thinking about home all the time. Its not worth it.
Our project is alot slower than I would have liked, but at the same time its awesome for two reasons:
1) we can pick our own hours so we are allowed to travel and do our own thing alot of the time
2) we have the opportunity to work in the community and other communities in need so that we can stretch our impact from just the people in this clinic
I really want to build a soccer feild (build a soccer feild....ya I don't really know) for the kids in the community. I would just need a week, 12 soccer balls and 2 nets and I could figure something out. Not to mention there is 4-5 schools in a 10 mile radius of Wiamoase where I'm sure I could help tutor English and Math for kids who need the help. I just want to do as much as I can while I'm here.
I can't necessarily change the world, but I can impact people positively and thats really all I need to feel like I got the most out of this trip.
This is a short update but I really want some pizza and we gotta get to Kejetia to hop a trotro home and Kejetia is hell.
I don't like that I am starting to get a little cynical. I am just tired of the attention that our skin is drawing to us. Not to mention the fact that people alot of the time treat us like walking ATMs. They say G-d bless you for coming to help Africa, and then they ask you for money. Its a little frustrating, however I am learning to deal with these situations in a really composed and mature matter. Wheras a month ago I would be awkward.
The only thing that makes me really uncomfortable here is all the praying. They stay up all night, stand in prayer circles wherever there is room and pray and talk in tongues. I don't at all feel threatened by them, or like they are offending me. I just can't, in anyway relate to that kind of faith.
My theory on faith, and on life is that you should strive to help those around you. If we are all G-d's children as basically every monotheistic religion claims, I would think that he/she wants us to help each other. Most emphasized on in Christrianity is the fact that you should model your life and choices after Jesus.
So whats with all the praying?
In my eyes, its not conductive, and its not helping anyone. I can understand grasping onto religion as a guide and as a matter of comfort, but relying on G-d or a "higher power" to resolve your issues is NOT congruent with how I see the world. I think people need to take more responsibility for their own actions.
We met Rikke, Elisabet and Caro in Kumasi and Agreek last night. G-d, I missed Elisabet. She keeps me so realistic and grounded. She is such a great person, and I am so glad that I know her.
Its funny because I don't really miss home that much, but I miss the people that I've known for a month that are here too. I think its because I am being to realistic to allow myself to miss home too much. I really just don't want to ruin this experience with thinking about home all the time. Its not worth it.
Our project is alot slower than I would have liked, but at the same time its awesome for two reasons:
1) we can pick our own hours so we are allowed to travel and do our own thing alot of the time
2) we have the opportunity to work in the community and other communities in need so that we can stretch our impact from just the people in this clinic
I really want to build a soccer feild (build a soccer feild....ya I don't really know) for the kids in the community. I would just need a week, 12 soccer balls and 2 nets and I could figure something out. Not to mention there is 4-5 schools in a 10 mile radius of Wiamoase where I'm sure I could help tutor English and Math for kids who need the help. I just want to do as much as I can while I'm here.
I can't necessarily change the world, but I can impact people positively and thats really all I need to feel like I got the most out of this trip.
This is a short update but I really want some pizza and we gotta get to Kejetia to hop a trotro home and Kejetia is hell.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Still moving like a snail, but now posting my updates...
Great, now I can retype.
So this weekend was a blast. We went into Kumasi and grocery shopped, and met up with Elisabet and Toon and got ice cream-a total luxury here. Then the next night Toon and Liane came to stay with us for the evening. We had a nice dinner, rice...yum, and then went to get some Star beer at a local bar. Speaking of that, its funny how when you ask for anything here people will ALWAYS want to show you. They will never just point you in the right direction, they have to show you.
Elisabet is unhappy with her project because she is working at a very wealthy school, where she barely interacts with the children. She is trying to switch, but we are going to visit her Friday so we can at least see how bad it is.
Liane lives in a small village with a host family. She is also working in a private school, however it is funded by the government, so in reality it fosters to very poor children. She was telling us how her host family takes her into town everytime they go. Its almost like they are showing her off. So not only is she benefitting from this, but her host family and the school they run is too...
Toon is bored because his school doesn't start for another couple weeks. He is busy exploring Kumasi. I am jealous, even though Kumasi is the most overwhelming thing I have ever experienced. Well, expect Accra. I thank G-d that I am living in a village, especially the one I'm in.
Let's face it, I love Africa.
Well, at least Ghana.
What I don't love is that in our house there are spiders thesize of a small child. Okay maybe not that bad, but I am talking HUGE like 3 or 4 inches in diameter. We have killed a grand total of10 as of today. We are having a nice dinner to celebrate.
Another highlight: We found peanutbutter.
On Sunday Auntie Mary took us to 4 funerals, which I am really glad we did. Funerals here are held on the last weekend of the month over a 3 day period. Saturday is a parade and the burial, while Sunday and Monday are dedicated to receiving guests and friends. It is traditional to wear black, cover your head with a scarf and give a little money to the families. Unfortunately the last 2 things we weren't informed of, regardless I think people we just glad to see us there.
It makes me really happy to associate myself with this community. Everyone knows us, and they all try to help us get around and get things and feel comfortable. All the kids still chase after us yelling "Obruni" but I am hoping that will pass in due time, the sooner the better.
I go by Rebecca here because no one would ever catch onto Rebi, probably because Rebecca is a bible name...hahaha. Anyway now I am "Sister Becky." So if anyone plans to write me, you have to address it to Rebecca or Becky because no one will know who Rebi is.
Today we worked from 7 till1ish with the babies! We had to weigh them and give them vitamins and vaccines. I love Tuesdays, but towards 12ish I start to get exhausted because waiting your turn isn't really a Ghana thing. They kinda throw the kids at you all at once and expect you to figure it out. Great...well I do have to say, there is no such thing as a cuter baby than a Ghana baby. I swear by it.
The health system in Ghana is a little demented because native and local medicine is still widely used in villages. It only costs 70,000 cedis or around $7 a year to be insured for all medications or emergencies, but most people end up paying into the millions, cedis that is, for operations and sudden illnesses because they can't afford the $7 a year. Or because people go into such denial about medicine here. The tribal medical values are extremely difficult to change.
It costs around 30,000 cedis a week to treat malnutrition. It has become a huge problem in villages where mothers are weening the children too early from breast milk because of new pregnancies. Also, malnutrition causes swelling, which most locals treat with oinments of lotions. In reality malnutrition is caused by a lack of protein which can only be treated with proper nutrition and an extra intake of lacking vitamins. Sadly malnutrition, if not treated, is always fatal. The cure lies in education.
It seems it almost always does.
I am very impressed by the attempt at spreading the knowledge of proper health care in Ghana. Most of the adults and elders have scars covering their cheeks from native medical practices, but you rarely see it in children or the younger generation. Also the number of "life choice" signs-choosing to have sex and using the right protection-posted around the cities and villages is astounding. It is the smaller and more rural areas that need to be targeted though. The information rarely gets all the way out there.
I should get going though, we want to go to the market to buy plantanes, casava and yams...personally I am getting sick of spaghetti.
So this weekend was a blast. We went into Kumasi and grocery shopped, and met up with Elisabet and Toon and got ice cream-a total luxury here. Then the next night Toon and Liane came to stay with us for the evening. We had a nice dinner, rice...yum, and then went to get some Star beer at a local bar. Speaking of that, its funny how when you ask for anything here people will ALWAYS want to show you. They will never just point you in the right direction, they have to show you.
Elisabet is unhappy with her project because she is working at a very wealthy school, where she barely interacts with the children. She is trying to switch, but we are going to visit her Friday so we can at least see how bad it is.
Liane lives in a small village with a host family. She is also working in a private school, however it is funded by the government, so in reality it fosters to very poor children. She was telling us how her host family takes her into town everytime they go. Its almost like they are showing her off. So not only is she benefitting from this, but her host family and the school they run is too...
Toon is bored because his school doesn't start for another couple weeks. He is busy exploring Kumasi. I am jealous, even though Kumasi is the most overwhelming thing I have ever experienced. Well, expect Accra. I thank G-d that I am living in a village, especially the one I'm in.
Let's face it, I love Africa.
Well, at least Ghana.
What I don't love is that in our house there are spiders thesize of a small child. Okay maybe not that bad, but I am talking HUGE like 3 or 4 inches in diameter. We have killed a grand total of10 as of today. We are having a nice dinner to celebrate.
Another highlight: We found peanutbutter.
On Sunday Auntie Mary took us to 4 funerals, which I am really glad we did. Funerals here are held on the last weekend of the month over a 3 day period. Saturday is a parade and the burial, while Sunday and Monday are dedicated to receiving guests and friends. It is traditional to wear black, cover your head with a scarf and give a little money to the families. Unfortunately the last 2 things we weren't informed of, regardless I think people we just glad to see us there.
It makes me really happy to associate myself with this community. Everyone knows us, and they all try to help us get around and get things and feel comfortable. All the kids still chase after us yelling "Obruni" but I am hoping that will pass in due time, the sooner the better.
I go by Rebecca here because no one would ever catch onto Rebi, probably because Rebecca is a bible name...hahaha. Anyway now I am "Sister Becky." So if anyone plans to write me, you have to address it to Rebecca or Becky because no one will know who Rebi is.
Today we worked from 7 till1ish with the babies! We had to weigh them and give them vitamins and vaccines. I love Tuesdays, but towards 12ish I start to get exhausted because waiting your turn isn't really a Ghana thing. They kinda throw the kids at you all at once and expect you to figure it out. Great...well I do have to say, there is no such thing as a cuter baby than a Ghana baby. I swear by it.
The health system in Ghana is a little demented because native and local medicine is still widely used in villages. It only costs 70,000 cedis or around $7 a year to be insured for all medications or emergencies, but most people end up paying into the millions, cedis that is, for operations and sudden illnesses because they can't afford the $7 a year. Or because people go into such denial about medicine here. The tribal medical values are extremely difficult to change.
It costs around 30,000 cedis a week to treat malnutrition. It has become a huge problem in villages where mothers are weening the children too early from breast milk because of new pregnancies. Also, malnutrition causes swelling, which most locals treat with oinments of lotions. In reality malnutrition is caused by a lack of protein which can only be treated with proper nutrition and an extra intake of lacking vitamins. Sadly malnutrition, if not treated, is always fatal. The cure lies in education.
It seems it almost always does.
I am very impressed by the attempt at spreading the knowledge of proper health care in Ghana. Most of the adults and elders have scars covering their cheeks from native medical practices, but you rarely see it in children or the younger generation. Also the number of "life choice" signs-choosing to have sex and using the right protection-posted around the cities and villages is astounding. It is the smaller and more rural areas that need to be targeted though. The information rarely gets all the way out there.
I should get going though, we want to go to the market to buy plantanes, casava and yams...personally I am getting sick of spaghetti.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Okay so my last blog didn't work...
I am going to have to retype (or at least try) all of what I wrote last time, plus the extra stuff I have in my brain now. Hoorah. Joy of Africa.
So we are in Kumasi right now because we desperately needed to go to a grocery store. The spaghetti, ketchup and rice routine got old fast. So now we stocked up on food. Not to mention I found a Twix bar. I almost died. I did have tears in my eyes. Sad.
Anyway, to start where I left off, we finished up our stay at orientation camp. The last night we went to a bar and it was awesome because I have found the best beer in the entire world here (Star), but Rikke's found got stolen when we were off buying some things. That blows, and it was even worse because it was the day before we were going to our projects, and it made me feel kind of shaky about this whole thing all over again.
I get that shaky feeling everyday, who the hell am I kidding?
Anyway, we all got super close during the camp so it was hard to leave everyone. Another set of sad goodbyes to wear on my alredy thin "missing capacity" Does that make any sense?
When we were at the camp we went to an orphanage which was a really good experience, because we finally got to see some social projects in Ghana. The orphanage was well kept and all the kids seemed relatively happy. However, as I was talking to some of them Elisabet came to find me and dragged me to the hall where all the kids rooms were. There was a girl there that everyone referred to as "crazy Jenna", and I swear on my life I will never ever forget the site of her room, or lack thereof. She actually slept in the open hallway, on a ripped up mattress outside the room where all the other kids had bunk beds and mosquito nets. It seriously tore my heart out.
When we got back to camp I asked one of our counselors, Kofi, to explain the situation to me. He actually told me that it was a good sign that she wasn't locked away, and she was running around with the other kids. In African culture, to be mentally handicapped is seen as embarressing, so nobody grows accustomed to it. All the other kids had no concept of her dissability. They thought was nuts, or even worse a danger to them
I don't know if it was the sight of the bed, or the realization that kids like that have no shot in hell here. In Western societies people try to make a strong effort to integrate people with dissabilities into the mainstream. Not only that, but people are educated and understand mental dissability so they don't have too many misconceptions about it.
Sorry to be so despressing.
My roommate, Lisette, and I have an enormous apartment to ourselves which is right next to the clinic we work in. Despite the fact that we have no running water and the electricity goes out for a day every 2 days, it is a very pleasant and VERY safe place. Everyone at the clinic wants us to feel comfortable so its awesome that we have them to turn to if we need something.
The first day we worked we organized the cards which the medical records are kept on. There is over 6000s cards and they were all haphazardly placed in cardboard boxes. They don't even have filing cabinets. Not only that but at the malnutrition clinic they don't have bottles, they have to spoon feed the children all the milk formula. At the eye clinic they have to manually check for the correct lenses to improve vision.
These things seem so basic to me. So basic to anyone coming from a wester country. But to them, a filing cabinet even better a computer that would not only sort but save medical files is a luxury. Bottles. I mean...bottles?
Culture shock.
This is such a good experience and the longer I am here, the longer I feel like I am actually getting something out of it. Not just missing home.
I do miss home.
But, I think I miss eggs benedict the most. Haha, Laura you understand.
I was so glad to come to the city today because we got to eat at a restaurant where I had lomein noodles! I could have even splurged on a milkshake, but I think my body is getting used to not eating as much, so I was (and still am) completely stuffed.
We are going to go the market later, and I am excited, but trying to prepare myself for the overwhelming experience I know it will be (thank you Triggs.)
I should get moving...I have so much to say, but somehow I always forget something. Well I can always write it next time.
So we are in Kumasi right now because we desperately needed to go to a grocery store. The spaghetti, ketchup and rice routine got old fast. So now we stocked up on food. Not to mention I found a Twix bar. I almost died. I did have tears in my eyes. Sad.
Anyway, to start where I left off, we finished up our stay at orientation camp. The last night we went to a bar and it was awesome because I have found the best beer in the entire world here (Star), but Rikke's found got stolen when we were off buying some things. That blows, and it was even worse because it was the day before we were going to our projects, and it made me feel kind of shaky about this whole thing all over again.
I get that shaky feeling everyday, who the hell am I kidding?
Anyway, we all got super close during the camp so it was hard to leave everyone. Another set of sad goodbyes to wear on my alredy thin "missing capacity" Does that make any sense?
When we were at the camp we went to an orphanage which was a really good experience, because we finally got to see some social projects in Ghana. The orphanage was well kept and all the kids seemed relatively happy. However, as I was talking to some of them Elisabet came to find me and dragged me to the hall where all the kids rooms were. There was a girl there that everyone referred to as "crazy Jenna", and I swear on my life I will never ever forget the site of her room, or lack thereof. She actually slept in the open hallway, on a ripped up mattress outside the room where all the other kids had bunk beds and mosquito nets. It seriously tore my heart out.
When we got back to camp I asked one of our counselors, Kofi, to explain the situation to me. He actually told me that it was a good sign that she wasn't locked away, and she was running around with the other kids. In African culture, to be mentally handicapped is seen as embarressing, so nobody grows accustomed to it. All the other kids had no concept of her dissability. They thought was nuts, or even worse a danger to them
I don't know if it was the sight of the bed, or the realization that kids like that have no shot in hell here. In Western societies people try to make a strong effort to integrate people with dissabilities into the mainstream. Not only that, but people are educated and understand mental dissability so they don't have too many misconceptions about it.
Sorry to be so despressing.
My roommate, Lisette, and I have an enormous apartment to ourselves which is right next to the clinic we work in. Despite the fact that we have no running water and the electricity goes out for a day every 2 days, it is a very pleasant and VERY safe place. Everyone at the clinic wants us to feel comfortable so its awesome that we have them to turn to if we need something.
The first day we worked we organized the cards which the medical records are kept on. There is over 6000s cards and they were all haphazardly placed in cardboard boxes. They don't even have filing cabinets. Not only that but at the malnutrition clinic they don't have bottles, they have to spoon feed the children all the milk formula. At the eye clinic they have to manually check for the correct lenses to improve vision.
These things seem so basic to me. So basic to anyone coming from a wester country. But to them, a filing cabinet even better a computer that would not only sort but save medical files is a luxury. Bottles. I mean...bottles?
Culture shock.
This is such a good experience and the longer I am here, the longer I feel like I am actually getting something out of it. Not just missing home.
I do miss home.
But, I think I miss eggs benedict the most. Haha, Laura you understand.
I was so glad to come to the city today because we got to eat at a restaurant where I had lomein noodles! I could have even splurged on a milkshake, but I think my body is getting used to not eating as much, so I was (and still am) completely stuffed.
We are going to go the market later, and I am excited, but trying to prepare myself for the overwhelming experience I know it will be (thank you Triggs.)
I should get moving...I have so much to say, but somehow I always forget something. Well I can always write it next time.
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