Let's see where to begin...
Well for starters, my health is good. I am back to normal! Eating and sleeping well, and back to regular African life in Nkwanta.
2 of the volunteers left today... Ivy and Teo. They will be missed, now there's only 6 of us here, all girls except for poor Alex.
We had a party for the kids last night, it was great fun! Everyone got juice boxes (which some then had stolen out of their backpacks and could not be consoled. You would have thought someone close to them had died they way they cried) and lots of candy. Everyone danced and danced and stayed up late, it was quite the night.
One thing though, I am getting so tired of people asking me for money. They assume because you are "oburni" that you are rich, which is definitely not the case. There was a man today at the Tro-Tro* station who kept pestering myself and 2 other volunteers to buy a ticket so that they could sell them all and get going on their way... the Tro-Tro won't leave until all the tickets have been sold. We kept telling him we would not do that, that the little money we had was for the children. He told us to forget the children and help him. It was getting quite obnoxious.
Even the people who run the orphanage... they ask us for money every day. I paid $5000 to come here on this trip... and the program fees were supposed to pay for my housing and food and all my accommodations- yet we have to buy the food for the orphanage, buy them clothes and shoes, give Tina money for our own food, buy toilet paper for the house, etc. It is really getting tiresome. All the while we're being asked for money to help build the new orphanage, and finding out little things here and there about Johnny telling us quotes and prices on things are actually not as expensive as he is passing them on to be. You can't trust anyone.
Other than that, it's a great adventure. A few days ago was Bob Marley day, so all of us volunteers went to The Local (what I suppose you would call a pub) and had a few drinks and danced. I didn't really like dancing there, you had to be very strict with the locals that they need to keep their distance while dancing because they just come up and grab you and dance on you. At night after we have a long day with the kids we all come back to the house and have dinner together and discuss the day, laugh at little things that happened, maybe go out for a drink, and are usually in bed no later than 10:30 since we have to be up so early.
Went to the hospital yesterday for a check up and it took 3 hours just to see the doctor because they couldn't find my folder from my last visit- I don't even understand why they needed it, all the doctor did was ask if I was feeling better, take my temperature, and then tell me the Malaria is gone. He wanted to give me more tablets to take for worms, even though I don't have worms... everyone wants money. While I was waiting though, one of my kids, Augustine, came in- he had broken his little tiny hand. So after I saw the doctor I stayed and waited with him, since that's what a mother would do. I spent 6 1/2 hours in the hospital. Augustine is okay now, he has a cast on his hand that weighs more than he does, but he's dealing.
The kids have been so bad the past few days- they fight over everything! Collins and 2 girls, Theodora and Gloria, got in a huge fight the other day because the girls wouldn't share their coloring book, and Collins wouldn't talk to me because I forgot to bring him paper that day. He knocked Theodora good though and made her lip bleed. They all fight like grown men, sizing each other up, snide comments when they walk by, fists are flying and everyone starts yelling. If they get caught by Johnny or Manpon (another one on the staff) then they have to kneel down with their arms in the air until they are told they can get up, which is usually awhile. That or they get caned. It's sad, but it's their culture. It's rough to watch the kids get in trouble, even though I know they need some sort of discipline and structure or else they would all kill each other or run around like rabid animals, I just don't necessarily agree with their method of punishment.
Tomorrow is Saturday, so we are free to take a weekend trip if we would like... I think we were talking about taking a day trip tomorrow but I'm not sure if that's still in the works or not. I would like to take a trip but I also don't really want to spend any money on traveling too much. I'd rather spend money on minutes for my phone to call home, or souveniers to bring back, or stuff for the kids. And it's nice to have money to buy a cold Coke or a popsicle on really hot days. I never thought a Coca-Cola would be such a treat!
I'm starting to crave food from home. The majority of what I've been eating is mangoes, bananas, oranges, rice, eggs, and bread. We drink treated water that comes in a bag... you just bite the corner off and there ya go. Except it's warm because we don't have a refridgerator at the house... but I heard a rumor that one should be coming in a week or 2... but I'm done in 2 weeks so it doesn't really matter to me.
I'm already half way done! And half of that time was spent sick in bed... but these next 2 weeks I plan on spending the most of my time at the orphanage with the kids... it's so amazing the connection you can make with someone so quickly.
I can already sense a change in myself, even after such a short period of time. The lifestyle in the states is so fast paced and self centered- it's nice to kind of have a detox period of reflection to realize that some things really aren't that important, and the things that are important get over looked too much. Everyone that lives here helps each other in any way they can. Time is not of importance to them, and they will stop whatever it is that they're doing to show you the way to somewhere or help you with whatever you need help with. They call each other sister and brother, even when they have no relation. The lifestyle here is so slow and simple, and yes it's nice to have the things that we have at home and the luxuries and opportunities that are available to us, but we live among people everyday and never think twice about their lives, or if we have something that we don't need that could be beneficial to another. No one says hello to a stranger walking down the street and everyone puts themselves first. It's sad really when you think about it.
On the same note... I could really go for a Bic Mac and some french fries right about now :)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Bit of a rough patch...
So... I have been pretty sick for about a week. High fever for 2 days, followed by 2 days of a horrible migrane. Threw up once, only to then realize there was no water to flush it down. Not good. Went to the hospital yesterday to have a hot, long, exhausting, horrible experience with everyone there staring at me from the second I walked in- got left there alone because Tina had to return to the house to make lunch for the other volunteers, realized that a white person crying in the middle of an African hospital gets you served first, then found out that I have Malaria. Woo hoo. Just what I needed!
Anyway it's very common and I got lots of medicine and I am feeling much better. Today is the last day I have to take my pills and then I should be good to go! So don't worry, I'm absolutely fine.
While I was sick I was so very homesick because I wasn't going to see the kids, I was stuck in the volunteer house with another girl who twisted her ankle and can't walk right now. I really wanted to come home. But now that I am better and got to see the kids last night, it put me in such a better mood and made me rememeber why I am here and why I need to stay here.
Everyone has been very kind and very accommodating to me while I'm not feeling well- Johnny even went out to God knows where and found pasta and cheese so we made some ghetto mac & cheese for dinner last night! (Although I'm pretty sure he bought it with money we have given him...)
To answer everyones question about sending money- it would never make it here in time, I would probably be home before it arrived. But next time I am on here I will post the address to the orphanage and feel free to send clothes or books or donations for the kids there.
I'm getting tan! Well my arms and shoulders are at least. My legs are still pure Seattleite :)
Richard had a cut on his face last night and he was so sad and just kept crying, he did not want us to put a band aid on it at all! But we did, and then I told him he looked like Nelly, and explained to him who Nelly is, and then told him now he is a cool American rapper and he got so happy and excited. :)
I am taking sooo many pictures and will post them all when I get home- it took me almost an hour just to get this website up to update today, there's no way I could upload any pictures!!
On Thursday we are having a party for the kids- we hired a DJ for 25 cedis and everything! I am going to take lots of video footage so everyone can see how amazing these children can dance!
I have to get going now- I only have 4 minutes of internet time left, but I will update again soon!
Anyway it's very common and I got lots of medicine and I am feeling much better. Today is the last day I have to take my pills and then I should be good to go! So don't worry, I'm absolutely fine.
While I was sick I was so very homesick because I wasn't going to see the kids, I was stuck in the volunteer house with another girl who twisted her ankle and can't walk right now. I really wanted to come home. But now that I am better and got to see the kids last night, it put me in such a better mood and made me rememeber why I am here and why I need to stay here.
Everyone has been very kind and very accommodating to me while I'm not feeling well- Johnny even went out to God knows where and found pasta and cheese so we made some ghetto mac & cheese for dinner last night! (Although I'm pretty sure he bought it with money we have given him...)
To answer everyones question about sending money- it would never make it here in time, I would probably be home before it arrived. But next time I am on here I will post the address to the orphanage and feel free to send clothes or books or donations for the kids there.
I'm getting tan! Well my arms and shoulders are at least. My legs are still pure Seattleite :)
Richard had a cut on his face last night and he was so sad and just kept crying, he did not want us to put a band aid on it at all! But we did, and then I told him he looked like Nelly, and explained to him who Nelly is, and then told him now he is a cool American rapper and he got so happy and excited. :)
I am taking sooo many pictures and will post them all when I get home- it took me almost an hour just to get this website up to update today, there's no way I could upload any pictures!!
On Thursday we are having a party for the kids- we hired a DJ for 25 cedis and everything! I am going to take lots of video footage so everyone can see how amazing these children can dance!
I have to get going now- I only have 4 minutes of internet time left, but I will update again soon!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Maa Chi! (Good Morning!)
Got good luck again with the internet cafe! So far I'm 2 for 2. The sun isn't even out today and it's hotter than ever.. I just sweat and sweat.
I have already fallen completely head over heels in love with a few of the children- I love them all but there are a couple that honestly do not leave my side from the time I arrive until the time I leave. There's Collins, who I mentioned in the last update, and Richard- who is so shy and quiet, I didn't hear him make a sound for a few days until yesterday morning I picked him up and tickled him and he giggled like mad. Now he follows me everywhere. He doesn't really talk that much but he's missing all his front teeth so when he smiles it's so adorable. Yesterday we did some lessons with the kids, Richard stuck with me the whole time. I wrote him out some easy math problems to figure out what level he was at.. he knew how to add and subtract so I moved on to multiplying, which he didn't know how to do, but I taught him. He understands it so well and can do almost any problem I give him. It's so amazing to see how hard he is thinking and how excited he gets when he realizes the correct answer. It's such a great feeling to know that I single handedly taught a little boy something like that.
I don't really like the director of the program. His name is Johnny, and he can be very nice to us but he is always telling us how much more money they need. The landlord isn't continuing the lease on the orphanage, which is up in September, so some past volunteers bought a few plots of land so that they can build a new one for the kids... but it's a very slow process. Johnny tells us every day, more than once, how much they need for concrete and all that- we all feel pressured to pay for it, because that's pretty much what he's asking us, or telling us, to do. All of us want to help as much as we can but just coming here was so expensive and we buy the kids food and treats in the market, we just can't afford to pay for the new place to be built. A bag of cement is only 13 cedis though, so I think we're going to buy a few bags today. We still have some money being wired from past volunteers also, except we just ran out of what was left from other volunteers today. Today we went to the pharmacy and bought medication- all the kids have scabes and ringworm so we have been giving them penecillian and some creams for their skin and the rashes are clearing up fast.
It's so strange how quickly your mood changes out here. I'm laughing and playing one second, and the next I watch one of the kids do something and I could easily just cry and cry... but you can't cry because you don't want the kids to see you upset. All the volunteers went for some sodas yesterday, up the road from the orphanage, and Collins followed us there and hid behind the building while we sat and talked. I went and sat with him and split an orange soda with him and I had to hold back tears the whole time we sat together. He has the brightest eyes and the prettiest smile. I want to bring him home.
I think when I get home I'm going to do some research on how to set up school fundings- some of the older kids are about ready to go onto highschool but they need to get out of Nkwanta and they need money for tuition... if the older kids are able to do that, the younger ones will see it's possible and strive to do the same.
Bath time is the best. It's chaotic and there are kids everywhere and you get soaking wet, but it's so much fun. The other day it was pouring during bath time and all the kids were running around butt naked dancing and laughing and playing in the water. I'm taking a lot of pictures but it takes too long to upload them here so I will have to wait until I get home to put them up. The kids love to take my camera and take pictures of everything... sometimes they aren't very interesting pictures, and they don't always get any people in the shot, haha. They love seeing pictures of themselves, and I take videos of them and play it for them and they think it's the funniest thing. I taught some of the older girls how to do the Macarena and they sing it all day, it's getting obnoxious, haha. I took a deck of cards yesterday and taught the little ones how to play "go fish". It's their favorite activity now, except they don't really understand the concept of taking turns and they all look at each others cards. There's an older boy, Williams, who is about 13. I read with him yesterday out of his school book and he's pretty behind. He was struggling with a lot of the words, so today while we're in town I'm going to buy some beginning reading books and have some one on one time with him to see what kind of progress we can make.
Alright well, that was a long update! My fingers are sticking to the keyboard, it's so hot!!! I got a little sunburnt but it's not too bad, I've been loading on the sunscreen like crazy!
Hope all is well in the states and I will update again as soon as I can!
I have already fallen completely head over heels in love with a few of the children- I love them all but there are a couple that honestly do not leave my side from the time I arrive until the time I leave. There's Collins, who I mentioned in the last update, and Richard- who is so shy and quiet, I didn't hear him make a sound for a few days until yesterday morning I picked him up and tickled him and he giggled like mad. Now he follows me everywhere. He doesn't really talk that much but he's missing all his front teeth so when he smiles it's so adorable. Yesterday we did some lessons with the kids, Richard stuck with me the whole time. I wrote him out some easy math problems to figure out what level he was at.. he knew how to add and subtract so I moved on to multiplying, which he didn't know how to do, but I taught him. He understands it so well and can do almost any problem I give him. It's so amazing to see how hard he is thinking and how excited he gets when he realizes the correct answer. It's such a great feeling to know that I single handedly taught a little boy something like that.
I don't really like the director of the program. His name is Johnny, and he can be very nice to us but he is always telling us how much more money they need. The landlord isn't continuing the lease on the orphanage, which is up in September, so some past volunteers bought a few plots of land so that they can build a new one for the kids... but it's a very slow process. Johnny tells us every day, more than once, how much they need for concrete and all that- we all feel pressured to pay for it, because that's pretty much what he's asking us, or telling us, to do. All of us want to help as much as we can but just coming here was so expensive and we buy the kids food and treats in the market, we just can't afford to pay for the new place to be built. A bag of cement is only 13 cedis though, so I think we're going to buy a few bags today. We still have some money being wired from past volunteers also, except we just ran out of what was left from other volunteers today. Today we went to the pharmacy and bought medication- all the kids have scabes and ringworm so we have been giving them penecillian and some creams for their skin and the rashes are clearing up fast.
It's so strange how quickly your mood changes out here. I'm laughing and playing one second, and the next I watch one of the kids do something and I could easily just cry and cry... but you can't cry because you don't want the kids to see you upset. All the volunteers went for some sodas yesterday, up the road from the orphanage, and Collins followed us there and hid behind the building while we sat and talked. I went and sat with him and split an orange soda with him and I had to hold back tears the whole time we sat together. He has the brightest eyes and the prettiest smile. I want to bring him home.
I think when I get home I'm going to do some research on how to set up school fundings- some of the older kids are about ready to go onto highschool but they need to get out of Nkwanta and they need money for tuition... if the older kids are able to do that, the younger ones will see it's possible and strive to do the same.
Bath time is the best. It's chaotic and there are kids everywhere and you get soaking wet, but it's so much fun. The other day it was pouring during bath time and all the kids were running around butt naked dancing and laughing and playing in the water. I'm taking a lot of pictures but it takes too long to upload them here so I will have to wait until I get home to put them up. The kids love to take my camera and take pictures of everything... sometimes they aren't very interesting pictures, and they don't always get any people in the shot, haha. They love seeing pictures of themselves, and I take videos of them and play it for them and they think it's the funniest thing. I taught some of the older girls how to do the Macarena and they sing it all day, it's getting obnoxious, haha. I took a deck of cards yesterday and taught the little ones how to play "go fish". It's their favorite activity now, except they don't really understand the concept of taking turns and they all look at each others cards. There's an older boy, Williams, who is about 13. I read with him yesterday out of his school book and he's pretty behind. He was struggling with a lot of the words, so today while we're in town I'm going to buy some beginning reading books and have some one on one time with him to see what kind of progress we can make.
Alright well, that was a long update! My fingers are sticking to the keyboard, it's so hot!!! I got a little sunburnt but it's not too bad, I've been loading on the sunscreen like crazy!
Hope all is well in the states and I will update again as soon as I can!
Monday, May 3, 2010
AFRICA!
Yay! The internet cafe is working!! It costs 1.5 cedi for an hour and the connection is pretty slow, but I'm able to update some...
The trip here was super long... I arrived at night on the 29th of April. Spent 2 nights in Accra for orientation, got a phone (which later found out doesn't work in Nkwanta) and traded in my money. I have been in Nkwanta since the 1st of May- I absolutely love it. There are 8 volunteers total and we all live in the same house together with a local woman (Tina) who cooks for us. We eat a lot of rice and bread, mangoes and pineapples.
The kids are AMAZING. They are adorable and happy and they are so excited to see us everytime we go there. All the local kids run after us yelling "oburni! oburni!" which means "white person! white person!" Everyone stares, but most are friendly and want to say hello and shake our hands. We go to the orphanage every morning at 6 am to give baths and get breakfast served- they are all on holiday from school right now but will be returning there soon so we will have to get them there on time so they don't get caned by the teacher for being late. After baths and breakfasts we go home to eat and rest for awhile, go to the market, or check if the internet is working. Back again to play and do laundry, home for lunch/nap/bucket shower (which is actually very refreshing) and then back to the orphanage for dinner, more baths, and play.
I already have a favorite- his name is Collins- he made me a necklace today out of string and a piece of wood.
I'm going to try to upload some pictures, but with the connection I'm not sure if I will be able to get them on the computer. Check my facebook for pictures.
I'm very hot and very filthy and am up and down emotionally all the time. Each day seems to be so long and my mood changes quickly. I am having an amazing experience and already don't want to leave.
I love and miss everyone! I will update again when I can.
Blessings :)
The trip here was super long... I arrived at night on the 29th of April. Spent 2 nights in Accra for orientation, got a phone (which later found out doesn't work in Nkwanta) and traded in my money. I have been in Nkwanta since the 1st of May- I absolutely love it. There are 8 volunteers total and we all live in the same house together with a local woman (Tina) who cooks for us. We eat a lot of rice and bread, mangoes and pineapples.
The kids are AMAZING. They are adorable and happy and they are so excited to see us everytime we go there. All the local kids run after us yelling "oburni! oburni!" which means "white person! white person!" Everyone stares, but most are friendly and want to say hello and shake our hands. We go to the orphanage every morning at 6 am to give baths and get breakfast served- they are all on holiday from school right now but will be returning there soon so we will have to get them there on time so they don't get caned by the teacher for being late. After baths and breakfasts we go home to eat and rest for awhile, go to the market, or check if the internet is working. Back again to play and do laundry, home for lunch/nap/bucket shower (which is actually very refreshing) and then back to the orphanage for dinner, more baths, and play.
I already have a favorite- his name is Collins- he made me a necklace today out of string and a piece of wood.
I'm going to try to upload some pictures, but with the connection I'm not sure if I will be able to get them on the computer. Check my facebook for pictures.
I'm very hot and very filthy and am up and down emotionally all the time. Each day seems to be so long and my mood changes quickly. I am having an amazing experience and already don't want to leave.
I love and miss everyone! I will update again when I can.
Blessings :)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Goodbye USA!
Leaving today!! I'm all packed and ready to go- at least I hope I am! My flight leaves tonight at 6:45pm (Seattle time) and it takes about 9 hours to London, 3 hour layover, and then another 7 to Accra. I should arrive in Africa tomorrow night around 8:30pm (Africa time). Not sure what the time difference is... I think Ghana is about 7 hours ahead of Seattle.
Right now I'm just waiting on Heather (my roommate) to get home and take me over to my mom's, and I'll head to the airport from there.
Next time you hear from me I'll be at the orphanage!
Also, the orphanage I'm going to is called God's Eye, if anyone wanted to check it out online.
See ya'll in a month!!
Right now I'm just waiting on Heather (my roommate) to get home and take me over to my mom's, and I'll head to the airport from there.
Next time you hear from me I'll be at the orphanage!
Also, the orphanage I'm going to is called God's Eye, if anyone wanted to check it out online.
See ya'll in a month!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The countdown begins!
So only one more week to go!
25th birthday went great- I'm going to miss all my friends while I'm away, but I'm getting so excited! I leave for Vegas tomorrow with the family, going away party on Saturday, and then it's time to get down and really prepare for the trip.
I got a duffel bag and did all my laundry so I can start packing and making sure I have everything I need. Just a few last minute things to get but all of my travel documents are taken care of and I made copies to leave with my roommates and my mom.. just in case they need any of my information.
British Airways have stopped canceling flights to Europe so I don't need to worry about not making my flight anymore. (In case you don't know what the problem was, there was a volcano in Iceland and volcanic ash in Europe had all the flights cancelled that were supposed to be entering Europe).
I'm using my mom's old laptop now, which doesn't have sound... so I won't be able to Skype with anyone while I'm there... hopefully I will still be able to access the internet every once in awhile so I can post pictures and update the blog.
The countdown begins!
25th birthday went great- I'm going to miss all my friends while I'm away, but I'm getting so excited! I leave for Vegas tomorrow with the family, going away party on Saturday, and then it's time to get down and really prepare for the trip.
I got a duffel bag and did all my laundry so I can start packing and making sure I have everything I need. Just a few last minute things to get but all of my travel documents are taken care of and I made copies to leave with my roommates and my mom.. just in case they need any of my information.
British Airways have stopped canceling flights to Europe so I don't need to worry about not making my flight anymore. (In case you don't know what the problem was, there was a volcano in Iceland and volcanic ash in Europe had all the flights cancelled that were supposed to be entering Europe).
I'm using my mom's old laptop now, which doesn't have sound... so I won't be able to Skype with anyone while I'm there... hopefully I will still be able to access the internet every once in awhile so I can post pictures and update the blog.
The countdown begins!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Placement!
Received an e-mail with my placement today.. Sounds like it's going to be pretty hardcore! I don't even know how to begin to prepare myself for what I'm about to experience.
I'll sum up what my info packet said:
Situation at the orphanage:
The district town of Nkwanta in the Volta region. There are 80 orphans and the average age of the children is about 6 years old, with a staff of 13. There is electricity, but it often goes off with many power cuts. The majority of the water comes from a local river which is about a 10 minute walk. The water is very dirty and not suitable for drinking. There is an outside toilet, and showers are taken place in a bucket bath every morning. There is no running water at all. The children have flimsy straw mats and little/no shelter from wind and rain. There are no tables.
Situation for volunteers:
I will be placed in a host family house. I will share a room with other volunteers during my stay. It is a 1-2 minute walk to the orphanage. This is where I will eat and spend my spare time. The toilets are a basic hole in the ground and like the kids, the showers are a bucket bath. I will have a bed with a mattress and a lock for my room. Cell phones can be temperamental there, and there is an internet cafe with 2 computers but the internet is slow and disconnects or the power goes out.
So needless to say, I'm pretty anxious! I am very excited though, and feel very lucky that I have this opportunity. I can't wait to get there and fill everyone in on what's going on, and hopefully be able to post some pictures!
2 weeks to the day!
I'll sum up what my info packet said:
Situation at the orphanage:
The district town of Nkwanta in the Volta region. There are 80 orphans and the average age of the children is about 6 years old, with a staff of 13. There is electricity, but it often goes off with many power cuts. The majority of the water comes from a local river which is about a 10 minute walk. The water is very dirty and not suitable for drinking. There is an outside toilet, and showers are taken place in a bucket bath every morning. There is no running water at all. The children have flimsy straw mats and little/no shelter from wind and rain. There are no tables.
Situation for volunteers:
I will be placed in a host family house. I will share a room with other volunteers during my stay. It is a 1-2 minute walk to the orphanage. This is where I will eat and spend my spare time. The toilets are a basic hole in the ground and like the kids, the showers are a bucket bath. I will have a bed with a mattress and a lock for my room. Cell phones can be temperamental there, and there is an internet cafe with 2 computers but the internet is slow and disconnects or the power goes out.
So needless to say, I'm pretty anxious! I am very excited though, and feel very lucky that I have this opportunity. I can't wait to get there and fill everyone in on what's going on, and hopefully be able to post some pictures!
2 weeks to the day!
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