Ghana is Finished = (

Well my African Adventures have ended for now, I would love to return, but I do not know when. I am now home in rainy and cold Cleveland, Tennessee trying to rest up so I can start my second placement student teaching. My body is in shock, and I really don’t feel like facing reality of what’s next.

My last week in Ghana flew by! I tried cramming everything possible into that week. On Tuesday we went to the field where they would march for Independence Day (Saturday) to practice marching and then we got out early. It was an extremely hot day and I stayed out all day. After Marching I walked to 7 of my girls’ houses to visit. They loved this, and at each one of their houses I would take a picture of them and their family. Then I and 3 of my girls went to the Fishing Market, and then to the beach to swim. It was a hot, and fun filled day. That night all the teachers came to the Lodge for dinner.

The next morning I was suffering from a little dehydration, even though I figured I drank about 6 Liters of water, so I skipped mass and went to school a little late. After school on Wednesday I went to my teacher, Cynthia’s house with 3 others for their traditional dish called Fufu with Ground Nut soup.

Thursday was our last regular day of school, so I decided to do all the fun things I wanted to do before I left, like have them write me letters, paint pictures, and do relay races! After school on Thursday I, and four others went to an orphanage called Village of Hope. It was really cool to visit and see how the orphanage was set up, after working at one all summer in Guatemala. I met one oburni from Portland Oregon, who was teaching in the school and tutoring after school for a year. I could see my self doing something like that for longer term.

Friday morning the students practiced Marching, and then I gave each one of them a letter in a notebook and some other goodies. Then my class broke out in song and dance…singing every song I had taught them or we had sung over my time in their class. These moments were so precious and I hold them so dear to my heart! Each class had a dress made for me, and so did my teacher. After closing, the teachers made Fufu for us, and gave us more Ghanaian Clothing. I now have a full Ghanian wardrobe all fitted to my measurements!

Saturday was Independence Day and all the schools in Winneba came together and Marched around the field. Don Bosco, my school won a computer for the best marching. (now its time for them to get electricity, so they can use it…haha) Then we (Interns) went to the Headmaster’s house to celebrate and eat more Fufu! A few of us went out that night to celebrate Independence Day.

On Sunday I tried to rest as much as possible after church. I wrote in my journal and wrote more letters to my students in the shade on the beach.

On Monday, I hung out with about half of my students on the beach. We ate rice and biscuits, swam, sang and took lots of pictures. It was so hard to say good bye to my students. I gave away most of my clothes and the rest of my school supplies and candy. Many hugs were exchanged and tears cried. We left early the next morning around 4 am. A certain part of my heart will always be in Ghana, I miss it already!

1 week to go!

AHHHHHH where has the time gone! I cant believe I only have a week left....I want to do so many last minute things and cram it all in! I leave early African time and arrive late Nashville time next week Tuesday....so this will be my last blog while I am in Ghana. The last couple of weeks have been very busy and action pack full. During the week I have tried to spend as much time as possible after school with my girls...visiting their houses, getting my hair braided, going to the beach, and buying them food and other things they need. It has really hit me how short our time we have left in Ghana, so I have tried really hard to soak up every moment enjoying my girls and the beautiful parts of Ghana.
Last week Saturday our whole group traveled in Gideon's car and his Taxi driver friend's car to visit his village and coco plantation....soooo sweet! They had a ton of activities planned for us to do like: Chop/carry fire wood, cut/peal cassava, pound fufu, drink fresh coconut off the tree, and other fresh beverages made in their villiage, uprooted the cassava plant that last years group planted and then I replanted it again....Then we ate the amazing meal that was prepared for us...the best Plantains I have ever had, rice, Red Red (chilli like), and fufu with a light Red soup.
This weekend Ronella, Gideon, and I travelled to lake Volta. We left early Saturday morning and caught a boat called the Dodi Princess. This was an all day boat trip that served grilled Tilapia for Lunch, had a live band, dancing, 3 decks, and allowed us to explore the Dodi island for a little bit. It was really fun, a bit touristy but worth it! We saw a few different places and communities where Gideon has lived at various times when he went to Jr. High, and where he taught at a high school. We swam in the lake in a few times, and went for a hike early Sunday morning to summit a small mountain that overlooked Volta Lake....Beautiful!
This week we are wrapping our time up in the school. The kids have to practice marching a lot this week in preparation for Independence Day on Saturday! We have been invited to some teachers and the headmaster’s home for dinner, and we are having all our teachers over to the Lodge for dinner Tuesday night. Monday they have off of school, so I have already told all my girls that we will have a big party on the beach and I want them all to visit me!

Soaking up Every Minute!

Well I have less than 3 weeks left here in Ghana, and the thought of that is so sad. Everyday now my girls are asking me when am I leaving and what my phone number in the states is, and just get all sad. I brought my girls to the beach again this Friday, and have started to visit them at their houses. The added time outside of school has really helped in building relationships with my girls. The fact that my time here is so short is really setting in. I am trying to soak up every moment with my girls(students), and use every weekend to travel. Last Saturday we drove 5 hours to visit a village all built on silts. It was really a fun and neat experience, just a long drive for such a short trip. Sunday, I explored the Lagoon for several hours with two of my Norwegian friends, Eirik and Brenjard. The area around the Lodge is gorgeous; I find new places and areas that I want to explore everyday! Sunday night I went out to celebrate Valentines Day with four of the Norwegians and several staff from the Lodge…we have become like family…=) This weekend our group is going to our Ghanian friend's villiage and coco farm. And next weekend I hope travel to Lake VoltaI took my brace for my broken arm off for the first time on Saturday, and I am enjoying the freedoms that brings! This morning I went to Mass with all of my girls for Ash Wednesday, and got ash put on my forehead for the first time. They love to sing and dance, and I know it meant the world to them that I was there! The students are starting to march almost every morning to prepare for their Independence Day on the 6th. Random meetings, mass, offerings, and marching always throw a curve ball in the schedule…so I am learning to be flexible. I think that is about all for now. I may just send out one more blog before I come back as I am trying to soak up every hour I have left in Ghana! And if you want to get a hold of me, email me, do not facebook me.

Swimming, Sunsets, and Smiles

Well, Ive ben here for over 3 weeks and our time here in Ghana is almost half way over. I have really grown to love it here! This past week I spent many afternons running through the Lagoon and swimming in the ocean. I have done alot more teaching this week with teaching English to both 6th grade classes, and Math to mine. I am learning that I have to talk slow and explain every little step. Most of their teaching is just copying the notes, they dont have very much critical thinking and common sense. On Friday I for a few names from Cynthia of the students that were struggling the most with reading and she gave me 11. I started having them read some very simple books for K-1st grade level, and they were all challenged by those books..yikes! I am tying to teach 16 year olds how to read...who in the states are trying to learn how to drive.... I did not realize that some of my students were that poor of readers. There is no point in them weven trying to read their 6th grade basal reader text. Im think I am going to stick to just teaching Math and English and then work with students on reading, every spare moment in the day! I want these girls to learn how to read in the next month! After school on Friday, about 15 of my girls followed me back to the Lodge and then went to the beach with me, Ronella, and 20+ of her boys. It was very chaotic ywet fun at the same time. We had some really good bonding moments. It was difficult for me to meet their hunger/thirst needs.... Betwen Friday night and Saturday morning I got a little sick..i think it was maybe something I ate. So I stayed back at the Lodge instead of going shopping in Accra with the rest of my group. If I was going to get sick, I guess it was a good weekend. And I am already feeling much better.

Beautiful Ghana

I have been here now over two weeks and six days in the school. I have fallen love with my students! They(40+) are beautiful 6th grade girls going through puberty…they are anywhere from 12-19 years old. They are so sweet! This past wee I taught Math everyday, and now this week I will teach Math and English to two sixth grade classes. I have taught them many songs, like lean on me, my God is so big, Lord I lift your name o high, and Bind us together Lord. They are so eager and excited to learn nw songs. They also love to teach me fante, tre, and their other native language…I am having a hard time keeping them straight.
On Monday I was shocked and discouraged when my coordinating teacher called 22 girls to the front of the room to cain all of them three times on the back for talking too much. I thought, how am I ever gong to control 40 girls with out caning them…although this week has gone really well.
On Tuesday Night, I went to Madam Cynthia’s apartment for dinner(Rice and Chicken) with Ronella. On Wednesday morning we went to mass with our students, bc it is a Catholic School.
We walk about 35 minutes to/from school each day, every day we take a little different route, taking different streets and shortcuts through the market and people’s yard. Everywhere we go people shout “Obruni,” which means white person. They often ask, “what is your name? Or how are you? Way more often than what we are used to in the states. Everyone is very friendly, and wants to be friends with an Obruni! They Love Obama, there are Obama posters, clothing, and memorabilia.
I have got into the routine of walking home for school, sometimes stopping at the market, and then going for a run and a swim..shower..dinner..and then lesson planning and journaling.
This weekend, on Saturday we went to Accra to do some shopping for souvenirs and fabric. It was an interesting trying to catch a bus and taxis with 8 girls where ever we wanted to go in the crazy city. We were fortunate to have a tall Ghanaian man named Jerry to bring us around. Today we went to a church service that lasted almost 4 hours and it was mostly in fante….haha! Then when we got back, I went straight to the beach! Then I went to find a place with Ronella to watch the African Football Cup…they made it to the finals…. But sadly though they lost to Egypt. That’s all for now. I think I am going to stop checking my facebook, and just check my email and blog once or twice a week because the internet is sooooooooo slow! So if you want to contact me, try one of thoses..

First Day of School!

I had my first day of school today with 6th grade girls at Don Bosco, they are precious! I have over 40 girls in each of my two classes, which small compared to fourth grade boys which have two classes of 65 and 71….a total different world. All the children line up to sing and then march to their classes. My teacher’s name is Cynthia and she is the same one that Amanda had last semester. She is really sweet and has already tried to visit me at the lodge and bought me a Fanta and biscuits, and invited me to her house. Next week I will start teaching Math and then I will add English the next week. Today I taught the girls how to sing My God is so big and Lean on me. Cynthia and the girls love to sing!

First Day of School!

I had my first day of school today with 6th grade girls at Don Bosco, they are precious! I have over 40 girls in each of my two classes, which small compared to fourth grade boys which have two classes of 65 and 71….a total different world. All the children line up to sing and then march to their classes. My teacher’s name is Cynthia and she is the same one that Amanda had last semester. She is really sweet and has already tried to visit me at the lodge and bought me a Fanta and biscuits, and invited me to her house. Next week I will start teaching Math and then I will add English the next week. Today I taught the girls how to sing My God is so big and Lean on me. Cynthia and the girls love to sing!