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!