It's Time to Relax a Bit!

Hello to All,
Well, my first week of teaching is complete, and boy did it go by fast. What an incredible day today, the children were amazing. Well behaved and eager to learn! The day is not as long as it is in Canada as I only teach from 9:00 to 2:00. The mornings are spent establishing routines such as brushing teeth, reading stories and singing songs. I spend the afternoons one-on-one with the children or in small groups working on specific skills such as writing and math. But there is such a wide range of ages and abilities that it can very difficult to have appropriate activities planned that would be suitable for all the children. But considering the fact that without volunteer teachers the children would be aimlessly running around all day, I believe the children are all learning in one way or another.

I’ve been hearing reports of cold weather in Alberta, down into the minus digits at night. All I can say is ...You Poor Buggers!! Let me tell you, it’s beyond hot here. I mean it’s so toasty that I have become accustomed to sweat running down my face all day and my hair being damp. But it’s not uncomfortable. You learn to live with it. And it cools off considerably in the evening, so much so that I wear layers to bed. You also get used to the layers of red clay that cover your skin wherever you go. I am beginning to feel like something’s missing when I can’t feel the sand in my socks and shoes.

I have posted some pics of my living quarters. You would have been totally grossed out if I had sent you pics when I first arrived. The cobwebs and dust bunnies were everywhere, however after a day’s cleaning, this place isn’t looking half bad. And now that my fellow volunteer Tatiana has returned home, I have the place to myself. I have a fridge (loaded with mass quantities of pop), a tv and DVD player, a sink and shower, and a bed. Now, if electricity is not on and water is turned off, then I have nothing! But power has been OK for a solid week, so here’s hoping! In the mornings, if needed, you have to bucket shower because water is turned off until the evening. I do my laundry in a pail in the shower and hang it out on the line to dry. This might sound Stone Age, but it’s really not that bad.

This weekend I hope to purchase a cheap (but effective – you got to watch what you buy here!) cell phone so that I can talk to people. That way my parents can phone at whatever time is convenient for them. It will be nice to hear familiar voices, as it can get lonely here on your own. So I’ll let you know how the shopping goes!

By For Now!
Love Heather

More Pictures!!

Hi Everyone,

So, it's just about the end of my first week in Ghana and I am starting to get comfortable here. Getting around is still a challenge, as I'm not big on directions. But that's what's so great about Ghanaians, they help you out and see that you get to the right places.

I have posted a few more pictures of the children. We brush our teeth each morning, and you'd be shocked at how many of these kids have never before seen a toothbrush. I handed out all the shoes I brought from Canada, and let me tell you, the kids thought it was Christmas here. Very rarely do they ever have new shoes! It was so wonderful to watch their reactions. It touched my heart!

I hope these bring a smile to your face. Working with these kids certainly has put smiles on my face everyday!

Take Care
Heather

Where Are All the Children?

Hello everyone!
Well yesterday was a bit of a shock, only having six children, but the attendance record hardly improved today! I had nine children this morning, one of them I had to administer liquid advil to because he had a bad headaque. Poor little guy! So basically I am "teacha Heatha" and nurse combined. I sure hope nothing serious ever happens to these kids, because I'm not a qualified nurse by any means.

Aside from the everyday unexpectancies of school life in Africa, these children are amongst the cutest I have ever had the privledge of working with. They have so little, yet they demand nothing. The kids I work with in Alberta could take some very important lessons away from these children. I know I keep repeating myself, but I feel so fortunate to be a part of these childrens' lives.

I have been lucky today in that I can post pictures! The first two are of the classroom. Not much as you can see, but for many of these kids, it's like a palace. We are painting tables today so the children have a work space to do their work. Next on the list is to fix the leaky roof. Every time it rains in Accra, the roof leaks and the classroom takes days to dry!

The little girl pictured at the top is tiny "Forgive". She is only two years old and the sweetest thing you'll ever see! She is also one of the only children who pays school fees - the $6.00 required for each term. Just think, you can't even buy a burger meal anymore for six dollars, and yet too many families in Africa can't afford the fees to send their children to school! I look at these kids and thank God that I was born in Canada! The little boy at the top is "Stevie" and what a little character. "Obolo" and "Shadrock" (or Prince Mensah as he likes to be called) are pictured together. "Nicholas" is always smiling. And you'll never see him in any thing other than his blue school uniform because it's the only clothes he has for school.

I hope you enjoy the pics! I will post more as I get them!

With All My Love,
Heather

My First Day of School!

Hello To All,
I hope this message finds you all in good spirits! It was my first day of school today, and what an experience! But before I explain, I need to share with you a few unique cultural differences that exist in Ghana. First off, there is really no such thing as “time” in Ghana. People rarely wear a watch and many, including the family I am living with, could not give you the time of day. This poses a significant problem when it comes to the teaching and learning process, because so many students will be late or not show up for school at all. For instance, having just come off the weekend, we had a whopping six children today, most likely because family forgets it’s the start of a new week. But WOW, what awesome little children! I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. I know I will learn just as much from these children as they will learn from me. This is unique to any teaching experience I could receive in Canada, and I am sure I will be a better teacher when I come home because of this opportunity.

Another drastic difference between the educational systems in West Africa compared to North America is that corporal punishment is still widely used in West Africa. In Ghana, a teacher can strike a child, which is something I will never get used to. But being a foreigner in another country, I need to respect these differences and keep my opinions to myself. But what is most impressive about students in Africa is that they rarely require discipline because they are so well mannered and eager to be in school. School is so unaffordable to many families that those children who have the opportunity to attend school consider it a privilege and don’t waste time misbehaving.

I have been trying to post pictures, but right now, Ghana is facing a major electricity shortage, and power is only alloted in small amounts. It doesn't want to let me download pictures. But I will try again from a different cafe tomorrow night!

Love Heather

Tro-Tro to Where??

Hello Everyone,
I was so excited last night, my first night in Africa and we had a major rain storm. The gutters on the streets were flowing all night long. It was so loud, but luckily our roof didn't leak. You see, when it rains in Accra, the school's roof leaks and it takes days to dry the one room school. The plan is to have the roof fixed this week. But in Africa a minute can take four hours, so you can imagine my slight hesitation when someone mentions a week.

I had the opportunity to take a quick glance at the school, and let me tell you, that quick glance was all I needed to see how deprived a school this is. There is one main chalkboard, although hardly any chalk (glad I brought tons of it!) There are currently no tables for the students to work on, and the few chairs we have can be missing legs and have protruding nails. No wonder the kids don't want to bloody sit! Amazingly however, this tiny one room church serves as a learning centre for over 20 beautiful children. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can finally meet all the kids!

The afternoon here was awesome. Myself and the two other volunteers took the tro-tro to the Botanical Gardens up in the hills, and WOW, what a view. All rolling hills, palm trees, cumulus clouds, and the mountain tops in the distance. It's almost a better view when it is cloudy! It feels like you're standing in a painting!

You are probably wondering what a tro-tro is! Good question. My God, what an experience. So you stand on the street and wait for an arriving tro-tro (somewhat like an Volkswagon van)and flag down the "mate" hanging from the doors of the vehicle. But it's tricky, because you've got to watch for hand symbols. For example, to get to the "Cirlce" market, you have to watch for the rotating index finger. I have picked up quite quick! So then they pack you in like sardines, sometimes up to 23 hot, sweaty people, and you go for the biggest, bumpiest bloody ride you'll ever be on! But you can't relax for a bit or you'll miss your stop. I've still got a lot to learn.

I must be a quick learner, however because I have managed to make a few Ghanaians laugh at my use of African tongue. As a white girl in Ghana, I get the "Hey Obruni" (Hey White Girl!) shouted out everywhere. So I reply back, "Yah, Yah, Bibini! meaning "Hey black man!" I get the biggest chuckle out of watching their responses. Many just laugh, and then they think you're as nuts as they are! Today I happened to walk too close to a tro-tro as the driver was making his way through a throng of people, so he shouts "Hey Obruni". I yelled back "bibini" and he looked at me and laughed! It's such a feeling of freedom here! Of course there's always bad apples amongst the crowd, but most everyone has your back and watches out for you. It helps to make me feel a little more secure.

I am hoping to post pictures tomorrow of the classroom and my living quarters. I will also post pictures of the insane crowds, markets and tro-tros. Then you will have a vivid image of what I am talking about.

Better Fly so I am ready for class tomorrow! Hope is well with each of you and I will talk to you soon!

Love Heather

I'm On African Clay!!

Hello To Everyone,
Well, I am finally in Accra, Ghana, although what a hellish last leg of a trip! Everything was going smooth until I hit Germany, and then all hell broke loose! First, they overbooked the flight, so if you can imagine close to 400 Ghanaians cramming the gate to get on a plane and a white girl in the middle of this commotion. But there's a bit of competitor in me, because I was in the front of the massive lineup boarding the plane! What a fantastic view. There is nothing like overlooking Sub-Saharan Africa. I can't even explain it!

It feels wonderful to be in Ghana! The people are wonderful, especially to foreigners. I'm an "obruni" white girl from "way over there". "TORONTO, You from Toronto?" No, I reply, Edmonton! "Oh yah!" I will definitely have to bring out the atlas! I have already picked up on a few life lessons here in Accra, like everything is a negotiation. Cab fares, market goods, gum, you name it! You name your price before you even think of purchasing things. The amount of traffic is horrific here, like I am talking thousands of cars crammed in market streets dodging potholes bigger then my Honda! And I will NEVER, EVER complain about anyone's driving back home! I thought I was dead 5 times today. But you never see an accident here! Ghanaians were born for the wheel!

And as far as food, I am set. THEY HAVE SODA at every corner of the streets. You can basically purchase anything here for a price! Lots of pasta, veggies and fruit. Nothing I can't handle comfortably. My living conditions are fine too! Minus the bugs - cockroaches come out to visit at night!, it's cozy! But my two other volunteer friends won't be here much longer, so I will have the place to myself for a while!

Anyway, I gotta fly here! I am sure tomorrow will present some new and wonderful experiences. I will try and post some photos tomorrow! You'll be quite shocked. But I tell you, I have already begun to appreciate the great life I live in Canada. You don't really realize how fortunate you are until you experience Africa!

I will write soon! I love you all!

Cheers
Heather

Wonderful Send-Off!!

Hello Everyone,

I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such loving friends and family. This weekend, I had the opportunity to visit with some very special people in my life. We ate, drank and chatted into the night. I also picked up a few tips that should assist me in my travels. Thanks Mark! It's a comforting feeling knowing my cousin's been down this road before. I want to thank you all for coming out and taking part in my farewell party. Your support is greatly appreciated! I will miss you all very much! Cheers for now, and I will send word when I reach Ghana!

Love Heather