Just a quick note to let you all know everything's fine here in Ghana! Less text and more pictures of the kids!!
Enjoy!!
Peace,
Heather
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Beautiful Faces!!
Hello Everyone!
Just a quick note to let you all know everything's fine here in Ghana! Less text and more pictures of the kids!!
Enjoy!!
Peace,
Heather
Just a quick note to let you all know everything's fine here in Ghana! Less text and more pictures of the kids!!
Enjoy!!
Peace,
Heather
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Interesting Facts About Ghana!
I thought you would enjoy a quick lesson on some interesting things that occur in my new homeland! Like I have said before, Ghana is unlike any other place in the world – and I say that with love!
HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS:
• It’s not washroom, it’s “toilet”
• It’s not near or little, it’s “small small”
• It’s not parking lot, it’s “car park”
•Caucasians, Asians and East Indians are all considered “obruni” – white man!
• Absolutely everything is negotiable. The key word is “BARGAIN”!
• Red clay covers every inch of Accra.
• If you see a funeral procession and the members are wearing white, then an elderly person has passed. White symbolizes the passing of a prosperous and long-lived life. If everyone is wearing red or black, then a young person has passed. Red and black symbolizes bitterness at a life ended too young.
• Corruption is everywhere! The police routinely pull over drivers for no other reason than to look for money. I have seen it a couple times already. But it is evident at every turn – from the corner grocer to the highest powers of government.
• When eating, shaking hands, passing or collecting objects, you only ever use your right hand. Using your left hand is considered a huge insult to Ghanaians.
• Filtered water, liquor and other drinks come in “saches” - plastic baggies that you bite the tip off and drink from. Of course, you can buy the bottles too!
• Ghanaians serve bread in “thousands”. If you like your bread on the thinner side, you say “one thousand”. You get it twice as thick if you say “two thousand”.
• Africa is the fastest growing market for cell phones in the world. In Ghana, a cell phone is more widely used than a comb or wallet.
• Taxis account for over 80% of the cars on the road. And they are as corrupt as they come! Always negotiate a price before entering a cab!
• Asking for your contact information is as common here as it is for Canadians to talk about the weather. It’s just a customary thing to do, regardless if they ever contact you or not.
• Ghanaians are extremely proud about their “freedom”, which helps explain why asking for contact information has become the ordinary.
• Garbage is piled throughout the city. There is no garbage disposal system in Accra, so everything is dumped or burned. Everyone becomes accustomed to the distinct smells of this great capital city.
• One Cedi goes a long way in Ghana! It can purchase you a variety of things: a few rides on a tro-tro, 2 delicious omelette sandwichs, a couple bottles of soda, an hour at the Internet Cafe, and much more!
• Ghanaians have no concept of time! Like I’ve said many times, a minute can take four hours. Here, you just roll with the punches!
• If you’re Canadian, you’re a hit! Ghanaians have very friendly relations with Canadians. The average Joe may know nothing about our country, but they know you’re a peace-loving friend!
I hope I have enlightened you!
Until Next Time, Take Care!
Love Heather
HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS:
• It’s not washroom, it’s “toilet”
• It’s not near or little, it’s “small small”
• It’s not parking lot, it’s “car park”
•Caucasians, Asians and East Indians are all considered “obruni” – white man!
• Absolutely everything is negotiable. The key word is “BARGAIN”!
• Red clay covers every inch of Accra.
• If you see a funeral procession and the members are wearing white, then an elderly person has passed. White symbolizes the passing of a prosperous and long-lived life. If everyone is wearing red or black, then a young person has passed. Red and black symbolizes bitterness at a life ended too young.
• Corruption is everywhere! The police routinely pull over drivers for no other reason than to look for money. I have seen it a couple times already. But it is evident at every turn – from the corner grocer to the highest powers of government.
• When eating, shaking hands, passing or collecting objects, you only ever use your right hand. Using your left hand is considered a huge insult to Ghanaians.
• Filtered water, liquor and other drinks come in “saches” - plastic baggies that you bite the tip off and drink from. Of course, you can buy the bottles too!
• Ghanaians serve bread in “thousands”. If you like your bread on the thinner side, you say “one thousand”. You get it twice as thick if you say “two thousand”.
• Africa is the fastest growing market for cell phones in the world. In Ghana, a cell phone is more widely used than a comb or wallet.
• Taxis account for over 80% of the cars on the road. And they are as corrupt as they come! Always negotiate a price before entering a cab!
• Asking for your contact information is as common here as it is for Canadians to talk about the weather. It’s just a customary thing to do, regardless if they ever contact you or not.
• Ghanaians are extremely proud about their “freedom”, which helps explain why asking for contact information has become the ordinary.
• Garbage is piled throughout the city. There is no garbage disposal system in Accra, so everything is dumped or burned. Everyone becomes accustomed to the distinct smells of this great capital city.
• One Cedi goes a long way in Ghana! It can purchase you a variety of things: a few rides on a tro-tro, 2 delicious omelette sandwichs, a couple bottles of soda, an hour at the Internet Cafe, and much more!
• Ghanaians have no concept of time! Like I’ve said many times, a minute can take four hours. Here, you just roll with the punches!
• If you’re Canadian, you’re a hit! Ghanaians have very friendly relations with Canadians. The average Joe may know nothing about our country, but they know you’re a peace-loving friend!
I hope I have enlightened you!
Until Next Time, Take Care!
Love Heather
Monday, November 5, 2007
Visit to Buduburam!
Hello to Everyone!
Well, it's already close to the weekend and yet I have not posted last weekend's blog - once again, slow process here in Ghana! But here it is in full detail!
I went out on Friday after school to the Buduburam Refugee Settlement where I will be teaching come January. I arrived at about 4:00 in the afternoon, met up with Alfred, Harrington and Amus, the three young gentlemen who I have been in contact with for the last few months. We wasted no time in meeting some of the children I will be teaching. Brilliant kids! When I arrived, they were having a forum regarding a number of issues, and to hear them speak was motivational. I am serious when I say some of these children have more wisdom then their corrupt governmental leaders. But that is a story I will save for another day!
I have to admit that my experience with the kids was somewhat heartbreaking. Being that these are Liberian refugees, you have to expect that there are going to be some traumatic stories. But to see children with missing limbs is something that you can read about for years, but to witness it is horrific. I have one young girl named Sarah who had her right arm chopped off by rebels during the civil war. What a courageous and beautiful spirit! I have so much admiration for these children! Once again, there will be many stories and personal memoirs to share with you as time goes by.
After my enlightening introdution with the children, the four of us headed to a small restaurant for a plate of chicken fried rice. Know, imagine sitting at home in pitch black trying to collect your rice on your fork and get it into your mouth without dropping it all over the floor. Fun times when it's "light's off". No power in the settlement, no running toilet system - just foul smelling latrines, and 40, 000 refugees wondering the camp looking for a good time on a Friday night. INTERESTING EXPERIENCE!!
The four of us arrived back at my small shack and spent close to 3 hours talking about my new friends horiffic experiences during their country's civil war. I have never felt so moved in my life. It's one thing to read of personal experiences, but to have people sit with you and share their tragedies is something totally different. These are young men who watched their fathers be shot to death, their mothers and sisters be raped and killed, and their villages be burned to the ground. My friend Amus managed to escape the rebels, but he had to walk 36 days through the jungle with hundreds of other Liberians to reach safety in neibouring Guniea. I thought of each of these stories all weekend long. It effects you in a way I can't explain. And these stories need to be told - there simply isn't enough told about Africa!! So I will undertake a bit of journalism come January - I want to document these people's stories and share them with as many people as I can!!
I have posted a few pictures of the settlement - it has been up and running since the start of Liberia's first civil war in 1989. Some of the children I met were born on the camp. They have never even experienced life in their native land. And it simply isn't safe to return for many. You may think as you look at the photos that it hardly resembles a refugee camp. It is well built with solid structures and housing simply because it has been established for so many years. Families have been able to save enough money to build proper houses to shetler their families. Not the typical tin roofed shanty towns you see in most African refugee camps.
The photo of the young gentleman is Alfred, and he is the project coordinator for RESPECT Ghana. A wonderful young man and a gentle soul. He has committed his life to bettering the lifes of his people! I can't wait to spend more time with him and the others I have come to know!
Stay tuned! I have many more pictures to post - providing the power situation here in Accra!
Take Care and Enjoy Your Weekend!
And let's all reflect once again on how lucky we are to be Canadian!! I have always been a proud Canadian, but I become more proud and more grateful each day!
Peace!
Love Heather
Well, it's already close to the weekend and yet I have not posted last weekend's blog - once again, slow process here in Ghana! But here it is in full detail!
I went out on Friday after school to the Buduburam Refugee Settlement where I will be teaching come January. I arrived at about 4:00 in the afternoon, met up with Alfred, Harrington and Amus, the three young gentlemen who I have been in contact with for the last few months. We wasted no time in meeting some of the children I will be teaching. Brilliant kids! When I arrived, they were having a forum regarding a number of issues, and to hear them speak was motivational. I am serious when I say some of these children have more wisdom then their corrupt governmental leaders. But that is a story I will save for another day!
I have to admit that my experience with the kids was somewhat heartbreaking. Being that these are Liberian refugees, you have to expect that there are going to be some traumatic stories. But to see children with missing limbs is something that you can read about for years, but to witness it is horrific. I have one young girl named Sarah who had her right arm chopped off by rebels during the civil war. What a courageous and beautiful spirit! I have so much admiration for these children! Once again, there will be many stories and personal memoirs to share with you as time goes by.
After my enlightening introdution with the children, the four of us headed to a small restaurant for a plate of chicken fried rice. Know, imagine sitting at home in pitch black trying to collect your rice on your fork and get it into your mouth without dropping it all over the floor. Fun times when it's "light's off". No power in the settlement, no running toilet system - just foul smelling latrines, and 40, 000 refugees wondering the camp looking for a good time on a Friday night. INTERESTING EXPERIENCE!!
The four of us arrived back at my small shack and spent close to 3 hours talking about my new friends horiffic experiences during their country's civil war. I have never felt so moved in my life. It's one thing to read of personal experiences, but to have people sit with you and share their tragedies is something totally different. These are young men who watched their fathers be shot to death, their mothers and sisters be raped and killed, and their villages be burned to the ground. My friend Amus managed to escape the rebels, but he had to walk 36 days through the jungle with hundreds of other Liberians to reach safety in neibouring Guniea. I thought of each of these stories all weekend long. It effects you in a way I can't explain. And these stories need to be told - there simply isn't enough told about Africa!! So I will undertake a bit of journalism come January - I want to document these people's stories and share them with as many people as I can!!
I have posted a few pictures of the settlement - it has been up and running since the start of Liberia's first civil war in 1989. Some of the children I met were born on the camp. They have never even experienced life in their native land. And it simply isn't safe to return for many. You may think as you look at the photos that it hardly resembles a refugee camp. It is well built with solid structures and housing simply because it has been established for so many years. Families have been able to save enough money to build proper houses to shetler their families. Not the typical tin roofed shanty towns you see in most African refugee camps.
The photo of the young gentleman is Alfred, and he is the project coordinator for RESPECT Ghana. A wonderful young man and a gentle soul. He has committed his life to bettering the lifes of his people! I can't wait to spend more time with him and the others I have come to know!
Stay tuned! I have many more pictures to post - providing the power situation here in Accra!
Take Care and Enjoy Your Weekend!
And let's all reflect once again on how lucky we are to be Canadian!! I have always been a proud Canadian, but I become more proud and more grateful each day!
Peace!
Love Heather
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Photos, Photos, Photos!
Hey Everyone,
Well, my first ever live reggae show last Sunday night, and what excitement! Such an enlightening experience. I have posted pictures for you to see! The main artist is Jamaican legend Luciano, and is he very popular around the world. It was his first visit to Accra! His music gave me goosebumps! And of course, Prosper wouldn't give up the opportunity to get close to his idol, so he snuck up close to the gate, and low and behold, Luciano jumps the barrier and comes and gives him a warm hug. Unbelievable! He's pictured below in the ball cap and blue and yellow Ghanaian shirt!
I have also added some pictures from our trip to Cape Coast - although it was a very brief visit. Prosper was delivering a political presentation at the University. And a few photos of nights out in Accra! And of course, the both of us enjoying a traditional Ghanaian dish of banku and fish!
And of course, how could I forget my kids! I love them all, but here are just a few photos from the last couple of weeks. I will post more!
Hope you have enjoyed!
Super time, so I better go home!
Cheers,
Heather
Well, my first ever live reggae show last Sunday night, and what excitement! Such an enlightening experience. I have posted pictures for you to see! The main artist is Jamaican legend Luciano, and is he very popular around the world. It was his first visit to Accra! His music gave me goosebumps! And of course, Prosper wouldn't give up the opportunity to get close to his idol, so he snuck up close to the gate, and low and behold, Luciano jumps the barrier and comes and gives him a warm hug. Unbelievable! He's pictured below in the ball cap and blue and yellow Ghanaian shirt!
I have also added some pictures from our trip to Cape Coast - although it was a very brief visit. Prosper was delivering a political presentation at the University. And a few photos of nights out in Accra! And of course, the both of us enjoying a traditional Ghanaian dish of banku and fish!
And of course, how could I forget my kids! I love them all, but here are just a few photos from the last couple of weeks. I will post more!
Hope you have enjoyed!
Super time, so I better go home!
Cheers,
Heather
Thursday, October 25, 2007
A Little Reggae Fun!
Hello,
I hope all is well with everyone! It's been a while since my last posting and I am sure you are all wondering what I am up to. Well, I am busy teaching my little school kids everyday, and I am amazed at how much they are all learning. I have Raymond reading full sentences, I have Sariyum finally breaking out of his shell and communicating with me, and I have a little cling-on in Eric. He follows "teacha Heatha" everywhere!! And he gets very upset if he's not getting my full attention! He's so cute, I could take him home! I will be posting more pictures of them in the upcoming week, including some photos of some of their school work.
This Saturday Prosper is taking me to a live Reggae concert in Accra. Now if you are familiar with Jamaican Rasta music, you will be sure to love this! However, I am a beginner when it comes to understanding this style of music, so I have a lot to learn. I tell you though, I am becoming a bigger fan everyday. You can't go anywhere in Ghana without hearing reggae blaring through the speakers - it's something that connects blacks and whites everywhere in Africa and around the world. The concert begins in the afternoon and continues until after midnight! We'll see how long I last! I will be sure to take lots of pictures to help enlighten you on what a mass concentration of Rasta fans looks like! Should be interesting!
I want to inform all of you that I have an article appearing in the Fort Saskatchewan Record tomorrow (Friday, October 26) that details some of my work here thus far. For those of you who do not have access to this, I will be sure to post the link to the article on the blog. I hope you enjoy it!
All right, it's diner time and I'm hungry, so I better run!
Take Care,
Love Heather
I hope all is well with everyone! It's been a while since my last posting and I am sure you are all wondering what I am up to. Well, I am busy teaching my little school kids everyday, and I am amazed at how much they are all learning. I have Raymond reading full sentences, I have Sariyum finally breaking out of his shell and communicating with me, and I have a little cling-on in Eric. He follows "teacha Heatha" everywhere!! And he gets very upset if he's not getting my full attention! He's so cute, I could take him home! I will be posting more pictures of them in the upcoming week, including some photos of some of their school work.
This Saturday Prosper is taking me to a live Reggae concert in Accra. Now if you are familiar with Jamaican Rasta music, you will be sure to love this! However, I am a beginner when it comes to understanding this style of music, so I have a lot to learn. I tell you though, I am becoming a bigger fan everyday. You can't go anywhere in Ghana without hearing reggae blaring through the speakers - it's something that connects blacks and whites everywhere in Africa and around the world. The concert begins in the afternoon and continues until after midnight! We'll see how long I last! I will be sure to take lots of pictures to help enlighten you on what a mass concentration of Rasta fans looks like! Should be interesting!
I want to inform all of you that I have an article appearing in the Fort Saskatchewan Record tomorrow (Friday, October 26) that details some of my work here thus far. For those of you who do not have access to this, I will be sure to post the link to the article on the blog. I hope you enjoy it!
All right, it's diner time and I'm hungry, so I better run!
Take Care,
Love Heather
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Beautiful Time in the Volta Region
Hi Everyone,
I hope this message finds everyone well! It has been a trying week posting photos from my weekend trip. But I have finally been able to add them to my blog, so I hope you enjoy!
My friend Prosper and I met up in his home town of Keta, on the Eastern coastline not far from the boarder of neighbouring Togo. I made the two hour tro-tro ride into Keta after school on Thursday and met up with Prosper at 6:00 in the evening. As I meet him at the station, he tells me I have to meet some of his buddies, and that the plan is to go to Mom’s for dinner. We went and hung out with his friends, me having my Coke and Prosper having his STAR (Ghanaian beer!). His close friend is a teacher, so I had an awesome chat with him! We then headed to his old stomping grounds to visit his mother. Now you have to understand, on the coastline, everything is fish, fish, fish! I have had many difficult moments contemplating whether or not to try it, and up until Thursday night, I have always decided no. We proceed to wash our right hand and dig into our meal. (In Ghana, you only ever use your right hand to eat, never your left!) I was so reluctant at first; I mean the bloody fish still had the eyes in them. Just little suckers! So after spiting up nothing but bones, Prosper, being the gentleman he is, helps to tear the fish up for me. I grit my teeth and hammer on! I am quite pleased with myself actually. I didn`t gag once!
After our enlightening dinner, we headed to his Uncles house where we spent the night. What an absolute beautiful spot on the sea! The house was a stone`s throw from the ocean and you could hear the massive waves before even setting your eyes on the water. Keta at one point years back was washed away and the entire city became a ghost town. It now holds one of the largest markets in the region. One of the most beautiful sights I have seen thus far!
Unfortunately, we did not get an opportunity to head north and see some of the devastating flood areas in the region. We would have had to travel north about two hours to see some of the worst hit places. We are talking about a path of destruction that has wiped out every single structure in some areas and has killed hundreds of people. The threat now is the development of water-borne diseases such as cholera in the water. A horrific natural disaster that so many Sub-Saharan countries are facing here in Africa. If we return to Keta in the upcoming weeks, I hope to visit these regions and check out some of the devastation first hand.
You will notice the large chunks of rock that line the coast. They are there to prevent the town from being washed away, and these massive rocks line the coast for miles. They go down some 30 feet into the ground. The photo with the tops of our heads cut off was taken by a man who had never seen a camera before – he is pictured with Prosper. So many cool people in Keta, and they have such a laid back mentality that was a welcomed change from the hustle and bustle of Accra! I will return again soon!
I still have many photos to share with you – photos that will help you gain a better understanding of the hustle and bustle I was just mentioning. I will post those photos of Accra soon! And I have a precious blog entry to add of the children playing in my house! You will love it!
By for Now! Take Care!
Love Heather
I hope this message finds everyone well! It has been a trying week posting photos from my weekend trip. But I have finally been able to add them to my blog, so I hope you enjoy!
My friend Prosper and I met up in his home town of Keta, on the Eastern coastline not far from the boarder of neighbouring Togo. I made the two hour tro-tro ride into Keta after school on Thursday and met up with Prosper at 6:00 in the evening. As I meet him at the station, he tells me I have to meet some of his buddies, and that the plan is to go to Mom’s for dinner. We went and hung out with his friends, me having my Coke and Prosper having his STAR (Ghanaian beer!). His close friend is a teacher, so I had an awesome chat with him! We then headed to his old stomping grounds to visit his mother. Now you have to understand, on the coastline, everything is fish, fish, fish! I have had many difficult moments contemplating whether or not to try it, and up until Thursday night, I have always decided no. We proceed to wash our right hand and dig into our meal. (In Ghana, you only ever use your right hand to eat, never your left!) I was so reluctant at first; I mean the bloody fish still had the eyes in them. Just little suckers! So after spiting up nothing but bones, Prosper, being the gentleman he is, helps to tear the fish up for me. I grit my teeth and hammer on! I am quite pleased with myself actually. I didn`t gag once!
After our enlightening dinner, we headed to his Uncles house where we spent the night. What an absolute beautiful spot on the sea! The house was a stone`s throw from the ocean and you could hear the massive waves before even setting your eyes on the water. Keta at one point years back was washed away and the entire city became a ghost town. It now holds one of the largest markets in the region. One of the most beautiful sights I have seen thus far!
Unfortunately, we did not get an opportunity to head north and see some of the devastating flood areas in the region. We would have had to travel north about two hours to see some of the worst hit places. We are talking about a path of destruction that has wiped out every single structure in some areas and has killed hundreds of people. The threat now is the development of water-borne diseases such as cholera in the water. A horrific natural disaster that so many Sub-Saharan countries are facing here in Africa. If we return to Keta in the upcoming weeks, I hope to visit these regions and check out some of the devastation first hand.
You will notice the large chunks of rock that line the coast. They are there to prevent the town from being washed away, and these massive rocks line the coast for miles. They go down some 30 feet into the ground. The photo with the tops of our heads cut off was taken by a man who had never seen a camera before – he is pictured with Prosper. So many cool people in Keta, and they have such a laid back mentality that was a welcomed change from the hustle and bustle of Accra! I will return again soon!
I still have many photos to share with you – photos that will help you gain a better understanding of the hustle and bustle I was just mentioning. I will post those photos of Accra soon! And I have a precious blog entry to add of the children playing in my house! You will love it!
By for Now! Take Care!
Love Heather
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
A Busy Week! - And a Busier Weekend Planned!
Hello Everyone!
Yes, I know - long time since I posted! Sorry about that. It's been a very busy week and I have hardly been home! I have this close friend and we have been hanging out everyday for the last few weeks. Prosper is such a cool friend, and of course, he is highly educated and intelligent, which is all the more reason I love to hang with him! He is a bit of a political animal and he travels throughout Ghana to promote change in the current government. You see, this country is in ruins and no one in the upper echelons of power wants to do anything about it. So people like Prosper need to go and out and make some noise and help change the political wave of this country! I am currently helping him to write a personal documentary of sorts to highlight his experiences with corruption throughout Africa. He has been the highlight of my evenings here - night clubs, trips to the beach - and this weekend, we are heading to his home town of Keta, up in the Volta region of Ghana. It's about a two hour ride on the bus, and from what I hear, an absolutely beautiful trip! I can't wait. I depart after school tomorrow afternoon! I will let you know how it goes! And of course, I will snap up a ton of pictures!
Oh, and this goes out to all my Legion friends - I have been proudly wearing my "Support Our Troops" t-shirt in Accra! I hope you are all doing the same every Friday!
Take Care,
Love Heather
Yes, I know - long time since I posted! Sorry about that. It's been a very busy week and I have hardly been home! I have this close friend and we have been hanging out everyday for the last few weeks. Prosper is such a cool friend, and of course, he is highly educated and intelligent, which is all the more reason I love to hang with him! He is a bit of a political animal and he travels throughout Ghana to promote change in the current government. You see, this country is in ruins and no one in the upper echelons of power wants to do anything about it. So people like Prosper need to go and out and make some noise and help change the political wave of this country! I am currently helping him to write a personal documentary of sorts to highlight his experiences with corruption throughout Africa. He has been the highlight of my evenings here - night clubs, trips to the beach - and this weekend, we are heading to his home town of Keta, up in the Volta region of Ghana. It's about a two hour ride on the bus, and from what I hear, an absolutely beautiful trip! I can't wait. I depart after school tomorrow afternoon! I will let you know how it goes! And of course, I will snap up a ton of pictures!
Oh, and this goes out to all my Legion friends - I have been proudly wearing my "Support Our Troops" t-shirt in Accra! I hope you are all doing the same every Friday!
Take Care,
Love Heather
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