Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
So much has happened since i last wrote, i have no idea where to begin! This week has been an incredible mixture of emotions and activities. Not at all what i expected but still great!
I spent last weekend exploring Kumasi. The market was incredible, i have never seen so many people in one place selling all manner of things from coconuts, to bolts and locks, to DVD players,to plastic bags and water. Everywhere i turned someone wanted to sell me something, while i was mainly concentrating on trying to stay upright as the market is located on what appeared to be an old railway track, here were planks of wood and rusty nails and puddles everywhere, so i spent quite a lot of time starring at my feet. i don't think i have ever smelt so many different things in one place either, every 3 meters i encountered a new smell as i entered a new area of the market. It still amazes me how much stuff people can carry on their head, there are women everywhere with big bowls full of bags of water to sell. Thats another thing in Ghana you buy and drink water out of sealed plastic bags, each containing 500ml of water and it is incredibly cheap! 5pesowas for a bag which is about 2.5p or 5Cents. its amazing i think i may have to export it.
on Saturday night i attended a Cup of African Nations game! The losers match as it said on the ticket. It was Ghana versus the ivory coast and the modd was electric! In true Ghanaen Fashion however, even though the match started at 5 we were still queuing outside until about 5 30- with everyone pushing crazily to try and get in. Eventually a police man took pity on us because we are "aubrune" (White) and guided us through the gates. the crowd was so excited, dancing and singing- and when Ghana won the bronze they went crazy! the team were also dancing on the pitch- the atmosphere was amazing and not like anything i have ever experienced.
The trotro ride there was also an experience. Tro tro's are small white vans about the size of an ambulance that they cram as many people as possible in- sometimes up to 23, and will not leave until they are full, even when we would think they were full however, they continue to pick up passengers along the way. It is by far the cheapest mode of transport but naturally not the most comfortable.
On Monday Morning we traveled to Besease. Imediately on arrival we were greeted by several boys about 14-18 years old who wanted to greet me and carry everything for me. i was also greeted by several small children who threw themselves at my legs souting " aubrune what is your name? aubrune How are you" questions i have gotten very used to this week as every child i pass wants to know my name and how i am.
The home is not at all what i expected, the youngest child is about 8 and the majority are teenagers, so do not require me to do much for them. There are a couple of younger children who live in the building next door above the school, who are part of the home but cared for by another woman and another couple of volunteers. Mary and i are the only volunteers in our building and we share a room which is quite nice and have our own toilet and wash room where we use buckets and the boys fetch water from the well at the bottom of the hill for us.
I have spent the week teaching in the school- trying to get adjusted to their teaching techniques, the childrens attitudes and how much the teachers beat the children, generally using canes but occasionaly their hands or books or something. i spent the first few days with the younger children, who i found impossible to teach as they basically dont listen at all. I have now settled in class 5, the children are about 10 i think and i have spent the last few days teaching them english and long division. it is quite challenging as they claim to understand but clearly don't. i spend my evenings talking or playing with the boys in the home and/ or helping them with their homework. It is not at all what i expected to be doing but is still enjoyable and i guess somewhat rewarding. i will however be talking to my volunteer coordinator to see if there is any other work i can do.
will try and keep you updated on what i am up to but for now mary is waiting and i have to go to the supermarket before cathcing a shared taxi home..
thank you for your emails - please keep me updated on the goings on in the world outsider rural ghana!
xxxxx
- comments