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Obruni...Bibinni
Before anyone kills me for not updating sooner allow me to explain....for the past few weeks have been at Orphanage Africa in the Middle of nowhere with no internet so am sorry.
Now that's over with allow me to update you all....
As I said for the past few weeks I have been at Orphanage Africa which is situated about 1 1/2 hrs from Medina, Accra near a village called Dodowa. I arrived last week Monday by tro-tros at 7am and was promtly greeted by a hord of toddlers who were all extremly energetic! After dumping my bag in Ruby's room I set about starting to help. Baba (the dorm manager) and Ruby decided to asssign me to the Baby's Unit which ended up being a rather dangerous decision!!! (More info later).
As I had arrived in time for breakfast I statred by feeding the babies and was handed two babies called Jospeh and Jean Paul. John Paul is 1 1/2 years old and has HIV. His mother passed it on to him and died shortly after giving birth. He has one of the cutest smiles I have ever seen! Jospeh is my baby lol he is 3 years old but looks like a 6 month old with teeth. His mother didn't want him and in an attempt to kill him just didn't feed him. However, he is now gaining weight healthily and he will make a full recovery.
While I was at the Orphanage I became really good friends with 3 teenagers my age who work there - Ruby (18), Princewell (18) and Jewel (19). Jewel and Princewell are brothers who used to live at OA but now help work there. Jewel is absolutely amazong at art and has helped decorate nearly the whole Orphanage. The four of us were nearly inseperable and I miss them so much!
The Orphanage itself was only built about 9 months ago (before then it was located in Medina) and is built ina traditional style of thatched roof houses - its looks amazing and all the kids are so happy. There is also a primary school attached to it run by the Orphanage for the younger children adn local children. The older children go to St Peter's Mission School in Medina.
I was joined at the Orphanage by soem of the Ripples Students who were doing work experience there for 3 weeks - they basically help out with everything from cooking to feeding and bathing the children. Those of you who know my cooking skills (need I mention the fire again?!) may be suprised to learn that I helped cook and didn't poison anyone! I helped pound fufu - which kills your arms and only managed it for a few minutes but I did managed to seperate a lot of dried corn form the cob which resulted in many blisters!
My final two days were really sad because I didn't want to leave - I had gotten too attched to Ruby, Princewell, Jewel and Jospeh! On the last night some of the teenage girls taught me some African dancing and Quincy Nana (one of the teenage boys who plays the drums brilliantly) provided the beat. When I left I cried soemthing which I don't do very easily and it was tough to leave but I'll be back next year!
Check out all the photos and the diary entry for Cape Coast!
Love you all and miss you,
Ama xxx
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