light vs strength

Seth(interpreter from World Joy-Great guy and spent lots of time with him learning new things).We are on the new carousel!

8/28/2012-8/29

Tuesday:  We are still continuing to interview with a committee of water& carousel folks in Wekpedi-Abresu(near Abomosu). The carousel was our new project for Lexi and I to take on. We learned that the carousel charges electricity  for the lanterns. The lanterns are not like paper lanterns more like a lamp for camping but can recharge. As we interviewed a group from the committee and some local villagers, I learned a few facts about how important the lantern was for the children. Because of power-outage or no electricity and gets dark at 6PM, what are the kids going to do about studying? Some students are given lanterns to study at night and have other students join in one group. The lantern has helped the children to be able to study at night and participate in discussions the following day. The parents of children with lanterns emphasized how blessed they are for the lanterns because they value education, but the parents requested a lantern for their night house chores but were not allowed to use it. It seems, the older folks or parents do not get the opportunity to have things such as shoes or clothing donated to them specifically. Most of the adults in every village we have visited have asked us to bring back clothes or lanterns. I spoke to everyone and apologized for not having knowledge of the villages wanted as well as not being able to make any promises. It is heartbreaking when we show up with nothing to give(materials) except our ears. The folks were still thankful of course and hopes we come back to bring change. Later we interviewed some young teens and they spoke well about how blessed they are for the lanterns. It really amazes me how one lantern can change a small group of villagers. I was telling Lexi how we even take flashlights for granted. I thought about light and how thankful I am for having light in my life. I didnt realize how the villagers life duties have to change because of light. In a way, I think of light as a little metaphor for Ghanaians; a little light such as the lanterns represent a little change in their lives and I think if there becomes more light in ones lives, there's a bigger change. My favorite quote "be the change you want to see" comes into play because  I really want to bring more lanterns to Ghana and you can't change something if you can't even see( ie light).  Seth did a well job explaining everything for us and translated everything I wanted to speak out. Seth helped give me a voice and It meant a lot to me. At the end of the interviews, I walked to the local market and met with Seth and he helped translate alot for the other girls to get an outfit made for them. I am just so thankful for meeting Seth, he has made this trip meaningful because he has taught me so much about the culture of Ghana and answers with such honesty. Also, I gave him 10 cedi($5) for helping us this week because he is not getting a penny for all his work in the summer. He was so proud and we went to the food section of the village and I learned what he buys every week for his family. I like being able to just hangout with a Ghanaian because I can learn more and get a better picture of their lives.

Thursday:
   Today as a group we headed to Begoro to paint for the Army Salvation Rehabilitation Center for folks with a disability. I was in awe at this facility because it is exactly where I want to work. I met a special educator who is the only one working as a SPED. I was surprised and yet gave me motivation to come help him. We ended up not painting because of the horrible fumes so we just cleaned the rooms and bathroom. I went to visit with the SPED provider(no name) and let him now I am currently pursuing in  SPED. And all of a sudden, I sat with him and a patient and was helping! The little girl I met with is a 10 year old girl who is intellectually delayed and something else it seemed but I dont know. Anyways, the little girl could not talk yet and could use her body and hands perfectly fine but wouldn't participate in any activity we tried setting up for her plus the task the teacher wanted her to do was to hard for someone who is that low of an IQ. I learned that she has been abused by her grandmother for doing any daily living tasks and that was the reason the little girl refused or was unable to do anything. It is so unfortunate how nurture can be abused and affect our ability to function. I felt for her and wished I knew more about SPED and this event just showed me why I am pursuing SPED. I was asked to come back and start a SPED sschool in Ghana, but I have not planned that far ahead, but I still have the same dream/goal to build many SPED schools in 3rd world countries. This clinic touched me in a way, because I felt I belonged here and felt so valued. I also introduced myself to everyone and was not shy about it at all. I jumped right in and helped a boy with C.P to eat. And the captain was very happy because no one else even thought about feeding him that day because it was so busy. One trait I do love about myself is I like to step in and be a leader. I dont compare myself to others way of helping others, I can only compare myself from who I was the day before. And because I stepped in, I am closer to reaching my goal and being proud of every little bit of me. The little girl who has been abused but is a survivor reminded me of myself in a way because as a victim of verbal abuse as a child, I know what fear is but I always knew I had to be strong and take in the important shields I needed. I wish I can follow up on the young girl, because right after she is done at the clinic, she has to go back to the abusive grandmother. I pray to God for her to find that armour and hold on to it little longer.

values vs culture

8/27/2012

  Morning! Back to Ekorso village this morning with Lexi again to interview the chiefs and committee of the sanitation and water  regarding the boreholes. I learned so much when we met with the committee and they had tables out in a classroom for us to sit which was very formal. Seth our great interpreter  helped us around the village again. Whenever we are with Seth he makes our touring more fun because he supports me wanting to learn the culture even more and translates every question I have. Seth lets me ask questions and really includes me in conversations. Anyways, while i was in the village I really wanted to take advantage in trying to live like a Ghanaian. I asked a villager and asked if I can try to carry a baby like the woman do in the villages. And I got to! The mother cleaned and changed the baby into new clothes for me to try which was so sweet. And carrying the baby for a little bit meant so much to me! Because I want to take in as much as I can, I am willing to try to new things. The way I learn is to try it and it helps me to learn the culture even more. This trip is helping me learn to live the moment and by doing so I try new things! I feel so welcomed here because they are so accepting and always welcomes me. During the committee meeting, we discussed the goals and troubles of the borehole(water pump) since the government built it. It seems that the villagers don't make a commitment to pay  a small fee for the borehole because the government built it so there is an expectation. I agree with the commitee that families of eacho house should pay a small fee in order to pay for the damage. It was common that every village wanted more boreholes but I think they need education on how to maintain. It was just me and Lexi at the meeting. I spoke and really focused on what the men were sharing. One man asked for us to return and help with the boreholes. I feel useless in a way because I do not have much power or education to help or educate a borehole. I have connections but I dont want to make promises. I realized how much the villagers really want to seek answers and apparently us "Americans" may be the answer. I told them I cannot promise anything or my return but just gave them some steps to help improve the borehole issue. I want to really live like them such as fetching water and walking miles to the farm, just for a day though hah. So I asked Seth if I could help his family with some house chores and try learning more. I went with a young woman to a river where she fetches water because of the borehole breaking, so they are desperate for water. The river was awful, just unbelievable how  the pressure of one borehole that is working affects a village. The woman has great knowledge of the damage but cannot wait in a long line for water. Mining has become a huge deal in Abomosu now because the minors have contaminated the river and caused a huge issue within the village. Mining for gold is illegal but thats what you have to do if you need to survive.  I was emailing my Dad earlier about my recent blog about the new perspective on culture. My Dad mentioned this, " They are happy having so little. Things are not the end all of everything. Having enjoyment is much more meaningful. This is my complaint about Redmond with it's emphasis on big houses, cars,clothes and appearances".  I loved this because it was so meaningful and my Dad helped me think better about my new perspective on cultures and materials. I always have had an accepting and opened mind but I never was willing to change my lifestyle. I definitely have compared my culture to this culture and my own values as a person. I know I have decent and appropiate values for myself but my values about finding happiness has grown alot. I sometimes find my self being happy because the money ive earned lets me buy clothing. And thinking about all the expensive clothing I've bought, did it really make look better or happier?not necessarily. I notice I am so happy and free when I am here and when I travel to low income countries.  My parents always told me I am more beautiful when I volunteer and I feel it. The young girls are so beautiful, even though they had to cut their hair off, the passion they have to help their own family is what makes them beautiful. I know lot of people say they feel fortunate for what they have but why are they still wanting more? why do people have to get the luxurious cars,when you can buy one for low price that works ok.Its ridiculous. My goal is to decrease my values on designer items and just be lucky I get to change clothes everyday. I get mad when I see people buying and buying stupid clothes and have to tell everyone about it. Also, I get mad when some people whine about a phone breaking! We have been going two weeks without a phone and I been doing just fine, even better. I am lucky to have a family though and just cant believe I was adopted to the perfect family for me. I would like to adopt a child from Africa and teach them about their cultures as they grow up. My parents emphasized on having me and my siblings learn about our culture. It was not their way of teaching us to be happy with what we got, it was more to expand and come up with our own values and ideas about cultures. And I think I have almost reached that point where I am ready to change my lifestyle values one step at a time.

 

 

8/26/2012

8/26/2012

I slept in today till 2pm which was really nice! Then Lexi and I went on a walk close to the house to a nearby river. We stopped by at our host Steven Aboo's farm/home and were intrigued by the animals once again! This time I got to feed all the animals with corn and it was so much fun! The animals were really close to me which kind of scared me but it was fun! That is all I did was watch the animals and asked lots of questions!

Until tomorrow!:)

Pictures of Ghana

Some of my photography work from my trip! more to come! check my facebook!the kids are so beautiful!

8/25/2012

 Lexi B and I excited about the weather and palm tree!

 Hot day in the village!

Friday Night, going out to Abomosu dance club.

 

Hello! I am slow on these blogs because for two days we have done the same thing!Interviewing villagers.

Thursday: Lexie Basch(friend/teammate) were in a group together and went to a new village called Ekorso with a new interpreter who works for what we are supporting(World Joy). World Joy is part of LDS Mormon culture and helps the villages with water. Im not Mormon, and being around a lot of African missionaries is similar to the American missionaries but they dont speak English haha.  Seth was our interpreter and is awesome! I met him Tuesday at the soccer scrimmage. Seth was our best interpreter because when we interviewed the villagers as individuals, Seth would say everything the villager would say making sure we understood everything and I got to learn a lot more. Because I enjoy learning the Ghana culture, im not shy about asking anything(appropriate duh). I get distracted by all the animals like dogs, cats, chickens, and goats running around me. I get scared of the chickens because when i was little i was chased by one. There are the cutest goats here with their babies and it is so cute. Also, there are hens with their little chickens and if anyone goes near them, they will go bonkers! So I asked our guide Seth to pick up a baby chick for me and the mama hen flipped out and attacked Seth's legs. It was hilarious how protective the mama hen was. Also, Seth picked up a baby goat and let me look at it up close. Really cool! The dogs in Ghana are a sort of a Chihuahua mixed with something but they are very skinny and not pets. My day ended with coming back to our house and rest!

Friday: Today our group had to wake up at 4:30AM if we wanted to drive to Accra(capital/shopping) which was 4 hours away! Of course I slept in the car! Anyways, once we got to Accra, it was amazing! the city was filled with vendors carrying items such as baskets of fruits on their heads! Very interesting and talented. I tried putting a bucket of water on my head Monday and it was so hard, and the Nurse laughed at me so hard. W drove to a market(westernized) and bought food we needed for the last week in Abomosu. Then we drove to a westernized mall full of the rich side of Ghanaians, which made me feel like I was back in America. The woman all had long hairs with dreads and in the villages the woman have to shave their hairs. At the mall, I found a beautiful cotton material to make into a shirt for me. A Ghanaian woman will be making it for me, very special. I also went to a street market and bargained so well and got a soccer jersey for my good friend and other gifts for family and friends. Because I've been to China and I am used to bargaining and having vendors pull at your arm and persuade you to buy their items. Later tonight, I did my 30 minute run with three other people. Ive been trying to exercise after long days and it really calms me. Anyways, I am moved by the artwork I see at markets, it is beautiful and handmade with low income art materials. After going to the city, I really was surprised at the difference of a villagers life to a city person. I wondered, do the villagers know what they are missing.  It felt different being in the city, because it was very westernized. I have seen alot in Africa that you wouldnt begin to imagine. The villagers travel miles to go to a farm to fetch food and plants just for one day. And they are mostly wearing flip flops or no shoes. I asked the villagers how many times they go to the farm and they answered three times a week. The kids began to learn to fetch water from the boreholes(water system pump) for the family. I see 10 year old children taking care of their little siblings with such grace. I ran into a baby boy who was about 4 years and he stepped on poop and cried but looked around to find nurture and I helped him because the other kids were laughing. The look on the other kids was interesting because they were surprised and wanted the little guy to solve his own problems. I wonder if the kids in the villages will remember seeing us and how it has impacted them. I know it may be scary for us to have all these cameras but they love it! I went to a dance club in our village with the group and Dr. Scott Finnie. Amazing how there are little kids at a "bar" dancing with older kids and the young men dancing with other men. At first, I was little uncomfortable with the men and girls touching us but they were just interested. And I loved seeing how the children danced and I now know how to dance their style! Finnie helped alot by making sure the men werent too close to us, and that helped alot. I noticed everyone looks out for eachother but I wonder if  the babies just know they have to be strong and learn from the older kids. There were 10 year olds dancing in a provocative way, but to them it is not. It is part of their dance. I am beginning to unfold my knowledge of cultures and really take in what I see and hear. And I respect most of their beliefs and the Ghanaians do it with every grace they have. I beyond moved and so proud to be an American Chinese Jewish woman. The woman in the villages call me beautiful and I am touched because they are confessing. But they dont realize how beautiful they are especially their heart. I'd like to give lots of things to them but I cant and I feel me being in Ghana and learning is giving back because I will share my stories forever. One thing I am learning here is when traveling, just let this happen and accept it. Also, ask lots of questions and try to learn the language. It means so much. I am so open here and love to dance with the children and teach them some of my crazy moves that is considered not good in America.  I got the opportunity to teach a group of kids some dance moves and I love the reaction because they just giggle and later will follow me wherever I go. Just know that judging ones culture is never good and find the grace that the culture has. There is always a simple small little grace in a culture. I may not agree with the cultures rules but i respect how much respect they have for following their rules.

 

So I am having trouble uploading many photos, sorry about that! But please add me on FB and if you cannot comment, it is because you do not have account.Thanks again!

 

 

Day 3

Day 3 8/21/12:

Hello from Abomosu, Ghana! Well today is definitely hotter(humid) than in Accra. Before I went  to bed I was melting in sweat. Anyways, today our group separated into three  people per group. So I chose to be with Lexi and Reika(Japanese) to go to the clinics with. Our task was to go to a clinic and interview the villagers or nurses in the clinics. I had a fantastic time interviewing the villagers because we got to know each person and received honest answers in return. Questions we asked were about the borehole and how it has affected the water. I added my own question to one of the villager who was man of the house and asked "if he is satisfied with the life he has", and he replied "yes". I really cant believe he was satisfied but just made me think of how stupid we sound when we complain just a little bit or keep buying more "stuff".After interviewing five people we went with the Nurse(in the middle next to me) to her neighborhood and met her friend. And I did not expect to have so much fun! I was a little outgoing like always but was able to really show my fun side such as dancing goofy and explaining marriage. I of course talked about my boyfriend(Rakim<3) and the ladies were excited to hear about him. I told them he's black and they loved it more.  Later on, in the clinic we learned more about how medications are distributed and planned parenthood. I watched these two young ladies who did not look their age at all, they looked like they were fifteen years and tinier than me. They were there to get birth control which I thought was great and a huge improvement for Ghana.  One thing that surprised me was the nurse asked if I wanted to give the patient the shot..yeah they did! And of course I said no because I don't want to end up hurting the patient or being responsible for something they did not want. I got to ask my own questions about what they think about planned parenthood and reasons for the kids.

Later tonight I got the greatest opportunity to play soccer(futbol) with some of the Ghanian villagers. I dressed up in my soccer clothing and went with the professors because the other girls were worn out. I wasnt surprised how well the boys played but I was impressed with the way the boys played equally together. Of course we got beat but it was so awesome to just play one of the most famous sport with some villagers.

Now I am pretty tired and waiting to eat dinner, I hope to go to another different clinic and have a great experience. Some of the other girls had a little traumatic experience at  a clinic with a pregnant women going through labor and I dont think I would be able to handle that.

day 1&2

Sorry for the delay! Here you go guys! please comment anytime and ask anything:) My facebook has many more pictures.

8/19-8/20/2012-Day 1&2 of 19

            Today was my first full day in Ghana. There are seven other colleagues here on this trip with me. All are females. YIKES! but actually not so bad(so far):). Anyways, these girls are my age and all have never been exposed to a variety of disability as much as I have. But they are awesome people who really are here with open minds and I really respect them for coming with an open mind.

10:00PM: I will be lodging at an Orthopedic Training Center, Insawam. This center is mainly focused on working with children-adults with a physical disability. I am so thrilled to be meeting Ghanaian's with a disability because I am eager to see the culture around disability. I am so excited that I want to tell everyone about my family and all the places I've been such as National Junior Disability Championships. For me, it's more like me wanting to share my opportunities that I had the privilege of participating.

            I am pretty exhausted but wow! I am in AFRICA! and first thing after walking out my door was a couple of older men with a physical disability, and I walked proud on my way  to breakfast. I didn't have a big emotional/inspirational reaction because I've been exposed before but I did appreciate this facility more though because of what they have given to others with a challenge. I dont like the word "disability" so I wont refer the Ghanian's as disabled men. Usually I like to to say "they are __ with a disability, their disability doesnt define them. I am a little too excited that I started to look for the kids, so I could see what they are like and just play with them. I got to meet a woman names Louisa, and she happens to have no arms(like my sister!) so no surprise for me to see her;) But Louisa is such a great gal! she has a beautiful smile and loved her strong personality. It reminded me alot of my sister(Ira) because they just know what they want to deliver to people. Louisa shared her story about how she came upon being adopted by the owner(Sister Elizabeth). And one interesting fact about her story, is part of the Ghanian culture is disability is like a sin and some parents try to erase the sin. So sad and just then I really felt so fortunate to have been born in China and with parents who loved me just a little more to put me in an orphanage. Even though I do not know my birth parents, but inside I now do feel lucky now. We got to go to Louisa's village and right then it is exactly what I have wanted to see for myself. And let me tell you, it is indescribable the poverty..But the feelings I received from the villagers were "joy".Just all smiles rushed onto their faces. I immediately went down the ditch to step closer and be eye to eye. It meant so much to me that I got to take pictures of the children and adults. As a photographer it is important for me to capture the expression of the person by looking deeper into the eyes. I really noticed the beauty in everyone's eyes for some reason because it had a little light in their eyes. To me it represented the light in a dark alley, and in a way It is how their life is like. Sounds cheesy but It is what I felt and helped me to understand their struggle yet their strength to put on a little for others. I met a boy who was abandoned by his mother and it was heartbreaking to hear because he still doesnt know and Sister said lately he has been filled with anger. And I personally know how he feels because I know what it is like to feel a sense of loss and dont know how to express it. Loss is something I think many of the kids here in Ghana will struggle with. But in a way, every child will smile to remind themselves of "it will get better".

Anyways to sum this up, I loved my first few days in Ghana because the people even the kids have such open arms and yet they want to give to us, when they have so little. Unbelievable. LAst supper with Sister was really relaxing because we got to really hear Sister's Elizabeth's story about her journey to Ghana and she has such a humorous personality! I never met a Sister before so she was the perfect person to represent a Sister. Last night, Scott Finnie(professor EWU) got his guitar out and sang with us for the children as well as the young teens. Hearing him sing the Amazing Grace was so meaningful to me in a way because that song was sung at my best friend Marin's ceremony and it just reminded me of when that song is played, there are so many loving people around that have memories of the times when they heard that song. Also he really is a good human being who is a genuine person that was meant to be a leader. The kids expressions on the face was beautiful, they were so focused and really took in every lyric. Some other religious songs were sung which I couldnt relate to because I am Jewish but its great the kids have a lord to believe in though. Really is something that I find help soothe people.

Untill next time...