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.
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