how many ways to say goodbye?

        I am so sad to leave Ghana today, I am filled so many emotions. I do not know which emotion it is though. I just feel so blessed for my parents and friends for supporting me to go to Ghana. I found a spiritual side of myself on this trip. I question God's purposes in life and reasons for having poverty. But i do question when is there a limit to what God has done for us or that person. I just know that there are people out there who give back as if they are God's answers. I think I have grown to appreciate people's spiritual side. I have found that God or whoever is like a lucky rock for some kids who need it to survive. The pictures I have captured represents what I see in their eyes and if you look a Little closer, there is a story. I have seen the more privileged children compared to farmers. It s incredible how different the children look, I love how they follow us foreigners and just want a feel of our hands. I feel like a celebrity, but to me they are. It is a wonderful feeling to have when the children or adults just want one touch of your skin or hair. When I would go to a village, I would walk slowly up to the child and take my hand out and show them I am here to hold on for a little bit. It is amazing how much th children will open up in their own way. It was important for me to capture pictures of children rather than adults because there are the next generation that I might be able to help or see again. The adults were private and wanted more out of us such as bring money or food, but that is understandable. I respect every Ghanaian out here. I cannot compare what I have seen here in Ghana to America. I believe, You cannot compare other people's culture because that is like comparing people's hearts. Some things dont need to be compared, I think just learning about a new culture can make you a better person if you notice the true meaning behind the culture. I do compare my opportunities I have had to the community in Ghana because it makes me feel more blessed but I wont ever tell them I am more lucky. In a way, I feel they may feel more lucky to have a better heart or value than me and that is fine. I never thought about this till now, but what if they feel more lucky than us Americans? I am a Chinese -Jewish US. citizen and I have grown into a lucky family. Feeling lucky is not the same as feeling blessed. I think feeling lucky means you didn't earn it or had to work for it. I feel blessed because I have worked so hard to over come my challenges with my parents that now I can say " I am blessed".
Now reflecting on the first morning before saying goodbye to my family&boyfriend, I don't feel stupid for crying. I cried because I was scared to change/learn new things. Not alot of people like change, especially changing themselves and making room for that new picture. But my tears was me hoping I would have room to put that new picture of me up inside my heart. Which I succeeded. I cannot wait to go home and share my stories that I have not mentioned in these blogs. I will have a hard time going home and accepting the old familiar community.
Off to the airport to Amsterdam,which I am excited kind of but will miss Ghana.

Photography of the Children

8/31-9/4

Akwaba(Welcome)!

August 30 -9/2

Memorial Plaque

Slave Castle, Elmina

City shots I took

Tonight(9/2) view!

Thursday:
    At Abrenya we(Paige and I) were greeted by primary school students in their uniforms. The uniforms were adorable and had crosses as he designs. I was impressed to see that this is the first school I've seen with kids in uniforms. Students are out of school in the summer but they were told to present for us which was great! I listened to the committee once again about the carousel and same results, needing more time on carousels to charge lanterns. It was a short quiet day, I enjoyed the walk because I got to get a feel for how far farmers walk every day. Also, one thing I did find amazing today was the drive the students all have to be able to be willing to walk 4 miles every day in the morning to class! One of the problems with the school was the distance, but it is all worth it, right? Unfortunately, tonight was our groups last night in Abomosu...I did not think I was going to cry but I did. In happiness and filled with blessings. I was so happy that Steven Abu(director/host of World Joy) knew how important it was for me to say goodbye to Seth Oppong as well. And I was anxious the whole dinner because I did not want to say "later" to them. I just shocked myself at how much of a relationship I formed  with three people. Only three people! I always thought that the amount of people you miss will mean more. But just three people walked into my life or I did and changed/improved a part of me. I have learned to grow patience and work on judging cultures especially. If you saw Steven and Seth, I'm sure you will miss judge the first time. I loved that I was able to bring the humor out of them because they come from such a serious lifestyle. I talked to Scott Finnie and Darcy Eastmon about my experience and my reasons for how I felt about Abomosu. I was saying, I didnt realize how much of an impact I had on people when I give an open mind/heart to people and the honest people shall receive and give back. I am just flabbergasted at how tied my tongue is when I talk about the great people I met and what Abomosu was like. I definitely felt a strong religious spirit from most of the villagers and leaders, I didnt mind, but I didnt realize how much the belief in a religion is a survival guide. I prayed for the first time tonight which was tough..I prayed for the people I've met such as Steven and Seth's family to always have food every night and know God is with them forever. At our meals, we pray for our meals and m not used to that, but I think its important to thank the holy one for the food. I saw a beautiful transformation within myself because I was willing to open my heart and not look back once. I only looked back to make sure the people know I can look back and not forget what I am leaving..for now. Looking back is not always a negative, it can also mean you just want to remember one more thing. Im not afraid of the consequences of looking back, I rather look back once more and look closer at the new experience that is ahead for me.
*more info on places we went: http://www.worldjoyinc.org

Friday:   

       Long drive this morning to Kumasi! We are now going to meet University students of Kumasi. I go to sit in a lecture hall with the other students and hear what they had to say about disability.  I was impressed in the students attitude towards disability and how obvious it was that they had to sacrifice alot to support disabilities. One student mentioned that disability means the society impairs one person with a disability. And I liked that the students were well educated and in my opinion was accurate. I spoke a little to all the students about what I have learned in Ghana.I mentioned how I am proud to be a person representing disability in Ghana. And that I leanrned how to be thankful for who I am and where I have grown up in. I am glad I came to Ghana because, I did not realize how lucky I was to live in America in this time century. And I cant believe I thought my society was tough on me. But compared to Ghana, I am more privileged to have the opportunity to have been accepted in so many communities. I listened to other students from our own group talk about disability and it is interesting hearing what they have gotten out of going to rehab centers. I hope for the future we call work on choosing the right word to define people with a disability. I thought of something about the word disability: your disability gives you the ability to change the dis. Just something I thought about. I have thought alot about all the disability events I have gone to such as I-CAN and surprised I remember the feelings I had. Just amazing how accepting yourself in general is so hard. Other than that we toured the Ashanti region for a little bit learning the history.

Saturday: Today we went to a knitting factory to see how the special materials are made by hand! Then we went to Paradise Restaurant which took forever for to get our food! but the beach was a lot of fun and just needed a relaxing day to reflect. As the days go faster, it is becoming bitter-sweet to have it end.



Learning how to make fabric!:)

Sunday: On our way to Cape Coast! Cant believe we are staying at a 5star resort! The scenery is beautiful here! I have seen such huge lifestyle transformation such as going from a poor village to a resort. I am so lucky! I dont feel I deserve to be staying at a resort but I wont take it for granted. I cant believe I leave in three days, amazing how fast this trip has gone. I have truly had my breath taken away here. I need to come back to Ghana and bring more people here. We just hung out at a beach and looked for shells.



Hello Beautiful,more beautiful live

Leaving imprints

 

Monday: Cant believe its already Monday! Going to the rain forest canopy walkway! The walk wasn't scary at all, just really unbalanced and a struggle to make sure everyone walks slowly. I had a blast doing this today. I loved being in the wilderness of Ghana. Did not see any animals today unfortunately:( But I got to smell the fresh air and see the trees. For lunch, I had an exciting experience, We ate with crocodiles but it was pouring out so the crocs were boring and sat in the water. But I met a photo journalist for National Geographic! YES! I cannot believe I met one and I talked to her about my photography experience and got her contact information. I talked about Kevin donating me my gears and how I just have such high dreams in photography. I am going to send my work to her and see what she thinks!I told her its such a dream for me to have my picture in one of the magazines! how cool would that be? I was meant to meet the photographer I think because It is something I dream of doing and if your willing to learn about other people you realize they are that connection to your dream. It was the highlight of my day of course, and my group members were supportive about the quality of photos on this trip. I cannot wait to go home to have more time to thoroughly through my pictures. I have actually loved hearing other "American's" reasons for going to Africa because they all have different journeys and are creating stories like mine. I am having a hard time again knowing we leave Wednesday..I am so sad to leave Ghana, love the busy life I had and watching every move the people do here. I loved feeling free and like I know how to walk down the street and know exactly how to greet people. I definitely hope to travel to other countries sometime in my future and capture more moments. My photography is my souvenir I only wanted and I bought paintings that captured my feelings. I fell in love with this one art piece and couldnt resist buying. I met the artist and got to watch him paint. Amazing!

Wednesday: Off to the airport to Amsterdam(lay over for 8 hours). Then seeing my boyfriend then Seattle finally!:)

Thanks for following!
email me if you have any questions: klanfen@yahoo.com