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...

WAITING...(im)patiently

GREETINGS!(wo ho te sen)
well, today i started an assignment for my study abroad class. The assignment is to fill in the blank and find informtion about a place we are going to in Ghana!
I am learning some simple statements such as,"hello how are you".
Boy its hard! I never knew there were different "dialects" in Africa.
I have 4 weeks left of being home and cannot wait to start my journey:)