Had a great afternoon with lil angels, watched a football game the boys of lil angels played against the village boys. They looked so smart in their new Jerseys the founder Madam Angela gave them....
Its really good the founder came to Blessed yesterday gave all the kids brand new clothes and toys, lil francis was carrying around a big v8 racing car, so cute he was holding it like it was his baby. She is coming back next week to give them more toys. She also gave Asare the manager a double bed that he can sleep in cause he sleeps at Blessed works all day then sleeps their at night as well with 21 children, Amazing!!!
I just kept cuddling them and kissing them and telling them how much i love them, i have fallen in love with every single child, Francis has a special spot in my heart... Love them so much, so recommend anyone to come to Ghana meet these beautiful children who are always smiling and just want to be kids, you will also fall in love with them :-)
My Experience in Africa
Living and working in West Africa for three months,
Sunday 28 August 2011
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Wednesday 24th
Today was a great day went to the other town Kosoa which is like 40 min away, decided to go on tro- tro because it is faster to fill up (vehicle wont leave till the bus, tro- tro seats are all occupied) . Some of the road was being fixed up, so not as many potholes.The tro- tro didn't need to swerve as much thank goodness. I was watching the news and in the northern region the road is so spoilt due to rainfall it has trenches in it, people have to walk 15km to and fro because vehicles can not pass through. The problem that they encounter due to the damage on the roads, is highway armed robbery. Mostly happens in Nothern area because the police cannot or choose not to patrol the area. Sadly deaths do occur, the robbers block of the roads then rob the drivers. This only occurs late at night and not from Accra (the capital of Ghana) so you never travel at night you always stop over in the town you are currently in then continue travelling the next day... Theft is not looked on lightly in Ghana if caught severe Jail sentence or the community may beat the person to death (they show the bodies on the news) i do not believe they deserve the punishment for the crime they have committed. Then again it is a different world over here and people struggle financially so it is not fair of these robbers to do what they do but i still wont fully understand it... You will never see men fighting because if they do everyone will come to their aid, everyone looks after each other here.
The children wanted to do so much maths and English today they are so eager to learn, English language definitely is not easy and they do really well. Gracie in particular always wants you writing up maths sums for her then she loves to mark it herself, i say Gracie that is cheating. She is a clever girl with alot of creativity i can see her traveling the world one day she is fascinated about everything, craves to learn. The education system needs a lot of help to improve, some teachers sleep nearly all day.
There is this educational book a volunteer gave to them "Children of the World" kids love looking at it, teaches them about children from all over the world in different countries; Asia, Australasia, Europe etc. Asare was looking at it and turned to Australia there was a picture of two full blood aboriginal children, Asare said to me do they live in Australia so I explained the history of Australia (Aboriginals were there first) then the English settled, stolen generation. He said "I saw a documentary on it but I didn't believe it", now you have told me i believe it is true" Maybe Australia would be like Africa if the English didn't settle.
Ghanian's hospitality is amazing, I left Blessed lil angels yesterday was very hungry and thirsty so i bought something from the little shop. A lady who lived right next to the shop said "come and sit (pulling out a chair for me) down and eat, then you can keep going" It was lovely i said "you are invited" (what you say when you are offering your food) she said medasse (thank you) but she didn't have any. I asked her how her day was (Ete sen) she said "not to good" and asked "why" she replied with "not much money" it broke my heart.
I definitely recommend visiting Ghana it is so peaceful everyone wants to help you with everything. I cannot count how many times people have helped me in the Markets looking for items. If you a woman you will get a million wedding proposals you just don't worry about them they are harmless they just all want a white wife ( they love the white skin) children will yell out to you Obroni (white person) but it's children so its cute the first hundred times hahaha, no i think maybe i will miss it... Its been a lot of fun an amazing experience that has taught me so much i am definitely learning another language when i get home:-)
The kids, Asare and me are going back to Winneba beach Tuesday hope the weather is perfect for bathing (swimming)
The children wanted to do so much maths and English today they are so eager to learn, English language definitely is not easy and they do really well. Gracie in particular always wants you writing up maths sums for her then she loves to mark it herself, i say Gracie that is cheating. She is a clever girl with alot of creativity i can see her traveling the world one day she is fascinated about everything, craves to learn. The education system needs a lot of help to improve, some teachers sleep nearly all day.
There is this educational book a volunteer gave to them "Children of the World" kids love looking at it, teaches them about children from all over the world in different countries; Asia, Australasia, Europe etc. Asare was looking at it and turned to Australia there was a picture of two full blood aboriginal children, Asare said to me do they live in Australia so I explained the history of Australia (Aboriginals were there first) then the English settled, stolen generation. He said "I saw a documentary on it but I didn't believe it", now you have told me i believe it is true" Maybe Australia would be like Africa if the English didn't settle.
Ghanian's hospitality is amazing, I left Blessed lil angels yesterday was very hungry and thirsty so i bought something from the little shop. A lady who lived right next to the shop said "come and sit (pulling out a chair for me) down and eat, then you can keep going" It was lovely i said "you are invited" (what you say when you are offering your food) she said medasse (thank you) but she didn't have any. I asked her how her day was (Ete sen) she said "not to good" and asked "why" she replied with "not much money" it broke my heart.
I definitely recommend visiting Ghana it is so peaceful everyone wants to help you with everything. I cannot count how many times people have helped me in the Markets looking for items. If you a woman you will get a million wedding proposals you just don't worry about them they are harmless they just all want a white wife ( they love the white skin) children will yell out to you Obroni (white person) but it's children so its cute the first hundred times hahaha, no i think maybe i will miss it... Its been a lot of fun an amazing experience that has taught me so much i am definitely learning another language when i get home:-)
The kids, Asare and me are going back to Winneba beach Tuesday hope the weather is perfect for bathing (swimming)
Saturday 20 August 2011
Saturday 20th August
It was very exciting at Blessed yesterday, Mosquito nets for the children's beds were set up. My host bro Kobi got a great deal 7 cedi for each mosquito net. They are medically approved, the kids were so excited i just hope that they don't get spoilt then again the children know how important they are. Kobi is the best.....
The cultural in Ghana is the men walk around holding hands cuddling and dance together, Homosexuality is illegal here and they are always debating about it on the radio...
Most of the business's are set up in Shipping containers in Swedru were they sell clothes, electronics, food etc... I figure they would be quite secure and easy to lock up
I am so excited about getting my traditional dress, Mumma Joyce's friend Comfort is making it for me. Mumma Joyce is so sweet, I think alot of the Host families get volunteer's traditional dresses made. :-) next week is my last full week with the children :-( then i head off to Accra the following Friday with mumma Joyce who is accompanying me
The cultural in Ghana is the men walk around holding hands cuddling and dance together, Homosexuality is illegal here and they are always debating about it on the radio...
Most of the business's are set up in Shipping containers in Swedru were they sell clothes, electronics, food etc... I figure they would be quite secure and easy to lock up
I am so excited about getting my traditional dress, Mumma Joyce's friend Comfort is making it for me. Mumma Joyce is so sweet, I think alot of the Host families get volunteer's traditional dresses made. :-) next week is my last full week with the children :-( then i head off to Accra the following Friday with mumma Joyce who is accompanying me
Sunday 14 August 2011
Sunday 14th August
The Ghana Flag represents;
Red on the flag - this stands for the blood shed during slavery
Yellow/ gold on the flag - this stands for the gold the country had
Green on the flag -this stands for the forest
Star - a symbol of Ghana emancipation and unity in the struggle against of colonialism - although another version is that The Black star on Ghana's flag was placed there by Kwame Nkrumah (first Ghana President, he fought for Independence. The Star was placed there as a symbol to all Africans in the diaspora to come home (to Africa).
Yellow/ gold on the flag - this stands for the gold the country had
Green on the flag -this stands for the forest
Star - a symbol of Ghana emancipation and unity in the struggle against of colonialism - although another version is that The Black star on Ghana's flag was placed there by Kwame Nkrumah (first Ghana President, he fought for Independence. The Star was placed there as a symbol to all Africans in the diaspora to come home (to Africa).
Ghana's last President wanted to bring all African Countries together to make the continent one country. I went to the Swedru Government Hospital with Mumma Joyce (she works there) it is very well established and has adequate resources and the grounds are kept neat and tidy.
Thursday 11 August 2011
Thursday 11th
Yesterday lil angels got a parcel from a previous volunteer in Germany, the kids were so excited they all got hats and frisbees. Books, shoes and other items. It was so much fun watching the kids getting their gifts. I still have not met the Founder of Blessed Little Angels, they still have to get donations of food from the market which i dont understand if the owner is in Ghana.
The kids helped me paint today we are trying to give the place a bit of a makeover. Painted map of Ghana, flags from some of the countries in Africa. Tomorrow i am going to the hospital with my host mumma Joyce to get a procedure done, I'm glad i can be there for her.
One thing i don't really get is what the Government literally does for the people, the amount it costs for families to send their children to school. University's fees are way to high, the students are protesting about it in Accra a lot lately. The roads are not in good condition with hundreds of pot holes everywhere. The public transport is not very helpful for the Ghanain's but sadly they have to live with it this way and have no choice about it, the Government must be so corrupt, they are amazing people to deal with all the problems of everyday and are so thankful for what they have. Everynight on the news people are pleading with the Government to help with food shortage, water shortage and high fees with education. Mumma Joyce was talking to me last night about it and said you have to be careful what you say about the Government because they will come and get you and lock you up. Then on the International News every night it shows the Somalian People dieing from hunger its horrifying and so sad. It is a beautiful country but they definitely struggle.
The kids helped me paint today we are trying to give the place a bit of a makeover. Painted map of Ghana, flags from some of the countries in Africa. Tomorrow i am going to the hospital with my host mumma Joyce to get a procedure done, I'm glad i can be there for her.
One thing i don't really get is what the Government literally does for the people, the amount it costs for families to send their children to school. University's fees are way to high, the students are protesting about it in Accra a lot lately. The roads are not in good condition with hundreds of pot holes everywhere. The public transport is not very helpful for the Ghanain's but sadly they have to live with it this way and have no choice about it, the Government must be so corrupt, they are amazing people to deal with all the problems of everyday and are so thankful for what they have. Everynight on the news people are pleading with the Government to help with food shortage, water shortage and high fees with education. Mumma Joyce was talking to me last night about it and said you have to be careful what you say about the Government because they will come and get you and lock you up. Then on the International News every night it shows the Somalian People dieing from hunger its horrifying and so sad. It is a beautiful country but they definitely struggle.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Tuesday
The tradition in Ghana is women wear these beads on string around their hips which they don't usually take them off, tribal children wear them too. Today at Blessed Myriel the German volunteer brought beads and string elastic to make these beads with the kids. The girls made the beads to put around their hips, the boys made bracelets and necklaces. The funny thing and tad annoying was the beads hole was too small to put the string through, very difficult but a lot of fun. We of course helped the little ones, I made Francis a necklace which took at least an hour and it will prob only last a few days oh well he loves it....
Then on the way home i found a lady selling the beads so she wrapped it around my waist and tied it. Yay now i have a traditional African bead on me for hopefully ages. Myriel still wears hers and she has had it overr 6 months and never taken it off.....
Then after making beads we started painting Myriel American volunteer Jake and me started painting the outside of Blessed, going to paint on the walls Ghana map, African map, flags of countries in Europe, Australia, America so on. Elephants, lion. Its so much fun painting and the kids gets heaps involved it feels a constructive thing to do. Myriel and Jake are leaving this week so its just going to be me at Blessed for the other 2 weeks and a bit (wow my times nearly up, that's sad) I am loving this experience but to be honest i don't think i will miss the Obroni thing. Seriously every where you walk it can be cute but then get very old quickly. It is so funny when a little baby has never seen a white person they just scream and look at you like you are a monster. It is an amazing place everything is so simple in ways, and then just about survival in other ways. Thanks for reading my blogs
Then on the way home i found a lady selling the beads so she wrapped it around my waist and tied it. Yay now i have a traditional African bead on me for hopefully ages. Myriel still wears hers and she has had it overr 6 months and never taken it off.....
Then after making beads we started painting Myriel American volunteer Jake and me started painting the outside of Blessed, going to paint on the walls Ghana map, African map, flags of countries in Europe, Australia, America so on. Elephants, lion. Its so much fun painting and the kids gets heaps involved it feels a constructive thing to do. Myriel and Jake are leaving this week so its just going to be me at Blessed for the other 2 weeks and a bit (wow my times nearly up, that's sad) I am loving this experience but to be honest i don't think i will miss the Obroni thing. Seriously every where you walk it can be cute but then get very old quickly. It is so funny when a little baby has never seen a white person they just scream and look at you like you are a monster. It is an amazing place everything is so simple in ways, and then just about survival in other ways. Thanks for reading my blogs
Monday 8 August 2011
best afternoon with lil angels at Winneba beach
Best afternoon me with of two other volunteers and two guys that work at blesses took all the lil angels to Winneba beach. We hired a tro tro which drove us all (23) to Winneba beach which is like 40km away. Instead of saying they are going swimming they say going to bathe or bathing. They wear their clothes in the water not swimmers, which makes sense. The kids all got spare clothes which we put into bags we also took food for lunch that was previously cooked.
The beach was so clean and absolutely beautiful surrounding, the kids really enjoyed them selves. I went and found big bag which holds 30 sachets of water for only 1 cedi 50 peswas. It was really safe to cause the beach had one of those pools built in the ocean. The little ones stayed on our backs or shoulders, some of the older kids were swimming okay. It was alot of fun for the kids to just enjoy themselves aswell as the guy who works with them, it was a nice break for everyone.
The beach was so clean and absolutely beautiful surrounding, the kids really enjoyed them selves. I went and found big bag which holds 30 sachets of water for only 1 cedi 50 peswas. It was really safe to cause the beach had one of those pools built in the ocean. The little ones stayed on our backs or shoulders, some of the older kids were swimming okay. It was alot of fun for the kids to just enjoy themselves aswell as the guy who works with them, it was a nice break for everyone.
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