More Pictures!

Sean Blaufuss hard at work

Baby weighing in Gushie, Northern Region Ghana

Waterfall 

The home stay family in Anyinasin. Michael, George, Felix, Yaa, Yaa, Akens

I'm getting a Dog!

Life in Jeyiri is one that goes by moment by moment. I can try to make a list of what I want to do throughout the day, but it never seems to work and is not as fun.  Maybe I’ll go greet the 6 new training teachers at the school. What actually happens is that I get roped into teaching a class. I started talking about malaria and then went into life in America. Some of the questions were: Is it easier to live in America? Does

America have night and day? Do you have a plane? I also told them that there is poor in America where schools don’t have books or supplies. We spent most of the time talking about farms. Their minds were blown to here that we have farms; however, they are under the impression that they are all massive and computers run them. I hope that it opened the children (actually teenagers) to come to me with more questions. The third goal of Peace Corps is to share American culture with Ghanaians. Check.

Another instance of doing something completely unexpected occurred yesterday. I thought it would be a day of mostly relaxing because it was too hot and the village was at farm. In the afternoon a nice new white truck pulls in front of the clinic. The men get out and call me over. They were scientists from Ghana Health Services. They are collecting flies in the town down the rode that cause River Blindness.  They want collect the DNA from the flies and see if they are still carrying the disease or are becoming resistant to the drug that they are giving the people.  The community health nurse, Paulina, will be monitoring the fly collectors. I told the men that I studied biochemistry and I would like to help in any way I can. Unfortunately they were from the Upper East Region and not the Upper West so I won’t be very close to do any of the heavy science things. I will help Paulina out in the fieldwork collecting and recording data. We all piled into the air-conditioned truck and took a ride to the most remote village that happens to be in Mole National Park and has monkeys and if you go into the bush a small ways you will see elephants.  It is beautiful going down the red dirt road with tall green grass on both sides. When I start running at 4 in the morning I will definitely go down this road.

In order to make my house a little homier I have decided to get a dog. When I went to market I walked with Naama (Chief’s mother), the PCV next to me, to go pick my dog out of a litter of six 8-day-old puppies. I choose the only black one. It has a white belly and tail. Keeping up with the tradition of naming pets after American food that we miss, the little boy is called Master P. The idea came to me after we ate pork in the market and I brought my Masterpiece BBQ sauce to put on it. I can’t wait to here the Ghanaians yelling, “Master P wa wa wa [come come come]!” All the dogs here are about the same medium size with short hair. Most of the dogs are a brown red color. If it happens that I fall in love with this dog and bring it back to America (yes mom welcome this possibility J), than I will tell everyone that Master P is an African dingo.

I hope all is well with you all readers and you are enjoying the beginning of the change in seasons. Ghana is really making me appreciate America. Here are some things Naama and I discussed:
1.   Teachers that take that job because they want to educate and not because the job is available (generalization)

2.     Free public flush toilets, even in McDonalds

3.     Malaria is eradicated

4.     Parents don’t yell/forbid for kids to go to school (generalization)

5.     A woman can tell off a man if he calls her “Woman” even if he knows her name

6.     Free Internet in libraries

7.     Abundance and diversity of food (generalization)

8.     Washing machines

9.     Running water

Meeting the President

On September 1, 2011 the Peace Corps class of 11-13 met with the President of Ghana. This just happened to also be my 23^rd birthday.  We originally found out that our going to site would be delayed because the President wanted to recreate a picture with us. 50 years ago on August 30^th the first ever Peace Corps group came to Ghana and met with the president.  These were group of strong idealist individuals that had no idea what they signed up for. Imagine the US President John F. Kennedy choosing you to go to Africa to help them.  No one has ever experienced or done what you are about to do.  The personal willpower and ingenuity of these people completely blows my mind. We were able to see some of the first volunteers at our swearing in.  I just kept thinking what if my mom, dad, grandma or grandpa were one of the first PCVs. What stories they would have! I will think of these people and channel their strength every time I have a tough time here.

Alright back to my birthday. I woke up that morning extremely worried. The day before I left my wallet on a tro with my PC ID, ATM card that had all my moving in allowance, a lot of cash to travel to my site and a flash drive.  We were sent to the PC Accra office before we met with the President so I figured I would talk to the safety and security people when I got there. After being in a very sassy mood all morning the PC staff said that a man called and said he had my wallet.  The first wave of relief hit. Although this man was far away, I was put on a PC car and sent to go pick up my wallet. I heard Rob the PC training Coordinator say that we have to be back at the site by 12:30pm or we won’t meet the President. It was 10:30am.  I didn’t even know if there was still anything in my wallet. A very large group was going to the bank because they were having ATM card problems. What if mine has problems? When will I have the opportunity to get to a Standard Charter branch bank? Worst-case scenario: I get my wallet back with no money in it, my ATM card is hacked and I miss meeting the President. This is all too much for me to worry about especially on my birthday.

Here is what actually happened.  The driver and I got stuck in traffic. It was almost noon by the time we reached the guy. I actually recognized him. Isaac was sitting in front of me in the tro and we had small conversation.  He returned my wallet with EVRYTHING in it.  I was so shocked. People really can be honest and trustworthy. My expectations now for the human race are very high.  Another wave of relief hits me.  Now its time for the race back to the Accra office.  The office calls us and tells us to hurry up (you would lol if you knew what the Accra traffic is like).  They give us until 1pm to get there. We do our best, but 1pm comes around and we still got a ways to go. The tell us to just go directly to the Castle.  I start thinking this ain’t that bad. Maybe I will miss the beginning of the ceremony, but I won’t miss all.

We make it to the Presidents Castle on the beach.  We have to go through many gates with men with big guns. The driver rolls down the window and tells the men with guns, “She is with the group.” They say ok and wave us through.  I felt like such a VIP. I then get escorted to the royal gardens where there are tents and a red carpet. I sit next to Sean and he says, “Happy Birthday! I arranged this all for you.” A man comes and brings me water on a silver platter. I feel underdressed in my Ghanaian made dress in such a high-class place.  Could this be happening? I hadn’t missed anything.  The Country Director, Ghanaian US Ambassador and Ghanaian President all give a speech. The President talked about how he had a PC English teacher and how he has not forgotten them. He told us that there is no way to repay the volunteers that have come to Ghana. It was a really touching speech that I believe you can find on the Internet. After the talks was a reception where they gave us friend chicken and beer. It was so laughable. There we were dressed the best we could, in a castle gardens, the President just walked down a red carpet and took a picture with us and feasting on chicken and beer. We could not have been anymore content with life. 

That night I said goodbye to some people, but Sean convinced PC not to let me travel 7 hours on my birthday. I stayed in Accra with him and friends to celebrate my birthday. I did not spend any money and had a fantastic time with people I am so blessed to be able to work with. BEST 23^rd BIRTHDAY OF ALL TIME.

Small Small Pictures

Children in Jeyiri

Boy herding cattle in Jeyiri

Stirring shea nuts in Jeyiri

One day in Ghana...

There is nothing like sharing what I am seeing and experiencing through the beauty of words. Today I woke up from a restless night of itching and vivid nightmares at 5:45am. Then I stumble from underneath the insecticide treated bed net to find my keys to unlock the door and cover myself from head to toe in cloth as my armor in the battle against no-see-ems. This all has to be in a rush before my bowels give way to unsettledness from the foreign food and water the night before.  I briskly walk across the green gulf course grass in the middle of Coca tree heaven to the family latrine. I pull up my cloth and get situated before I close the door in order to ensure I don’t sit on a lizard or cockroach. Yes, for those of you who know latrines, this is a nice one (Kumasi ventilated improved pit latrine to be exact). I have a ‘thrown’ to sit on rather than squat.  Next I go back to the house and wash my hands WITH SOAP to be a good consistent role model for the family. WATSAN! I then attempt to work out in the room, but I am constantly tired so not much happens.  I then pour water from my barrel into a bucket and carry it to the bathhouse next to the latrine. This morning it was colder than what I have yet experienced. With the first pour of water over my head a steam formed. Just imagine blue clear morning sky and the tops of Coca and plantain trees encapsulating your entire field of vision over the walls of the bathhouse and you are steaming. It was nothing short of magical.

I then go to my room, get dressed and pack my bag ready for language class. When I come out of the room my breakfast is waiting for me. Plain bread, a hardboiled egg and extremely hot sweet milk with a hint of coffee are the usual. I say goodbye to my older sister and niece.  She finally didn’t scream out like she was being brutally beaten when seeing my white skin; break through! After telling each individual family member that I was leaving for school and will be back at noon I go on my way. I always stop to see Sean on my way.

Since we have only 3 more classes left I put a lot of effort in class. My instructor Sheilo says I am making him very proud. My exam is next Wednesday at 9am. I have to talk straight for 20 minutes. The topics are introduction, daily routine (my best) and directions. If I knew that was going to be the test in June, I would have thought that’s impossible, but surprisingly I am only a healthy level of nervousness. 

For lunch I go home and Sean comes over to relax for an hour before we have to head back. Luckily today class let out at 2pm. It is so hot. I purchase a nice cold coke in a glass bottle for 70 peswa and drink it all before reaching home.  I joke that it is hot as Africa here. I unlock my door, undress, crawl under the bed net and write this blog. It has been a pretty awesome day so far. As the days pass (as long as I am not sick) I have become completely comfortable here in Ghana. I know that I am meant to be here and I have the ability to empower and improve the lives of many. Thank you all especially my parents for sending cards and packages quite frequently. It means the world to me and I know I am making you proud. I love you all.

Technical Training

Technical training has probably been the most rewarding learning experience so far. All 14 of us WATSAN are staying in a house in Gushie, Northern Region. We have running water and a woman who cooks our lunch and dinner. I know I have not mentioned food on this blog yet and that is probably a shock knowing my ‘foodie’ tendencies. All you need to know is that there are two food groups here: carb and oil. I am so thankful that I brought multivitamins because my system would be in a complete meltdown from nutrition deprivation without them.  I am very excited to start a garden at my site and get my fill of produce. I can’t wait to make American /nutritious food as an award for kids. The yellow vacant eyes, dull skin and hair and extended bellies are practically the features of every child I encounter.  There is so much potential for education and projects; I don’t know where to begin.

The first highlight of these past 2 weeks was baby weighing at the health clinic in Pong-Tamale.  The proper name of the day is Children’s Welfare Day.  The first 6 months of children’s lives the nurses in the communities encourage mothers to bring their kids in every week to monitor their weight.  The purpose is to educate mothers on how to feed their children properly and get the kids vaccinated. Also it is a time to talk about family planning. All the children that were there were healthy; however, that is because once a child starts loosing weight the mothers stop coming. Shame of not being able to feed their children prevents them from any help the health clinic can offer. I was told one story of this happening to a boy and his parents only brought the boy back after several months of starving. He died that night in the clinic.  The death and funeral of many children will soon be a very common experience for me. Even though I have been warned, it does not make the sadness and shock less.  Although this all sounds pretty depressing the day was a lot of fun and I got a lot of awesome pictures (which will be uploaded when I get access to fast internet… which won’t be for a while).

The best lecture so far was when we went to an insectory in Tamale. The organization told us all about their projects to stop malaria.  They test different insecticides to see which one kills the species of mosquito that carries malaria the most effectively. They go into homes and for free spray the walls with insecticides so when the female lands on the wall to rest she dies.

We have Sundays as free days.  The WATSAN group met up with the Natural Resources people at the crocodile pond, which is practically part of Burkina Faso.   The whole tourist spot was to sit on the crocodiles. They have one about 12 feet long and they feed it live chickens until it is full and then you go pick up its tail and then squat over its back. It is quite terrifying I am not going to lie. I just kept imagining that it would whip its head around and crunch down on my leg. Also there was a chance that another crocodile could come out of the pond wanting to be fed, but your back is faced to the pond. I asked if there was someone with a gun ready. They pointed to a small man with a large stick. I guess that will have to do. A Stone beer was a most after the experience.

For two days we had representatives come from John Hopkins behavioral change program talk to us from 8am-5pm.  The most useful assignment was we were put into groups and had to mobilize the community and teach about a certain topic. We choose “No condom, no sex.”  We talked to a group of woman and men separately. I really gained confidence in my abilities to speak culturally sensitive and respectful to Ghanaians. All of our training is graded; therefore, I believe I am doing well.

One day was spent on building soak away pits and organizing a fun educational dance party.  I am skeptical that the soak away pits will work. Our translators were in charge of educating the families on use and maintenance. I am excited to be at my site and be able to watch projects be sustainable or fall apart and learn from it. The exercise was purely to work on our technical skills.  Later in the day the party was to demonstrate how to put up insecticide treated nets and make neem cream.  Some Ghanaians believe that you can only put up nets in their house and with a bed. We hung the nets outside in the open using sticks to hold it up.  Apparently after probing the translator, we found out that this community does us their nets in the wet season if the family has one.  So the challenge to stop malaria is to get the behavior of hanging nets in the dry season. Since it is extremely hot during this time we will have to be creative.

Neem is an indigenous tree. People use its leaves as a cure for malaria and a bug repellant.  We boiled the leaves and then added soap to make a natural mosquito lotion. They would only have to buy the soap. There is no scientific research on if the Neem really works; therefore, government organizations such as USAID do not support the use of Neem. Since there are several people in WATSAN with science backgrounds, we are really excited to do some of our own experiments. Maybe after two years have something to publish in a scientific journal. Email me if you would like to help or offer advice.

The weeks leading up to swearing in are going to be busy. I have to pass a language proficiency test at intermediate mid, present on my topic of the Sima traditional funerals, and organize and put on the small community organized project at the health clinic for mothers about personal hygiene.

Ahh technology

Hey so I had two really nice long blogs and this computer does not have anything to read word documents so I can't copy and past  them...and I really don't feel like typing them back out. soooo I'm good and I hope you are too.