Basic Living

This week was an eventful week. I worked hard on the inventory, 18 boxes and I am proud to say that I finished them today! Yay Me! On Wednesday, I went to Kpando to work with the other volunteer John. The trip was about an hour and a half. It was my first experience on a trotro. A trotro is basically a large size fan that is supposed to fit 11 people but really crams about 15 in there. An interesting experience, especially since I made the mistake of traveling in midday. It was literally like a sauna! But, the scenery was absolutely beautiful. I arrived in Kpando and as soon as I stepped out of the trotro I was swarmed by people they already knew I was not from there because Kpando is so small and again I stick out like a sore thumb. I think they are less used to Americans because everyone stared more than usual. John and his two girls arrived and we took a taxi to the house. I thought I was living in basic living already, but nope I quickly learned. There was no running water installed yet so you guessed it I had to take my first bucket bath! It's not as bad as it sounds actually. Secondly, I was told there were bats in the ceiling and I could hear them at night so the first night I didn't catch too much sleep. The next day we visited the other school Bishop Forson and it was a lot bigger than Airfield. They have dormitories for the kids there unlike Airfield. Before I left, we went to Lake Volta during the day which was breathtaking.  The biggest man made lake. The trip back on the trotro went a lot smoother after you get the hang of it. Today, I picked up one of my outfits that was done in time for me to go to church. I really enjoyed the service today. School starts next week!

Stop And Smell The Roses

Unfortunately I wasn't able to climb the mountain today, we all overslept so we will have to go another day. I went to church yesterday. I'm still getting used to three hour long service. The pastor called me out in church, and I knew that it was bound to happen since I am a visitor that sticks out like a sore thumb! He asked me a question from the bible luckily I thought quickly on my feet, and gave a very vague answer that wasn't incorrect but vague enough not to be wrong! Lol oh well! This time it felt more like my usual mass I go to because they gave communion today. After church, I was teaching the kids dance moves and we gained an audience of passerbys. The kids absolutely love the dances, I hope the kids at Airfield will enjoy it just as much. Today, I am getting ready to go to market to buy some of my groceries. After, I have to do some inventory of supplies that were donated to the school.

The Best Things Come in Threes

On Wednesday, I had a mini quiz for the students, too see if they were learning anything from my methods. I was a little disappointed because only 4 of my original students showed up and I had three new ones. So, I was only to test four of them. Of the four though 3 got 100% and one just got one wrong. I was happy about that! On Thursday, there was no school because of some political things going on in Ghana. The losing party petitioned the courts (about the presidential election) with fraudulent charges and the verdict was to be told. All of Ho was glued to the tube to hear the results. The case was dismissed. I made tomato soup and everyone was fascinated by it, and kinda confused. They, said okay so tomatoes, water, spices, milk and....? Lol, I explained there's no and that's it. They said no meat? Are you vegetarian? On Thursday I also did all my laundry by hand which was an interesting experience. Scrubbing and scrubbing but man are my clothes clean! And the next door neighbors got a kick out of me hand washing for the first time. They even told me to move a little to the left, so they could see better in Ewe of course! There was no school today either. Today, I went to the Americanized restaurant to buy jollof rice and french fries. I am all bankued out for awhile! I was invited tonight to an all night church session but I had to decline that. Tomorrow I"m supposed to climb one of the mountains in the Volta Region. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

Hangman

Today my class increased to 11 students. I'm trying to find ways to incorporate English lessons so that they don't have to sit in the classroom the whole time. They get restless, especially with the heat. If anyone has any suggestions let me know! I took them outside and called out a word and they had to run and point out the word. They love hangman, it's one of their favorite games we play it at the end of each class. I plan to give them a little quiz tomorrow to see if they are understanding. I think sometimes they don't understand my accent and they won't tell me if they don't understand. They are good when I put them in small reading books if they can't pronounce a word. I'm really wanting a salad but they don't really eat them here. But I was told that there is one special store I can go where they sell ingredients for a salad. Below is banku and sauce.

Arthur and D.W.

Today, was my first reading group I had 8 students total. They're mostly 10 years old but one is 15. I'm teaching the kids that are having difficulty with reading. They have such enthusiasm and excitement it's wonderful!  They all want to answer questions and write on the board. They'll say, "Oh Madame pick me, pick me!" Sometimes I have to calm them down they get too excited. However, I did have to send one student out of the class for hitting the others. But overall, my first class went well.

Two in one

Yesterday wasn't too eventful, I went to get my hair done at a salon. I got blonde braids. It took 6 hours, but it looks really nice. My curls and the humidity were not cooperating. I also stopped by market and this time there were so many people from all over I couldn't even walk. Today, I went to church which was an interesting experience. The men and women sat separately, I've never seen that before. The service was about 3 hours which is kinda long for me I'm used to only 1. I only understood half of what was going on because all of the service was in Ewe the local language. And they go to church twice on Sunday, in the morning, and in the evening as well. One thing I learned they don't take no for an answer too well. Whether it be food, or if they want to take you somewhere. I had to argue for 10 minutes to 3 people of why I wouldn't be coming to the evening service. It finally rained today, the weather feels a lot cooler. They are having an unusual rainy season it has been really hot and no rain. Tomorrow I have the reading groups with the children at school. Until then!

Azonto

Yesterday I went to summer school again, and this time after going to the villages there were more students present in their uniforms. I sat in on the class and Monday I will pull the students aside to hold a reading group. The students that I was supposed to help today weren't there, so Monday it is! I went to a chop bar and had fufu and sauce it was so good. But the portions they feed you are so big! I always have to decline food, which does not go over well but finally they agree. They said that they will send me back plump so my family will know I had a comfortable stay in Ghana. I said oh no!!! I must go back the way I came. They taught me to azonto which was fun but I still don't quite have the hang of it. I did some ASA dances and they loved them. Today is my rest day, and boy do I need it.