hard at work...

I am sorry that it has been a few days, life happening very fast here.  On Wednesday I started my work with the girls living in the Street Aid House of Refuge.  There are 15 of them.  While here I will see them 5 times for workshops.  The goal is to dream, be build confidence and to empower these new and expecting mothers.

I have to say that I am very entertained by them.  3 of the girls speak English. The common language for everyone (except me of course) is Twi.  Working with a translator has been challenging.  It took a little time to get used to the pace but after two days of working together we are finding our way.

We have been gathering on a patio area...lots of shade and a breeze...a God send for sure.

The activities have been big fun.  I had to do some adjusting with the language barrier, but most activities have worked very well.  

Playing together is a huge part of each of the sessions.  There are lots of giggles.

Rose (in the yellow skirt-above) is my staff support.  She has been working with S. Aid for 11 years. 

 This is Rafia...she was a hard nut to crack...by end of day she had warmed up considerably.  

I am enjoying the girls very much.  Friday is African wear day for S. Aid staff.  I am sporting a new shirt purchased earlier in the week.

 This is Agnes (Aggie).  She has a 5 month old daughter.  I like her very much.  I wish that I spoke Twi. I would love to be able to sit and chat.  A wonderful spirit this one!

 elephants....

 I tapped into my Link Crew training and did an activity called Life Story.  The girls were asked a series of questions and asked to draw their responses.  Favorite food, a favorite gift received and identifying someone they admire or look up too were some of the questions.

 hard at work....

 Rose jumps in too (above)...and so does Aggie's little one (below)...

 this is Amama...a funny funny girl...

 sharing our life story pictures....

 time for a little break...they LOVED foot foot...a game from my Covenant Players days...

 back to work...with drawing working the best for communicating, we jump back in...on one half of the paper they are drawing pictures of their dreams...the dreams they have for themselves...on the other half their hopes and dreams for their children....

many of the girls aspire to be hair dressers and dress makers...their hopes fro their children included teachers, nurses, police women, soldiers and doctors...the challenge for next week will be to help them dream for themselves in the way they dream for their children.

 another group photo...

our first day out and about...

This is the sign outside Street Aid.  This is their main building site.  At this location there is office space for the staff and the "house of refuge" which is a residence for pregnant girls who were living on the streets.  We were surprised to learn that the girls are homeless children/mothers...not street girls as one might think.  The girls staying in the residence are not prostitutes, they are young women trying to make a better life.  They come to or are sent to the big city and end up living in the streets.  Most (90%+) of the children living in the streets are from other places in Ghana and some from other countries.  

This is Sara...one of the girls I will begin working with tomorrow...

This is one of the littles born to a mother living in the refuge...

Here is Sara again with others living at the Street Aid House.

This is the "house mother" for the girls...

After a tour of the offices and the girls' residence we started out journey to the other sights operated by Street Aid - Child Care Centers called Creches. On our way I snapped a few shots of the venders selling items between the rows of traffic.  We have been amazed at the items for sale...food...art...home supplies...knick knacky stuff...you name it!

Here is a mama taking baby along to work in the traffic...

Yep those are chickens...

We arrived at the first child care location - near the train station.  Taking photographs here was not advisable, but I did manage a few shots along the way.

We entered the area from the station and then walked the tracks lined with vendors.  There is garbage everywhere.  

After a walk the equivalent of several blocks we arrived at the first center. When we entered we were mobbed by little ones....all calling out obruni (sp?)...meaning white person.  We took photos and they LOVED it.  We visited with staff and played with the littles...

The group of girls were helping out a the center...

The center provides care for working moms...

There are no toys here...the play equipment is well used...

We visited the older students at a creche further down the tracks...

Again, the children swarmed...wanting to be recognized and have their picture taken...

Our third stop was a center for ages 0-5...there are 115+ children here each day...

I am not sure how to convey the feelings...the thoughts that this day produced.  We met women working so very hard to make a life for themselves and their children.  The work that this organization is doing is for more than I originally thought.  41 full time staff operate 5 facilities.  They are providing safety for pregnant girls and supporting the working mothers by providing child care.  They have field workers who walk the streets and refer those who qualify for support.  Watching these workers in action was inspiring.  

I saw things today that I have never seen.  I am so very privileged and wish that you could see, smell, hear and taste this.  

Tomorrow I will start my work with the girls who live in the house of refuge.  I am really excited about the time I will spend with them.

Will post again soon...Kirsten

hot and sticky...

Internet is not consistent so posting will take a little bit of work.  We arrived late Saturday night.  We exited the plane and the heat and wall of humid air stopped me in my tracks as I hit the exit.

The flight itself was very interesting.  After a little lunch in Amsterdam I made my way to the Accra gate.  I had separated myself from the others (a Little me time) and so arrived at the gate alone.  When I arrived at the gate, it was clear that I was in the right place.  I was the first white passenger to sit in the sea of people waiting to board.  I plunked myself down in the middle of the waiting area.  People of all shapes and sizes.  Some in traditional dress but most not.

Once on the plane I was taken by the social nature of the flight, groupings of people gathered by bathrooms and moving about talking with others.  Joined in mid wa7 trough the flight.  Ben, a Ghanaian living in Amsterdam caught my attention and we chatted for quite a awhile.

Anyway….after arriving and getting over the first wave of heat and smells, we entered the airport (got off the plane on the tarmac and took a bus to the airport).

We were greeted by Rotary Ralph, an wonderful man who pulled us through the diplomat line and led us through customs.  We did not have to explain anything…just  breezed through…Ralph had taken care of everything.

We were, and will continue to be a spectacle.  We had 17 bags between the 4 of us, loaded with items to leave behind.

A small group of men, including the incoming President of the Accra Rotary club met us at the airport,   At one point he said “You didn’t bring any men with you!?”  I smiled and said no, not men. It is a man’s world and being without one feels really good (sorry guys).

SUNDAY:

Sunday morning I woke up to the knock on the door from housekeeping. (9 am).  I slept very well.  The day was spent at the pool (a Godsend with the heat), eating (ate my first African meal – jolla rice and spicy chicken) and getting to know each other more.

We took a side trip to the mall down the street.  Many of the conveniences of home there.  Although expensive for some basic items.  Undies in the Walmart like store were  $10 for a pair or two.  Am glad that we brought our items!

In the late afternoon we had a visit from John and Emma.  They are a couple who Kathy and Kay know from previous trips.  What beautiful people.  John is a Rotarian and was helpful with some information about meeting with the club on Monday.  Emma was helpful with information about the girls I will be working with as well as some cultural tips (will write more on this later).

Our evening meal was pizzzzzaaaahhhh (that was how it was spelled on the menu).  We sat our on the open air patio and ate, talked about what was to come, and listened to a trio singing cheesy American love songs.

The recruitment for Rotary has also begun,  I expect that this trip will end with my commitment to be one. 

It is 6:30 and time to get out of this bed and hit great the morning.. I will post again later today If I can.  The camera will come out of the bag today!

kir

we are on our way...

What a crazy week.  I am exhausted and it has only just begun.  I had no idea how insane I would feel in prep for this trip.  The unknowns got the best of this girl a few times over the past 72 hours, not to mention the energy spent preparing for my absence from my life and more specifically 187 community college students. 

For the past 3 months we (this team of women, fascinating women) have plotted and planned via conference calls and skype.  Kathy (KAS) is a colleague from Austin, Cathy, a Rotarian also from Minnesota, and Kay, a Rotarian from Ojai California.  We met for the first time this afternoon/evening and with our feet collectively planted on the same stretch of earth we are off.

Early this morning as I was thinking about what the next 19 days would hold and who we, as a new team, would become, I couldn’t help thinking about my days as a Covenant Player.  Twice a year we would gather as a group to await our unit assignments.  This was a day-long process and was always a time of great anxiety for me.  Who would be assigned to?  Who would I spend the next 15-18 weeks with?  Would we connect?  How would be work as a team? Even though I have known who this unit would be for months, and even though I have known the leader of this team for many years, the newness and unknowns of the this newly formed team is exciting and if I am honest, it makes for a little bit of anxiety.

So, I know the who, we have packed out gear and have loaded our life into the “van” and we are starting our trek cross county, cross continents.

I am writing from row 16/seat G (the front of coach).  I have lots of legroom and a chatty man form Wichita Kansas as a row mate.  We have been in the air for an hour or so and I have learned an amazing number of things about him.  I know that he is an engineer,  and that he flies for work regularly.  He is going to china on his next trip and he is a little anxious about that (just not sure about that place).  His company pays them $1000 not to fly business class and he takes pills everyday because he recently had a heart attack. Oy!  I wonder who the rest of the team is meeting in their respective rows.

On a totally different note, I decided to violate a  “me” rule and have invited my students into my personal life by way of this blog.   I warned them that they would likely learn more about me than they may like, but as part of my desire to share this trip with them, I felt that inviting them along would give them a chance to experience this adventure as it is being lived and reported day by day.  The challenge will be to keep them in mind as I write (and at the same time not censor my experience.  Some of the classes – Introduction to Sociology – are earning credit for reading and submitting comments.  So welcome budding sociologists of mine.  I look forward to hearing from you and am looking forward to reading your responses to the pics and posts.

kir

soon and very soon

time is flying.  in one week i will be finishing up my packing and wondering if i will be able to sleep that last night before taking off on this amazing african adventure.

preparation for the trip has been a wonderful experience.  so many have answered the call for "material aid".  we have gathered over 300 pairs of undies for africa, as well as onsies, receiving blankets and other needed items.  austin high school alc students have jumped on board and are hosting a "ghana week" this week.  on wednesday of next week, we will hit the stores and they will add to the stash of gifts. the challenge at this point will be packing all of the loot.

the anticipation is building. i have enjoyed skyping with team members as we prepare and am ready to meet this incredible bunch on friday evening at the airport.

we will fly to amsterdam first (about 8 hours).  after a few hours of airport time we will make the second leg of the trip to accra (about 7 hours).

will check back as we get closer.

thanks again for all of the wonderful gifts.

kir