First Week in Africa

I'm starting this a little late into my trip, so I am due for a little back tracking. I arrived in Accra in the first week on January, at around 7 pm.  After a full day of traveling I was pretty tired, but I was blasted awake by the wave of hot air that rushed into the plane as soon as the doors opened up.  The air felt thick and sweet, and veeery warm.

Getting through the airport was pretty easy, and before I knew it I was en route to Koforidua with my volunteer coordinators and a fellow volunteer.  I am not sure if I'll ever be able to forget my first drive in Ghana.  If the hot air was not enough to wake me up, the fast weaving taxis definitely were.  With very few traffic lights, over crowded roads, and too many close calls it was quite the introduction to life in Africa.

My first weekend involved an orientation.  Fred and Annette, my volunteer co-ordinators and roommates, walked with me into the city of Koforidua, and we got orientated, drank coconut water, and played with some of the kids downtown.  I was stuck by how welcoming everyone was- children and adults all wave and say OBRUNI- meaning white person/visitor-and AKWAABA- meaning welcome.  I was also given my Twi name- Abena! Which means born on Tuesday.

The town is much like I had expected; however, it would be impossible to anticipate the feelings of being here.  The smells can at times overtake you, and the vehicle and pedestrian traffic is crazy! Crossing the street is an act of bravery.  Chickens, goats, and young children wander around the streets unsupervised.  And best of all, music is everywhere.  It is definitely an amazing experience to walk into Koforidua, and one that I will get to do for the rest of semester.

On Sunday, I was invited with Brenda, a fellow volunteer, to attend a traditional church ceremony with Chief Nana.  It was a truly amazing experience.  We were surrounded with singing, drumming, and dancing.  We were humbled as the program graciously welcomed us and brought us up to sit in the front row!  Since most of the speaking was in Twi, I was having trouble following- but I clapped along with everyone until the woman beside me quietly leaned in and said "We are all clapping to welcome you, so you might want to stop clapping and smile!" Woopsie!  But all in all, it was a great first weekend in Ghana.

Because it was the beginning of January, the high school I am set to work at had not yet opened for regular classes.  I came in to visit the Headmistress and the Director of the sports dpt, but was unable to start teaching.  This gave me the chance to do some volunteering at Hour of Grace Orphanage, and experience I will definitely never forget.

When we arrived off the tro-tro at the orphanage, I was struck by the positive reception from the children.  Even though I had never met them, they ran out to greet me and jumped into my arms yelling "Madam, Madam!"

They truly are the sweetest kids.  My first couple days I helped out in classrooms.  It was really difficult to deal with the conditions.  All of the rooms smell like urine, and bats are constantly flying around.  What makes it easier is how eager the children are to learn, and what a difference sitting down and attentively going over their work with them can make.

Later in the week, I spent lots of time with the younger kids.  They are so amazing.  At three and four years old they are already independent and strong. It is so rewarding to spend time with them- if you sit down, instantly five or six kids are hugging, climbing, or just touching your back or hands.  Many of the children have bad scabies wounds or cuts, but none of them complain.  They are simply happy to have what they have.  

My time at the orphanage was really wonderful, and I'm planning to go back whenever I have spare time or a morning off from teaching at the high school.