Finishing up the Track Season

As training started for the city-wide interschool track meet, I saw my girls really begin to challenge themselves and prepare for the competition.  It was exciting to see their growth, and fun to train as we were using real equipment.  Having a discus and javelin helped boost the girls' excitement and skill.  All-in-all, after the week of training I was really looking forward to watching the Kingsby girls compete against other schools.

The track meet was really fun.  With music playing the entire time and many cheers and chants being recited, the energy levels were high and the competitive spirits were flaring.  I was really proud of my team.  Despite little training time with equipment, they did very well.  The school team improved four spots in the standings from the past year, and two of our girls qualified for the regional meet.  

 I really felt that the meet was a success.  It was amazing to see our 8 weeks of work paying off and I think the girls pleased with their results.  Seeing them try their best, have fun, and reach their goals was all I could have hoped for; as a coach, it was a pretty great feeling!

Soon after the hoopla from the meet started to wear off, Ghanain Independence Day was upon us.  The national holiday is really important here, marking the day that Ghana became the first West-African country the gain independence from Britain.  Christine, Liz, and I set off to watch some local celebrations which included a school march.  

Unfortunately, I stepped off of a curb with a little too much vigor, and ended up rolling over my foot.  As it turns out, I’m really good at spraining ankles.  The day’s fun plans were restructured into an at-home workshop on icing and elevation.

The rest of the week, I was pretty immobile, which was really difficult for me.  My lesson plans and sports training ideas were left untouched, and the hiking plans we had made for the weekend had to be postponed. 

Because I was not quite in the shape to run around coaching, I decided to spend the week volunteering at the Orphanage.  Although being a human climbing gym for bundles of excited kids isn’t exactly restful, I knew that I would be able to play sitting down if necessary.

 

I had so much fun.  The children there are so full of happiness and light.  Even the sweaty tro-tro ride is a positive experience when 10 kids come running out to greet you.   I had a really amazing time playing with the little ones and being there for an extended period of time also gave me the chance to connect with some of the older students living there.   

The stories they have are almost overwhelming, some of them have endured more than I can even imagine.  It definitely makes me feel incredibly lucky to be born in Canada and to have such a close and supportive family.  

Although it was mostly positive, spending more time at the orphanage also came with new challenges.  The practice of caning children is still current in Ghana, and there are beatings nearly every day.  While I am aware that there are huge differences in culture, I will never be okay with kids being hit.  I spoke up to on of the teachers and was able to stop a class from being caned and I hope that more changes will be made in the future.  That said, my time there is always rewarding.  The children are loving and happy; they are an absolute joy to spend time with.

Outside of the orphanage, I have been having a lot of fun just experiencing daily life.  It is funny how in just a few short months: nightly power outages, getting stopped on the street to chat to strangers, pounding fufu, speaking twi, and sweating enough to create a new ocean all seem completely normal to me now. 

Carrying Yao Ghanain Style

Plantain and Casava: Ready to be Pounded into Fufu

Pounding the Fufu

Eating Dinner (Fufu + Soup with our Hands)

Beautiful Beads at the Weekly Market

Despite getting injured, I have really enjoyed the last couple weeks.  It is hard to believe that I am 2/3 through my time here- it runs so fast.  I'll be back coaching at the highschool next week, and I'm looking forward to playing some team sports with the girls :)