Thursday, December 27, 2012

Walking thru the Village to School

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.
                                                                                                                    
Down the highway into the morning
Fast food breakfast spot
The first term of academic year 2012-13 is completed.  Experience is indeed a wonderful teacher as I felt more comfortable in the classroom this second year.  The desire to inspire my students to earn and value an education and to gain self confidence and discipline has increased.  

I have included some pictures along my route to school each day.  Classes start at 7 AM.   I am usually out the door at 6:30 for the 10-15 minutes walk. This is a farming Village and although the road looks empty there is plenty of activity.  

The road to the Primary and Junior High Schools

Children in school uniforms are waiting for their bus or joining the line with other villagers  to get a quick breakfast snack.  This stand sells take away porridge in a plastic bag (chocolate, sugar, water and soft rice or maze) and fried bread made from yam flour.  A little like corn bread and delicious.  The students and teachers are always ready to snack at anytime during the day and vendors stop by school frequently selling oranges, nuts, frozen yogurt, and more fried bread.   

Off the main street (highway) I take a right turn down a dirt road to the Schools.  To the left is the Village Park,  soccer field, and behind the bright blue wall on the right is a beer garden.  The playing field is very much like the road, with only sparse grass, and hard as concrete when dry, but red soup when it rains.  The large building on the far left is the Catholic Church.  Football (soccer) is a passion of Ghana and most activity slows when a match is going on as everyone wants to watch and help the coach manage the game.  

Getting water and the latest news

Near the end of the road I pass a water point.  There are four bore holes (water wells) in the village and most house holds must visit frequently.   It is a gathering place where relaxed communications happen and villagers can catch up on the news.  I doubt there are many secrets in the village due to these spots.  I am fortunate that the young woman who lives in the house where I stay fetches the water when necessary.  It is not an easy chore so I have learned to conserve.

Teachers Grading End of Term Exams
Study Hall for End of Term Exams
End of the school day is at 2 PM.  Students assemble, take down the flag that reminds them to be alert to risks of HIV/AIDS, and head for home.  I teach a section on HIV/AIDS education every other week as a part of the computer skills and mathematics classes. 

HIV/AIDS Alert Flag
Under the Mango Tree for Dismissal
Going home.
                                                             



Many students go home, change out of the school uniform and head for the family farm or help around the house.  There are few recreational activities after school such as organized sports or clubs.  I have opened the room where the school's two computers are located to give them some free time to practice what they learn in class.  However, like many teenagers, they love to play computer games or listen to music.  

On my walk home I can take care of some business; get a haircut, shop at the market, buy some items at the mini-mart, load some call time on my phone, or get a snack of fried yams.  The dry season begins in early November, so on most days I just want to get home and out of the blazing sun.

The barber shop.  Haircut, $1
The Village Market.  Fresh eggs, 20 cents each








From Soap to Fresh Water
The Phone Store, 20 minutes call $1

 The Village has a number of these little businesses and when possible I like to shop here rather than the large market city 15 minutes away.

Fast Food Stand with Some Fresh Hot Peppers Drying

In less than a year I will complete my service here and leave for my home.   Unless I move into a large city, I will likely not experience anything like walking to work each day, seeing and greeting familiar folks and taking care of some of the daily tasks as I move from home to work and back.  I think I will miss that.

Thanks for taking some time to share what my school day looks like.  I continue to enjoy excellent health and am eagerly anticipating the remaining two terms in this school year. 


Hope you have a wonderful 2013

Monday, November 12, 2012

Farmer's Day 2012

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

December 5th is a National Holiday in Ghana.  Farmers' Day was instituted in 1984 after a severe period of drought and the reduced crops the previous year that caused food shortages in Ghana.  It was decided to recognize the hard work of the country's many farmers and the day became a National Holiday in 1995.  Each year during the run up to that day, events are held around the country to select District and then Regional candidates for the honor of being recognized by the country's President as the Farmer of the Year for Ghana. 

The display of prizes
This year the District selection ceremony was held in the village where I live.  School was dismissed in the afternoon so that we could attend.  Produce from the farms, along with the prizes for the selected farmers were displayed.  
Prizes increase in magnitude as each level of competition is reached.  At the District level prizes were; bicycles, motorbikes, beds and mattresses, farm tools, fertilizers, etc.  At the National level; the grand prize has included a pick up truck, and even a house along with being a recognized  celebrity, all carried on national TV.

Produce from the farms of this District
 In the picture the green items are bunches of plantains, larger than a banana and a staple food in
the village along with the large brown tubers which are yams and cassavas.  Bright orange are cocoa pods.  Also shown are tomatoes, corn, red hot peppers, eggs, okra, cucumbers, garden eggs and oranges.  It was a colorful display of food along with the colorful dress worn by the women and men.  

The event is sponsored by the local representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and was attended by many of the local political officials as this is an election year in Ghana.
Village Chief makes an inspection of the produce and prizes

The Village Chief attended, gave his remarks and inspected the produce as well as the prizes.   He is a highly respected leader of the village and its residents, a majority of them farmers on the surrounding land.  

This year there has been some discussion about the date of the Farmer's Day events as it is very close to election day for Ghana's President as well as other political positions.  The campaign is in full swing with lots of loud speakers making comments, plenty of posters and flags and the radio full of the latest comments by and for the candidates.  As a guest I stay well clear of the campaigning, but it is an exciting time to be in Ghana and witness their political process at work.  My fellow teachers hotly debate the issues and are proud of the noisy but peaceful process in Ghana.  

 While I am the recipient of the tasty harvest of fruits and vegetables by the farmers in this District, much still depends on the local rain fall.  I am thankful for the farmers and a good harvest as we head into the dry season.




 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Welcome to my residence

Area to receive visitors as you enter my three rooms
The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

Peace Corps Volunteers coming to Ghana are provided a place to live by the local community or agency requesting their assignment.  "The identified housing should be modest and conform to the standards of the host community."  Further, the Volunteer Handbook gives these minimum standards: "Volunteer accommodation must be located within a community and must be within sight and shouting distance of at least one neighbor.  Private sleeping quarters, space for cooking and eating and access to an area to receive visitors in a traditional house, bungalow, apartment or family compound.  Mosquito screening on all windows and entrance trap doors.  A minimum of one window in each room to provide adequate cross-ventilation and light.  Ceiling or roof made of wood/straw mat/felt/rubber, metal that protects the Volunteer from the effects of heat, rain and vermin.  All doors and windows must be lockable from the inside.  Additionally, entrance doors must be lockable from the outside.  Bathing area and toilet facility with in 20 meters of the house.  If shared, should not be shared by  more than six people.  Toilets and bathing areas must provide privacy.  Minimum furnishing: one bed frame, one mattress, one table and chair.  Accommodation must always be accessible by one of the following, a 4 wheel drive vehicle, a canoe or a motorbike."

Provided bed frame, mattress and chair
My assigned residence in the community met these minimums when I arrived over a year ago.  Since I teach at the local Roman Catholic, Junior High school, the Church arranged for my housing.  I share the house with the owners niece and the two young children in her care.  Thankfully, the house is accessible by a normal automobile, has electricity most of the time, in door toilet and bathing area, but no running water.   

Like many of you, whether living in a barracks, a tent, a southeast Asia hut, a flat or an apartment, we are soon figuring out how to make our selves more comfortable and the accommodations more functional. Since the bedroom was empty except for the bed, I built the storage area you see in the picture to provide a place to hang my clothes and store other personal items.   You can also see a piece of the mosquito net all Volunteers are required to rig and sleep under.

Custom counters for the kitchen
The second room  provided was totally empty.  It has become the kitchen.  You can see the counters and shelves are pretty basic, but are very functional. The caretaker of the house now believes I am a master carpenter.   A purchased toaster oven, electric kettle and two burner gas stove allow me to test my cooking skills with local food from the market and shops.  My loss of 59 lbs during the first year of service does not say much for any pie, cake, or pastry baking skills.  Fruits and vegetables are plentiful in the market when in season; at the moment okra, tomatoes, peppers, some late corn and of course yams.   Oranges, melons and pineapples are also available.  I purchased a small frig with no freezer, but it keeps left overs and refreshing, cool water sometimes flavored with crystal lite.  

The school shop
The owner of the house allowed me to use a third room if I would repair the busted door and replace the screens on the windows.  I use  it as a work room, mostly for my Volunteer project to repair student furniture from the Junior High School where I teach.  The furniture is pretty badly damaged by the time it comes to me, with larger and larger nails being used in an attempt to stiffen the chairs and tables to make them useable.  I take all the nails out, repair and re glue the pieces, and use screws to make the piece more stable and then return to the student.  I have learned patience, how to swallow the occasional curse word, and wish I could get them finished and back into use quicker.

The terrace garden
 In the back window of the work room you may see my other project, an indoor, mini-garden.  Finally had to relocate from the back porch as could not keep the free range goat herds away.  I am attempting tomatoes, avocados and pineapple.   I definitely need some advice from the local farmers and have little chance for the Farmer of the Year Award this December.   It does add something green to the house and I have enjoyed the challenge of working to keep them growing.  

I am grateful for the provision of a comfortable place to live while I am assigned the task of helping to educate the children of the village.  It has been an added pleasure to use my hands again to make my surroundings a little more functional and into a place that allows me to relax.  
Easy shout out to the nearest neighbor
The view out my back door to the closest neighbor.   An extended family with lots of young children.  Not a quit moment until night falls.  As you can see the living is simple.  Before leaving for Ghana, it took me at least three months of hard labor to clear and clean my home for renting, but I believe in much less three hours I could pack up my stuff and head for home.

Thanks for continuing to be interested in what I am doing here.  It is my privilege to have another opportunity to represent our wonderful country.  






Friday, September 14, 2012

Pra! Pra!

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

This is a very common sight in this part of Ghana.  "Pra" is the word in the local language meaning, to sweep.  In the town where I live, only the home of the Village Chief has a yard that has grass sufficient to keep trimmed.  Most yards look like this piece of ground and are frequently swept.

During the first week of the new school term, the students begin by cleaning up the area around the school building and inside the classrooms.  These students are sweeping the yard in front of the school building, collecting the leaves fallen from the mango tree during the break.    The short brooms are stiff strips taken from a palm tree, tied together and do the job very well.  I use a similar broom to "pra" my bedroom, kitchen and work room.  The caretaker sweeps the yard at least three times per week.  Any grass, weeds, or branches that needed trimming is done using the cutlass (machete).  Students are good at using both tools although extended use by an "old guy" can quickly put a strain on the back and arms. 

The 2012-13 academic year began on September 4th and the first term will go until the middle of December.  I am again teaching mathematics and computer skills.  So far it looks as if the number  of students in each class will be at least the same as last year, about 70 in the
Form 1 (7th grade) and 60 students in the Form 2 (8th grade).  Even starting week three, not all students have come back as the second, but shorter wet season has begun and farmers are planting.  Classroom management requires continuous attention and getting to know all their names is an extra effort for me.  These two tasks plus staying healthy to allow me to come to school  and teach: on time, every day, all day are my priorities for the academic year.  If I am successful they will give me the opportunity to inspire.  

I look forward to the new academic year and sharing some more of my experiences in Ghana.





 

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Apprentices' Apprentice

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

September 1, 2012 begins the second year of my Peace Corps service in Ghana.  Teaching mathematics and computer skills at a rural Junior High School has been a work which has required a full commitment.  The 2012-13 academic year begins September 4th and I am anticipating my return to the class room to use  what skills God has provided to inspire my students to continue their education.  

During my first academic year in Ghana, the Headmaster  approved my request to take broken student furniture out of the classrooms, attempt to repair and return the pieces back to be used by students.  In this school district the students must provide their desk and chair.  When the Headmaster asked if I knew what I was doing, my response was, "no, but I don't think I could make them any worse."  So after almost one year, you see in the picture the desk that is the first product of my efforts.   I started with no tools except a handy "multi-tool" given to me as a going away gift.  I quickly discovered that every piece of furniture had many attempts to repair by adding nails and then more, bigger nails.   With limited tools to take the pieces apart, repair any broken parts, clue back, and use screws to strengthen, the process was a difficult and slow task without doing more damage.  In time I located some hand tools in the local market as there is no electricity in my work room.  Glue was easy, but almost gave up on finding some material to fill in the many nails holes and other assorted gouges and holes.  

The young boy in the picture lives in the same house as I do, goes to the primary school adjacent to the Junior High where I teach, and spends some of his time watching my struggles.  He loves to use the hammer and wants to constantly practice as I work to remove the many nails in the furniture.   He goes by the name Yao, not his real name but the name given to males born on Thursday.  The group of people known as the Akan are numerically the largest group in Ghana  and regard a person's soul being linked to the day of the week they were born.  Most Ghanians I have met know the day they were born and many use that designation: Sunday-Kawasi, Monday-Kojo, Tuesday-Kwabena, Wednesday- Kwaku, Thursday-Yao, Friday-Kofi and Saturday Kwame.   There is also a set of names for the females.   I have been frequently asked my day of birth.

I am pleased to have the company of Mr. Yao (Thursday born)while I work to get the furniture back in useable condition.  He is curious, sees most of the tools as toys, but is eager to watch my slow progress.  I am sure the Headmaster is still wondering if I know what I am doing and if he will ever see a finished piece.  But the project is improving, I now have an Apprentice.

 

Friday, July 27, 2012

A Cultural Experience

Dancers from the Islamic Junior High School
The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

New sights, different sounds and intense smells, culture shock, cross culture experiences, challenges of language, cultural sensitivity, integration into the community, all part of the Volunteers' unique experience as we  do our best to  live  and work in Ghana and make a contribution to its social and economic capacity. 

During Term 2 of the school year the Junior High students began practicing football (soccer) for three weeks in the afternoon followed by a "sports gala" that took them out of the classroom and into three days of intense competition to determine the Champion Team in the school district.    I was told Term 3 would include the "cultural gala" and more afternoon classes would be missed as the students practiced singing, dancing, drumming, drama and story telling.   The preparation started with a lot snickering, jostling and verbal exchanges as the students sorted out with the teachers insistence, who would represent the school in which event.  Somehow it got done, and the practices began with less than a huge amount of enthusiasm except for the boys who all wanted to play the drums as loud as possible, even with no sense of the timing and rhythm required.  For a few weeks it all seemed headed for a disaster with the teachers avoiding the practices if at all possible.   But, led by the girls dance group, the students began getting serious about the performance and practice got more intense, even for the drummers who received stern looks of dissatisfaction from the female dancers.

On the day of the gala which was scheduled to begin at 8 AM,  I had already forgotten one of the first cultural lessons we Volunteers were taught, "do not expect that events will start as scheduled.  Relax."  Between 10:30 and 11 AM the judges arrived.  I had no idea what to expect, but had my choice of seats at 8 AM so was in a good location to experience the gala.  It was wonderful, over 20 Primary and Junior High schools participating, with beautiful traditional costumes and serious students ready to present a vivid experience of traditional singing, dancing, drama and story telling.  
Dancers/math students from my school
The Story Tellers
Ghana has a rich and diverse culture and I have only experienced a small portion, but look forward to discovering more in the months ahead.  

I don't expect my experience to start on time, but am learning how to relax and be prepared to enjoy what I see and hear.  

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Proud to be an American

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

July 1st is a holiday celebrating the date in 1960 when Ghana declared itself  a Republic. Since the 1st fell on Sunday this year, Monday was the  holiday, so no school was held.  Today was a normal school day, except in the middle of my mathematics class on probability, we took a break,  I unfurled my American flag and we  had a short U.S. History lesson.  The students clapped and cheered and we took a moment to record the occasion with this picture.   That was my celebration of our Independence Day; no parade, no cook out and no fireworks.  But it was excellent and one I will remember.   Hope your celebration of our treasured Independence was just as meaningful 


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Places and things of interest.

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.














I believe I am like many engineers and others who have an interest in things that have a unique size or shape, unusual dimensions, are one of a kind, or extremely useful or constructed in a clever way.   

I would like to share some interesting things I have found in Ghana:  Lake Volta in the eastern part of Ghana, is the world's largest artificial body of water formed during  the 1960's by the clay and rock Akosombo Dam on the Volta river.  The electricity generated has been a real contributor to growth; another, Ghana is the country nearest to the spot some geographers call the center of the earth's surface, the place where the equator and the prime or zero meridian intersect.  The location with longitude 0" and latitude 0" is about 380 miles directly south of the coast of Ghana in the Gulf of Guinea/Atlantic.  Not useful or a tourist destination, just unique.   I hope to visit Lake Volta and the dam, but will fore go a boat ride to find the unmarked spot on the ocean.

Another, is shown  in the picture.  Called by almost everyone in Ghana "pure water" it is one half liter of safe drinking water in a thick, plastic bag or sachet.  Easy to transport and stock, durable, adequate shelf life, sold in kiosks, stores, or from a basket carried on the head of a vendor in the market or at a bus stop, this is clever design and marketing genius.  No bottle cap, just bite off one corner and enjoy refreshment almost any where.  Sold individually for about 6 cents each or by a lot of 30 sachets in a strong plastic bag for about 3 cents each, they are affordable to most folks.  No cartons and the bags of water conform to most available storage space. 

Down side, sometimes the water has an after taste and just like the plastic bottle, the disposal of the empty plastic sachet is an environmental nightmare.  The empty sachets are small, just dropped or tossed out the window, clog up most drainage systems and are very unsightly.   However, did not take long for the entrepreneurs to see that liquor could also be marketed in the same way, so vodka in a bag.

I had not seen anything like this "pure water" until I arrived in Ghana.  I am told by the teachers at the school the water sachets started appearing about ten years ago, are used in other African countries, but they did not know who had the original idea.  Told me the machines to produce are from China.

I would not be surprised if the Social Scientists and folks who study human behavior have plenty of cases to study as the people of Ghana adjust to new, interesting, unique and rapid changes in their country.  Many adults have cell phones and have a great interest in the features.  Almost every teacher at my school has up dated his/her cell instrument at least twice since my arrival one year ago.  I have seen no "sit on the desk" type telephone.  I am now noticing a few young people with cell phones, the first one appeared in my 8th grade class this term.  At least half the houses in my village have a bamboo pole with a TV antenna attached, and I am told up to date video games are becoming available.  The other half may not have electricity yet.   Change will happen but the difference from my experience is the accelerated pace here.  I saw my first cell phone almost twenty five years ago and it would have been a tight fit in a shoe box.  First cell phone some students in Ghana see could have the features of a "black berry" or more.

I believe my job is to help my teacher colleagues advance the quality of  education in the village where I live and not let the wonder and thrill of gadgets and stuff over whelm the more important building of the capacity for a stronger society.  

By the way, I am told the largest tree in West Africa is in Ghana.  Wonder where it is?

Friday, June 8, 2012

Year One done !

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

 One year ago today I arrived in Ghana with 72 other brand new Peace Corps trainees.  My experience in every way has been even more than anticipated.  With no regrets I am preparing for the remaining  fifteen months of service.   This is a photograph of my maths class raising their hand and indicating the one year.   Thanks again for sharing my adventure with me. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Yes, we got the whole load !!

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

This road is less than 50 feet from my bedroom and goes north to the Ghana border with Burkina Faso and on to Mali and its famous city of Timbuktu.  Except for the early morning hours between 1 and 4 A.M. when I am told there are armed bandits on the road, it is full of vehicles headed north and south with all kinds of loads; people, food, fuel, cashews, construction materials, animals, and an assortment of items the Ghanians call "pretty, pretty things."  Like the bus in the picture, many vehicles are heavily overloaded and moving rapidly, a dangerous combination.  The blue items on the roof are hard plastic water barrels and the yellow are what I call "jerry cans." Plastic, but identical to what the military used for hauling extra fuel or water.  As this is the wet season, I am sure they are headed to a market.

I have a blue water barrel near the kitchen and bath room areas in the house.   When I arrived I went to the bore hole (well) to fetch water almost daily, using the yellow jerry cans.  More than a couple of trips to fill the barrel.  The caretaker of the house was appalled that others would see me hauling water and so insisted that she and her teenage daughter take care of that chore.  She can fill the barrel with three trips to the bore hole, balancing a large container on her head with wonderful posture and grace.  It is amazing.  I am pleased that they will help me as I am the biggest user of water in the house.  I always want the full bucket bath each evening, water to drink, cook and clean, wash my clothes, and use for the toilet.  Now that the wet season has begun, when the rain starts it is all hands with available containers outside to catch the water from the roof.  A few nights ago I was up early in the morning to quietly use the bathroom, and stumbled over an assortment of pots and pans  full of water in the hall way.  Woke the household.

According to the farmers, the full wet season is late this year.  Maze should be well over four feet high, but is around 18 inches.  We are now getting three to four very heavy rains in a week, mostly in the afternoons and at night.  Some of the rain storms have lasted for hours accompanied by a real display of lightning and thunder.  I am told there should be more to come.  

Sure cuts back on the chore of fetching water.  

On departure day from Washington DC, June 7, 2011, I posted my first blog about my new job.  Time has been full and gone quickly.  Thanks for your interest along the way.  

  

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sweet or Salty?


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first African colony to be granted independence in the post WW II era.  Prior to that date the country was a colony of Great Britain called the Gold Coast.  Beginning in the 1400's with the Portuguese, who were aware of the gold coming out of this area and moving north by caravan across the Sahara, thought it would be easier to get closer to the source of the gold by a sea route than attempting to control the caravans routes.  Followed by the Dutch, Danish and English, the colony eventually became know as the Gold Coast.  Gold is still one of Ghana's exports, but the photograph shows two that you may enjoy but not know come out of Ghana.  On the left is a cocoa bean taken off a drying tray on my back porch and the right is a cashew fruit with its gray nut pod that I picked from a tree near the school where I teach.    Cocoa is huge.  Ghana is the second largest exporter in the world, most of the product going to Europe and the US for chocolate.   Peace Corps volunteers are involved with Ghanian farmers in improving the logistics management chain of the cashew to expand that desirable product. 

This is the end of the season for both crops, which are grown in groves on the hills surrounding the village and in other parts of Ghana.   Lots of hand labor to harvest from many small groves, then sold to local buyers in the village, and on to larger cooperatives and exporters.  

Like some other countries I have lived, Ghana is full of contrasts.  All adults seem to have a cell phone and use it everywhere,  frequently.    Vehicles of all types are in abundance and have already overwhelmed the capacity of the roadways, particularly in cities, as well as the maintenance required to keep them up.  Building construction is everywhere, some underway, others stopped and still others seemingly abandoned.  Western styles are popular, mixed with the very colorful, traditional dress of the Ghanian women, and the noble looking robe worn on special occasion by some of the men.   Seems little is thrown out as I have seen yards and yards full of used vehicle engines, next to yards full of auto doors.  Never get bored looking out the window on a bus ride.

I cannot afford a stash of  chocolate or salted cashews at my house and certainly not gold.   When you enjoy the beauty of gold or the delicious taste of  sweet chocolate or salty cashews, hope you will be reminded of this interesting country where I live.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Stayn' Alive


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

 I am very grateful that my health has continued to be excellent since coming to Ghana.  From the detailed selection process, through the demanding training and now well into my two years of service, the Peace Corps has been attentive to my health and well being.   Peace Corps, Ghana has two Medical Doctors on staff, both have visited my site while traveling through the Region.  Most of the circumstances at the school where I teach are mandated by the Ministry of Education, but showing up ready to teach each day is one that I have some degree of control over. For the first two school terms (30 weeks) I have been healthy and  missed only 6 days of teaching and those were to meet Peace Corps' responsibilities.   Many of my fellow teachers are not so fortunate and have absences due to sickness. 

For the first seven months of my service, I ate Ghanaian food, prepared by Ghanians almost exclusively.  A few bouts of stomach distress, a few "no thanks" on seconds, and the loss of over 30 pounds are the outcomes of that period of my stay.  I am told the loss of weight is common for male Volunteers in Ghana.  Common for females to gain.  Not sure of the reasons, but for me,  I walk much more frequently, have had almost no sweets, drink a lot of  water, do some exercise each day and it has been blazing hot.   

The Ghanian diet in the areas where we trained and  now I live, is made up mostly of starch-based staples (cassava, yams, rice, coco yams, plantains) cooked in various ways and served with a soup that often contains fish or chicken and vegetables that are in season.  It is filling, can be very spicy, and frequently tasty.  Most often eaten using your fingers.   Fruits and vegetables are seasonally fresh, not often served as a separate dish, but usually cooked in the soup or eaten as a snack during the day.   Mangoes, avocados, pineapples, and papayas are currently sold all over the market and along the streets.    However, I believe most Volunteers miss the variety and types of foods common in their region of the States.  I know I do.  My list varies from time to time, but today it would include: a cheese burger from Five Guys; roasted peppers from a restaurant near Pittsburgh called Ricco's; and crab cakes from almost any place along Chesapeake Bay.  

 During my first school break in January, I completed the kitchen in the house where I live.   From the picture you can see it is not elaborate, but sufficient.  I started from a bare room,  built the counters and shelves, and purchased an electric kettle, a small gas stove, a toaster oven and variety of plastic food containers.   The stove pipe looking item at the far left is a water filter to allow safe drinking water from the well and rain water off the roof.  First meal from the kitchen was packaged noodles and have expanded from there.  I am holding a fresh pear (avocado) and poo-poo (papaya) that I will eat this afternoon.  My attempts at guacamole have not been endorsed by the Ghanians, but I find it acceptable with some chips I found in the market.  Add tacos to my list of food I miss.

Cooking is a time consuming deal for the Ghanian caretaker and her family as it is mostly done outside, over a wood or charcoal fire in a pot.   Most things growing out of the ground are reasonable fresh or dried, but fish is dried and has not seen water for some time.  At my house, the evening meal is started well before sunset and is eaten in the dark.  Lots of pots and pans to clean up at the end of the day.  Adjustments are made for the more frequent rains as we head into the wet season.  Cooking for myself has also required some adjustment in scheduling my time as going to the market, preparing the food, and cleaning up takes a lot more time than in my kitchen in Virgina.  I continue to be grateful for the pleasure of preparing my meals.


I have two place settings in case you stop in for a home cooked meal.  You are always welcome.

Monday, April 9, 2012

I go farm!


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

My village is in one of the most productive food growing regions in Ghana. The country's largest outdoor produce market is in a nearby city and serves buyers from all over Ghana as well as neighboring countries. Most of the villagers where I live are farmers. On arriving and hearing the phrase, "I go farm", in my mind I imagined the person heading to their residence, but it means exactly, "I am going to work my land."

Today is the Monday after Easter and is a part of a four day holiday that starts on Good Friday. School is out. This morning the caretaker and her family announced, "I go farm!" Since it had rained through much of the night, the morning was cool, with moisture still in the air and an overcast sky, it was the perfect day to "go farm" with them. It didn't take long for me to know that did not sound like a good idea to them: we must walk far; it is going to rain; it is hot; it will be very late when we return; maybe next time. Not wanting to push the issue, I put down my cutlass and wished them a productive day. After grading some school papers, cleaning my room, and just puttering around, I decided to head out on my own and see who was farming.

There are two dirt roads heading up the hills into the local farm land, one I had hiked before. So with my backpack, camera and plenty of water, I took the other road out of town headed to "farm." About twenty minutes into the journey, I joined the group you see in the picture. They are not on a holiday, walk about, but headed out "to farm", carrying containers of water on their heads, babies on their backs and the basic all around farming tool, the cutlass. I certainly amused them, first of all by just being there and most of all by my bad "Twi", the local language. When they headed off on a small side trail, I continued on the main trail for another two hours.

Most of the farms are small plots of land, worked entirely by hand with mostly a cutlass and a sturdy tool that looks like a cross between an axe and a large hoe. A sharp cutlass is needed to farm as the "bush" is a ready invader and can quickly take over cleared area. During my four hours I did not see a large number of farmers, but each time I stopped, I could hear the slash of a working cutlass.

Some farmers were harvesting cashews, a difficult task as they must wait till the cashew drops from the tree, pick it up, pinch off the nut pod that is just below the fruit and place in a bucket. From there the nut pod is dried in the sun, sold to a local buyer, and either exported or processed in Ghana. About 6 more steps are necessary, some by hand, before they are ready for consumption. Thus the price, even in Ghana.

Other farmers were planting peppers (red hot), maze and cassavas. The trees along the trail were full of mangoes, avocados, papayas, and some other fruit I did not recognize, many marked with a red piece of cloth indicating not for sharing.

Fours hours later, the time and water had gone quickly, met more residents of the village, saw and learned some new things, but did not use my cutlass or "go farm." Maybe next time.



Sunday, April 1, 2012

A University of Florida Man Needs no Introduction


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

There are at least five graduates of the University of Florida in the current group of Volunteers assigned to Ghana. This person is not one of them, he is the Headmaster of the Junior High School where I teach. Normally more professionally dressed, this day he came to work wearing a Florida Gator shirt not knowing I am a graduate of that University. Could not resist a picture of U of F's world wide fans. In the background you can see our school building and the chairs and table that are part of the faculty office and lounge situated under the mango tree.

I enjoy working for this Headmaster as his primary interest for the school is providing an opportunity for the students to successfully complete an education and move on to Senior High and perhaps after to Technical School or University. He expects us to support him in that objective and demands discipline from the students and performance from his teachers. Although this assignment is a real challenge for me and at the end of most days am ready to sit in a soft chair and take on some refreshments, I am grateful for my fellow teachers and his leadership.

We are just a few weeks away from the completion of the second of three 15 weeks terms making up the academic year. I continue to teach mathematics and computer skills. Except for the concepts and principals of mathematics, everything else is a new experience. The government school system is administered throughout Ghana by the Ministry of Education and even though the school where I teach is called the Roman Catholic, Junior High School, curriculum, term dates, teacher assignment, teaching syllabus and most other systems are decided by the Ministry. The village also has a Seventh Day Adventist school, an Islamic School and a Government School, all controlled by the Ministry. There are also private primary and secondary schools throughout Ghana.

I am looking forward to the school break and perhaps some sightseeing. Let me know if you need a University or Team shirt or shorts as the market has a wide assortment. Go Gators !!






Thursday, March 15, 2012

What Ever Happened to .........


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

...the New Year's gift of a live chicken from the Village Chief? It was delicious!

...the Ghana Black Stars in the African Cup? The Black Stars lost in the quarter finals to Zambia who was the winner of the Cup. Ghana was third, a huge disappointment to their many fans.

...the moto's, cars and trucks speeding through the village? A massive speed bump was built on the highway just in front of the house where I live. I am now adjusting to a whole new noise pattern as vehicles down shift, brake or skid into the bump and then hit the gas as they exit. It is safer in the village.

... the small garden I planted on the back porch? The goats somehow got up on the porch and trimmed the grass down, sampled the onions, and attempted to eat the pineapple plant. A little prickly. Did not think the herd could reach it, so I am considering more protection before the rainy season crop is planted.

...the building of a kitchen? I am now cooking for myself with more of a variety of foods. Trying to eat a little more American style to satisfy that immediate desire, but am anxious to begin cooking some Ghanaian foods. The caretaker of the house has promised to teach me the preparation of traditional foods.

...the computer skills classes with no textbooks or computers? I have located two computers which had been put away for over a year due to misuse. In the picture you see two of the total of ten teams of 5-6 students each from the 8th grade. There are another ten teams of 6-7 students for the 7th grade. Crowd control and time on task are challenges to making best use of the equipment. The machines are set up in a small building that belongs to the Catholic Church, has electricity, can be locked and is a five minute walk from the school. Amazing how quickly my great satisfaction of going from zero to two machines was replaced by, "wow, how can I do this with only two, I really need eight more." I really am grateful for the improvement and the chance for the students to see and get a little hands on time. The Parish Priest and the Head master have agreed that I may offer an hour at the end of the school day for students if they wish to come to the lab on a volunteer basis. Are two computers considered a lab??

A completed project or sustained progress has always been an encouragement to me and I find it even more so here. Needed materials are not always readily available, I may be one of only a few interested in working for a useful outcome, progress is often slow, so being persistent is a useful part of any plan. I have also been reminded that it takes more than a worthwhile mission statement to get me through a few days. While the Peace Corps has allowed me to do exactly what I volunteered for and in the great majority of situations I am aware of is doing something good for people who need assistance, I find I must sometimes rely on encouragement from family and friends, my faith, patriotic pride, or just a reflection on the agreement I made, to put some eagerness back into my day.

Hope this updates most of the events that have been going on during my six months in the village and thanks for your encouragement and interest in what I am doing.


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

From here I can go anywhere, almost!


The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

Ghana has an interesting and comprehensive ground transportation system that once you get on can take you almost anywhere in the country. After walking, bicycles and motorcycles the most common way to move around Ghana is by ground transportation. Volunteers do a lot of walking, some bike riding always with a helmet, but no moto's unless it is an emergency. Even being a passenger on a motorbike is the beginning of a fast trip back to USA. I walk a lot as I am restricted from riding a bike in the village since the only paved street is the heavily used highway and the Peace Corps has decided that is too dangerous, even with a helmet.

This is a picture of the taxi stand in the village where I live. The blue kiosk is a lady's hair dresser and the palm cover spot is a place to buy fast food, mostly rice dishes, while you are waiting on the taxi or just need something to eat. It is also a place to get out of the sun. The small cabs, mostly Japanese or Korean made, wait until a full load is on board before departing, usually four adults plus the driver. I have never waited more than 20 minutes for the ride into the market city, takes 15 minutes for about 50 cents. Similar taxis go up and down the road about every 20 seconds looking for passengers by blowing their horns and slowing down. An array of hand signals allows you to indicate number of passengers and how far you are going. For me living at the far end of the village, it is easy to walk 30 feet to the road and signal a taxi, but I was told the Village Chief has established this taxi stand and villagers are to go there to take a taxi in order to support the continuation of the local service. So I walk to the stand.

Once in the market city, you are dropped off at a large, busy taxi stand, where you engage the longer distance transportation vehicles. Everything from large, luxury buses to the most common means of Volunteer travel, the "Tro-tro," In almost all cases the Tro's are increased seating, mini-vans or larger vans all re-fitted for max passengers. They leave in all directions from multiple locations in the city and like the taxis wait until they have every seat filled with a person and all the stuff you are bringing. Get in, get settled because that is how you are going to stay for the trip. I have seen some of the larger Tro's with goats riding up in the baggage racks. So by asking questions or knowledgeable trip planning you are able to go from taxi to bus, back to taxi or another bus, and throw in some walking until you reach your destination. Coverage to destinations in Ghana is pretty complete and the system amazingly works in moving people if you discount waiting time, transfer difficulties, break downs and sometimes having a stranger sleeping on your shoulder. However, this type of transportation has risks with frequent overloads, vehicle maintenance concerns, road conditions and many times very aggressive drivers. Peace Corps staff does not want Volunteers traveling at night because of the increase in those risks.

Personal automobiles are rare in the village, most being light trucks or used as taxis. I am told no railways are currently operating in Ghana. And as I was writing, I realized I have not seen an aircraft of any kind since leaving Accra almost eight months ago. Big difference from the sky around Virginia Beach and its military presence.

I have not done a lot of personal traveling in Ghana yet, but will look forward to seeing more of the country during my next term break in late April. I am certain it will add to the adventure.