....And so ends the Saga of Alissa and Africa
My time here has just slipped through my fingers and I can’t believe that this adventure of mine is coming to an end. Although I’m trying to stay positive, saying goodbye is such a sad thing to do. This has been the most incredible thing that I’ve ever don and I’m so happy that I had the opportunity experience this and meet so many great people. Somehow though, I feel like I’ve taken much more than I have given.After two-months in Ghana, I managed to not get Malaria, wear my Birkenstocks down to their soles, use an entire can of deep woods, learn a lot of about life and teaching and made some incredible friends. It was a pure success I’d say.
I feel so happy that I was able to teach such great students, but I feel so incredibly horrible for just walking in and out of their lives. I never imagined that I would get so close to them. I honestly wanted to take Esther home with me, no question, but lets be serious. I don’t even want to think about the fact that I will probably never see them again.
Today, we’ll I guess that’s yesterday now… was such a sad day for me. Esther, Mavis and Gertrude came to the house dressed in their best dresses to see me off. How incredibly sweet of them. I said goodbye to my fellow volunteers who have become my family and my best friends….I feel like I’ve known them my whole life. And I said goodbye to all the CCS staff who also have become my family. It was such a sad day for me. The image of Esther running after the van as I drove away is stuck in my mind., I miss her so much already.
I don’t have the slightest clue what all of this means to me. I am so excited to see my friends and family and go home, but I feel so incredibly heartbroken right now.
I’m going to inhale some coffee, some wine, have some ice-cream and soak in a bubble bath for about 4 days and hopefully come up with some answers.
The adventurer in me
So I feel like I’ve been in Ghana for a long time at this point and am finally getting into the groove of things. I can’t even begin to comprehend what all of the things I’ve experienced mean to me, all I know is that this trip has made a substantial impact on my life.
I’m so happy that I came here. At first after arriving I thought I was out of my mind, but I’ve completely found my rhythm here. It’s so strange to think that if I didn’t come I wouldn’t have met Esther or Noah or any of my students who have made lasting impressions on me. And I would have never met Zahiah or Dan or Patricia or Samantha who are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Even though some of the chances I’ve taken in the past haven’t necessarily turned out for the best, this one definitely did. I believe in taking chances and following my heart more than ever and I couldn’t be more lucky to have found these people. I am really dreading saying good-bye.
The other day Duda, Kelly, Zahiah, Samantha and myself went on a adventure to see the Tasodo Waterfalls in a local village. These waterfalls are really unique because there is five waterfalls on top of one another and a Catholic missionary on the top. We arrived in the village and had to be ‘greeted’ by the chief. It was so cool, the Chief was a real sweetheart. Before he would let us hike up the mountain to the waterfall we had a little prayer ritual to bless our journey. He opened a bottle of gin and passed around the cup. We were supposed to dump some on the ground and then drink some…..it was weird I’ll admit, but very cool. We then hiked up to the waterfall and it was completely worth it. The first landing was so beautiful, we went swimming and just took it in. It was just the five of us and the beautiful untouched land of Africa. We went up to the third landing….I can’t even describe how beautiful this was. It was an incredible adventure for sure.
My time here is running out much faster than I would like, but it’s been fantastic. My African Adventure has been even better than I imagined it to be.
I’m so happy that I came here. At first after arriving I thought I was out of my mind, but I’ve completely found my rhythm here. It’s so strange to think that if I didn’t come I wouldn’t have met Esther or Noah or any of my students who have made lasting impressions on me. And I would have never met Zahiah or Dan or Patricia or Samantha who are some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Even though some of the chances I’ve taken in the past haven’t necessarily turned out for the best, this one definitely did. I believe in taking chances and following my heart more than ever and I couldn’t be more lucky to have found these people. I am really dreading saying good-bye.
The other day Duda, Kelly, Zahiah, Samantha and myself went on a adventure to see the Tasodo Waterfalls in a local village. These waterfalls are really unique because there is five waterfalls on top of one another and a Catholic missionary on the top. We arrived in the village and had to be ‘greeted’ by the chief. It was so cool, the Chief was a real sweetheart. Before he would let us hike up the mountain to the waterfall we had a little prayer ritual to bless our journey. He opened a bottle of gin and passed around the cup. We were supposed to dump some on the ground and then drink some…..it was weird I’ll admit, but very cool. We then hiked up to the waterfall and it was completely worth it. The first landing was so beautiful, we went swimming and just took it in. It was just the five of us and the beautiful untouched land of Africa. We went up to the third landing….I can’t even describe how beautiful this was. It was an incredible adventure for sure.
My time here is running out much faster than I would like, but it’s been fantastic. My African Adventure has been even better than I imagined it to be.
25 Reasons why I love Ghana
I love Ghana because….
It’s beautiful here. Picturesque.
The people. It’s the friendliest nation I‘ve ever encountered.
The kids are so cute! I can’t help but smile when I see them.
I’ve gained an unhealthy pineapple eating addiction.
I feel like a celebrity. Even with crazy hair and no makeup my students adore me.
Life is simple.
On the walk to school about 15 people stop to greet me.
I love the way people dance here.
Marriage proposals occur within the first 30 seconds of a conversation
Seeing everyone carry things on their heads (it’s actually so logical).
Having the opportunity to meet so many great volunteers and getting to experience Ghana with them.
Getting to see Esther’s smiling face everyday…my most mischievous, lovable student ever.
Being able to walk outside everyday and say: “oh my god I’m in Africa”
Getting super excited to hear the fan ice horn (this is how deprived I am of icecream!).
Hearing Alpha say “Helllllllo Alisssssa” every night.
Buying egg sandwiches almost every night on the side of the road from candle lit vendors.
I have gained a fabric buying addiction.
Waking up everyday to the sound of a rooster crowing …
Actually enjoying cold showers.
Realizing that my feet tan is actually just dirt marks.
Learning how to just relax
Waking up to crazy African rainstorms once and a while.
Getting to do laundry by hand (I actually like it).
Traffic here = goats.
Proudly being able to say that I have a growing tolerance for bugs, lizards and spiders.
It’s beautiful here. Picturesque.
The people. It’s the friendliest nation I‘ve ever encountered.
The kids are so cute! I can’t help but smile when I see them.
I’ve gained an unhealthy pineapple eating addiction.
I feel like a celebrity. Even with crazy hair and no makeup my students adore me.
Life is simple.
On the walk to school about 15 people stop to greet me.
I love the way people dance here.
Marriage proposals occur within the first 30 seconds of a conversation
Seeing everyone carry things on their heads (it’s actually so logical).
Having the opportunity to meet so many great volunteers and getting to experience Ghana with them.
Getting to see Esther’s smiling face everyday…my most mischievous, lovable student ever.
Being able to walk outside everyday and say: “oh my god I’m in Africa”
Getting super excited to hear the fan ice horn (this is how deprived I am of icecream!).
Hearing Alpha say “Helllllllo Alisssssa” every night.
Buying egg sandwiches almost every night on the side of the road from candle lit vendors.
I have gained a fabric buying addiction.
Waking up everyday to the sound of a rooster crowing …
Actually enjoying cold showers.
Realizing that my feet tan is actually just dirt marks.
Learning how to just relax
Waking up to crazy African rainstorms once and a while.
Getting to do laundry by hand (I actually like it).
Traffic here = goats.
Proudly being able to say that I have a growing tolerance for bugs, lizards and spiders.
Here, There and Everywhere
I think that this month has been the fastest month of my life, and possibly the best. I’ve done so much and experienced so many new things that I’m nervous to go back home to the familiar. Hohoe has become my home and I love the people that I’ve gotten to spend my time with.
This is how what I have been up to…
In the morning I go to placement and teach my students all about English, Math and sometimes make time for music and art. We’ve been working on so much. The most recent assignment that my P5’s completed was writing their own stories. I loved reading their stories so much, and was so proud of their creativity. My students illustrated their stories which was also done very well. In math we’ve been working on long division, finding area and perimeter, adding and subtracting fractions…and stuff like that. I had to brush up on my math skills before teaching anything (sadly)!! Overall everything is going really good at my placement and I’ve seen a steady progress in most students.
In the afternoons I’ve been busy doing cultural activities like Ewe lessons, visiting beautiful waterfalls, taking nature walks through the rainforest, feeding wild monkeys Bananas, learning how to Batik, hanging around town and meeting so many incredible people. We have also been having guest speakers where we have been learning about child labor in Ghana, religious traditions, and the education systems here. I have been embracing Ghanaian culture to the max and am absolutely loving the music here.
On other afternoons I’ve been going to local orphanages and playing with the kids or helping build a school in a local village. So in-between teaching and taking in the beauty of Africa, I’ve been trying to keep myself busy by helping out where I can. The other day I was at the Christian Orphanage and this little boy Daniel was sitting on my lap singing “this little light of mine” it was the most adorable thing I had ever heard, it brought tears to my eyes. I wanted so badly to take him home with me….he just wanted to be loved, it broke my heart.
Everything has been really great here in beautiful Ghana, thanks for reading and thank-you for your support xox.
This is how what I have been up to…
In the morning I go to placement and teach my students all about English, Math and sometimes make time for music and art. We’ve been working on so much. The most recent assignment that my P5’s completed was writing their own stories. I loved reading their stories so much, and was so proud of their creativity. My students illustrated their stories which was also done very well. In math we’ve been working on long division, finding area and perimeter, adding and subtracting fractions…and stuff like that. I had to brush up on my math skills before teaching anything (sadly)!! Overall everything is going really good at my placement and I’ve seen a steady progress in most students.
In the afternoons I’ve been busy doing cultural activities like Ewe lessons, visiting beautiful waterfalls, taking nature walks through the rainforest, feeding wild monkeys Bananas, learning how to Batik, hanging around town and meeting so many incredible people. We have also been having guest speakers where we have been learning about child labor in Ghana, religious traditions, and the education systems here. I have been embracing Ghanaian culture to the max and am absolutely loving the music here.
On other afternoons I’ve been going to local orphanages and playing with the kids or helping build a school in a local village. So in-between teaching and taking in the beauty of Africa, I’ve been trying to keep myself busy by helping out where I can. The other day I was at the Christian Orphanage and this little boy Daniel was sitting on my lap singing “this little light of mine” it was the most adorable thing I had ever heard, it brought tears to my eyes. I wanted so badly to take him home with me….he just wanted to be loved, it broke my heart.
Everything has been really great here in beautiful Ghana, thanks for reading and thank-you for your support xox.
Distinctly Beautiful
I am distinctly beautiful because…
After being inspired by Carlos Andreas Gomez’s poem I decided to give his idea a try in my classroom. I had my students write “I am distinctly beautiful ” five times down a piece of paper and then asked them to think of five reasons why they are different than anyone else in this entire world.
I felt really nervous to try this activity, but was really excited to hear what they could come up with. Truthfully speaking, I’m not even sure if I am able to think of 5 reasons why I am distinctly beautiful. Within the private school sector here the students are taught straight from the text book and are taught how to generically answer questions and rarely are encouraged to reach deep inside for philosophical answers.
Although a lot of my students used the generic answers like “I am distinctly beautiful because I am tall” or “good at sports” which may be true…but I encouraged them to look deeper. I tried to make them come up with something to make them feel good about themselves. Esther wrote “I am distinctly beautiful because I have a pretty smile” Derrick wrote “I am distinctly beautiful because I am an artist.”
I know that not all of my students connected with this question, but it at least got them thinking. It is a very after all a very difficult question to answer.
Give it a try. What makes you different then anyone else in the entire world?
I am distinctly beautiful because….
I am distinctly beautiful because….
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
After being inspired by Carlos Andreas Gomez’s poem I decided to give his idea a try in my classroom. I had my students write “I am distinctly beautiful ” five times down a piece of paper and then asked them to think of five reasons why they are different than anyone else in this entire world.
I felt really nervous to try this activity, but was really excited to hear what they could come up with. Truthfully speaking, I’m not even sure if I am able to think of 5 reasons why I am distinctly beautiful. Within the private school sector here the students are taught straight from the text book and are taught how to generically answer questions and rarely are encouraged to reach deep inside for philosophical answers.
Although a lot of my students used the generic answers like “I am distinctly beautiful because I am tall” or “good at sports” which may be true…but I encouraged them to look deeper. I tried to make them come up with something to make them feel good about themselves. Esther wrote “I am distinctly beautiful because I have a pretty smile” Derrick wrote “I am distinctly beautiful because I am an artist.”
I know that not all of my students connected with this question, but it at least got them thinking. It is a very after all a very difficult question to answer.
Give it a try. What makes you different then anyone else in the entire world?
I am distinctly beautiful because….
I am distinctly beautiful because….
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
I am distinctly beautiful because…..
When the Stars Refuse to Shine
Things have been bittersweet around here lately. I’ve been through a lot of hellos and goodbyes, sad faces and new faces and am experiencing a whole new perspective on my time here. Meeting all of the new volunteers and remembering what it felt like to be in their shoes made me realize how far I’ve come. I think I’m feeling much more confident and at home here now am ready to give the rest of my time left here my very best.
I’ve gotten so close to everyone here and cried when all of the past volunteers left. It so heartbreaking when you are expecting someone to come walking around the corner and then realize that they’ve left to go back home. It’s funny how in such a short amount of time strangers can become your family, and positively influence your perspective. I miss everyone so much, but have come to the realization that I was so lucky to have met such incredible people. The lasting impression that some of them left on my heart has added to the invaluable influence that this trip has had on my life.
As I’ve mentioned before, adapting to this culture is oftentimes difficult Particularly within their educational system, I find myself frustrated and helpless almost everyday. I think that I’ve found peace in deciding that I’ll never understand their methods or philosophies, and am going to play by my own rules by introducing new ways of teaching inside my own classroom. I find it ironic when in my classroom we are singing songs and learning , while in the next classroom the students are getting brutally canned because they didn’t answer a question quick enough. Positive reinforcement is basically nonexistent here and it breaks my heart. The last thing one of the volunteers who left said to me and was “make sure you make these kids feel good about themselves”….and I think that this is going to be my motto for the rest of my trip.
Saying goodbye to my friends made me realize how incredibly hard it is going to be to say goodbye to my students. I’m so proud of their progress, and am so blessed that I get to teach such intelligent and wonderful students.
One of my best memories so far is when I took Jill’s guitar to placement. I find that my students have difficulty using creativity and thinking independently, so I’ve made it my personal goal to exercise the creative parts of their minds.
I taught my students ‘Apples and Bananas’ ‘When the Saints go Marching in’ and my own song ‘the seasons are changing.’ I had a really special moment when my students were singing my song, it was by far the most incredible moment here yet. It’s so great to hear my students singing the songs that I taught them at recess, it melts my heart every time. One of my students was completely captivated by my music; I loved the way he was drawn in, it was almost magnetic. He asked me if I would teach him to play the guitar, so I told him to come by the house after school and I would teach him a few chords. Seeing how eager he was to learn and how quickly he picked up what I taught him was so incredible. By the end of my guitar session with him he was singing and playing ‘When the saints go marching in.’
After seriously thinking about Derrick’s attraction to music I felt really sad. Truthfully, if these students were given the resources and opportunities to succeed, they would. It makes you wonder how many magnificent musicians, writers, artists etc. the world is missing out on. Although I can’t provide my students with the resources they rightfully deserve, I can expose them to new ideas and encourage them to believe in their dreams. At first I felt really sad that Derrick’s musical abilities will probably never meet their full potential due to lack of musical resources…but after careful thought and consideration I have realized that music is everywhere you turn. Derrick reminded me how lucky I am to be blessed with so many musical opportunities but also reminded me that music consumes you, draws you in, and will always be in us whether we have a guitar to back up our melody or not. I hope he never gives up on music.
Although I’m feeling emotionally drained from everything I’m experiencing, I’m loving my time here. My students couldn’t be more wonderful, and the new volunteers seem really nice. Africa truly has been an overload of new things for me.
Derrick singing and playing ‘when the saints go marching in’ is stuck in my mind on replay…
“oh when the stars refuse to shine, oh when the stars refuse to shine, oh lord I want to be in that number when the Saints go marching in………………………………..............”
I’ve gotten so close to everyone here and cried when all of the past volunteers left. It so heartbreaking when you are expecting someone to come walking around the corner and then realize that they’ve left to go back home. It’s funny how in such a short amount of time strangers can become your family, and positively influence your perspective. I miss everyone so much, but have come to the realization that I was so lucky to have met such incredible people. The lasting impression that some of them left on my heart has added to the invaluable influence that this trip has had on my life.
As I’ve mentioned before, adapting to this culture is oftentimes difficult Particularly within their educational system, I find myself frustrated and helpless almost everyday. I think that I’ve found peace in deciding that I’ll never understand their methods or philosophies, and am going to play by my own rules by introducing new ways of teaching inside my own classroom. I find it ironic when in my classroom we are singing songs and learning , while in the next classroom the students are getting brutally canned because they didn’t answer a question quick enough. Positive reinforcement is basically nonexistent here and it breaks my heart. The last thing one of the volunteers who left said to me and was “make sure you make these kids feel good about themselves”….and I think that this is going to be my motto for the rest of my trip.
Saying goodbye to my friends made me realize how incredibly hard it is going to be to say goodbye to my students. I’m so proud of their progress, and am so blessed that I get to teach such intelligent and wonderful students.
One of my best memories so far is when I took Jill’s guitar to placement. I find that my students have difficulty using creativity and thinking independently, so I’ve made it my personal goal to exercise the creative parts of their minds.
I taught my students ‘Apples and Bananas’ ‘When the Saints go Marching in’ and my own song ‘the seasons are changing.’ I had a really special moment when my students were singing my song, it was by far the most incredible moment here yet. It’s so great to hear my students singing the songs that I taught them at recess, it melts my heart every time. One of my students was completely captivated by my music; I loved the way he was drawn in, it was almost magnetic. He asked me if I would teach him to play the guitar, so I told him to come by the house after school and I would teach him a few chords. Seeing how eager he was to learn and how quickly he picked up what I taught him was so incredible. By the end of my guitar session with him he was singing and playing ‘When the saints go marching in.’
After seriously thinking about Derrick’s attraction to music I felt really sad. Truthfully, if these students were given the resources and opportunities to succeed, they would. It makes you wonder how many magnificent musicians, writers, artists etc. the world is missing out on. Although I can’t provide my students with the resources they rightfully deserve, I can expose them to new ideas and encourage them to believe in their dreams. At first I felt really sad that Derrick’s musical abilities will probably never meet their full potential due to lack of musical resources…but after careful thought and consideration I have realized that music is everywhere you turn. Derrick reminded me how lucky I am to be blessed with so many musical opportunities but also reminded me that music consumes you, draws you in, and will always be in us whether we have a guitar to back up our melody or not. I hope he never gives up on music.
Although I’m feeling emotionally drained from everything I’m experiencing, I’m loving my time here. My students couldn’t be more wonderful, and the new volunteers seem really nice. Africa truly has been an overload of new things for me.
Derrick singing and playing ‘when the saints go marching in’ is stuck in my mind on replay…
“oh when the stars refuse to shine, oh when the stars refuse to shine, oh lord I want to be in that number when the Saints go marching in………………………………..............”
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