....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………………………………..............”
Adaptability
One of the most significant things I've learned so far is how adaptable we can become. Probably to most of you the thought of bucket showering or learning how to speak a tribal language seems like a long shot. It was for me too at first..but I think that coming here and experiencing a new way of living has taught me to adapt to my surroundings and forced me to learn a lot about myself. One thing that I'm going to take away from here is knowing that no matter how foregin a place may be, we adapt, change and find our own special spot within it.
I love it here. The people, CCS, my fellow volunteers, my students, everything.
I have found myself falling more and more in love with this place everyday. I've never felt so welcome into a community before. The people here are constantly welcoming us into their homes and are so happy that we are here. Walking into town is one of my favourite things. We are constantly swarmed with kids yelling 'Yevo, yevo'(white person) who want to play with us,and hold our hands, it's really the greatest thing ever.It's great that my school is so close to the homebase here because my students always come by to hang out..they are all such kind and interesting little people, and I'm so excited that I get to share this time with them. They've stolen my heart already.
My placement has been incredible but truly is testing my abilities. It's difficult to teach a class with students who are all at such different levels. When I teach a lesson some students catch onto things right away and others are so far behind in English that I have to start at the fundamentals. I have been trying to think creatively to make lesson plans that can be tailored to all the student's learning needs, but with the lack of resources it becomes difficult. I'm learning my way around here so I'm hoping to find a library or something that my students can get books from. It's extremely difficult for me to understand how these students can learn to the best of their ability when there is no literature for them to read or text books to take home.I'm trying my hardest to be a valuable resource for my students, and that is really all I can do.
One of my fellow volunteers Dan really put things into perspective for me. What he said was this...As westerners we come here and instantly want to change things. For instance looking at red dirt pot holed roads and automatically think why don't they get better roads here? But the reality is that the way things are here works perfectly well for the people. If they fixed the roads they would have better / faster cars, which would result in more accidents and all of the beautiful people carrying baskets on their heads would be non-existent. His point was this: our automatic assumption to change things to become more like home isn't necessarily the right way of doing things. We can't be so quick to judge that we know whats best when we don't understand that it's these tiny things that make up what makes this place so incredible. So i'm trying to remember this at my placement by accepting the way the school system works. Let's be honest, my time here is better spent trying to make the children happy and teach them things I know then trying to fight a system that I do not understand.
On another note,this past weekend I travelled to Cape Coast and visited the Atlantic ocean and the Slave castles. It was so great to get out of Hohoe for a little break and see some other territory in Ghana. Visiting the Elmina castle was an extremely emotional experience for me. Standing inside the rooms that so much brutality and suffering took place in was somewhat surreal and extremely hard to comprehend. It's interesting how a nation that underwent such brutality for hundreds of years contains some of the nicest people I've ever encountered...I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one.
Everyday I'm inspired here by the smiles on every ones faces, joy seems to just beam out of people and nobody takes life too seriously. People are happy here..content, and I admire that.
Well I think it's safe to say that I have made it through the culture shock phase and am adapting to this new style of living. Ghana is incredible and I'm so happy.
-A.
I love it here. The people, CCS, my fellow volunteers, my students, everything.
I have found myself falling more and more in love with this place everyday. I've never felt so welcome into a community before. The people here are constantly welcoming us into their homes and are so happy that we are here. Walking into town is one of my favourite things. We are constantly swarmed with kids yelling 'Yevo, yevo'(white person) who want to play with us,and hold our hands, it's really the greatest thing ever.It's great that my school is so close to the homebase here because my students always come by to hang out..they are all such kind and interesting little people, and I'm so excited that I get to share this time with them. They've stolen my heart already.
My placement has been incredible but truly is testing my abilities. It's difficult to teach a class with students who are all at such different levels. When I teach a lesson some students catch onto things right away and others are so far behind in English that I have to start at the fundamentals. I have been trying to think creatively to make lesson plans that can be tailored to all the student's learning needs, but with the lack of resources it becomes difficult. I'm learning my way around here so I'm hoping to find a library or something that my students can get books from. It's extremely difficult for me to understand how these students can learn to the best of their ability when there is no literature for them to read or text books to take home.I'm trying my hardest to be a valuable resource for my students, and that is really all I can do.
One of my fellow volunteers Dan really put things into perspective for me. What he said was this...As westerners we come here and instantly want to change things. For instance looking at red dirt pot holed roads and automatically think why don't they get better roads here? But the reality is that the way things are here works perfectly well for the people. If they fixed the roads they would have better / faster cars, which would result in more accidents and all of the beautiful people carrying baskets on their heads would be non-existent. His point was this: our automatic assumption to change things to become more like home isn't necessarily the right way of doing things. We can't be so quick to judge that we know whats best when we don't understand that it's these tiny things that make up what makes this place so incredible. So i'm trying to remember this at my placement by accepting the way the school system works. Let's be honest, my time here is better spent trying to make the children happy and teach them things I know then trying to fight a system that I do not understand.
On another note,this past weekend I travelled to Cape Coast and visited the Atlantic ocean and the Slave castles. It was so great to get out of Hohoe for a little break and see some other territory in Ghana. Visiting the Elmina castle was an extremely emotional experience for me. Standing inside the rooms that so much brutality and suffering took place in was somewhat surreal and extremely hard to comprehend. It's interesting how a nation that underwent such brutality for hundreds of years contains some of the nicest people I've ever encountered...I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one.
Everyday I'm inspired here by the smiles on every ones faces, joy seems to just beam out of people and nobody takes life too seriously. People are happy here..content, and I admire that.
Well I think it's safe to say that I have made it through the culture shock phase and am adapting to this new style of living. Ghana is incredible and I'm so happy.
-A.
Embracing Africa
Its really hard to start this entry because I've taken in so much this week and have no idea where to begin. First of all, this country is like nothing I have seen before. At one moment I find myself appalled by something and the next I'm completely captivated.
It has undoubtedly been a tough transition. When I arrived here I was not sure about this place... I think the fact that everything is so different, nothing feels like home, everyone is new and its so brutally hot all contributed to my discomfort.
The good news is that I've settled in...I've met some incredible people, have wonderful students and am embracing this experience.
A little about my placement...
I'm the Grade Five teacher for 15 incredible students. This class has been having a tough time because they have no teacher....so my help is greatly appreciated here.
After spending a few days teaching I have been completely blown away by the intelligence of my students. They are a very bright group of kids and I'm so excited to spend the next five weeks with them. I've been teaching them creative writing, poetry, and I'm planning on teaching them how to read music. The challenging part is this....
My classroom is outside in a space shared with 3 other classes...and there is a significant lack of resources.
My main goal is to create an inviting learning environment and provide the students with positive reinforcement.
My homebase is chaotic, but pretty awesome. The staff here are great and the other volunteers are all really nice.
I miss my family and friends (and airconditioning) but things are good here and even though it has been a tough transition i'm holding out and trying to embrace this incredible opportunity.
-A
It has undoubtedly been a tough transition. When I arrived here I was not sure about this place... I think the fact that everything is so different, nothing feels like home, everyone is new and its so brutally hot all contributed to my discomfort.
The good news is that I've settled in...I've met some incredible people, have wonderful students and am embracing this experience.
A little about my placement...
I'm the Grade Five teacher for 15 incredible students. This class has been having a tough time because they have no teacher....so my help is greatly appreciated here.
After spending a few days teaching I have been completely blown away by the intelligence of my students. They are a very bright group of kids and I'm so excited to spend the next five weeks with them. I've been teaching them creative writing, poetry, and I'm planning on teaching them how to read music. The challenging part is this....
My classroom is outside in a space shared with 3 other classes...and there is a significant lack of resources.
My main goal is to create an inviting learning environment and provide the students with positive reinforcement.
My homebase is chaotic, but pretty awesome. The staff here are great and the other volunteers are all really nice.
I miss my family and friends (and airconditioning) but things are good here and even though it has been a tough transition i'm holding out and trying to embrace this incredible opportunity.
-A
Happy Tears
I leave for Ghana today! I’m not sure whether to jump up and down with excitement or cry or scream or laugh… so I’m stuck here in a flux of emotions.
I think the reality of this trip hit me last night when I put on my backpacking backpack which is legitimately ‘adventure like’ and almost fell over backwards because it was so heavy! Haha I’m really hoping I don’t take anyone out at the airport with it.
So with my ‘adventure like backpack,’ I’m leaving my little comfort zone….and am off to Africa.
This trip would not be possible if it wasn’t for my sponsors, thank-you thank-you thank-you. Your generosity has made me speechless. Know that you have played such a huge part in this trip, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I think the reality of this trip hit me last night when I put on my backpacking backpack which is legitimately ‘adventure like’ and almost fell over backwards because it was so heavy! Haha I’m really hoping I don’t take anyone out at the airport with it.
So with my ‘adventure like backpack,’ I’m leaving my little comfort zone….and am off to Africa.
This trip would not be possible if it wasn’t for my sponsors, thank-you thank-you thank-you. Your generosity has made me speechless. Know that you have played such a huge part in this trip, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Knowing that I have everyone’s support back home will keep me going when times are hard, and make me so very thankful when I’m falling in love with Africa. I hope that you will follow my blog as my adventure unfolds and experience this journey with me.
I don’t really know what lies ahead…all I know is that I’m going to be teaching at ‘The Divine Star School” in Hohoe KG-6 and will be arriving in Ghana sometime tomorrow.
Please leave me lots of comments and share stories from back home. I truly will miss everyone, and cannot wait to reunite in August.
… Here goes nothing. I’m off to a new corner of the world,
And this is my story……………
I don’t really know what lies ahead…all I know is that I’m going to be teaching at ‘The Divine Star School” in Hohoe KG-6 and will be arriving in Ghana sometime tomorrow.
Please leave me lots of comments and share stories from back home. I truly will miss everyone, and cannot wait to reunite in August.
… Here goes nothing. I’m off to a new corner of the world,
And this is my story……………
A whole lot of hopes
Here I am, awaiting my adventure to Ghana...Wishing, Waiting, Standing still.
I so often find myself searching for meaning and purpose in this life of mine! In the midst of the many opportunities that I have come by, this volunteering project grabbed at my heart in a way that nothing else has before. With all risks set aside, I have decided to latch onto this adventure in hopes of finding something… although I’m not sure what.
The process of mentally preparing for this trip has become extraordinarily meaningful to me. It has allowed me to question what I stand for, what I hope to do and what my limits will become. Being immersed in my GS 398 class, has allowed me to think critically about what my role will be while volunteering. To be honest, many ideas and issues have come up that have never even crossed my mind before. Being a westernized young woman entering into an African culture comes with risks and a need for understanding. I think one of things that I am most excited for is experiencing African culture. African culture is slow-placed, which is SO much different from our own. I hope that I will learn the beauty in the simplicity of African life!
Although I may be an unrealistic optimist at times, I do not intend to save the world. I cannot even say for sure that this volunteering trip is going to make the slightest difference in anybody’s life but my own. However, I can hope. I honestly hope to influence children’s lives in any positive way that I can. I do not intend to instill change or provide false hope to the children; I just hope that we can learn from each other. I do HOPE this trip becomes as meaningful and inspiring as I imagine it to be.
I am extremely happy with the program that I have chosen. Cross-Cultural Solutions has been great since the second that I was accepted. The information that they are providing me with has been phenomenal. So far so good!
I still have months to prepare, however I am overwhelmed with things to do! First of all I have to figure out what a travel visa is and how to get one… (Oh dear, I know!) book my flight, get vaccinated for yellow-fever , fundraise, and so many other things!!
For now, I am focusing on the midterms that lie ahead! Wish me luck.
-A.
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