....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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
