Ghana Mission Trip
Fifteen Red Knight senior high students will be traveling with three faculty members to Ghana, Africa, on a mission trip during Spring Break, March 21-April 1, 2008. See below for updates on their adventure.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Greetings from Ghana!
We stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac and the adventure began. After a short (I mean we could have walked there in the same time) bus ride, we were in the airport, reunited with our bags and stepping out into a sea of expectant faces and an impromptu drumming exhibition. After piling our luggage onto the roof the bus, hoping the netting would keep it in place, we bounced and honked our way out of the city of Accra and into the guest house where we are staying. That first night I'm sure everyone had a second thought about such spare accomodations--no shower? No hot water? We divided up into rooms--boys in their own, girls split into a bigger and a smaller room, and dumped luggage. Within a few moments, thanks to our capable hosts Big Mama, Gloria, and Edem, we felt welcome and taken care of. Also staying there were a group of volunteers celebrating their last night at the guest house--the music of that played late into the night has been a theme. Everywhere music reaches out to us, whether its from the three hour church service we overheard today, or the neighbor's music that he figured everyone else would like to hear, or the roosters making sure that no one sleeps in too late--there is the sound of life happening at every moment.
Yesterday was packed, though since the group is ready to leave the internet cafe, I will keep it short:
W. E. B. DuBois's home, now a museum,
The first president of Ghana's home,
The Freedom and Justice Park, and finally...
The Market!
The market was superb--snaking through fish stands and pyramids of tomatoes and caches of shiny pots and pans and bolts of exuberant fabric (on people and on sale) we tried to keep together while absorbing everything.
Absorbing everything is impossible, however. We are all taking it in in our own ways--we are all engaged, all picking up sights and sounds that lodge in our minds. I have seen so many students journalling, taking the time out to process, record, ruminate, and appreciate their moments here. This is a gift.
Love from Ghana, and we'll keep you posted! (pardon the pun)
Anna Overbo
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Dr. Skinner here with a short update on the travelers. The group arrived at the orphanage yesterday and all is well. They are "having a great time," according to Ms. Guzman. We're not sure when we will get a "live" update via this blog from Ghana, but just know that all is well.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Dr. Skinner here again with another quick update that was received yesterday. The group is having a great time at the orphanage. According to one student , "the people are so nice, we're falling in love with the orphan children, the bathrooms aren't as bad as we thought they would be... " That's all for now!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Hello again from Ghana!
Sorry to have been incommunicado, but we just spent 4 days with the most beautiful children at the Sachabo Orphanage in Vakpo, Volta Region. As our bus pulled into the dusty "yard" of the orphanage, curious faces began to appear at the windows and bodies started to seep out of the doors. By the time all of us had emptied out of the bus, 40 children in blue gingham shirts and dresses were running toward us, arms outstretched, ready to be swung up into the air or nestled on hips or hoisted onto shoulders. In fact, several of the children didn't have to do much walking while we were there because they fit so nicely in our arms.
The soccer balls and toys were a big hit--they came in handy as drums we discovered future soccer stars, though James Cave's resemblance to Ghana's soccer player Agogo means that we have our own celebrity in our midst. The second day we were there was tooth brushing day, so the toothbrushes and toothpaste that were donated were very much appreciated, but seeing how tender their gums were and how easily they bled was another pang of awareness of the poverty of their situations. The good news is that all of the children go home to an extended family at night: in Ghana, to be called an orphan is an insult--the extended family forms a net that takes in the child. And seeing the children off everyday, it seemed as though they were returning to loving homes. And the orphanage itself was a warm place, thanks to Oscar, the man who seemed to be the facilitator on site, and the two teachers, Precious and Beatrice. These remarkable women have the ability to marshall 2-4 year olds into feeding themselves, getting their own water when thirsty, praying at the beginning and ending of each day, and generally behaving better than kids in a typical BSM classroom. That last one is a bit of an exaggeration, but the rest are true.
As for each student's favorite child, you will have to ask them when they return--everyone left a little bit of their heart behind, and carries the face of a beautiful child safe in their soul.
Until next time,
The Ghana troupe
