It's about building capacity !

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

The Peace Corps Ghana is about building the capacity of the people to improve their own lives, not giving away stuff.  I have heard words like that often during my 23 months here.  Most of what I do, hear and see have been supportive of that approach.  Teaching mathematics and computer skills in a small village's Junior High School has on the whole been a satisfying experience in building personal skills.  Like many worthwhile but challenging jobs it will often go out to the extremes:   from sheer joy to being humbled.  

However, family and friends have been faithful to help me in my classroom, with "stuff."   I make sure the students know these are not gifts and are not from me, but from friends who want to see our class succeed. The pencils, erasers, pens, rulers, books and beautiful magazines are used as tools to motivate, encourage, and show the children that some one is interested in their success.  Most of these items are available in Ghana, but I ensure they know who took the time to collect and mail them, how long it took to get here,  and that my friends are interested in their education.

  

A personal Thank You note

Awarding a pen for using critical thinking skills in my math class has encouraged students to speak up and give it a try.  Note pads and pens for perfect attendance are eagerly anticipated when the new term begins.  Team competition is more intense when a prize is awarded.   The Headmaster presented each student with a new pen at the beginning of the end of term examinations to encourage students to do their best.  A folder with an appropriate level reading book and magazines (National Geo graphics and Smithsonian) were presented to each of the 9th graders who are preparing for a standardized examination to determine their qualification for Senior High School.  The exam is completely in English and the book and magazines are to encourage them to begin reading and improve their language skills. 

A chance to improve English skills

New blue pens on test day under the mango tree.

Thanks for helping me with some stuff.  You are helping to make a difference, the students are benefiting and it's all about building capacity. 

Shopping Day at the Market.

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

Got Onions !

One of the shoe sections of the Bend Down Boutique

I live a 15 minute taxi ride (50 cents) from the largest outdoor produce market in Ghana.  This is the center of the rich and productive farm land of the Brong Ahafo Region.   I went shopping last Friday, the day after the peak market day for buyers from Burkina Faso to the North, Cote D' Ivoire to the West, Togo to the East and from all over Ghana.  You can buy a single onion or a truck load.  Today I bought some onions (bag, half the size of a volley ball, 25 cents) and dried black beans (2 cups, 50 cents) for my dinner of black beans and rice.  

 

Besides produce, the market offers many other items for the shopper.  The "Bend Down Boutique"  can dress you from head to toes in a variety of styles.   Very popular is the wide selection of sports wear, mostly team gear from European football (soccer), but also U.S. hockey, basketball, base ball and some American football shirts.  

 Most items are sold from mats on the ground or from portable kiosks. In addition to the many vegetables and fruits; kitchen ware, woven baskets, dried fish from Lake Volta and the Atlantic, wooden furniture,  a barrel full of assorted remote controls, cell phones, hard ware, beauty aids, toilet articles,  farm tools, palm oil, cloth of all colors and types,  a section of traditional religion stuff (bones, beads, feathers, etc) and much, much more.   This day I even had one offer of marriage.   All prices are negotiable and bargaining is expected .

Tool Man

One of the few shops where all items are marked with the price is this place that sells plywood, nails, screws, glue and a few tools.  During my stay in Ghana, I have purchased many items here.  "Tool man" has taken a real interest in my project to repair school furniture and has become a friend that I stop to visit when I go to the market, even when I don't need anything.   I love walking around a hardware store, but his shop takes no more than 10 seconds.  Still can not help picking up a hammer to feel the weight or looking at his assortment of nails.   His wife took our  picture, the first time she had ever held a camera. She was thrilled.

The twenty two months here has not diminished or dulled the many sensations of walking into this intriguing place of business.  

 

Not to be Forgotten !

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

Twenty one of the twenty seven months of my Peace Corps service in Ghana, West Africa have been completed and some thoughts of returning home are beginning to slip into my day.  I do not want to get too far out front,  as plenty of work remains;  half of my second academic year at the Junior High School, marking and posting final grades and turning over my site to a replacement Volunteer or shutting it down.   Many memories of these special times will go back with me, but some of them will likely fade as time goes by. Here are a few of the memories I would not want to forget:     

I will not forget the day of reporting to Peace Corps, Washington D.C. and the anxiety of waiting with 71 other Trainees, most a third of my age, for our 10 hours, non stop flight to Accra, Ghana.    
I will not forget the scope (this is how you will take your bucket bath) and intensity (you will be tested on your language skills) of the 12 weeks of training and the relief of being sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer by the US Ambassador to Ghana.   

Lunch at the Castle with fellow Volunteers

I will not forget our  piece of history by becoming Volunteers on the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps' very first deployment of Volunteers arriving at its first county site,  Ghana.   To commemorate the event we enjoyed an invitation to have lunch with the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Atta Mills at the Presidential Office and Residence, The Castle.  


I will not forget the place where I taught Mathematics and computer skills  for two yeas.

The Junior High School Building

I will not forget my students; curious, chaotic, energetic, loud, and full of promise for the future.
 

A short US History lesson, July 4th.

My host family coming home from Church

  I will not forget the caretaker of the home where I lived and the children she took care of so generously.  

In the teachers' office and lounge

                                                                       







I will not forget my fellow teachers and the excellent leadership of the school's Headmaster.  

The real Champions

Visiting the Village Chief on Boxing Day

Schools over, let's go home

I will not forget the school's girls soccer Team.  Although they lost in the tournament, they played with more determination and passion for the game than any of the other teams.   They are winners!

I will not forget the children

I will not forget the love and support from my three children which allows me the opportunity to have this unique experience.  

Encouragement

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

The Form 2 (8th grade) Science Class

The school year is now 4 of its 16 weeks into the second term.  In mid- December the season changed from hot to hot and dry with the annual Harmattan winds blowing from the Northeast bringing beautiful sunrises and sunsets, but dust, grit and dirt everywhere.  The wild fires have begun which only adds to the unpleasant air quality.  It is very hot at mid day.  The rains are due to start again early March.

When I arrived in the Village 17 months ago and immediately began teaching at the Junior High School,  I discovered that the chairs and desks you see in the picture must be provided by each student who is also responsible for the care.   However, some departing students had just left their broken furniture at the school and a sizable pile of derelict pieces were in the store room.  Looking for an after school project, I asked the Headmaster to allow me to attempt to repair some of the pieces and offer to students who may not be financially able to buy a desk and chair.   He was somewhat skeptical, but when I told him I did not believe I could make them any worse, he agreed.  During the past months I have enjoyed learning how to repair some of the pieces and when completed have turned them back to the school for student use.  With some purchases in the local market, the help of my children and purchases during my visit with them last August, I have accumulated an assortment of hand tools which now makes it easier for me to disassemble, repair or replace parts,  and then glue and clam to reassemble using screws instead of nails.  

Some furniture waiting for repair

 Last December during the end of term exam, I noticed a young student taking her exam while attempting to hold one of the legs of her desk in place with her knees.  After finding a replacement desk, I told her to bring the desk by my work room and I would attempt to reattach the leg.  My first job for a specific student.  Since then four other students have come by with their pieces and asked that I attempt a repair. 

I believe most folks and certainly Volunteers are encouraged when they can provided a service of value.  Yesterday, going out the door early in the morning on my way to school, there was a broken chair sitting outside on my porch.  No note or identification, but for me a clear  confirmation that I could be of service to one of my students.  I was encouraged.  Still do not know whose chair, but I'll get it ready.

I am looking for a student or person in the village who might like to learn something about this work and maybe other types of wood working tasks.  He or she gets the tools.

 

 

 

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

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.

 

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.