This will be the first of a series of posts about our adventures in Ghana. Unfortunately, it seems I have brought a parasitic "friend" back with me and have not felt up to blogging. It has also been a hard week of processing what I have experienced and seen while in Ghana.
But, in the next few days, I will try to recount the ups and downs of my experience. To say the least it has been an extremely hard adjustment back to western culture and society with or without my "friend." Some days I wake up thinking, "where am I?" but also wondering where I actually want to be...
The question everyone wants to know is "Did you have fun? and "Tell me all about it!" It is difficult to gauge which individuals actually want to know about the trip or just want an Ghanaian answer of "it was great, everything is great." The word "fun" is not one I would use to describe my first trip to Africa. Yes there were fun moments and lots of laughing. But the trip as a whole was not for the purpose of "fun." It was an amazing trip...I learned a lot about a different culture, about myself, and about my place in the world as a whole. Another question that I have also been asked a lot is, "would you go back?" The answer is a strong YES and I am already planning when my next trip will be whether it is with the VCU OT department or on my own.
Our photos should be up soon and that will hopefully help to give you some images of what we experienced. However, a camera can never capture everything and sometimes I felt it was easier to just put my camera away.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Bon Voyage
We leave for Ghana tomorrow, tuesday the 19th. I honestly can't believe how fast this semester has flown by and that our departure is so soon!!! Packing has been an interesting experience as we have only an idea of what to expect. The average temperatures in Ghana are in the 90's currently, with 95% humidity - its going to be H-O-T.
We also found out that we will be doing much more teaching than we first had expected. One of our other professors helped us prepare by giving us a quick tutorial in positioning, pressure sore relief and prevention, and transfers. It appears we will be wearing many hats while in Ghana: teacher, OT or physiotherapist, student, tourist and friend.
We had an understanding that shorts are inappropriate in Ghana...a fact that my Ghanaian friend found very funny. Apparently shorts are allowed for all casual situations- just not church, work or going to a club at night. I will be packing some more shorts after hearing this!
I will be updating my blog from internet cafes in Accra so tune in for first impressions in country!
On to finish packing and prepare to tackle the 11 hour flight awaiting us!!
We also found out that we will be doing much more teaching than we first had expected. One of our other professors helped us prepare by giving us a quick tutorial in positioning, pressure sore relief and prevention, and transfers. It appears we will be wearing many hats while in Ghana: teacher, OT or physiotherapist, student, tourist and friend.
We had an understanding that shorts are inappropriate in Ghana...a fact that my Ghanaian friend found very funny. Apparently shorts are allowed for all casual situations- just not church, work or going to a club at night. I will be packing some more shorts after hearing this!
I will be updating my blog from internet cafes in Accra so tune in for first impressions in country!
On to finish packing and prepare to tackle the 11 hour flight awaiting us!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
An Obruni in Ghana
In approximately 2 months we will be leaving for Ghana! Its amazing how fast the trip is approaching! The support we have gotten for our book drive has been fabulous. I am very thankful for Christina Hamner who has organized a book drive at Mango Salon in Richmond, Va. This is a perfect example of the ability for individuals to help immensely without having to travel.
We also recently had the opportunity to orient ourselves to the culture of Ghana through the eyes of Randi from the VCU department of social work. She has been going to Ghana for the past 6 years and has had the ability to see changes occur and be maintained. Randi not only discussed safety and culture issues with us but gave us a picture of the extreme poverty we will encounter. We talked about the street children in Ghana, many of which are orphans after their parents died from AIDS. Fortunately, the street children in Ghana are different than the street children found in other countries. In Ghana, children form tribal families and care for each other instead of fighting and competing. Interestingly, children are most at risk for exploitation from adults, not each other. But trying to survive without appropriate adult guidance is a 24/7 job when these children should be playing and developing.
Poverty in Ghana is not about a lack of access to resources, not material goods. Randi explained to us that the people are very happy, joyful and resilient; they are hopeful and have positive outlooks on life. This is uplifting and inspiring to hear that poverty has not affected the spirit of Ghana. Randi also explained to us that the return culture shock would actually be more intense than when we arrive in Ghana and see the extreme poverty. Coming back to the United States where water out of the faucet is safe and the rush of life drowns everyone, I honestly don't know how I will react. Currently I am trying to get rid of things in my house that I do not need so I won't give everything I have worked for away when I return! I am nervous to see how this trip changes me as a person and re-orders my values and priorities. However, it is helpful to mentally prepare for this trip and our return and to have friends to be able to share these experiences with.
I hope to bring back from Ghana the deep understanding that it takes very little to be happy. I want to bring back the positives as well as the negatives and grow as a person from both.
We also recently had the opportunity to orient ourselves to the culture of Ghana through the eyes of Randi from the VCU department of social work. She has been going to Ghana for the past 6 years and has had the ability to see changes occur and be maintained. Randi not only discussed safety and culture issues with us but gave us a picture of the extreme poverty we will encounter. We talked about the street children in Ghana, many of which are orphans after their parents died from AIDS. Fortunately, the street children in Ghana are different than the street children found in other countries. In Ghana, children form tribal families and care for each other instead of fighting and competing. Interestingly, children are most at risk for exploitation from adults, not each other. But trying to survive without appropriate adult guidance is a 24/7 job when these children should be playing and developing.
Poverty in Ghana is not about a lack of access to resources, not material goods. Randi explained to us that the people are very happy, joyful and resilient; they are hopeful and have positive outlooks on life. This is uplifting and inspiring to hear that poverty has not affected the spirit of Ghana. Randi also explained to us that the return culture shock would actually be more intense than when we arrive in Ghana and see the extreme poverty. Coming back to the United States where water out of the faucet is safe and the rush of life drowns everyone, I honestly don't know how I will react. Currently I am trying to get rid of things in my house that I do not need so I won't give everything I have worked for away when I return! I am nervous to see how this trip changes me as a person and re-orders my values and priorities. However, it is helpful to mentally prepare for this trip and our return and to have friends to be able to share these experiences with.
I hope to bring back from Ghana the deep understanding that it takes very little to be happy. I want to bring back the positives as well as the negatives and grow as a person from both.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What can I do?
When I tell people I am going to Africa to help individuals with disabilities, the usual response is good for you that is very noble of you to do. No, it is not noble, it is humbling and it is what we should all be doing. I do not think that I am, in any way, better than my peers who are not going on this trip because that is not the point. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this trip and for the chance to encourage others to do whatever they can. We need to take the heroism out of helping others and realize it is something that we all should be doing whether it is at home or abroad. It is easy to think, "I'm going to make a huge difference" but I am not. It is impossible to make a huge, visible change in the two weeks that I will be in Ghana. But it is not about me personally making a change, it is about helping the country and people of Ghana to make the changes themselves. Therefore, the focus of our trip is not on what can we do immediately but what can we teach the people we meet that will be sustainable. Heroes are great but we need a wider approach that will be larger in scope until systematic changes happen. For example, it will be great if we can make several children with disabilities wheelchairs so they can play chase with their friends. But it is more helpful if when we are making these chairs, to teach the caregivers or other children how to make them as well. That way, if another child needs this type of modality in future, individuals will already know how to do it. The grassroots approach should be the emphasis of any type of foreign aid, one in which people are trained to care for each other. Our focus is equipping ourselves with the knowledge and strategies we need to pass on. So in conclusion, do not read my blog and think I am a hero, please read it and think "what could I do to help?"
Monday, January 26, 2009
Ghana Renaissance
Last Wednesday, our group of 6 had our initial meeting and began discussing plans. I decided from the amount of time we spent laughing that this group is going to be great to travel with! Aside from the jokes, we also got down to business and started discussing some of our readings regarding developing countries.
I was reminded of a radio show I listened to for Stacey's class last semester. It is Act One: Harlem Renaissance and you can find the show through this link: This American Life
It is a pretty amazing success story about how improved parenting skills can allow children to escape the poverty cycle. Parents are urged to read to their children, which has shown developmental benefits (as well as a strengthened parent-child bond). Would it be possible for developing countries to implement similar prevention strategies with proper long-term assistance and funding?
During our two weeks in Ghana I know we will do everything we can, whether it is reading to children or building a wall. Mother Teresa said, "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."
So on that note, I'm ready to work with some cement.
I was reminded of a radio show I listened to for Stacey's class last semester. It is Act One: Harlem Renaissance and you can find the show through this link: This American Life
It is a pretty amazing success story about how improved parenting skills can allow children to escape the poverty cycle. Parents are urged to read to their children, which has shown developmental benefits (as well as a strengthened parent-child bond). Would it be possible for developing countries to implement similar prevention strategies with proper long-term assistance and funding?
During our two weeks in Ghana I know we will do everything we can, whether it is reading to children or building a wall. Mother Teresa said, "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."
So on that note, I'm ready to work with some cement.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
So after finally figuring out how to customize my page...I am actually blogging for the first time! As my profile says, my name is Lea and I am a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University. I just started my third semester in the master's of occupational therapy program and plan on graduating in December of 2010. In May of this year, I will be traveling with 4 of my classmates and our professor, Dr. Stacey Reynolds, to Ghana in West Africa. The following is a description taken from the syllabus of the course we are taking this semester.
"The focus of the course will be on understanding child development from the Ghanaian perspective and the challenges faced by children in developing countries. A special focus will be placed on children with disabilities and children who are disadvantaged by their family situation (e.g. orphans, street children). Participants will visit and volunteer at several orphanages and schools in the Central region of Ghana as well as work with street children currently being served by the host organization, Sovereign Global Mission. While in the country, students will meet with and interview local leaders to gain a better understanding of the disability culture in this part of
I love to travel, and I have always wanted to go to Africa to experience the beauty and culture of the continent. Simultaneously being able to give my time to children who are disadvantaged is an opportunity I could not pass up. I am very excited to be a part of this trip as I believe the best gift you can give someone is yourself and your time.
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