My Adventure

We went to Wli Falls last weekend. Before she left, my mom told...

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:27:00 -0500

We went to Wli Falls last weekend. Before she left, my mom told me that I shouldn’t swim in fresh water in Africa, because I could get sick with a whole bunch of scary diseases. So, I hiked through the rainforest with the intention to not go swimming in the waterfall at the end of the hike. But then, I got to the waterfall and it was so beautiful and I was like, “how could I not go swimming in a waterfall in Africa?! So I went in and I am so happy with my decision. It was such an incredible experience. It was so peaceful and freeing, and I feel healthier for doing it!

Family

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:23:44 -0500

Having my mom, Hannah, Rachael, and Jeff here with me for a week was wonderful in so many different ways. I loved seeing them play with the children I’ve been working with. All of them are great teachers and the kids loved them. They all accepted the craziness of Accra and took on every challenge with ease. I think having them here opened my eyes and made me see Ghana in a new way. Having them here made me love Ghana even more. Though I’ll be sad to leave, I’ll be happy to come home to such wonderful people in 10 days.

Look how happy my family made the kids!

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:19:55 -0500

Look how happy my family made the kids!

My Mom, my sisters Hannah and Rachael, and my boyfriend Jeff are getting here in less than 24 hours!...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:13:00 -0500

My Mom, my sisters Hannah and Rachael, and my boyfriend Jeff are getting here in less than 24 hours! I have a lot to show them here, but I don’t know if we’re going to get to do any of it because all I want to do is hug them for the entire week they’re here.

So Good

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:44:13 -0500

I wrote the story that I read to my kids today. It felt so amazing to read my own words to the kids I’ve gotten to know so well and have them tell me who the main character was, who the supporting character was, where the story took place, and what the plot was. A couple months ago they would not have been able to do this. Now, they understand all elements of a story, and next week, they are going to get to create their own. Alex and I are going to give them the materials they need to write and illustrate their own stories. I can’t wait.

I got the chills a lot today. The good kind of chills. I think it was because I kept realizing that I am exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to be doing. I am in Africa teaching children literacy and art. And after I teach, I get to wander around markets buying fabric and plantains and papaya and the best pineapple I’ve ever had.

I can eat/drink an entire coconut everyday if I feel like it!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:08:55 -0500

I can eat/drink an entire coconut everyday if I feel like it!

When I teach, I have to speak in a Ghanaian accent so the kids...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:08:50 -0500

When I teach, I have to speak in a Ghanaian accent so the kids understand me. Today Jay told me that I was becoming Ghanaian. It was the best compliment ever, because it meant that I was really able to connect with the kids in a meaningful way.

Alex and I taught the students about rhyming last Tuesday. This concept was completely new to them, but they really enjoyed it. We read Green Eggs and Ham. The kids repeated every line after us with excitement. Then, they came up with their own rhymes. Being with those kids fills me with so much love and happiness. I wish I could teach them everyday.

Widows in Northern Ghana are rejected from society. People...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:49:00 -0500

Widows in Northern Ghana are rejected from society. People believe that they caused the death of their husbands. The Widows Weaving Project brings these widows together. The baskets they weave represent their own beauty and strength. My day with these amazing women really proved that love is the strongest healing power.

In Tamale, I rode through a village in the back of a pickup...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:41:12 -0500

In Tamale, I rode through a village in the back of a pickup truck on my way to a diviner. A diviner is kind of like a fortuneteller! My diviner didn’t tell me anything specific about my future, which I’m happy about. I think if he told me anything like that I’d be kind of freaked out.

In Tamale, I met Dr. Abdulai. He is the most selfless man I have...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:10:00 -0500

In Tamale, I met Dr. Abdulai. He is the most selfless man I have ever met. He became a doctor to help the poor and the destitute. They were his neighbors, and he was once in their shoes. His clinic truly relies on divine providence. He receives no salary and no government funding what so ever, but he always has enough to help those in need. Dr. Abdulai told us, “I’m selfish, I just want to be happy.” But he finds happiness in helping others.

He told us, “I live on a day to day basis. I may drop dead tomorrow, but at the end of the day, at least I can say that I’ve loved someone who was unlovable.”

He was an inspiration to all of us.

The Central Mosque of Tamale

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:41:11 -0500

The Central Mosque of Tamale

On the way to Tamale.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:39:00 -0500

On the way to Tamale.

Tamale

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:32:50 -0500

NYU took a trip North to Tamale over the weekend. Everything I saw and learned in Tamale made the twelve-hour bus ride completely worth it. It was life changing and inspiring. I guess I’ll just post a lot of pictures with captions to tell you all about the trip. I think that’s the best way to go about it. It might take a while to post all of them since the internet isn’t very reliable here. I hope you enjoy!

Growing Up

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:02:46 -0400

At work, we’ve been focusing on “what I want to be when I grow up.” This gets the kids thinking about the future and staying in school. Yesterday, we brought in an artist named Akirash. He is from Nigeria. The town he grew up in is similar to Jamestown, very poor. This commonality enabled Akirash to connect with the kids on a very deep level.

So many amazing things happened throughout the day. One thing that stands out though, was when Akirash pointed to the pile of trash that had been swept to the corner of the room. He wanted to know who was responsible for taking care of the trash. All the girls raised their hands. Akirash, speaking to the boys, asked how they would be responsible enough to be pilots, doctors, lawyers, and policemen, if they are not even responsible enough to pick up after themselves? He told them that if they want to become their dream, they had to work hard at everything they do.

It was amazing to see all the boys raise their hand with enthusiasm when Akirash asked who wanted to take out the trash.

I think this is what the beginning of change looks like.

I hope that Akirash sparked the beginning of something big. I hope that all of the students know that they can have a better life if they work hard to make one for themselves.

Then, Akirash gave each child paper to make a ship out of. He collected the ships when the children were done. He told them that he was going to use their works of art to create a bigger work of art. The kids understood what Akirash was really saying: each child has the ability to become something more. Even if they are small and frail like the ships they made, they have the power and strength to grow into something they can be proud of.

Togo!

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:33:19 -0400

We took a bus from Accra to the border of Ghana and Togo. It was the bumpiest bus ride of my life on the most rickety bus I have ever been on. It almost tipped over once, no joke. The ride lasted four hours. Then, we crossed the border by foot. It was crowded and hectic, but we managed to make it through without getting pick-pocketed. I didn’t carry anything in my pockets, so that guy who put his hand in my pocket had no luck.

But then, our luck took a turn for the worst. We stopped at the hotel we found online, and discovered it was way too expensive for us. The manager kindly directed us toward a hotel that fit our price range.

We found ourselves at Le Hotel Galion. The owner greeted us and allowed all four of us to sleep in one room. The room was small. It had a twin bed, a full bed, and a cot. The bathroom was tiny, full of ants, and had a semi-working toilet. The sheets on the bed didn’t feel/smell clean. The owner handed us three ratty towels, his outstretched arm revealed a big red splotch of ringworm.

Togo was beautiful though. The beach was gorgeous and the markets were lively. I loved walking down the dirt and sand roads. I just didn’t feel that safe there.

After a couple of days, I was very happy to walk back across the border into Ghana. After another four-hour bumpy bus ride, I was home. And I took the most amazing shower of my life. It did not matter that the water came from a bucket.

Togo?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:55:20 -0400

It’s Fall Break and four of my friends and I have been trying to go to Togo. We’ve been trying for three days! Saturday didn’t work, because two out of the five of us got really sick. Sunday didn’t work because buses don’t run on Sundays. So, this morning, we got up at 5:00am to catch the bus to Togo only to discover that the bus had broken down. We keep getting closer and closer to actually going. Tomorrow, I hope we get there. I hope we don’t find ourselves stranded between Ghana and Togo on a broken down bus. Either way, I’m sure I’ll have a lot to write about when I get back on Saturday.

Going with the Flow

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:54:19 -0400

We haven’t had running water for two days, but I don’t really mind. I like having to fill buckets with water from the spigot outside, and lug them inside to wash dished and take bucket showers. It’s refreshing. I came here to challenge myself. I came here to get away from what was convenient. I had grown so used to just running to the nearest Duane Reade whenever I needed anything in New York. Now, it’s really nice to rely on my own inner strength and ability to go with the flow. It’s nice to rely on myself and not on a drug store I can find every few blocks.

Deep inside the biggest market in West Africa. I bought some...

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:57:53 -0400

Deep inside the biggest market in West Africa. I bought some beautiful fabric from Sewah. I appreciated her kindness so much, especially in the chaos of the market. She was comforting to be around.

Dancing

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:14:54 -0400

I’m not a very good dancer, but I’m strong, I have a lot of stamina, and I’m very aware and mindful of my emotions. I think this is why I worked it so hard today in my African dance class. For this type of dance, your knees must always be slightly bent and your body must always be slightly bent forward toward the earth. You dance toward the earth because she is your mother. She is your home.

So, my quads could handle this position, because they are strong. I could dance for the entire hour and a half, because I have a lot of stamina. And I could dance with feeling, because I know what “home” means to me.

Happiness

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:34:17 -0400

Every Tuesday I teach four classes. Each class I teach has between fifty and seventy students who are between ten and twelve years old. Initially, I was worried that I wouldn’t get to connect with the students because there are just so many of them. Today I learned that this is not the case.

I think I make the kids happy. And I think that happiness is the strongest foundation for lasting connections.