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The Last Day
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3/15/2009
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March 13/09
Today is my last day in Ghana. I have trouble believing that my trip is about to come to and end. I am still enjoying learning about Ghana and every moment is a learning experience. Though like any good thing this has to come to an end. Earlier this morning after meeting with George, the financial manager, and Prosper, general secretary of YMCA Ghana to evaluate of my trip, I was offered to have a trip to the market and I gladly accepted it. We also walked to the beach and took more pictures.
I was thinking that how much knowledge and experience I have gained from this trip. In fact I think in the last three weeks I have learned a lot more than any three weeks in my life.
My plane leaves at 9:30 pm and I will be leaving for the airport at 6 pm.
We will be taking a group picture and Prosper will join me on the ride to the airport. In a few hours it will be time to say good bye to Ghana and great Ghanaians.
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Youth Strategy
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3/15/2009
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March 11/09
I arrived in Accra on March 11. The ride to Accra was very scenic and the ocean seemed only steps away in some areas. I was welcomed back in Accra and was given my old room. It felt like I was back with my new YMCA family.
The YMCA Ghana is in the process of introducing a new youth strategy and was interested in knowing about our experience in Toronto on this matter. So they asked me to offer a workshop on our Youth Strategy and Leadership to a group of 35 staff from many regions of YMCA Ghana. I offered the workshop and was well received and well appreciated.
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YMCA Takoradi vocational School for Girls
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3/15/2009
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March 10/09
When I visited the vocational school in Takoradi, I met the teachers and I was given a tour of the centre. I understood that the girls are involved in two major fields in this school: fashion designing and catering. In Ghana, like any other warm country in the world, the same clothing are worn all year long and the traditional clothing is very popular. Therefore, the dressmaking is a busy business all year long. Catering is another popular trade. With not many restaurants around, the demand for catering for parties is very high.
I offered them some workshops on life skills. They seemed to be very attentive and interested in the content of the workshop.
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to Takoradi
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3/15/2009
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March 7/09
I took a bus from Kumasi to Takoradi. Takoradi is the third largest city in Ghana after Accra and Kumasi. It is a harbour city by Atlantic Ocean and it is used for exporting gold, bauxite, and timber. The city is less crowded and has a much calmer traffic than Accra and Kumasi. When I arrived in Takoradi, I was greeted b Augustine at the bus station. Augustine had visited YMCA Toronto and Vancouver in 2005 and was very familiar with YMCA Canada. On the way to the YMCA vocational school, we stopped at a beach club and golf course and I shot some photos.
Sunday, I walked from my hotel to the market and bought the ingredients to make a special sauce called "shito". I think I have become addicted to it.
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Independence Day of Ghana
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3/15/2009
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March 6/09
March 6 marks the Independence Day in Ghana.
It has been 52 years since Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared independency for Ghana. It is customary to schools and some other organizations to march as part of the celebration. I was invited to march with the children at YMCA Konongo daycare. On that day 17 children all dressed in uniforms and Ghana socks were ready for marching. They followed the teacher and I to the marching ground.
They had worked so hard for this day and we had a great time.
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In Konongo
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3/14/2009
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March 4/09
We visited 2 day care in Konongo, operated by YMCA. There were 60 children in the first daycare. They had a play ground, one or two classrooms, and one lunch room. The teacher obviously had worked very hard with children since they knew many songs. They taught me a song and taught them a couple of songs.
I visited another day care not operated by the YMCA in Kumasi. What I observed in all three daycares was that the children in Ghana daycares have learned to be patient, follow directions, focus, and share. They share even wash bins and drinking cups!! I also noticed that the children have a strong sense of responsibility towards younger children. In more than one occasions I noticed that one child was wiping another child's face or buttoning up his/her blouse.
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In Kumasi
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3/14/2009
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I have been on the road a lot for the last week, and that was the reason I was not able to communicate with you.
Mar2/09
On Monday, we drove to Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti region. The more I see of Ghana, the more I appreciate its beauty. The lush green and blue water of Atlantic Ocean amazes me. In Kumasi, we visited the YMCA office and the Regional Chairman of the YMCA Kumasi, who welcomed us warmly. He informed us that a new building is under construction and once it is finished the YMCA will be moving there. At that point there will be a rental hall that the Y will benefit from. There is also a copy shop that runs on a busy street and generates income for the YMCA Kumasi. After this visit, we went to YMCA Konongo, about 90 minutes away from Kumasi. There is a guest house next to the YMCA day care. I stayed there for the week, but had my daily visits to Kumasi or the sites.
The next day, I visited the palace of chief of Konongo. I felt so honored to have been there. He seemed so wise, knowledgeable, powerful, yet very peaceful person. Every Tuesday the Chief in Konongo looks after people's complaints and settles their issues.
Life is not as fast paced in Ghana, but there are some interesting things to remember:
The butcher shop is also a grill shop. The tailor also sells fabric. So you buy your meat of your choice and can get it grilled in the same shop, which only occupies 2x1 meters of the sidewalk. Or when you buy the fabric, your measurements can be taken and your dress can be ready in 48 hours. I think this is an interesting time saving idea.
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Tema YMCA
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3/14/2009
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Saturday
February 28/09
Today we went to visit YMA of Tema. The YMCA of Tema is under construction and the progress is very slow due to funds. That is not stopping the Tema YMCA Women's Wing. They are a group of women who offer programs for children and youth in Tema in the paved front yard of the building. When we arrived the program reminded me of our summer camps in Toronto. In the semi shaded area, one energetic young staff was singing songs and leading action games in a huge circle. The energy was to the roof. The children were having so much fun and nobody seemed to be concerned about not having access to any sports equipment. The fun and sportsmanship was present even more at the soccer field. The YMCA team wearing red uniforms was playing against the other team. The Y won the game 2-1. The temperature must have been over 38 around 1 pm when the game was being played in the sun. That was not an issue either. After that fun game, they were treated for a nutritious lunch of rice, meat, vegetable, juice and a candy. Of course this was a treat, they usually are treated once a month and the rest of the time the snack is much lighter. The program is offered free of charge, as part of the promotional plan, until the construction of the building comes to an end. At the same time the facility is being used for physical fitness, developing leadership and social skills of the youth in Tema.
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At the Market
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3/14/2009
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Friday February 27/09
Since I have arrived in Accra, I have experienced great friendliness and warmth among people of Ghana. There was a couple in the room next to mine who were originally from Ghana, working in a school in Nigeria. They had a bus load of students visiting Ghana. On their spare time they took me out for dinner and showed me around a little bit too. They also wanted to take me to the market and help me bargain, which is a useful skill to have.
Having a small business is the most popular way of business in Ghana. There are small businesspeople everywhere, selling from gum to ties, shoes, water, bread, sliced papaya, peeled oranges and even plastic pails. They are all carried on a tray over their heads. No particular age is required as long as you know how to manage the money and can carry the tray over your head, you are in business. The business is even hotter at red lights.
When we were coming back from one of my visit, we stopped at a stand and bought fresh papaya, pineapples, oranges and watermelon. Surprisingly they have a very large selection of a familiar fruit and vegetables to Canadians. Tomatoes, onions, and white zucchini are very popular items. I also went to a supermarket in Osu part of Accra and that store was carrying all western food you need, fat free yogurt and low fat cheese to name a few!
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Feb 26/09
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3/14/2009
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Feb 26/09 |
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3/1/2009 |
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Yesterday, I worked with the students at YMCA Accra Technical School. What a great concept! Youth who have not finished high school are registered to this program, and in course of 3 years they receive their diploma in one of the following subjects: carpentry, masonry, electrical, upon passing the exams. At that point they can either work with / for someone or open their own business.
The masonry group were busy with their practicum in the yard. They were building part of a small room under supervision of their teacher. All parties seemed to be proud of the results.
I offered my first workshop on life skills to this group. They seemed to have enjoyed it and asked interesting questions.
Today, I visited the YMCA day care centre in Asamankese in Eastern Region Ghana. There were a total of 150 cute little ones all politely sitting and listening or performing to the group. All 6 staff members and the cook were very warm and friendly and the children very receptive. We had a great time singing indoors and doing "Hokey Pokey" outdoors. Later on the teachers and I had a discussion about Early Years and shared many ideas.
On the way back to Accra we passed through mountains covered with tall trees and breath- taking views. I was not expecting this much greenery in Africa. I am hoping to post some photos soon.
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In Accra
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3/14/2009
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Feb23, 2009
Greetings from Accra, Ghana!
I arrived in Accra Saturday night and was greeted by Prosper, General Secretary of YMCA Ghana. It was very hot but breezy. A smooth ride to the YMCA and I was guided to a beautiful guest room at the YMCA. Very nice and cool and spacious!
The next day, I decided to have a walk around the block and see the surrounding area. It was so quiet I could not understand. Then I realized that this was like Toronto 20 years ago when shops were closed on Sundays (lesson Number1).
Monday I received a ride to the bank for money exchange and I realized how busy the streets were. What a difference! It is very busy around YMCA in Accra.
I met with the principal of YMCA Accra Technical School and I learned about what different activities in this school.
Tomorrow I will be offering a workshop on "Goal Setting" to these students. |
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Departure Day
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3/14/2009
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Feb 20/09
Finally the day has arrived. Five months after learning that I have won the Henry Labatte Scholarship, I am flying to Ghana.
I have never been to Africa before, though I think I have experienced similar climate in Central America. Thinking of 30 degrees temperature and not having to wear winter coat after receiving over 130 centimeters of snow by mid February is very exciting.
I am excited and anxious at the same time. I am hoping that what workshops I have prepared to offer to children, youth and adults in Gahana are going to meet the needs of the groups. I know I will learn a lot and will gain an experince of a lifetime.
I have done much research and have talked to many people who have experienced this before me. I have heard so much about the culture and warmth of people in Ghana. In less than 24 hours I will be experiencing it for myself. I can hardly wait.
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