November 30, 2009
As we leave Ghana, some final thoughts and our experiences with our volunteer stint in Hohoe.
Ann goes to school:
Kids at school were promised a computer per child a year ago by the government. No sign of computers and some students aren’t even aware of what they look like, but, never the less, they teach a course every day called ICT – Information and Communication Technology. The teacher starts by asking what tools are used with a computer. Enthusiastically they respond “mouse, keyboard, processing unit!” How is it maintained? “Take it to the shop regularly!” Dust it off everyday…blow on the keyboard and always turn it off!” All the stuff Tim learned at the City of Guelph. The class lasted for 40 minutes and most kids were, amazingly, still engaged! Then the teacher asked me (Ann) to take the class. I visited four classes that day, talking mostly about Canada, our seasons, our equality of women and children’s rights; our brains as computers, keeping the earth clean and how every country has advantages and disadvantages – we make our own happiness and despite what they don’t have, I would always see smiling happy Ghanaians!
Except when they are being whipped! I had the opportunity to talk with a teacher about different discipline options other than the cane, after witnessing a “whippin”. It seems that they are worlds and decades away from any change. But they just keep giving it to God and they glaze over when I reply – “but God’s not making the decisions, you are!!”
The school system is in shambles, teachers are undervalued and underpaid and so many families cannot afford to pay the school fees. (Although, the government has promised “free uniforms” so I guess they can wear them after they’ve been sacked for not paying the fees!)
Visiting the communities:
Saw many rural villages, with mud huts, no electricity or running water. We visited the communities to explain to them about the Rights of the Child program and we would often be asked to meet with the village Chief first. We would be introduced and sit with the chief and his entourage, however, if we didn’t bring a small gift…booze usually…this formality would be waived! A white person coming into the village was a big event, especially for the kids who would form a procession line of curiosity behind us. Apparently, the preachers say, “When you come to church and you see a white man, turn around and go home…. you have already seen God!” A terribly sad assumption to be under, we think!
One of the joys was reading the local news paper…which usually led to us uttering “what the hell…” type questions. Such as, “Why are there so many name change notices??” This is still very much a male dominated world over here (Deb Ostic could change that in a week) and men usually get to name the child. When a separation happens (no such thing as a divorce) the women is left with the children and when the man doesn’t pay support (and he never does) the women change the child’s first and last name whether they are 4 years old or 13 years old. That’s gotta be fun going to school the next day!
Here’s a video from one of our visits – Village School
Religion:
We attended a Sunday church service. Now, it is no secret that we are not huge church attendees but we were looking forward to the joyous singing and dancing that we heard so much about. Ghana is predominately Christian, however, it is the “fear of God, Almighty”, loud and screaming, fundamentalism brand. The minister delivered (shrieked) his sermon in the local native dialect while a young woman translated in English beside him, all through a loud and distorted PA system. The message concerned the evils of life, fear of sin, voodoo and how only by giving your life (and alms) over to God could you be saved. After almost two and a half hours of preaching, it was time for music and dance. So, in the smothering heat, while the drums beat, women gyrated and spun about the room passing out and collapsing on to the floor only to rise again and do it all over. Kinda like the field parties we use to go to at Big Ed’s pit! This went on, along with the noise of a competing church on the other side of the wall, for at least another hour until, no longer able to take it, we bolted… shocked, exhausted and, not to sound overly melodramatic… near physically ill. (Again, not unlike the field parties we use to go to at Big Ed’s pit!)
Volunteering at Care Net Ghana:
Our volunteer experience was rather a mixed bag. We met some incredible people who are working very hard, with plenty of passion to bring about change and progress. However, we struggled with the lack of direction and the feeling that our money was more valuable than our skills or time. The children were loving, with a pure innocence and wondrous curiosity. Everyone we met was very friendly and welcoming. We hope we made a difference with our work on the Rights of the Child Program. At the very least, hopefully sharing our thoughts and ideas will make a small difference with the young people whom we worked with. We helped Patrick out with some web changes and reporting ideas he is now using. We visited on-going projects that are much needed and will bring improved healthcare for birthing mothers and their children. The projects are valid and worthy of support. To see the great work they do and to help their cause by donating to a project, visit Care Net Ghana.
But, we are left to wonder where the democratically-elected government is in all this and why they are not accountable?? This goes into the myriad of issues surrounding foreign aid and whether it is working but we’ll leave that for another day!
So, as we approach Accra to catch our flight out, we are left with the images of dust, thick heat, street vendors amid the congested traffic, and Patrick talking, always talking, on his cell phone. And on top of all this we are brought to a stand-still as a herd of Brahma cattle are herded across the highway right next to the entrance way to the international airport. But, alas…”TIA”…this is Africa!
South Africa Bound!
