In some sort of bizarre proto-national twist, the
neighborhood that hosts GHEI, and the many volunteers and long-term coordinators from
around the world that are serving Humjibre, is called Canada. It's not called this because the townsfolk of
Humjibre have designated this area of town as some sort quaint cultural milieu,
like their own Chinatown, but in reality this area was called Canada long ago,
when people began to build their homes on the slight hill where I now live. The air was cooler here than in the rest of
town, so they decided to name it Canada, because you know, it’s cold
there. Thus, some are from that Canada and live in this Canada.
Jen is the Education Program Coordinator here at GHEI. There are a lot of education programs, and
this keeps Jen busy but she also teaches Early Childhood Literacy (ECL), and in
Jen's words ECL is there “to catch the ones who are about to be left behind in
school.” They gather first for some
purposeful play with each other and Jen while the late comers straggle in. They sit at the table constructing epic
structures with building blocks and various other little preoccupations, but in
essence, these six and seven year old kids spend twenty minutes hanging out,
speaking as much English as they got.
To Jen, this time is just as important, as the actual
lesson, and maybe among the most important part of her busy day. We learn so
much in the smallest moments we spend with each other. Sometimes, the small
moments teach us more than our actual classes.
GHEI is now hiring for an Education Program Coordinator and
a Communications Director, Jen and I respectively. Living and working with GHEI is no piece of
cake, but I can't think of anything meaningful that is. And, though I've said it many times here, the
people here are wonderful.
If you’re looking for more than a year’s worth of small
important moments, apply. Come live in
Canada in Ghana, it’s a great neighborhood.
