Summer Serve and Learn 2011: Krista's Memories

 Krista Nickerson volunteered with GHEI for the first two sessions of GHEI's Serve and Learn program ('Read and Play', and 'Girls' Empowerment').  During the week off in the middle she traveled around Ghana on her own.  To cap off this summer's volunteer programs, Krista shares her thoughts on volunteering with GHEI, life in Humjibre, and the unique challenges and rewards each session offered.

Working with GHEI for two sessions was a really fantastic glimpse of a couple different sides of development work that I was not familiar with. Mostly, I saw how development work can be done right – how small teams can make big changes, if they work with the local community on projects within a defined scope of high priority items that will have a significant positive impact. Being a part of both the broad community outreach work and the small-group camp sessions showed me how both of these approaches can make a real difference if done carefully and planned appropriately. My previous experience in development work was teaching English in South America, and I didn’t think that the sprawling government funded program I was operating under there was nearly as effective as it could have been. When we did our community outreach for Read and Play session, I have never before seen a new program be generated basically from scratch and be realized so successfully in such a short time. I was really impressed by how the GHEI values and structure clearly contributed to its effectiveness. The lack of bureaucracy was a refreshing change!

I was a little unsure about doing two sessions at first, but I also knew I had to follow both my passions - encouraging lifelong literacy and women's leadership and empowerment.  The sessions turned out to be two very different experiences that each taught me different lessons, both personally and career-wise. The Girls' Empowerment camp was more close-knit and intensely emotional among the volunteer team and the camp participants. Each of us was heavily invested in the success of the other as well as the impact on the participants. For the child literacy outreach, however, the volunteers' impact was more dispersed throughout the community and more dependent on communication and cooperation with local GHEI staff and volunteer teachers. 

During the Read and Play session, I feel like our service contributed positively to the role of GHEI in the community of Humjibre and in the surrounding areas that we visited. I think we helped to continue spread awareness of GHEI’s programs and purpose here. Our service helped to initiate a great new library lesson (taking care of books) that hopefully will continue and become a stable and expanding program over the years.  I also think that we made great connections among ourselves as a team (both the Ghanaian staff and the volunteers), and I think we will stay in touch long after this program ends. 

Working with the young women in Girls’ Empowerment, the contradictions stand out to me the most. Sometimes the girls seemed indifferent or resistant to our ideas and questions, and then other times they were talkative and silly with each other and totally engaged in whatever we were doing. Sometimes I thought something may be lost on them, but then they would come up with a brilliant response that proved that they’re ten steps ahead of me. 

When the girls are giggly and shy, it was easy to see them as children still. But as they became comfortable with us over the week, they also showed themselves to be already strong, sincere, bold, and highly capable women, seemingly undaunted by the vast future beyond Junior High School.  In the short time I had to get to know the girls, I was surprised by how quickly they bonded and opened up to us. They are stronger than first impressions show, and I also think that many of them know their own strength well, which I don’t think I did at their age. Maybe it’s because I have not done a lot of work with teenage girls, but I didn’t realize just how proud I would be of them, and how invested I would feel in their ability to achieve their future goals!

The most challenging aspect of both life and volunteering in Humjibre for me was finding my comfort zone with the teams with which we were working. We are all here to try to fulfill a wide variety of personal goals that somehow coincided to bring us together to work on these projects. Some of our backgrounds were similar, but some were very different, and we all had different communication styles among ourselves! Making the effort to build the connections to trust and be trusted by my teammates in such a short time was a leap of faith for me because I am usually slow to gain this confidence (in both myself and others). Overcoming this challenge became my most rewarding experience. In the GHEI community and the work they do, gaining a sense of personal accomplishment takes a back seat to achieving the shared goals of the team, since nothing really gets accomplished without the strength of the team to back you up. I’m not really used to seeing my own value in terms of my role within a team – what a switch from the “me-first” American system! – and developing this mindset while coming up with all our songs, skits, posters, and discussions, while seeing our ideas actually achieving results in such a short time was a complete joy! 

My most memorable experience in Humjibre was probably cooking and eating with the girls. It wasn’t until then that the huge amount of time and effort that really goes into feeding a family here, which the women usually bear the brunt of, actually hit home for me. Chopping what seemed like hundreds of vegetables, watching Charlotte grate heaps of cassava (and slicing my thumb when I attempted to help), seeing Rose use her whole body to stir the giant pot of thick corn mash for what seemed like hours while Jennifer tested the taste and consistency, and observing how all of us fifteen or so women all contributed to the final outcome in some way during the 3 ½  hours the meal took to make was really an eye-opening, and deeply enriching, experience.

I think that Girls’ Empowerment definitely needs to continue and build on itself every year for us to see the long term impacts we want, but honestly, I think that a great foundation has already been laid for lasting changes. I think that the girls will remember many of the things that we taught them about the topics we covered in the camp, but I think especially they’ll take with them the feeling of having a space and the right to freely express themselves. They hopefully will tell their friends about their experience and encourage more girls to attend next year’s camp! I think the GHEI Girls’ Empowerment camp will be seen as an important enhancement to the community’s goals to uplift its children’s education, and I hope that our work has helped the program to earn more support from the elders and other community leaders. 

Doing two sessions gave me a better perspective to assess how I felt about my own and GHEI's work and impact. By the third week (and after traveling by myself for a few days in between sessions), I realized that spending less energy figuring out how to function in a Ghanaian village opened up more time for introspection and observation. I deeply admire GHEI's flexibility and openness as well as its willingness to evolve and improve its own operation. I experienced more emotional highs and lows later in my stay that sparked some of my most intense memories. I definitely encourage anyone with the time and financial opportunity to do more than one session!

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GHEI Football Tournament: Humjibre, Ghana 2011

GHEI’s football Tournament had it all.  Over two days and five games we had heavy barrages of rain, large masses of spectators, a DJ to play music during half-time and between play, live play by play commentary and analysis over the speakers, vendors selling snacks and drinks, and of course, some heavy drama on the field.  Join Saga and I as we go through each of the matches

New Chelsea take to the field

Match #1: New Chelsea vs. Golden Stars

New Chelsea took the field with a quick jog around the track.  They were outsized but undaunted by their opponents, the Golden Stars.  The Stars scored around the 30 minute mark, a decisive blow that would have slayed lesser spirits.  It was a killer shot, powerfully kicked, and the keeper had little chance to react. Rain began falling but the players lost none of their fighting spirit.  The rain let up briefly for at the half, but then a herculean rainstorm fell, stronger than the earlier showers.  With the score and the weather against them Golden Stars scored again.  Initially, the keeper blocked it, but the ball bounced back into play, and a Golden Star connected and found the back of the net (well, where a net would have been).

Saga’s Analysis: Both of them played fairly.  There was no bad sportsmanship.  The Golden Stars won because when you look at the players, the New Chelsea team was younger, and the Golden Stars were more experienced.  The rain was intimidating as well.

Final Score: The Golden Stars 2 – New Chelsea 0

The rain was mighty fierce

Match #2: Golden Stars vs FC Barcelona

The next match was more evenly matched in size, and the game illustrated this.  There were many small battles on the field, but few epic clashes.  FC Barcelona scored early though.  From a strange angle, a player was obstructing the keepers view and he didn’t get around him fast enough to see the ball.  Off a quirky shot, the ball trickled in behind a confused keeper.  For the rest of the match, no team seemed to dominate, and the weather behaved.  There were no penalties, no injuries, and few stoppages.   

Saga’s Analysis: Because the players were at the same experience level in terms of ages, it made the gameplay more equal and interesting.  It was 50-50.  FC found it difficult, even though they won.  Golden Stars were tired because of the match they just played, but played equally hard.

Final Score: FC Barcelona 1 – The Golden Stars 0

F.C. Barcelona in yellow vs. The Golden Stars (In their away uniforms. They were very wet after the last match)

Match#3: FC Barcelona vs. New Chelsea 

This match ended up shocking the crowd, after FC’s slight edge in the last game, prevailing wisdom said New Chelsea could not hold them back from the final.  But within the first 5 minutes, all bets were off.  A New Chelsea player was fouled, and managed to score off the free kick.  It was the fastest goal of the tournament.  F.C. was kept at bay for most of the first half, until they managed to tie it by scoring off a save by the keeper that New Chelsea couldn’t clear.  After the half, the teams seemed surprisingly evenly matched, but then another foul and this time a penalty kick.  New Chelsea scored, and the crowd went nuts. Everyone rushed the field, swept up in the underdog charm of this team.  Only a few minutes before the 90’th, with advancement and glory on the line, FC Barcelona’s striker beat the defense, cutting through them like a knife, and from just outside the penalty box, scored decisively. Neither team could manage to come out on top by the final whistle.

Saga’s Analysis: This match was interesting because I was not expecting that New Chelsea and FC Barcelona would play to a tie.  I thought they would find it easy to beat New Chelsea, but they found it difficult. Although they tied, FC Barcelona had the most points, and advanced along with The Golden Stars.  New Chelsea should be proud of this game.   

Final Score: New Chelsea 2 – F.C. Barcelona 2

Anglican JHS (orange) vs. Deeper JHS (red)

Finals #1 Anglican JHS vs. Deeper JHS

It took some time for the girls to assemble, but by then enough spectators were out in force looking forward to the match.  Anglican started the match decisively, controlling the ball, and controlling much of the offense of the game. They took the first shot, it was wide of the goal, but Anglican girls had found their groove.  

By Deeper’s goal, an Anglican pass came in high and bounced, there was a mighty scramble.  A deeper player headed the ball. It went high, but not long enough.  An Anglican player found an opening, and took a shot at the ball midair.  It connected and soared just above Deeper’s goalie fingertips. 

 

Referee Saga blew the whistle for the half.  Both sides looked spent, but neither ready to end this match.  The crowd was originally a bit indifferent at seeing this match, treating it only as a warm-up to the final match to follow, but now they applauded.  The girls showed fight, and the teams were well matched. When the whistle blew, Anglican’s offensive power managed a slight edge over Deeper, though both sides played well.  Anglican accepted the GHEI Tournament Cup, and both teams received new uniforms for their participation and fair play.  

Saga’s Analysis: The girl’s game was interesting because the Anglican dominated the first half, and Deeper contributed more in the second half.  Deeper was not able to score because they were clearly tired in the last ten minutes of the game.  The crowd really enjoyed watching the girls play; they played well.

Final Score: Anglican JHS 1- Deeper JHS 0

Anglican JHS celebrates their win

FINAL MATCH: Golden Stars vs. F.C. Barcelona

The sun was shining for the first time this tournament, and the crowds were larger and more excited than ever before.  From the way the crowd excitement, it was clear that heroes would walk off this field.

Golden Stars struck first, and beautifully.  The Stars cleared the ball into F.C.’s side and the striker deftly lifted the ball over the defenders, and then easily beat the keeper inside the box.  The keeper had no chance.  Barcelona responded by upping their game, and the competition became fierce.  Players were getting injured, and referee Happy was reaching for his cards.  By 45, The Golden Stars had managed to keep F.C. Barcelona scoreless despite some good chances and several shots on goal.

Golden Stars (in white) vs F.C. Barcelona (yellow)

At 60 minutes, F.C. Barcelona finally equalized.  A fine centering cross, and on the first shot, F.C. was blocked, but on the rebound off the keeper, Barca’s striker found the back of (where) the net  (should be).  They seemed to regain some of their fight after that. 

Sweat, rocks, and Sefwi flew everywhere.  The teams were intensely dedicated to bringing their sides the win, but also to prove themselves against these worthy opponents.  The crowds grew even more passionate.  Players were flying too, and the whistle was blown for a foul against Golden Stars at the 80’th minute. It was a free kick.  The F.C. player, instead of shooting, passed it to an undefended player who shot the ball in directly.  The crowd erupted in joy, and rushed onto the field.  

F.C. Barcelona did a lap with their fans, hoisting their trophy high in the air, while The Golden Stars somberly accepted the new uniforms.  All five teams that took part received new uniforms, handed to them by Summer Serve and Learn volutneers. Each team should be very proud of their performance, no matter what the outcome was.

  

A dusty and mighty sliding tackle, but too late for The Golden Stars

Saga’s Analysis: The final match was a great success, but there was a comment on the second goal. Many thought it was offside.  The comment was from Golden Stars fans, so I didn’t believe them because most of the spectators supported the goal.  They played fairly, there were more injuries but that’s normal, the final match is not going to be simple.  There will be difficulties as compared to their normal games that they played. 

Final Score: F.C. Barcelona 2 – The Golden Stars 1

F.C. Barcelona: Humjibre Heroes

 Final thoughts from Saga: The tournament was a success. I think GHEI should do it annually.  According to people, this was the most successful football tournament held in Humjibre.  There were no fights, and everyone enjoyed watching.  Maybe there were no fights because the referees were fair and balanced, but also I think because of the football camp that was held beforehand.

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UCLA Volunteers Reflect On Their Time In Ghana

The day before the UCLA Global Health Elective Volunteer group left Ampenkrom, a small ceremony was held.  

The chief and the elders in the community held an appreciation ceremony for them after their time in Ampenkrom during which they presented Sarah Gustafson, Emily Huang, Nikki Ross, Christina Siliciano, and Shelley Han with traditional Kente Cloths.  It was a great honor and spoke volumes about the positive effect their visit had on the community that served as their home base for their time in Ghana.  For the volunteers, it was exciting to wrap up their projects, but it definitely was a bittersweet moment saying goodbye. 

It was one moving moment of many for the women.  Their month in Ghana had been remarkable, not just in terms of the distance traveled and sights seen, but also for the warmth of the Ghanaian people. 

GHEI executive director Diana Rickard did her best to orient them to life in Ghana, from California, somehow.  Still, no one was quiet ready just how welcoming people were.  “Diana told us everyone would be friendly but everyone is very friendly. I’m constantly surprised by how much children are fascinated by our presence, and how drawn to us they are.” said Sarah.  

“The way we’re treated is surprising.  I suspected it would happen, but it’s still just a really surprising thing.  Sometimes when we’re greeted, I think, Hm, this must be what it’s like to be Obama and have to wave to everyone…” said Nikki.  She doesn’t think he gets paid enough. 

Shelley remembered times that they would walk past a school in some of the smaller villages they visited.  “You could hear a slow building rumbling, the closer we got the louder it got, and then by the time we were close by, the school just emptied and they surrounded us.” 

“Not only have the community members been so caring and kind, but as we’ve been travelling to all these health care facilities, we’ve seen that the health care providers here are so admirable,” said Nikki.  “It’s taking it to another level to provide care in settings where there a lot of things working against you, but everyone we met is completely dedicated to the health of the community.”

“Everyone, I’ve asked, ‘Do you want these trainings?’, says yes, without fail,” said Christina about the Neo-Natal Resucitation trainings that she was gauging interest in. “And they’ll continue and say everyone else in the district needs it too. If a baby is dying, we need to learn this.  They really take it upon themselves to be the caretakers of their community and that’s been really inspiring.” 

Shelly went on about the people they’ve met in their travels. “You come here, and the staff at these clinics are resource poor, their seeing way too many patients and yet, still, they’re the kindest people.  They genuinely care about their patients and want to help them the best they can, no matter their limited resources.”

They also all had great things to say about their host and all around facilitator: Dickson Ackah Mensah.  “Dickson’s done everything.  He looked after our housing, our food, he’s made sure women are coming to the church [in Ampenkrom] to complete the surveys.  He helped introduce us to the community, but also, how to be in the community and interact appropriately.  And he’s just been there for anything we need,” said Emily.

The communities they were immersed in inspired, but the trip was also moving on many levels for all of them.  These sorts of experiences are hard to prepare for, and even harder to pin down afterwards, aside from a deep contentment for their work.

 “I’ve done some global outreach type of work, and this program as opposed to the other global research projects was more involved in the actual community,” said Nikki.  “I knew that I definitely wanted to be actively interacting with members of the community and if it could involve pediatrics, well, that’s basically all I could ask for from the summer!”

“We spent a lot of time planning these surveys and had hours of preparation during our spring semester,” said Christina. “And you plan as much as you can, but a lot of development work is very unpredictable and at times, you need to expect the unexpected and be flexible. That’s sort of the fun in it, and it’s what makes your victories feel like victories, but I also think it’s reinforced the overall satisfaction.” 

“While I did learn a lot about Ghana and health care in Africa, I think I learned even more about myself on this trip.  Living in rural Africa really tests your limits and boundaries and can be quite challenging psychologically,” said Shelley.  She was also struck by how limited resources are, even in a rapidly developing country like Ghana. “Evaluating the differences in services between the hospitals and clinics was pretty striking.  It’s pretty apparent that the further away you get from the main road the less service you have access to. And there’s only one ambulance for the whole district.”  Still, the smaller details stick out to Shelley. “I'll remember falling asleep to bleating sheep that sounds eerily like children outside our window and then being woken up at 4am to dueling roosters!”

“Personally, this has reminded me of the privileges and opportunities that I have been given and how interconnected we are with the well-being of others throughout the world. We are a globally connected people, and you can really see it here in Ghana,” said Sarah. “I have a chance to one day help the global community as well as my own, so this is me figuring out how.”  Figuring out how meant also appreciating the ways Diana Rickard has helped Humjibre’s community and her own.  “When we were visiting GHEI, we went into the Humjibre Community Library and I thought, wow, this all started with a conversation between Diana and Clement [Donkor, GHEI Country Director],” said Sarah.  “And now all this is here for everyone in the community.”

“I’ve always had an interest in global health, so it was surreal at times that I actually got a chance to not only be immersed in a new culture, but also help contribute to development work,” said Emily.  “What I learned and experienced I could not have obtained from reading or studying, and I cannot adequately capture it in words or even pictures.”

Christina, Sarah, Dickson, Shelley, Nikki, Emily and the elders of Ampenkrom

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Summer Serve and Learn 2011: Build Ghana

 Football* is taken very seriously in Ghana.  I’m sure there some sort of football game is happening at least every hour in Humjibre, whether it’s some kids kicking a ball against a wall or an intermural league game…there’s a ball being kicked somewhere. 
*You’ll notice that I refer to it as 'Football' and not 'Soccer' despite, according to Google Analytics, the majority of you being in the U.S. The rest of the world calls it this, get over it…

I got a small taste of just how serious people take their football here when I was reminiscing with someone on the Ghana Black Stars unfortunate loss to Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup quarter finals.  Minutes before the final whistle of overtime, Asamoah Gyan had a chance to win it with a penalty kick. It hit the crossbar and broke millions of hearts in Ghana and worldwide.  I mentioned this moment at a spot in Humjibre, and the man I was conversing with immediately broke in: “Don’t talk about that! Nobody speaks of this!”  Then someone from the table beside us asked my friend what I had said in Sefwi, and then this guy responded just as aggressively: “Be quiet!  Asamoah Gyan is a great man!”  By now, all the patrons were pelting me in English: “Shame on you!” “Boo!” “Where is your respect?”, as well as with words that sounded like very colourful Sefwi.

Happy and Saga pump the ball in prep for the mighty afternoon of footballing

In this fertile territory, GHEI and the Serve and Learn: Build Ghana session volunteers have started a football camp in the Humjibre community.  It seems like a no-brainer in terms of outreach in this community, but the goal of this camp is not to fuel football fervor.  The goal is to communicate an equally global concept: teamwork, fair play, sportsmanship. 
 

These volunteers are also conducting computer training for GHEI staff in the library, as well as taking part in the standard Serve and Learn activities. The “Build Ghana” concept sounds like a fairly standard volunteer endeavor in Africa, but in reality it’s about building something deeper in the community than a cement building: It’s about building teams and shared skills. 

Warming up. Watch out little kid!

 So, on Wednesday afternoon, GHEI staff and volunteers assembled on Humjibre’s dusty football pitch.  The pitch has a slight downward angle, and is strewn with small red rocks that are angry towards balls and bare feet.  The pitch may be in a sad state, but the levels of exuberance among the footballers here isn’t.   Humjibre boasts an already impressive collection of boys’ and girls’ teams that regularly compete with teams in neighboring villages. 

Around 3 P.M., after a ball was kicked around for some time in the casual way that happens every hour here in Humjibre, the camp began.  Four local teams took to the pitch.  Calisthenics and stretching exercises took place next, the coaches leading with frequent blasts of his whistle.  After some small sprints and a suitable cloud of dust, the footballers collected themselves in a circle. Then, with direction from Happy, they assembled themselves into a massive line, one facing another.  What sort of wild undertaking was this?

The Epic Paper v. Rock v. Scissors Showdown

A paper/rock/scissors tournament of course!  Once one had lost, they stood behind the next person on their side of the line to support them and cheer for rocks to smash scissors to cut paper or cover rocks…All the teams were divided, some faced their teammates, and some faced their opponents.  In the end there was only one conqueror, and that was Frank.  When he won he took off across the field, arms wide as wings, blowing kisses skyward, a football cliché perhaps, but for a P/R/S victory as sweet as his, it seemed right.

TOTAL WIN!

SSL volunteer Tola Emiola describes the activity: “The purpose was for the players to practice moving between being a competitor and being a supporter for your competitor.  It went well, everyone had a lot of fun and it was actually a lot more organized than I thought it was going to be.  The whole event seemed chaotic at times, and there were like a 100 people there and little kids running around added to the madness.” 

After a quick debrief, the next lesson was on working with a partner directly, the three legged race brilliantly personifies this theme.  Much rowdiness (and dust! So much dust! White t-shirts were a poor choice!) ensued. 

Perhaps you’ve noticed that these games are quite familiar to anyone who’s been to camp in North America.  But these games (even the idea of highlighting teamwork) are new to all the kids in Humjibre. Volunteer Poranee Arthaukti reflects on this: “If we were to do this in the States the activities would have to be something they haven’t done and be more exciting or they’d be bored. Here everyone’s really involved!  They love that we’re introducing these new games, and I think that’s part of why it’s so popular.”  

Indeed, everyone seemed to be out at the field that afternoon, even the ones not on teams.  After everyone hydrated with their satchets of water (and Happy quelled an impromptu water fight) the football drills happened, but at this point, an actual football was superfluous to what football camp is really all about: involving, sharing…building a team together. “I loved that we are really involved with the kids and the community.  I’m having fun and I think they’re having fun too!”  says Poranee.

So come to Humjibre and you’ll see passionate football fans and dedicated football teams working together…just don’t ever mention that thing that happened in 2010…that moment that we no longer speak of…Although, I just blogged it.  Uh oh…

Check out our facebook page for more pictures of the ongoing Football/Teambuilding Camp at GHEI

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Kesse Writes For Everyone

Kesse, in the white shirt, reading, with his classic smile

In last month’s issue of The Africa Report (your author’s favourite pan-African current affairs magazine), the cover article posed this question to African readers: Is Google Good for Us?  Google has made a giant product push in Africa recently, and they are even making overtures to non-profits, such as us.  “Why don’t you work on getting us better internet service?!  Do you have an android app for that?” I un-diplomatically asked the earnest Google employees in Accra.  “Do you know how hard it is to blog when the connection gets dropped mid-sentence?!  Its cra

 ...

Google Analytics and Blogger stats, though, are turning into a remarkable cross-cultural tool here in Humjibre.  Tracking what gets read, and, in this particular case, where it gets read, has helped pry open my young friend Kesse’s mind and blow it to smithereens.  Of course, to see this, his smile just gets a bit bigger.

Do you remember Kesse?  Kesse Asare is the young man in Junior High School in Humjibre that wrote a letter to our readers back in February asking for a computer for The Humjibre Community Library.  Many of you spread the word and got on our Causes page and raised enough for a computer.  When we had raised enough, we showed Kesse the blog post with his letter that started all this.  It didn’t make a lot of sense to him at the time, but I’ve been reinforcing how cool all this is to Kesse for a while now.  Now that Kesse has a slightly better conceptual basis for the internet, I’ve popped open my laptop and showed him Google stats.

“People in India read our blog when it was posted! They might have read your letter!” I said.

“But I addressed the letter to Americans…I thought.” He was confused again. 

“On the internet, everything you write is addressed to world!” I said, my voice squeaking with excitement.  If Kesse wasn’t careful, I was going to launch into a rant about global consciousness through social media, Marshal McLuhan vs. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, and a bunch of other half-baked notions…

Sometime ago, Kesse approached me in the library.  “I have written a letter thanking those who helped for the computer.”  Immediately, I asked if I could post it. Kesse said yes, and after a pause, he said “It is written for those who have helped, but I think anyone can read it.”  If there is a more succinct definition of blogging, I’m not sure I’ve heard it.  So here is Kesse’s letter, written for a few, but as with all great things on the internet, open for all to read.   I’ve tried to keep the syntax and style as distinctly as he wrote it.

Dear Sir/Madam,

                PERMISSION TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

It’s me Kesse again.  I have heard about the computer, and that it has been sent!

Thank you for your help and I always say anyone who helps us will have 120 years before he or she is dead.

And my greeting goes to your children, your wife and your friends.  I say good day!

I know God has helped you.  If you use 10,000, and God will multiply it by 12,000* and so on and so on.

                                                                                                Good day

                                                                                                Thank you,

                                                                                                Kwasi Asare Kesse Bediako

                                                                                       ‘The Prince of Sefwi Humjibre’

Since he wrote this letter, the computer has been set up in the library by Lawrence Donkor.  Kesse and his friends have been using it often.  There are no Google products on the computer (currently, our already overburdened office internet connection, working through an antenna held up by a tall piece of bamboo, is not reaching the library), but weird stats on page views isn’t what will make Kesse realize the power of his words.  The computer sitting in front of him does.  I hope he uses it to keep blogging.

*That’s 120,000,000 Karma points in case you’re curious…

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Malaria Prevention 2011: Data Entered and Saved!

For every exciting community development project that exists, an antithesis exists: the infinitely less exciting task of data entry.   It’s easy to get gung-ho about trekking out and being subsumed by the sights and sounds of a vibrant community like Humjibre, not so easy to get uber-pumped about staring at a computer screen, crunching numbers, especially when the computer you’re using is wheezing in the tropical heat and has an “A” key that sticks aaaaaaaaaaaaaaalot.

To their credit, the volunteers dove into this arduous slog with remarkable enthusiasm (not in short supply with this group).  With Health Program Coordinator Carly Edward's guidance (no stranger to data entry herself, she describes her data entry technique as meticulous and thorough, “like a Weaverbird, it’s all about weaving it all together to build a nest…”), the team has attacked these surveys in their last three days in Humjibre with zeal.  (Kari finished entering data for Kojina and described her data entry style as fast and ferocious, “Like a Cheetah!”  She was indeed finished quickly).

Of course, data entry is not going to be the ultimate memory the group will be taking home with them when they leave Humjibre. 

There is that time when they all went to baby weighing…

The group went to The Humjibre Clinic for Baby Weighing, a regular experience for the Serve and Learn Volunteers in all sessions and it’s a good time to for volunteers check out what the local health facilities are like.  It’s a weekly event that takes place at the Humjibre clinic, and a good time for new mothers to get their babies checked out by the midwife on staff there.  Jim, the only dude in the group, was front and center among them, and thought nothing of being surrounded by a dozen or so mothers.   Unbeknownst to them all, this particularly time turned out to be a breast feeding demonstration as well. Jim sought solidarity from another male presence; there were none, the fathers were all gathered outside the clinic! Briefly, Jim pictured a rough and clamorous escape, but it was already too late, he was surrounded by actively breast-feeding mothers.  Which is good and healthy (“Breast is Best!”), and the sight of a woman breastfeeding is nothing out of the ordinary in Ghana, but Jim couldn’t help but blush and keep his eyes glued to the ceiling.  And of course, the rest of the group noticed and teased him for it! 

There was the time that they were chased by the man who wanted to be surveyed…

Serve and Learn coordinator Tamara Mason was out with Aggie and Lawrence, when a man approached them clearly very agitated.  “Why did you not come to my home!” he demanded to know.  Apparently, he had stayed home from work waiting for the volunteers to show!  Well, it was called random sampling, and thus the volunteers and Tamara watched as Aggie and Lawrence attempted to explain random sampling.  Lawrence must have done a good job explaining because the man calmed down a bit, but only once Lawrence made it clear, it was nothing personal. 

There was the time they visited the Chief…

l-r. Health Program Assistant Mensah Gyapong, Kari, Jim, Erin, Tamara, Lauren, Alexsa, and Annisa, with the elders and the chief in the middle

All the volunteers were excited to be meeting the chief of Humjibre, Nana Kwadwo Twum II.  It was a formal ceremony but one that happens for every Serve and Learn Session.  GHEI Health Program Assistant Mensah Gyapong led the volunteers in greeting the chief and the elders, always counterclockwise. They sat, and Mensah announced the volunteer’s mission in the community, and their mission in coming to visit the Chief.  The Chief’s spokesman got up and announced the chief would speak. The chief said he was glad that they were here and thanked them for their service to Humjibre, and pledged to support them with their mission.  Libations were poured: thanks to God and the spirits of the dead were given for bringing the volunteers safely to the community.  Prayers were offered that their mission would be successful, and that the group would return safely home after they were done.  For each prayer and praise, a small drop of gin was dribbled to the ground.  Then the alcohol was passed around to each of the volunteers.  Everyone nervously looked at each other.  It was 9 A.M.  

But these are just a few of the many memories, like the rowdiness of drumming and dancing (three sessions in, and all of GHEI’s neighbors are still dancing), the eye opening trip to the Bibiani Hospital, and so much more...

The data is entered and saved, and the memories are too.  

Finished the surveys! Yeah!

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Summer Serve and Learn 2011: Malaria Prevention

Mabel, Lauren, Alexsa, Jim, and Erin at The Lover's Inn (with Sister Comfort in the background)

The Lover's Inn, located a few meters down the road from the iconic GHEI logo, has hosted many of GHEI's social events since volunteers began arriving back in 2004.  Proprietor Sister Comfort's generous and infectious laughter has stayed with many of the volunteers as they recollect their times in Humjibre.  Sister Comfort also has a small bit in the GHEI documentary shot by Fernando Sapelli (which everyone should check out at our YouTube Channel (Social Network Synergy!))

The 2011 Serve and Learn: Malaria Prevention volunteers gathered at The Lover's Inn with the Community Health Workers (CHW) this last week to celebrate the completion of their surveying of the Humjibre and Kojina community's bednet usage.  This group of CHW was augmented by GHEI volunteer teachers, members of the Health and Education teams. A feeling of camaraderie was palpable, as volunteers and CHWs were partnered to do the survey in teams.  

GHEI has distributed insecticide treated bednets to every sleeping area in Humjibre and neighbouring village Kojina, a mighty task, but now comes the mightier task of follow up and gathering information on how those bednets are being used.  The detailed survey is now in Twi, making the work a touch smoother.  An announcement was made on the loudspeaker that surveyors may be visiting households in Humjibre, so be prepared!  And they were. Some volunteers found that people had stayed home from work just to get a chance to answer questions. “That would never happen in the States!” was the volunteer consensus on this.  Not every community in Ghana is like Humjibre either...

(l-r) Anissa, Mabel, Isaac, Brown, Erin, and Lawrence

As well as celebrating a job well done, the volunteers got together as a group to award service from the CHW's.  Most Accurate was Degraft; the best attendance was Mensah; the biggest interview was completed by Christina; the fastest surveyor was (Captain) Saga; in support of this group, were Serve and Learn Volunteers Jim Ohliger and Kari Fish.  Most experienced was Aggie (with 6 years of CHW experience!); most improved was Shadrack; most outgoing was Happy (which wasn’t a surprise to anyone who knows him); the best dressed was Lydia (good impressions are lasting ones after all); they were accompanied by Alexsa Grant and Lauren Nichols.  The best attitude was Isaac; most positive was Mabel; most completed surveys was Brown (FYI, Brown has three jobs and is applying for university. No flies on him!); most patient was Lawrence, the librarian, (who has had his patience tried by fire in the sweaty literary mania called the Read-A-Thon); this group was helped by Anissa Taylor and Erin Rosen. 

Although the experience of being welcomed into people's homes willingly and warmly, definitely stuck with the volunteers, the bonding with the CHWs on their assignment is what really moved the volunteers.  “It was really enjoyable,” said Kari.  “It was a humbling experience, because they all have so many roles in the community, and they’re all taking time to volunteer as well,” said Erin. “It was a good way to get to know them as well,” according to Kari. Erin added, “I can’t believe how frequently people laugh around here!”

(l-r) Shadrack, Lydia, Alexsa, Lauren, and Aggie

The Lover's Inn had brought everyone together again, across continents and cultures, just as it has done many times before, but the close relationships on display were formed in teamwork, and a shared vision for the importance of the work they are doing.  

Of course, the work of entering all this data still remained...

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Girls' Empowerment 2011: Reflections

The Girls’ Empowerment camp came to a close with a meal.  The girls and the volunteers got together to make some banku and okra stew.  It was a great time to share, and the bonds that were formed early on in the camp, only became stronger as they laughed, shared, and mostly ate with their hands.  

Girls’ Empowerment Camp 2011 was clearly a success, but beyond the fun and joy of making new friends, how did it affect the girls?  What were their reflections on the camp?   With the volunteers help, I asked, and the girls wrote their responses.

What do the words “Girls’ Empowerment” mean to you? 

 Faustina: “Girls’ Empowerment means a program for girls so that we are doing everything to overcome all the challenges that we will meet.  We the girls can do anything that the boys can do even better.”

Serve and Learn volunteer Astrid Prudent said about Faustina, “Since day one, I’ve been drawn to Faustina, a sweet girl and real grounded, in her life, spirituality and friends.”

Do you feel stronger when you are in a group like the Girls’ Empowerment group? Why?

Jennifer B.: “I feel stronger when I’m at Girls’ Empowerment because it helps me to know more things about girls and women and the future.  It makes me feel happy and love each of these other girls more.”

Astrid: “The thing that sticks out the most about Jen, is she’s so on it, when we do the small table groups, or thinking groups, she’s so creative, and she spends so much time on putting things out creatively.”

What part of Girls’ Empowerment Camp do you enjoy the most? 

Charlotte: “The part of Girls’ Empowerment camp that I enjoy most is the study of family planning.  Why?  I like this because it teaches me to not get pregnant and to know my aim before giving birth.”

Astrid: “Charlotte’s shy, but also very smart, she’s very reality based, and totally helped the group get a different angle.”

If you could invite anyone woman in your life to Girls’ Empowerment camp, who would you invite and why?

Ernestina: “I would bring my friends to Girls’ Empowerment camp because we would feel so happy learning these things together.  We play fun games, but we also learn about business and life.”

Astrid: “Ernestina, has such a sweet shy spirit, but she craves to learn more, she’s hungry for it.”

Is Girls’ Empowerment important to everyone and not just girls? 

Gloria: “Girls’ Empowerment helps girls to have confidence and be strong enough to overcome all life challenges.  So when we include the boys, they will be stronger than we the girls, because they are strong already. We the girls want to challenge or overcome them.  So it is important to girls only, because we want to be strong and challenge all things.”   

Astrid: “Gloria is so young and so smart, without a doubt, the sky’s the limit for Gloria. She’ll accomplish so much.”

How would you describe Girls’ Empowerment camp to your friends and family? 

Paulina:  “I would say, at Girls’ Empowerment Camp we feel free.  We also make things like bracelets and play games, but at Girls’ Empowerment camp we feel free to ask many questions.”

Astrid: Paulina, is a warrior, and totally the leader of the pack, and she’s very respected.  

Tell us about a strong woman in your life, and what she has taught you?

Jennifer W.: “My older sister Isabella.  This woman can run fast and she is the best woman football player I know.  She told me to take part in any activity going on in my school and she also told me to exercise every morning so that I will also be strong like her. But, I think she is so strong because she is brave. ”

Astrid: “Jennifer is like the mother of them all. Everyone has that one friend that everyone looks to for the right way to do things, and she’s that friend.”

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