Home, Home, and Hope

Tuesday, September 5

The last few days have been uneventful for the most part, yet at the same time, they have been two of the most fulfilling days I’ve had here.

Monday was Monday – naturally lazy and slow. But we had a technological breakthrough. My parents and I mutually discovered that we had microphones on our webcams. I was able to talk to my parents and see them for the first time, which was such a thrill. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for a good couple of hours.

It was getting “late” but I wasn’t quite tired enough to sleep. Duncan, Rags and I decided that a game of Hearts was what we needed. I ended up shooting the moon to win the game, which was pretty cool.

Victory in hand, I was preparing to go to bed. That is, until we heard what sounded like a brawl on the fifth floor. My curiosity piqued to say the least. I asked what was happening upstairs: “fresher initiation.” Now I was humored to say the least.

I took the walk upstairs to meet the fine fellows handing out the punishment to the freshmen. We stayed up until 3 or 3:30 in the morning just talking, getting to know each other, cracking jokes, doing the things that college kids should do. It was a great feeling to be a part of something, to feel like I was welcomed into their little community. It was probably the first time that I’ve felt that I was at home and comfortable here. For most of the time, it’s been mutually recognized that we Americans are outsiders. In one night, though, a lot of that went away. I would have talked with them all night, but I had to get up early to go to Buduburam Refugee Camp.

Prior to leaving for Camp, I had a meeting with my advisor, Rev. Abraham Akrong, for my independent study project. Our meeting was scheduled for 11. I showed up on time, as I usually do; he showed up at 11:30. Whatever. I was glad to get the meeting done so I could spend a little time on camp.

Joe, Haley, and I convened in front of school to take our route to Camp: Legon to Circle, Circle to Kineshi, Kineshi to Kasoa, Kasoa to Camp. Our choice of vehicle was tro-tro. Taking a tro-tro is a truly Ghanaian experience. I don’t think there is anything like it anywhere in the world. A tro-tro is full-size van with 4 or 5 rows of seats. In the United States, this would comfortably fit 12-15 people. In Ghana, they pack anywhere between 20 and 30 people into the van. You haven’t had your personal space violated until you have been in a tro-tro.

The tro-tro is operated by two people: the driver and the “mate.” The mate has two responsibilities: collecting the money from people and yelling out the window where the tro-tro is going. Usually, the name is said 3 times in quick succession and the name is usually shortened. For example Accra would be “CraCraCra,” Circle is CircCircCirc.” It’s always a good chuckle.

After 2 hours of tro-tro rides, we arrived at camp. I was eagerly anticipating a meeting with Jeremiah, the Executive Director of SHIFSD, the organization on the camp which AfricaAid works with. It was a perfect meeting – short, sweet, and to the point – but more than anything, it gave me great hope that the program which we put so much time into is actually going to fly. Jeremiah informed me that 170 children had enrolled for school, more than the 150 we were anticipating. And the best part is that the children don’t know about the school lunches – they want to go to school on their own volition. They will be so surprised when they receive a mid-day meal.

After my meeting, I met some of the teachers and volunteers at the school. These are the people that are responsible for teaching the curriculum that Ryan, myself, and many others at San Diego put together. They were absolutely thrilled to meet me; I had to keep insisting that the pleasure was mine.

We jetted out early, knowing that traffic through Accra would be hell. It would be rush our by the time we hit Accra. We were able to catch a tro-tro straight to Kineshi, which was nice; one less step. Then we hit Circle, and sat there. And sat there. After a substantial amount of time, we started moving. Three hours after leaving, we arrived in Legon, primed for two-for-one pizza night. All I can say was that it was perfect.

Don’t really know what’s in store for the weekend. My plans to go to Sefwi were, again, cut down, because they are dealing with some legal issue. Hopefully, I can make it next weekend. It’s an experience I can’t wait for.

Oh, yes. Today was also the first day since we got back from Cape Coast that I've had running water. I have never been so grateful for a cold, weak stream of water.

All for now. Stay well.

LDG