We finally got Kelsey to our place with the help of Osman on his motorcycle since we can’t ride them as PC Volunteers. We had to cross our fingers that Osman would find her when she got off the car from Bolgatanga, pick her up, and make it safely that evening. We tried to meet her at a junction before going straight to our house, but Osman just buzzed by us without stopping! So I took off running to try to catch up with them, and to see someone running in the village (unless you’re playing futbol) is a very odd thing. Anyway, we got her settled in and we relaxed.
The next day we went to the school and put Kelsey to work doing her lessons on health and sanitation at the JHS and Primary (elementary) schools. We played a game (with different degrees of success) about what things were good for health (ie wash hands after using the restroom) and things that were bad (ie leaving water uncovered). Then we played a game about what to do if you get malaria…essentially go to the clinic, and how to prevent it. Then we used a little competition with the youngest students about how to clean up the school from the garbage and actually made an impact on the place in about 10 minutes. Since it was just before lunch, we used the opportunity to teach a handwashing song (since they don’t understand a ton of English and the song was in English…oh well) with actions. Then they all had to wash their hands with soap before getting their food. Maybe it won’t cause systemic change, but at least they’ve been exposed to better sanitation methods.
We took a stroll then to Kulfuo to have Kels meet the 100 year old chief. With a translator we introduced her, and her mission here in Ghana. Then he said he wanted to give her a Sisaali name. It took Sarah and I months of pulling teeth and twisting arms to get our names, and Kels is there for about 12 hours before she has a name! Aba! Anyway, her Sisaali name is now A hey dongo. It means ‘we are together’ and further means that individually we will stumble and fall, but when we all come together, we can achieve a lot. Another sweet name to take home J Then we went and colored pictures with the kids around our village. This is always fun, as long as there is enough supervision, and educational because I make them learn about the alphabet and numbers and/or do some basic problems before they get to color (they called it “paint things”). Then those who are old enough get to sit down with us and read some basic kids books graciously sent to us from home. Now they start to not only ask to color pictures, but to read things as well! Awesome! We finished the night by taking Kels over to Osman’s house to eat kapala (Northern fufu) and singpaning desing (ground nut soup). Oh baby did we eat a lot! And it was fantastic. After thanking the cook (doesn’t happen much in Ghana) we stumbled home in a kapala induced stupor and crashed for the night.
Then came Saturday and we prepared for the big event. We first greeted out chief and reminded everyone we saw about the meeting (needed in Ghana). And they all responded with “We’re coming in just a little bit.” So we went to the school and watched for people. The event was supposed to start, somewhere around 9. It was 9:30. Long story short, we waited until a critical amount of people had arrived by 12:30 before we started the meeting. Some were paying attention, some fell asleep, some asked questions, some asked for things we can’t give them. But all was expected after learning how life works here. Then all the dancing and culture and pomp started pouring in. What a treat! So many cool things to see (we took many pictures and videos) and experience. And then the chiefs from the 2 villages sent representatives to present us each with a gift. Mine was first and they helped put on a beautiful smock (a traditional garb that, typically, men where for special occasions. Its like a fancy sweatshirt). I have wanted one of these for several months and wanted to buy one, but held out for this occasion to see if they’d give me one. I was/am sooooooo excited for it and will actually wear it in America!! Then Sarah received one of her own! The women’s version is more like a dress of the same material. She was just as excited. Sarah is a little afraid to wear hers here though since very few women have one of these and by wearing it may seem like she’s putting herself higher than the women here. That’s totally understandable. She can wear it back home and for special occasions here.
The three main dances were the janga (women’s dance, Sarah’s pretty good at it), the jili, and doko. All are group dances and I got a chance to jump in for the doko, a men’s dance. Wooo, the heat and the smok were making me sweat like crazy. The janga is when the women form a circle and two women dance in circles until one wants to ‘tag’ the other one out and invite in a new dancer. They do this ‘tag’ by coming together and bumping rumps. Tag, you’re out! Kels and Sarah got to dance together, and the women loved it.
After some more time dancing and watching, we were hungry and walked home with some fried yams and pepe. We rested a bit and then went to meet the men tea drinkers we usually see and brought some moringa tea. We all sat, drank tea, and told stories (in the local language, its sokolong sok sokolo). Although some of the meanings were lost in translation and the morals of the stories weren’t exactly obvious, the Ghanaians, young and old, told lots of stories and it was just fun to listen to. Then I got to tell the story of the tortoise and the hare and they loved it. Finally, we were tired and strolled home.
The next morning we walked to Bugubelle and caught a ride to Tumu to drop Kels off to head home. What a weekend! Now, back to work…
