I like to help baby goats find their mothers so they can stop screaming already.

The local NGO I’m working for, Footprints of Realisation (FOR Ghana), thinks writing grant proposals is as easy as eating fufu (with your right hand, shoveling it into your mouth). Just last week they decided to drop two last-minute projects on me out of the blue with no warning from the past 3 months that I have been here. As a result, they were informed with a firm no that we cannot get a grant approved in less than a month, thus leaving us with limited resources and scrambling around town asking for more. I feel this is something I am just going to have to get used to…

One of the projects is organizing a small program for World AIDS Day, which is Dec. 1st (but we are planning for Dec. 2nd. Africa runs on a slower schedule, even on official days apparently). Basically we are going to run the JHS Leadership Clubs around town making a ruckus, jabbing signs, and doing garbage clean-up. Following that will be a film showing about HIV/AIDs and a condom demonstration. Maybe get a nurse to speak a few. As I am now travelling again for In-Service Training (IST) next week and then to Accra for Thanksgiving celebrations at the Ambassador’s house (Hah! I get turkey too, America. In your face! Or rather, in my face.), I have so little time!

Anyway, I look forward to IST in Kumasi next week where we will given more information about how to attain much needed resources, i.e. how to do better at our jobs and not waste taxpayers’ money. The Environment sector will also be back together again as a group first time in 3 months and there will be a lot of catching up to do. I hope there will be flipcharts and juice boxes involved. Good times.

Kpassa is really littered. This is a bola. It is basically a public dumping ground, both fecally and materially. Every morning on my way into town or to the school, I see these toddlers poohing and peeing all over, leaving a steamy mess as the afternoon heat humidifies everything.


Two little neighbors of mine posing for the camera.


Duck soap advertising gone wrong.


Video clip of the Kpassa JHS 'B' Leadership Club performing a HIV/AIDS song:


This week has been ridiculously hectic with me biking throughout town visiting administrative offices and schools. I am finally putting my mountain bike to good use (instead of as a rack), though at this rate I’m going to shred my tires; it seems to be on automatic for finding the rockiest paths (which should really be a tourist attraction of Kpassa, I’d say). Teaching ICT went really well, considering there are 4 computers (one of them being mine) for a class of 50 . Better than the first time I taught ICT when I only had a keyboard.

Anyway, time to hand-wash my clothes in a bucket and then off to an afternoon nap.

Better Together – Jack Johnson

Kids and Cats

Coming into the Peace Corps and into this line of work, I know development is a slow and painful process, filled with failures and wasted resources. An immense amount of patience is required. No matter how much facilitators push, development is only achieved by the people of the country. If there is no peace, there is no development. If there is no enthusiasm, there is no development.

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For a little while in October, I picked up teaching (small small) the first-years at the Junior High School A nearby. These kids are really eager to learn (going to school is a privilege which not all can afford) but unfortunately, motivated teachers are hard to come by. Starting next week I’ll also pick up some ICT classes at the Secondary High School to help out my struggling colleagues who are on the board of the NGO I'm working for. As I am not officially a teacher nor is it my job to replace a teacher position, this teaching gig is only a side hobby to help me “integrate” into the community as the white lady that speaks funny English. There are multiple projects that are on the horizon but everything takes time, especially in Africa. Until then, here are some pictures of kids and cats.







And yes, everyone. It is still hot in Ghana. Perpetual August hot. Enjoy your turkeys, snow, and hot chocolate.

(Not Your Average Girl From Your) Video - India.aire