Akwaaba!

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well, hi everyone!! sorry it has taken me so long to publish an entry on the travel blog...my first week here has been so busy that ive not had the chance to sit down and write about what ive been up too...guess there is only one way to start...from the beginning!

I arrived late on friday 1st February about 10pm, the first thing to hit me was the heat..after leaving a very cold Manchester with a hooded top it was a big shock to find everyone wondering round in t-shirts and shorts. Had a mild panic after I landed as i couldn't find my project leader...crowd gathered outside the arrivals lounge was huge!! but then i saw a 'Ruth Jones' sign waving at me so the panic was over!!

The first couple of days in Accra were spent on an orientation around the city by our project leaders...this proved useful as they gave us bite-size lessons in the local language, Twi, the public transport system (v.scary!!) and the local do's and don't's.

We met our host family on the Sunday night who consist of our host brother Nano, our host sister Peace and about 12 other Ghanian lads, all cousins!! so as you can imagine the house is constantly heaving with people!! everytime we come in from the orphanage there is another member of the extremely large family to meet!! Everyone has been very welcoming and im becoming very settled..The house is quite advanced in terms of it has a western toilet and occasional running water, however the area that we are living in, La Badi, is very poor. A lot of the houses are made up of tin sheets placed in a box shape, so we feel we are lucky to have our own bedroom in the house!

The Orphanage now.... I dont think anything could have prepared me for the state of the orphanage when I first saw it on the Monday! The stench of urine as we opened the door into House 1 - the baby house, was unbelievable...the children all sleep in cots around the house and without the help of volunteers the children would be left in the cots all day! fortunately there are a few volunteers, including myself, who take the children out everyday under the shade of a tree in front of the orphanage to play...now the kids are something else 😊 I've never met any children before that want to constantly hold your hand, cuddle and kiss you! as you can imagine we come home absolutely stinking of wee, poo, sick and food!! lovely!! All the kids seem to want is attention as they dont get any by the women that look after them...there are four disabled children who are just left on their own so I try my hardest to get each child out in the fresh air everyday for a couple of hours. At the moment I am trying to teach one little girl to walk - she manages to totter a few steps then falls over and giggles, so thats my project for this month, to make her walk unaided!!!

Last night, Saturday night, one of our host 'cousins' took us to a sort of after christening party! Ive never had so much fun! the music, the food and the smells of the night make you feel so alive! everyone was dancing including all the young men and it wasnt long before i was persuade to get up and shake my thing!! at one point i was sandwiched between two elder Ghanian women singing and dancing to a song that carried the message 'shout and sing if you love your sister' - i felt very honoured to have been invited and the dancing carried on well into the night!!

ok, enough for now, next installment next week 😊

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Photos

Jacob
This is a little boy called Jacob - very adorable

Salem
Salem was orphaned after his mother died in childbirth, he is always smiling except when he is asleep!

Comments

[mum dad]

[e-mail]
Ruth thanks for the first blog.It is great to read you account of your experience so far and a real priviledge to share the photos of the children who are now part of your world. Akwaaba to you ,we love you and are so proud

[Leezy]

Hey Ruth
Great blog Ruth! Loving it! Sounds like your having an awesome time. Take care xxxx

[Shelagh]

Wow!
hi Ruth it sounds like you are having an amazing time doing an amazing thing. Hope you enjoy it all even though it must be exhausting and tiring work. We are all good here - boys and Mike skiing and I am at home relaxing - will send you another message soon. Take lots of care Shelaghx

[Auntie Catharine]

shake it, Ruthie!
It is really inspiring to catch a glimpse, through words and pictures, of the incredibly different context where you are now - a far cry from dinners at the old folks' home. Keep the entries coming as we will avidly follow your account and check every day for additions to your blog: no pressure mind!! Keep at the food: you'll be able to swallow madras curries without wincing on your return and we'd like a recipe for fufu! Lots of love from us all xxxxxxx

[Olive & Alan Wood]

Our African Queen
Great blog Ruth. Really pleased that you have settled and are enjoying yourself, especially after the culture shock on arrival. Will check in regularly to see what you are up to. Enjoy. ps: We had dinner with your Grandma and Grandad, your Mum and Dad, Howard, Anwen and Esther last Thursday evening - guess what the topic of conversation was - YOU.