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Published: December 16th 2007
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CRS Crew
Here is the crew at the Tamale office in the morning I started the morning with a navy shower since I had quite the difficulties with my shower - the water was cool, and the shower head did not work… but at least I discovered that I can get clean with a fraction of water I normally use. For breakfast, I had my Nescafe, toast with jam as well as that laughing cow cheese. Once we finished eating, we jumped into the car, stopped off at the CRS Tamale office where we re-saw the members of the CRS staff, as well as meet some new employees. I was still being surprised by the amount of hospitality and friendliness I received everywhere I went.
Sarah, Elizabeth, Thomas and I road with Ringo to the Shekinnah Clinic. Unfortunately, we were not able to see the founder/manager Dr. Abdulai because he was at the theatre (which apparently, is the operating room). So the story of this clinic is fascinating: it was started underneath a tree where the first operation was performed. Instead of meeting with the Dr. Abdulai, we toured around and saw the consulting rooms - upon which was the mission statement, claiming that ALL medical care at that place was free of charge.
Sign at the Clinic
(taken by Elizabeth) From here, we walked to the pharmacy, a residence for those with leprosy, and the residence for those with HIV/AIDS. We were able to speak with the women at this residence, who were extremely happy, friendly and joking. One of the ladies there was from a rival village of Thomas’ village… so they were giving each other a hard time (much like an aggie and a longhorn round here). From the residence, we walked to the fully equipped medical lab, but we were informed that there is no technician to run it.
We left the clinic to make our way to Bolgatanga (also known as Bolga) further north. On the way, we stopped at a school feeding program in Savelugu. Here we spoke with the what would be considered the PTA members (members from the community that come to ensure the quality and fairness of the food preparation). We were also able to see the woman make sorghum, as well as try it. The children have to bring a piece of firewood every day if they want to eat. This, along with the quasi-PTA, demonstrated to me the community involvement in the school program. Everyone from the village was there
Laboratory
Here is the fully equipped lab where there is no technician to work in it... that day since they knew we were visiting. The sorghum tasted to me like the steel cut oatmeal I eat for breakfast. At this school, there was two building, one state funded, and one CRS funded. There was also not enough room… so there was a classroom that was literally under a tree. Serena and I attempted to use the restroom (the one that wasn’t the fields)… which was quite the adventure in itself. The children were so curious and almost shy at the attention we were giving them. Some would blush and smile if you waved and smiled at them… it was adorable. These children, in my eyes, were absolutely brilliant. They soaked up information like a sponge, and their faces exuded curiosity!
Upon leaving here, we stopped on the way to Bolga at a church to enjoy some lunch. I was able to taste red-red, which is a bean dish that is rather spicy, served with fish and plantains (man, I was in heaven with all the plantains).
Once we finally reached our hotel, the Comme Ci Comme Ca, we had a little coffee break. Comme Ci Comme Ca in French means “a lil of this, a lil
The Echo Story
the story on the bulletin board is why I took this picture of that” or, in English, “so-so.” For example, if someone asks the question of “how are you doing? In French” one may respond “comme ci comme ca” to mean “alright” (kinda like asì asì or così così in Spanish or Italian, respectively).
After the afternoon caffe, we went to mass at “the grotto” which Monsignor said is used as a pilgrimage place since people can’t really get to Lourdes. The area that we were at was actually set up to be a stations of the cross through which you could walk. It was beautiful. During the mass, a rainbow came out. Afterwards, we stopped by the Irish father’s place were I somehow got separated from the group so I’m not so much sure what they do there. However, they do have a grove with an altar for the traditionalists to make their animal sacrifices on.
Then, we joined Monsignor Roger and Father Moses at Monsignor’s place, as well as the Canadian nurse-students that work at the clinic that Monsignor runs. First, we went up the roof for I guess “cocktail” hour were we all met each other, relaxed, and conversed. We then went downstairs, where we dined on goat, chips
with ketchup, pasta (the standard stuff), although the new substance I had was tizette… mmm the only dish I didn’t really care for in Ghana. The starch was milled corn which was like mush - that part I liked… the greens I did not. They were just cooked greens… I believe they needed some garlic, pepper, onions, cayenne (that Italian and Louisiana influence on my tastes ) I had fruit for dessert, which I must say was absolutely delish because of my sweet tooth. For dinner, I sat at the table with Jackie, Sarah and Father Moses. I wish I could remember the particulars of our conversation, but I remember it having something to do with faith. It was a good conversation. After a long day of visits and travel, we returned to the hotel and I remember passing out in my bed.
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