Blogs from Western, Ghana, Africa

all started out well... the class sailed through the tests. I always admire every single one of them as English is not their first language and they are learning some complex life saving information in a foreign language... this is not sonething you or I could do that is unless you speak another language fluently. I sadly do not! Then the stumbles started, unfortunately I had three people that had to start again because they were immediate fails when they commenced CPR on our breathing casualty. Of course I shouted STOP before any damage could occur but I was very upset when one did it but when three did it I then worried that it was my teaching and that I had not explained this to them right. However on speaking to them it seems that ... read more

Monday night started out well, Gideon and I had dinner, mine wasnt very nice but I find that happens quite often so I didnt think anything of it, one of the students joined us and we had a great laugh then Gideon took me for a walk around Takoradi town which I enjoyed. I did not take the camera as it was late at night and I was concerned about security. I made friends with some local children, I watched local women cooking kelewele on the side of the road (fried plantain not just a nickname for me when I was a kid - Kelly Welly) and wathed local people go about their business. My stomach rumbled loudly, REALLY LOUDLY and Gideon was tired so we headed back and that is when it started, I managed ... read more

Gideon asked everyone to arrive on time at 7.30am so true to African time they arrived about 8.45 and we got started at about 9am and today we learnt about primary and secondary Survey as well as recovery position and CPR… so it was a lot of information! They all looked at me like I was nuts and they all looked worried and when I showed them Annie and said you will all be kissing her lots their eyes looked straight for the door! J They are all very wary of me – very much like Gideon – quite shy people – completely different to the Nigerian first aiders. When we came to practise the recovery position they looked at me and said “what on each other?” I said oh yes and get used to it ... read more

Hi all... arrived last night at 10.00 on a plane that bounced its way to Accra... we had the seatbelt sign on the whole way to Ghana, and then when getting off of the plane I waited an hour and a half in immigration! I sat with a chief and his daughter on the plane who prayed often during the flight (quite off putting to be honest) they had been to England because the chiefs son in law died of cancer but failed to tell anyone or take medication because he beleived that by praying that the cancer would leave his body - if only it was that easy.... it was nice to get to the golden tulip and have a cup of tea and a shower and some bed rest at 1am This morning at ... read more