Denise Ward

Landed safely and on time this morning via British Airways after two 7-hour flights - first from Ghana to London, then 2-hour layover and plane change, then second 7-hour leg to JFK and NYC. Last fall and now, superb service on BA, in the airports, including Accra, where I had to repackage my luggage 3 times to avoid extra fees and meet regulations - all on the patient advice of counter rep, and a floor attendant giving me a much appreciated helping hand. Same nice help on the plane, dealing with my too large plastic bag with fragile items. Great food, including organic products - all around high quality service. All in all, in west coast time: left Have Sunday night at 11 pm and arrived New York on Tuesday at 4 am. First impressions: Everything ... read more

Part of Paul Kpai’s vision for economic development of his Have community and surrounding region is to promote tourism in the stunningly beautiful Volta Region. With that in mind, Paul treated Celia, me, and Jason (another Village Volunteer in Have) to a complimentary day tour of some of the most impressive wonders in this vicinity. Lucky me, I got to do the tour again, with the newest volunteer Kim, who is from New York, and is working on “the farm,” the sustainable agriculture project established by Paul about ten years ago. The tour agenda included Wli Waterfalls, highest in West Africa; Amedzofe, the highest human habitation in Ghana; and Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary. A grand tour, indeed. Paul recruited his good friend, Constance and his SRV as chauffeur and tourmobile. Paul ordered lunch prepared for the road, ... read more

Knowing the Dayi River was somewhere west and not far from Have, I asked two of Florence’s (our cook) nephews, Richard and Samson, to escort Celia and I to the river. They confirmed that we could hire a fisherman there to take us out in a boat (hand hewn from one log). The 1.5 hour trek from Have-Etoe town to the Dayi River took us past town residents’ farms growing mostly cassava, yam, maize, and okra. Nearing the river, I was surprised by an old village, the original village of Have, where villagers, far from town, make a quiet living fishing and rice farming. Tilapia is the premier fish catch. After meeting the young fisherman and his family, we trekked further to the river, where a new life opened before our eyes. Life on the river ... read more

After six months in Kenya and two months in Ghana, I am now at the final post of my first African journey. My new roommate, Celia, and I arrived from Accra on July 11. Celia, from Rome, Italy, studies anthropology at Brunel University in London. She is 21 years old and has traveled extensively, including trips to several other African countries, and fluently speaks Italian, French, German, Spanish, and English. I feel quite deficient, only speaking English. This last assignment is by no means my most enjoyable or satisfying, but the town and region are beautiful, and I am excited to travel this region. The town center of Have (Hav, as in lava; the e as in eh) is the most picturesque and tidy of any I have seen, either in Kenya or Ghana. The road ... read more

Hi everyone! Have tried to send something for almost two weeks. Between lost connections and computer failure.... A few words about Ghana and where I am. Aworowa is a village in Techiman district, in the Brong-Ahafo region. Hopefully, you can locate on a map. Is northwest of Kumasi, a large city and headquarters of the Ashanti region. Aworowa consists of a small town and surrounding rural homes. My position is at the Aworowa Health Center, aka Aworowa Clinic. About a 10 minute taxi ride from Techiman (costs $.50), a small city with huge outdoor market, and full array of businesses and bustling activity. Work has picked up sufficiently at the clinic. Not the most stimulating, but I am helping, and the staff are thanking me and appreciating my work. Most helpful is going with nurse Emelia ... read more

Wishing Kenya well. and welcome to Ghana! Leaving Kenya was bittersweet. Time to go, but also wanting to stay. After three months, was attached to the Dago/Ranen community, Odoyo family, and other friends. My brief stay with the Maasai only showed me how much I missed when my two week program scheduled for February was cancelled. But, the short time there was valuable in making a connection with program hosts and community leaders, Emmanuel and wife Lilian. Also, in introduction to Maasai culture, basic history - had previously read, but got personal insight - and current lifestyle in the Transmara, which may be in the southern Rift Valley. Not sure where the boundary is. Though a short time with the people, they are lovely. Emmanuel and Lilian are saintly people, giving all to their community. They ... read more