This is what I came for


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Africa » Ghana » Greater Accra
February 5th 2009
Published: February 5th 2009
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Yesterday I woke up at 5:15 AM to take a tro tro to Teshie to go to the school. They wanted us to be there at 8 and traffic is really bad so they said for the first day to leave campus by 6 just to make sure. We got there really early so next time I think ill be leaving by 6:30 instead.

When we got there we went to a school that was a couple blocks away. Me and Bethany weren’t really sure what we were doing there but we just followed them around. Next thing I know, our “boss” Leevan turns around and informs us that we are giving a 30 minute HIV/AIDS talk to about 70 kids…WHAT?!!! Thanks for the advanced notice dude. All those years of Speech and Debate and improv speeches finally came in handy that’s for sure. Leevan stepped in and talked a good bit, but it went sort of well… well, as well as you can expect with 30 seconds of prep time. Oh you gotta love that Ghana logic… The school was really nice for the neighborhood it was in, but the classrooms were overcrowded. The class we were in was I think 2nd-8th grade. The classroom was about the size of a class made for 30 kids and they had at least 70 crammed in together. The kids were sharing desks and even sitting in each other’s laps. Apparently that is very normal for African schools though and they don’t even think twice about it.

On the way back to Global Civic Preservation we were able to talk to Leevan and Josh a lot more and they are awesome guys. I’m really looking forward to spending more time with them. They’re volunteers too and just love these kids. They are the definition of Ghanaian hospitality. I mentioned to them that I would need to go to the post office when my package comes in the mail but didn’t know where to go and they were telling us that they would show us how to get there and if we needed help with anything they’re here for us to make sure we don’t get ripped off anymore! YAY!! I told them that we had a Twi exam that day so they helped us study during lunch and are just so nice. Its really comforting to find people like that because everyone always talks about how nice Ghanaians are and sometimes its hard to believe it when you keep having bad experiences. Im really looking forward to being part of the GCP family while Im here.
So we get back to GCP and guess what? Im informed that I am supposed to be teaching!!! Oh Africa… So I whip up a quick lesson plan about essays to teach to the older kids. The lesson goes pretty well, there were only 8 kids that day and I tried to be as interactive with them as possible. It went pretty well and they wanted me to give them class work and homework so I had them write an essay. Some spit out a 5 paragraph essay like it was nothing, and a few could write down their ideas but need a little help with organization and stuff. There was this one girl named Believe who was giving me a few problems in class and she wouldn’t write an essay. I tried to get her to write something down, but she just wouldn’t cooperate with me. I sat down with her and tried to work with her and then I slowed realized what the real problem was. She cant write because she cant read or spell!! I gave her a separate assignment with some spelling words so we can work with her on that. Then while they are working on it I go inside and tell the guys that she can’t read. They just look at me and go “yea we know”… um wow, thanks for the warning!! So I definitely have my work cut out for me for these kids, but it was really inspiring. Im really looking forward to working with them and since each one is on a different level Ill have to work with them individually and set goals for each one.

It was just a really inspiring day; this is why I came here. I have the opportunity to really make a difference in these kids lives!


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9th February 2009

yay :)
So I am so happy that you have found a group to work with. This is so you and I know you will be really happy there.. since mom and I know you went to Africa to save all the little African babies :) And.. so for my Mardi Gras Ball (pics are up btw) I told my mother that we had chatted via Facebook and she was so excited, and a bit jealous. But such is life. I know you're having fun.. but have some more!

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