RE: How are you both? hey! Hope you both are doing well... I though I had lost your details but suprising enough after our house move I found the piece of paper with your details... :) and so... thought I would check out the blog. Look forward to hearing from you both soon . Tia & Steven
Unbelievable I was looking into volunteering in Africa and came across God's Eye orphanage. I had just put a question to the sponsoring organization today. On "paper", it looks nothing like you just described. I am also a bit older and wondered how I would fare. You certainly have given me a wonderful insight. I learned so much from your blog and am grateful for your sharing the experience in such detail. What a wonderful journey you had from your home base.
Thank you.
Hi Tony,
Hi Anita,
I’ve finally managed to sit down and properly read through your Ghana blog. It was fascinating reading and it must have been an amazing experience!! I think I can relate a bit to your frustrations at the way thins are organised (or not) but the living conditions you describe, especially for those kids, are completely beyond anything I’ve experienced.
Fascinating to read that you spotted so many differences between East Africa and West Africa, particularly in terms of development. My trip to Nigeria might suddenly be back on again so I shall have to prepare myself for even bumpier roads and more of the heat and dust.
Did you make a difference? Of course you did! We know that volunteering is a business nowadays and I can see your frustrations in questioning the money you put in, never mind the work! But even if it is drop-in-the-ocean stuff, those drops matter. I’m sure you’ll have made a big difference to the kids in the orphanage, probably to the young volunteers and certainly to yourselves. I think you’ve had an amazing experience, it’s certainly beats kicking your heels in London, doesn’t it?
Glad to hear you finally arrived back home and I’m sure you’ll soon be back on your feet again.
Hope to see you soon(ish). Take care,
Steve
pay to volunteer to help people, orphans you fell for an old scam. correct, there are children in orphanages who have family. $100 per week for your food and slepping quarters???? short on water. no accountability? where does the money go?
i volunteer in Ghana and pay noone. i bring and give books, find my own lodging, buy my own food. as to the laundry, a large pile may be washed by a professional char woman for about 6 cedi a day.
$100 a week one may live very well and comfortable.
there are true situations of true need. in Ghana yet these volunteer agencies prey upon the goodness of Obruni co coc. Before you left you could have learned a few Twi words, had you done your homework, you obviosly did not., Me pow chew, Please, I beg you, go back and take a different approach. Try the Methodist primary school in Darkuman district Accra. or the HAND IN HAND orphanage in Nkaranza outside of Techiman. Free shelter if you go there for two weeks. purchase a 25 kilo of rice at the Nkaranza market, take it to HAND IN HAND. nothing like what you have experianced takes place at hand in hand. beautiful setting. google hand in hand, chat with me as you resolve some of your return to your world emotions that commonly come to fore after trips such as yours. i wish i could meet you as you seem a decent sort.
i am here in the USA if you want to chat it up.
Ma da se
Kwaku Mensah Coco
I wont complain about the winter Wow , that sounds like quite a journey, brought tears to my eyes and yes I too would be seriously pissed about the money, hope no one is making a profit out of it. Look forward to catching up in our little NZ xx Olive
Bella Hey guys,
Isn't Cinque Terre amazing! I took Jeremy there when he first arrived in the UK, we stayed in one of the little villages for about 5 days and drank and ate our way round the local area. Brilliant...I am very jealous reading your travels as i am rolling around in the very late stages of pregnancy now only dreaming about the day i will be able to squeeze into a bikini and a foreign holiday! Take care and we look forward to introducing you to baby Cox when they and you arrive NZ xx Claire and Jez
Kissing the Blarney stone Gosh - Anita scared to kiss the Blarney stone - I thought she must have already done that years ago. Perhaps that explains running over the hour on the phone call this morning. Loved talking to you Anita - it is exciting you are now on the homeward trip. Getting closer day by day. YAY.
Aww aint it pretty It looks very pretty.... and cold... only the kiwis would be going to work. LOL you are in pommie land now guys. So no snow balls in the street ?
Home? How can you call that home with no NZ flag flying high? Shame you are still in a state of flux. Love the barbie a 'Fire bucket' with a grill on the top?
Hi guys Hi Tony and Anita
I have finally accessed your blog and really enjoyed reading of your adventures. It seems like things have really settled and expanded for you. You won't be sorry to have missed this winter! All's well here with our varied health issues finally abating and a trip to Australia in the offing. Counselling is now more settled also, my nerves not so much in evidence.
Go Well
Warmest regards
nice pictures wow nice pictures we enjoy seeing them and its a great website to have a look on how you guys are going. hope all is well and enjoying the different scenes
lots of love to you both. xxxx
Some people have all of the luck! Hi Tony and Anita,
Well I am back from a whirlwind trip to Paris ,the country house and San Francisco. I had great weather and a wow time.
The baby is beautiful gold red hair and blue eyes...over 10lb...a big kiwi baby, very contented... I went for the christening and had a party time in San Fran...
Here we are in the office. It has finally been newly arranged you can find us under green and red pot plants filed away in Zzzz for sleep mode.
Your photos look great...too great in fact. The concert for Nelson Mandela looks cool...trust you to be in the thick of historical events...and great music...We have a new CEO Graeme Ramsey..and a couple of new locum counsellors. There is always plenty of business...get back here to clear air and cocaine free water. Arohanui Cheryl
Hello from Chelsey..kia ora e hoa, kei te pehea koe, kei te pehea korua?
Miss ya heaps Tone, take care and look after yourself.
Kia ora
Chelsey
Blimey Charlie! Cor are you two actually working or just livin it up over there!??!?!! Sounds fabulous and here i am experiencing the height of kiwi winter complete with condensation and his mate damp! Wahoo! Sounds a bit like the english summer doesn't it!!
Well i will be finishing here at SF very soon to take up my new position of Lead Family Advisor at WDHB, sounds good dunnit! Will fill you in when i get the chance. Take care, Happy Birthday Anita and you'll have a Very Hot time in Malta and Croatia, wonderful....Look out for scarey brits on holiday, they'll be the burnt ones wearing jewellery and make up on the beach! Big Love me xx
Finally I"ve found you ! Xani showed me how to find you ...I have just read all your entries and looked at the piccys. What a fantastic idea when you travel ....will write soon ...tke many picturs of your birthday for me ...wish I was there ...love and hugs Wendy xx
chilly sown south too Loved the photos guys, went to Auckland to a bush wedding in Titirangi last weekend...missed you not being there to say gidday and drink with! Auck was humid warm, drizzly and damp...everything Melbourne is not. Back in oz and its finally winter...40 degrees the week before Easter and Aaron was swimming in the bay. Now is 6 degrees and The dog has one of my slippers outside somewhere.
Glad you are both earning now, at least Anita you arnt wiping 80y old bottoms, although tantrums may be worse. As for putting up with renovations at least the neighbours arnt asking for your help.
Have fun guys jules garrick and aaron xxx
Only a prawn in Whitby Hey thats the home i know and love, don't know what you mean about the weather looks like summer to me! Love reading your blog Tony you're so informative...Its like a mini history lesson on the British Isles!! Keep 'em coming x x's to you and Anita
Claire
howdy Hiya tony and anita
good pics and info. you are doing well. Its not too stressful staying in such good contact with everyone is it!!! just kidding.
I finally got your details from catherine today.
Yeah, well, heh, you know. Its been INTERESTING since you left not all good times i'm afraid. cheryl had a major meltdown in the CCR today (I was expecting it) due to a reasonable comment from jenny but I guess Jenny's style is not always cushioned with.....?pleasantries. Anyway am feeling a bit jaded. working it too hard. I've gone full time as working the hours anyway. Ho Hum.
The cleaners are currently vacuuming and polishing the desks around me at work...and its bugging me. So thought that I would stop my client notes etc and have a small chat.
This email should make you feel good about taking a break anyway!!!! Hope you both are making the most of new experiences and all.
I'm off to fiji on 2nd may for a week with the family. We are meeting my old pals from sydney there.
I think that I will con't writing another time when I'm feeling a bit fresher and excited about life.
Talk soon, narelle
Hi Guys. Whew you seem to have covered a lot of bases already in London. Yes Anita I had my wages go into the bank. Helped me not spend it plus i could use the eftpos card on line when booking travel etc. Thailand looked lovely as always. Gret to see the photos of you both there enjoying yourselves after all that planning. We have been having awesome weather and have deen lulled into afantasy that it will continue forever but I think that bubble will be burst soon. Keep enjoying those experiences and Anita at least you can give the kids back at the end of the week.
Take care adventurers x Olive
Very nice.. How are you? Travelling again.. that's great!
so you wrote, you're coming to England? Are you going to visit Germany as well?
All the best, Tobi
Helloooo Hey guys, sounds wonderful! Can't wait for the photos. I have a couple of really nice ones from Jon's wedding, i'll post them if it will let me. Keep in touch, miss you already. Oh yeah and don't get any silly ideas about staying in blighty!!
Love Claire x
Tia Gabriel
non-member comment
RE: How are you both?
hey! Hope you both are doing well... I though I had lost your details but suprising enough after our house move I found the piece of paper with your details... :) and so... thought I would check out the blog. Look forward to hearing from you both soon . Tia & Steven