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Published: March 11th 2008
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Some of the local delicacy !!
Not for those with a delicate disposition !! Sorry for the delay but the rain has started and we have had so many power cuts that internet access has been patchy to say the least !
I had managed to weigh myself while on my week off and converted the kilos into pounds last week.I weighed 8stone 12pounds so I had lost about 11 pounds,hence the title of todays blog !!I am pleased to say that I am now eating more and , touch wood, I feel fine so I might even make it over the 9 stone mark before I come home.
I have now been here a week and a half and it is so different from Ashle.First of all,there are so many volunteers but they definitely fall into 2 camps-the first who are here to test out careers or share their expertise and those who are here for more of a holiday.
I think this has affected me emotionally as I am learning more about the childrens backgrounds etc.The youngest girl at the orphanage is 16 months old and the youngest boy is 4.Only one of the children at the orphanage is an orphan in the true sense of the word as her
What happens when you forget your mozzie spray !!
I obviously tasted good at Cape Coast one evening parents were killed in a car crash but the others have medical or family problems.Most have only 1 parent who is blind or very poor.2 of the older boys have got polio so their parents were unable to cope.The atmosphere is lovely at the orphanage,it's like living with the Waltons.Jeremiah and Grace are amazing but the sad thing is that these are the lucky kids.
Lauren,24,from the New Forest and Jack,18 from Stirling, are 2 other volunteers who were staying at SOS ( This is the orphanage name) before J headed off to live in a village by the lake until Easter.L is half way through dental training and has been helping at the dental clinic at the hospital.Susan arrived on Sat and is helping at the hospital.She is from Bristol and works at the worlds only Aspergers Unit.Noelia,33 from Madrid,is living with a family in the same village and we are going away at the weekend to find a lake near Kumasi.There are also lots of other volunteers of various ages staying in Obo anotehr village 2 taxi rides away.
SOS has a nursery school in the grounds with almost 20 children aged from 2 -5.I helped
Nursery school
These are the children at the nursery school lining up to begin their day at school. there twice last week,taking small groups of children and doing colours and numbers with them.Today I went with Katie,18 from Manchester,to the Islamic school and will be going there to help there as well.
Last Sunday a group of us went to Lake Volta which is the worlds largest man made lake.We went across to the other side on a large dugout motorised canoe and had a drink.Then we visited an island inhabited by about 30 people who never leave.They are born,live and die on the island.They live in 3 sided huts with no doors and use the river water for everything-drinking,washing and cooking etc.They fish and raise goats and chickens for food.The children have no school - it is a real life comic relief scenario.We are going back to visit,hopefully tomorrow,and are trying to get a water filter organised. GBP200 would pay for a filter that would last 5 years and provide everybody with safe water to use.So simple but so effective.
I am so grateful to everyone who sponsored me as I have been able to do so much with the money and such varied things such as buying some pencils for the school;porridge for some
My new Mum
Grace on Independence Day looking stunning !! of the football kids,the first aid kit for the soccer academy and taking 40 boys to their first ever football match which was Ghana in the Africa Cup Of Nations.
The scenery around here is stunning and we have had some amazing thunderstorms but the downside is the loss of electricity which has knocked the power out for hours on end.At least I have my head torch so that I can read.I have definitely learnt to relax more here which has been good for me.I was really homesick at the weekend but I think this is due to the combination of a new environment and learning so much about the kids in a short space of time.There is no down time as I am living within the main orphanage building.
Please keep the messages and comments coming,they are brilliant !!
Until next time - keep smiling
Coral x
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Matthew
non-member comment
Looks like you need a holiday
Hi, sis, little brother here....some stunning photos there....and much more like what I thought the trip would entail.....the desperation amongst those children would have drained the hardiest souls, so I'm not surprised you started to feel homesick....looks like you have put a lot in and got a lot out of your trip.....well done...p.s. I am used to "Just what it says on the jar" for my dinner....trust you will bring some home for me.....xxxxxxx