From Alesha

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While Christine took Dara to the airport (a couple days task), I decided to spend a weekend in the village of Apebouso, by myself. I think it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It’s easy to get caught up in all the tasks that need to be completed and not take the time to really sit and absorb all that this place has to offer. I got to learn so many things ... like how to make palm oil and how to peel things with a machete. I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to meet all the adults and parents of the children I teach. I had to keep telling myself, “This is not the norm Aloha. You are in Africa! Take it all in!” So I took the leap and the only thing I could say bad about it is BUGS … The constant itching is annoying but when you are being dive bombed by them still it gets to be a lot to handle… Who knew the biggest problem I would have would be a bug so small you can hardly see it.

Ghanaian school is definitely not like school in American. I learned this first hand last week by issuing my first punishment. I was playing a game with the 3rd grade class. I split the class into two teams and all was well. When one of the boys lost, making the score of the teams even. His team mates pushed him and began yelling at him. I first gave them a warning and finally stopped the game. I sat them in their seats and made them each write ten times “I will be nice to my classmates”. The whole time they were writing I was thinking to myself, “Oh, they are going to hate me … I don’t want to be the ‘mean’ teacher…” After they had all finished, I stood in front of the class and asked … “So, did you like writing lines?” and they all shouted “YES!” … You can imagine my surprise. In America that would be a suitable punishment but things are definitely different here. So my first punishment was a flop.

This week my plan is to begin a night study with a few of the kids who are lagging behind - Anthony, Patience and Abigail.

Alesha
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I (Christine) would like to thank everyone who helped in some way to get Alesha here. Rumor has it that we will have another volunteer (18yrs old) joining us in the coming weeks. Can I do two teens at the same time?? I won’t know unless I try eh.

As 2008 draws to an end, we will soon need 2009 calendars. Once again calendars filled with pictures of scenery around the world, wild animals, the “school year” calendars were great. The students have fully enjoyed the 2008 calendars using them to “travel” to different parts of our earth and catch their first sight of East African animals and deep sea fish to name a few. Many miles of “Thanks” to those who sent them!

If you have been wondering just what to do with your old and used greeting cards, let me help you. Stuff a few into an envelope and send them our way. We would like a wide variety of occasions. They will be used as examples for the students. Most of our students have never seen a greeting card, even one as simple as a birthday card let alone Christmas, graduation, and friendship cards.

I so enjoyed the time with my friend Dara. If you knew the stories that surround her first visit here you would wonder why she came for a second! Presently, Dara is a missionary nurse in Mozambique. Just before her trip to Ghana, a visitor to Moz. gave Dara a sum of money to be spent solely on her and I. What a blessing! We used this money to end her visit at a very nice beach resort. I don’t know the “giver” but I still want to send my thanks into cyber space in hopes it will someday find them. (smile)

Have a Great Week
Christine & Co

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Photos

The Limbo comes to School
Augustina gives it a go while Ruth, Prince and Christopher look on "hopefully". Check out Evans standing behind Dara (R). It seems he's trying to help Augustina!

Introductions
Alesha introducing herself and telling the students a little bit about her home life in America.

At the Beach
A time set apart to play with Dara and Praise. Both rare opportunities. What fun we had.

Comments

[Jeff]

Alesha's Plans
Wow, you made a great choice to stay in the village! The people, the relationships are so special. I look forward to hearing about how your night study goes. I am very proud of you Alesha and am so glad you are making the most of your trip. I have shared the blog site with many in the last few weeks.