Fallen in love with the kids
I can't tell you how many times we have tried contacting you, so I just
really hope that this email works! I thought at least two other emails had
sent (one from Terri and one from me) but perhaps not. That is just Ghana
for you! We definately have not had the bet internet luck with it
craashing on us numerous times, but I think now we have a system going!
Where to begin, I mean our time is seriously nearly over!!! We leave in
about 9 days, I can't believe it is approaching this quickly (nor that I
haven't been able to contact you since we left - sorry). In fact, what I
tried updating about you last time was about things to bring for the
incoming volunteers, but they just arrived today! we met nicole and cara
at the orphanage today - you'll be glad to know that they have arrived
safely, in one piece. It feels quite bizarre actually being the ones who
know the ropes around the place, when it feels like we were newbies just
yesterday. Well, it was still only recently.
Ok so I'm just going to write down things in dot points, and whatever comes
out!
* "Oburoni"! We are called oburonis everyday, all the time, basically
non-stop. Even in our street, the people we see everyday, they still call
us Oburoni! On many occassions it has become very frustrating, especially
after a long day, but I guess you just have to treat it with a sense of
humour. It is bizarre however to reverse the situation - we would never
ever do the same back home. It has really highlighted us as the minority
actually - something that neither Terri or I had really given much
thou7ght about before we arrived. White people really are few and far
between, and sometimes it is weird seeing them! We say to one another,
Look there's an Oburoni. Now though, there are quite a few popping up in
Swedru, and quite a few at the orphanage - this week there will be about
10!
* Orphanage. Fiona, we have abslutely fallen in love with the children.
Perhaps a bit predictable, but we definately have a few in mind abut who
we would like to adopt :) But honestly, the kids are amazing - at many
times they have just been so inspirational, with such a positive energy
that has been really contagious. Their smiles are just magical and just
make my heart melt. It will be really sad saying goodbye, but at least
that is still a week away.
We have actualy had a really good run at the orphanage. Our first week was
pretty tough - i think we were experiencing a bit of culture shock, and
the orphanage was just so chaotic. But soon the kids were on school
holidays, so we really got to spend some quality time with the kids,
getting to know them (more than just their names!). It really has been a
joy learning about the kids, and figuring out their different characters.
Something that we have really noticed about the orphanage is that it is
totally dependent on volunteers and their work/ fundraising there.
Everything from the house that they sleep in to the food, is all funded by
volunteers. Actually, in our first week, Madame had this medicine there but
no means of paying for it, but turned to us kind of with expecting eyes. We
did in the end pay for the medicince but one does have to be careful not to
let Madame know if you have money to spend. The system is a bit corrupt and
often money just disappears.
* travelling on weekends - well this has been a bit of a swing and a miss
for us... The first weekend we went to cape coast and elmina which was
fine. Was an easy first weekend not too far, got to grab some western food
which was exciting, but lots of oburonis go there so the taxi drivers are
really pesty and people just generally expect that they can get a lot of
money out of you. For the next weekend we were meant to go to Kumasi, but
because of the elections (a whole other epic story!) we were stuck in a 4
hour traffic jam so headed for Kokrobrite Beach. The next Saturday we took
the kids to the beach which was a lot of fun - stressful, but well worth
it, so didn't technically travel (we actually went back to Kokrobrite).
Then finally, the last weekend that passed, I was really sick so was
unable to travel. For the final weekend though we are planning to go to
the Volta Region with actually quite a big group of volunteers, which I'm
really looking forward to. We did have plans to take the last week off to
travel up north and go to the national park etc but with our time being so
limited we really thought about why we came to Ghana in the first place,
and whther or not taking that time off would really detract from the trip.
Basically we just didn't want to leave the kids!
* Host family: Our host family has been extremely extremely accommodating.
Our food sizes are still massive, but they are very good. Communication is
really good too. SOmetimes though it is just nice, just doing our own thing
, and escaping a bit. I must admit, the food situation has been somewhat
interesting. Neither Terri and I have fallen in loven with Ghanaian food,
but the breakfasts are usually good, so we stock up then. And the
pineapple is amazing so sweet! We have at least one ice cream a day.
* It is hot hot hot!! But we are so used to the sweatiness. We are just
always sweaty - we just laugh about it now, or just don't even notice!
* Sickness - I haven't had the best luck, sickness wise. I've had quite a
bit of everytyhing unforunately but there was a good patch in the middle
for about 2 weeks when i was sickness free. Terri has been a bit sick too,
but together ok. Although last friday i had to go to hospital - as it
turned out I had a boil on my arm. It was the most excruciating thing when
the nurse had to deal with it, i felt like my arm was going to fall off,
but it is finally healing now. I think the foreign environment also didn't
help the trauma of it all. I slept for 2 days afterwards!
Anyway, I better leave it at that for now. It might not even send. Oh no.
Terri says a big hello as well, she is right next to me.
We'll talk before we leave.
Hope Sydney is well, and you are enjoying the New Year.
Verity and Terri xx
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