Ghana 2: Obruni's are us!

COUNTRY: Ghana
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Health
WRITTEN BY: Eloise Davidson

So after a few last minute changes we found ourselves headed to Takoradi instead of Busua beach. Cruising in our trotro for half an hour and then all of a sudden there is a huge crash. Jumping out of our seats Isobel and I look behind us to see a car smash into the back of us. As the police waved us through the drivers inspected for damage… which surprisingly was nothing. Thankfully our drive was fairly unexciting afterwards till we arrived at our location. The best western/Atlantic city hotel! Lazing around the resort we had a private car from the hotel drive us around Takoradi for the day, we went to the circle market, the harbour and finally the beach. I think all of us were happy to escape the heat for a couple of nights.

As the week continued Alex, Madeleine and I resumed our duties at be maternity ward which is ever so eye opening. By the end of the week the 40 or so beds in the ward were full so the women being admitted were sleeping on foam mattresses on the floor. Time allowed us to befriend some of the ladies on the ward which was a nice escape from the labour rooms! I think all of us have decided childbirth is not near our immediate future that’s for sure. We spent the week torn between the hospital and Abasa Orphanage spending a lot of our afternoons there with the kids climbing all over us. Alex and I were able to take part in some of the class activities.

Nicola, Isobel and Laura have found the week exhausting at the schools, they say the kids are so lovely and full of energy that by the time they get home its almost straight to bed. The schools are set up so they structure the lessons and help teach English, science and maths. Apparently the language barrier is pretty difficult so they are having fun teaching in more creative ways.

Most of us have now bought material for our dresses to be made for church so we are awaiting those eagerly as well as our trip to cape coast this weekend! Most afternoons we meet back at the internet café for an hour or so to let the real world know how we are going. The man at the internet café is always up for a chat or a suggestion or ten about places to visit. On Monday night we went out for dinner with the antics team were some of us were brave enough to try chicken gizzards! Which are extremely spicy for those who are interested.

As Friday came we eagerly scrambled to meet at the shell gas station. Bound for Brenu beach resort we set off shortly to be greeted by beautiful palm trees (with hammocks)!, a bar and restaurant on the beach and the resort not far behind. Amazed by the view we celebrated Madeleine’s birthday with perhaps a few too many drinks and the company of some German doctors who were visiting several health centres and hospitals in Ghana. Saturday passed by in a flash before we knew it we had explored all the canopies in Kakum National Park and patted crocodiles at Hans cottage! By the time Sunday rolled round we were up and at it for cape coast castle which left most of us utterly speechless. Definitely must see’s and if you can the monkey sanctuary is supposed to be great – we are still kicking ourselves for not going!

So that’s it for now!
Stay tuned,
The January group.