Day 3:
It's official--we're in Ghana! After emerging with swollen feet (good thing Chacos are adjustable) from a 16 hour journey from Atlanta to Amsterdam to Accra, we are finally at our new home. What should have been about an hour and a half drive from Accra took nearly three hours due to bumper to bumper traffic in the city. The welcome into Bawjiase was very lively, as we arrived in the midst of a Bob Marley festival. Unfortunately, we were too late to attend. :)
We live in a three bedroom house shared with seven other volunteers. They've all been here different lengths, the longest four months. Most of them are leaving this weekend, and six new volunteers come Sunday. It's great to learn from experienced volunteers.
By far the greatest part of these three days has been meeting the kids for the first time. We went down yesterday after breakfast and were swarmed with little hugs and kisses. We spent time with them in school and church, mostly having our hair braided while we tried to learn names. The more we're around them, the more distinctly beautiful they're becoming. Between the two of us, we probably know most of their names. Some have Ghanaian names and other names are English. It'll be so great to be able to recognize them in different clothes, or naked as they're more commonly found.
Speaking of which, this morning at 6:30, we helped "bath" the kids for the first time. It's a little hectic trying to get them all over to the washing area to undress and brush their teeth. Half the kids ended up with toothpaste all over their faces due to our lack of experience. The sisters kept telling us to scrub harder since Megan and I are used to gentle American baths. Maybe tomorrow we'll be better.
Everywhere we walk, shouts of "Obroni!" (white person) follow us. We just smile and wave as it's more of a greeting than an insult. So now we obronis are in the internet cafe. It's a little hot, but the fan's working hard to cool us off. We just learned that our Ghanaian names are Adwoa (Megan) and Akua (Chelsea). We're looking forward to learning more Twi words and phrases so we can talk to the kids, and, of course, teach you all when we get home.
More to come soon!
Love,
Megan and Chelsea
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I'm so thankful to hear that you are there safely and settling in! I'm constantly looking at my watch, figuring out what time it is there and thinking about what you might be doing at that moment.
ReplyDeleteSo how far is the walk from the orphanage to the internet cafe? What's the town like? Do people get rides on bicycles and motorcycles to get around?
I love, love, love you! Have fun!
Hello Adwoa and Akua - sounds like you are integrating into life at the Orphanage. I am very thankful for what you are doing.....
ReplyDeleteLove
I love you Akua! I don't know Adwoa, but I am sure I would love her too.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are having a great time. You two are truly a blessing. I am praying for you!
Jenna
I just realized I could post to this (I'm so slow). Anyway, hope you are settling in and getting to know the new volunteers you'll be working with. Email/Call me soon. I'm going through withdrawals! I love you!
ReplyDeleteForgot to ask if you've had to do laundry yet and what it was like. What was your first church service like?
ReplyDeleteChelsea, Aunt Shelia wants to know who the "sisters" are and what in what capacity do they serve/work at the orphanage? Are they permanant residents? Are they in the pictures? In other words, who's overseeing the roost and looking after YOU AND MEGAN? She was alarmed that the experienced volunteers had only been there 4 months and that they were leaving right after you arrived. She and I and all you other family love you very much and are praying for you. We missed you at the cook-out yesterday. It was a lot of fun and we played badminton all afternoon (in teams) until it got dark. Aunt Shelia said to DECLINE ALL MARRIAGE PROPOSALS..."you're too young", she said. Hugs and kisses.
ReplyDeleteHey Meg and Chelsea - I just sent Meg an e-mail and I think you are still on-line...hopefully she will get it
ReplyDeleteJust read through your posts for the first time. I love the advice about attending a funeral and wedding in a different culture. I do hope you get to see a wedding. And the baby carrying is lovely. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. What an adventure!
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