Its about 6:15pm and Session 3 has convened for dinner in the basement dining hall at Papa Henry’s in Asetey. Little do they know that they are about to consume the preeminent dish of Ghanian gastronomy. As they nibble at the Banku that they have just served themselves , they dont realize that by escaping their comfort zones for a mere nanosecond they have eaten something that most human beings will never have the opportunity to eat, not to mention make an effort to discover. This is why they are here in Krobo, they are here to forget status quo and be their true selves through discovery and diligence.

On a daily basis our ability to better understand who we are is seen through trying new things- Bucket showers, Batik, and hawking are all concepts that we didnt know of before our arrival in Ghana, yet the more we become familiar with them, the more we grow fond of our new experiences. They help us understand the Ghanian and Krobo way of life better, but ultimately they help us understand who we are and why we came to Ghana in the first place.

Our time has flown by but what he have been able to achieve will last forever. From brick making and teaching to our time with the kids at the park, we have given so much and yet it feels as though we have received even more in return. You see, we came to Krobo thinking of everything that we wanted to help with and provide for others, and we feel confident that we have put a lot of effort into everything we have done for the last 14 days, yet we cant begin to express how much love and sustenance our experiences with the children have filled us with. The unconditional exchange of love that has taken place during our time in Krobo is something that can be measured or recorded, as Henry often says, it can only be felt.

We came to Ghana as students but we are leaving as leaders. One of the biggest takeaways for us is how much we learned about ourselves and also from the children and local community. This is leadership in motion; through things like the “Single Story” Ted Talk, and our poignant contact with Ghanian people, we were able to see how many of the images and pre-conceived notions about Africa and African that we have been indoctrinated with since we were children are simply not accurate . Through our experiences in Ghana we are able to make our own observations and think for ourselves.

We’ve been to amazing places like Sajuna and Bodhi falls. We did great service at the Edmon Nursery School and elementary school (we made a ton of bricks too! 🙂 We made beads and batik and got Kente cloth clothing custom made for us. Our capstone speeches and song night were amazing and helped us come closer together. We had countless meaningful conversations and discussions with each other and our friends at the park. These are all special things that we need not forget and they remind us that we need to be proud of all of our accomplishments in Ghana.

Let us do our session and time in Africa justice with a quote from Dr. Angelou who spent many years in Ghana:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” We choose this quote because we leave Ghana knowing that our greatest memory will always be the love and feelings that we shared with the Children of Asetey.

William Korte, International Director

 

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After long flights from all across the US, Luxembourg, and Spain, followed by a two hour bumpy bus ride (or in the case of the later crew, a long and slow crawl due to mechanical difficulties), you all arrived at Henry’s home at the crest of a hill, surrounded by the plains and mountains of Krobo. You had no idea how close you would grow with the strangers you would soon come to think of as friends and family.

In those first few minutes, hours, and days, your senses were going wild; sounds of drums in the night and laughter from children in the park; sights of innumerable goats roaming about the streets, sheep running across the soccer field, and children smiling, wide-eyed smiles every day when you played with them at the park; tastes of Red Red, cassava, plantain chips, and all assortments of rices; and that fresh, sweet feeling of a cold bucket shower to wash away all of the well-earned sweat from each day.

In those first few days, your clothes and shoes became covered in a vibrant red dirt that just wouldn’t wash off. You wandered through a hectic market, jam-packed with people selling, walking, hawking, and talking. You wove your way through the crowd, and any time one of you may have started to wander in the wrong direction, a number of local ladies would call out to you saying, “No! Blefono (foreigner), your friends have gone that way,” pointing you in the right direction. Quite quickly you became a large family of sisters alongside one lucky brother. Through this whirlwind of cultural ‘newness,’ you came to know the little town of Asitey, where the drums play non-stop, as your home away from home.

In time, each of you found your personal groove. Some of you enjoyed those early morning runs, weaving down through town and up that hill that felt as if it had some sort of extra gravitational force, making it way more difficult than it looked. Others enjoyed morning yoga sessions on the roof, feeling the unique calmness that settles over the mountains in those early hours. You each played your own roles in the park as well, and I’m sure none of us will ever forget the infamous, Jeffrey, always standing up for and protecting you during soccer games! You impressed the local teenage boys with your soccer skills, proving that girls can really bring it.

Kortey was another local favorite, never failing to run around the park with a wide grin and pants that were constantly falling down to his knees. Others among you started a revolution of art, bringing ample supplies of paper and markers, sparking creativity. Children ran up to you to get some washable art drawn on their skin to show off to their friends. Still others played in smaller groups with the kids, or simply sat and chatted with them, exchanging stories of lives that had been quite opposing until this shared experience. The happiness that was ignited at the park was as vibrant as the red dirt that covered your clothes, but this happiness didn’t just cling to your outer shells. It sank in deep and was absorbed over time, leaving a permanent mark on your life’s story.

Our host family visits with Joshua, Andrews, Abraham, Hosea, Erica, and any local kids that we strung along on the way, taught us more than just the Krobo language. They showed us the nooks and crannies of the dirt roads that snake through the houses and compounds of the village. We learned about their lives and families, and we all exploded with excitement when they surprisingly showed up at the cultural dance night with their own performance.

Through the ‘Single Story’ TED Talk, you began to think about how to share not only one stereotypical story of Africa, but a multitude of stories that present this complex continent through a variety of lenses. Similarly, you began to understand the many stories that make up each of you as individuals, tying it all together in your capstones. You really opened up to one another, allowing yourselves to be vulnerable, coming to understand the struggles, triumphs, and successes of your new sisters and brother. None of us will ever forget the way that our local Ghanaian community made us feel welcomed and joyous. We all shared something special in this town of Asitey, and this experience is something that will live on among each of our fondest memories.

Some Highlights from the Trip:
-Morning jogging sessions up and down the mountains
-Morning yoga on the roof
-Art in the park: drawing pictures, coloring, and creating fun and washable designs on children’s skin
-Some students lost luggage, and others immediately offered to share their clothes and toiletries
-Hiking through the mountains at Boti Falls
-Making our very own Ghanaian beads at Cedi Beads
-Lettin’ lose and gettin’ down with some cultural dance
-Afternoon ab workouts
-Chatting late into the night until Sergio comes the the hallway and says, “Go to sleep! I’m not your dad!” 😉
-Our epic song competition where Jeffrey and Kortey got constant shoutouts
-Soccer in the park with the boyz
-Kortey and his super loose pants and crazy, contagious energy

-Caitlin and the Krobo Odumase Ghana Team

 

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It’s 4 PM here at Asitey Park and the neighborhood Krobo kids are gathering for their after-school games. It’s a time of day our GLA students can all remember with a smile, from the kids running up the hill to meet us, to their endless supply of hugs and affection, day after day.

Looking back on our two weeks here in Ghana, many highlights come to mind that took place right here at our home base. One night, Papa Henry led dancing and singing around a blazing bonfire to the backdrop of drums and our local kitchen staff breaking it down, all under starry African skies. The naming ceremony initiated us all into the Krobo community, as our Krobo names were drawn from the calabash and then cried out by us who were adorned in full ceremony-wear plus paint. Or when the rain was coming in through the windows amidst hurricane-strength winds, how our local team jumped on the de-flooding mission, and we gathered in the cozy den where the sense of community in our family felt truly authentic. Even in our group’s most perilous moments of disagreement, we were able to overcome conflict and bond together stronger than before, a feat which will surely empower all of us in any future struggles we may face.

Other images come to mind from adventure excursions such as us staring in awe at the immensity of Boti Falls or cruising down the Volta River in an all-out downpour!

Our group’s desire to “be the change” could be seen in service as they rose to the challenge in the classroom, in how they broke the brick-making record on the final service day with a twenty-one bricks total, and how our students spearheaded their very own community trash and recycle pick-up afternoon, bringing all hands on deck, as they empowered the local kids to help and inspired them to keep their community clean.

The session finally closed with back to back to back birthdays and students seizing the moment on stage during their memorable capstone presentations. Let’s all remember the wonderful moments from our GLA trip to Ghana, whether navigating the madness of the market, gazing out over rolling green mountains from the rooftop, or watching the sunset over the Asitey soccer field amidst our Krobo family and the Children ofGhana.

So finally, in memory of our trip, let’s all let out a resounding “BA BA BA BA SHEE BA BA OOOHH…OH SHE BA BA!!”

Sergio Ryan – Mentor

 

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Hey Everyone,

I hope this letter finds you well. Time goes by in a flash. I know those two weeks sure did. I bet by now you are in the middle of your school year. In the midst of waiting for college applications, playing soccer, rowing, singing and so many of the other activities you all are involved in; I want you to take a moment to reflect on our time in Ghana. Between the fun of singing over and over to “All Star”, mixing tons of “Morta”, playing with children, and sitting by the lagoon for meals we all had periods of growth and self-reflection. I hope you continue to embrace that growth, continue to reflect on how you can contribute to society, and continue to combat the single stories you hear around you.

Remember that our time spent in Dzita truly made an impact on the community and within ourselves. You worked hard in building compost toilets for families within the community. Families that understood the value of the toilets and in return worked very hard to contribute what they had to keep their loved ones and themselves healthy longterm. Moreover, as a result of our time we learned so much about public health and sustainable development! The knowledge YOU gained on this trip we hope will serve you and the communities you find yourselves in for the rest of your life!

SO much was accomplished while creating some sexy toilets AND new friendships. I hope while you read this you find yourself smiling because there was a ton of fun that happened during your time here that made the experience all the better. Some of those great times included:

– Doot Doot

– More Echee

– Yevu

– Sweet Tea and cowboy boots

– Sucrose, Lactose

– Autobots Roll Out!!

– Shooting stars and planets

– Fire on the Mountain

– “Sweet”

-“Morta” or “Water”?!

-Toe socks

Two weeks may not seem like a long time but it can make all the difference in the world. I hope you made some lasting memories and continue to think about what kind of leader you want to be in society. I am so very proud of you all and know you will go far!

– Jennifer Duncan (Mentor)

 

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To my Strong Women and Gentleman of 2018 Foundations of Global Health,

We were small but mighty and I can’t believe how quickly everyone bonded in just a short two weeks. SO much was accomplished, creating some sexy toilets and everlasting friendships!

I hope while you read this you find yourself smiling and laughing, because there was a ton of that happening during your time here and that made the experience all the better.

Cam, Jorg, Rose, Sofia, Charlotte, and Fran thank you for such positivity and open minds you brought with you as we experienced Ghana time, but still on point to completing what we needed, while having so much fun!

Some special moments from our trip:
-Waltzing on the deck to create distraction for the birthday cake!
-Cheyenne
– Oh that Mosquito net!
-Seeing the stars and planets at night (because there are no stars in the States)
-Blue
-So Many Smoothies
-”You create your own happiness” -Togbi Kumassa
-It’s not good or great it’s perfect
-Service in the sun
-Great, now that I see your Beautiful face
-It’s Potty Time
-Fire on the mountain, fire burning Oh, fire, fire, fire burning ohhh!

I know you all will go on to do some amazing things in this world, but always remember this time we shared and things we learned.

Akpe ka ka ka

-Desi
International Director

 

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