Time Capsule Letter
Dear Ghana COA 14,
Oh how time flies… doesn’t it seem like just yesterday you were opening your first water bag? Or taking in that view of Krobo Mountian from the rooftop for the first time. Just think back to that walk from the top of the hill down to Asitey park, screaming kids jumping to greet you and beaming with joy. These, I hope, are the vivid memories that have stuck with you over the last few weeks and will stay there as you go on.
Thanks to your hard work and commitment to this program, we were able to pack so much into just 14 days, from hiking Boti Falls, to Cedi beads and so much more. In our discussions, we tackled tough issues and put forth bold ideas.
We discovered more about leadership, pushed ourselves and expanded our perspectives. We put in work at our service sites at the primary school and Edmon Preschool and left behind real, sustainable impacts. The primary classes picked up right where you left off and were excited to use your games with lessons to follow.
You could still hear “I said a Broom sweep-a-broom” and “Wheeeeeoooo” in the classes weeks after your departure! The nursery kids are still singing the songs you taught them too. You better believe the kids at the park have asked about all of you, by name, every single day since you left Asitey!
Alongside everything during our time in Ghana, we had so much fun. Who could forget everyone serving looks at the fashion show? We kept the rhythm going all program long, singing, dancing and absolutely crushing it in Battle of the Bands. Of course, Sassy Jazz lives on in all of us… keep it sassy folks.
As you all set your personal OMG – One Meaningful Goal – you guys also all found something in common to work towards after returning home from Ghana. After learning about the things that make Krobo unique, you discussed ways in which we can do such knowledge justice. By sharing what they have taught us as well as our own personal experiences from the time spent here, you can commit to a group OMG of telling the whole story and spreading positivity in the light of Asitey, Krobo, Eastern Region, Ghana.
I’ll be wishing you all the best of luck as you move along in the next big steps of your lives. With all sincerity, thank you for choosing to make GLA CoA14 with us one of those steps. It would not have been nearly the same without you.
Always remember… peel the banana, eat the banana, go bananas.
Your mentors,
Dee, Breezy and Jazz
Click here to jump down to the most recent posts!
Tuesday June 11, 2019
Here is our first group photo from orientation day here in Ghana! Two students, Carter and Julia, are not pictured as they are arriving on Thursday, but we’re excited for them to join the group!
Wednesday June 12, 2019
Rain or shine, we must play!
We had a great day of orientation today but right about the time we were to meet the local children the rain started. That didn’t seem to stop the excited children from coming up to our gate to wait for us. They were so excited to meet us and so were we! We have a lot of great things planned for them over the next couple of days and can’t wait to interact both in class and on the field.
Friday June 14, 2019
The morning rain couldn’t stop us from our day! In true GLA fashion, we adapted to the situation with a rearrangement of plans! After breakfast we kicked off the day with some thought provoking activities and then we made our way to the Cedi Bead Factory! We made our very own beads from start to finish and got some great gifts for our friends back home!
After returning from our adventure, we went straight into planning activities for the children and made our way to the park. Their bright smiles brought out the sun long enough for us to play! As always, another great day!
Sunday June 16, 2019
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Today we honor our dear Local Director and host for our program Henry. He has done so much for us- from being one among the first faces to welcome us at the airport to teaching us so many amazing things about Krobo Culture. He is our resident Papa and we are thankful for his always smiling demeanor and positive attitude. To him and all our dads/ father figures…Thank you and Happy Father’s Day!
Monday June 17, 2019
Today started off bright and early with some of us going to the nursery and others to the primary school for service projects. The nursery team did everything from counting and abc’s to helping care for two year olds.
At the primary school we did some work re-cementing a floor before splitting into our grades and starting to tutor students in English lessons. To ensure that we kept the school standards we made sure to do lesson planning for the next day’ activities in class before we left the school.
Later in the afternoon, we went to our host families homes where we learned some of the Krobo language and learned to sing songs. We felt honored to be invited into these homes and learn more about the Krobo culture. We also went to the park and had a lot of fun with all of the kids which we look forward to everyday.
After dinner we had a leadership activity where we learned about personality traits and leadership styles by identifying a color that matched with our personalities. Overall, It was a hot and eventful day and by the time we got our well deserved rest, we were well tired but definitely thankful for all the above experiences.
-written by Leo & Grace
Wednesday June 19, 2019
We started off the morning with construction. Today we started to pour the cement to create a new floor for a classroom at the primary school. It was really exciting to see our project start to make great progress. Teaching today was more of a challenge because we came to the classroom with more difficult topics than the previous days. Everyone did well though and we have time to review tomorrow.
In the afternoon we had the opportunity to buy souvenirs from the craft market.
This was a great moment to disocver art made by Ghanian artist. Many of us took this moment and bought art pieces for family and friends back at home. After a long week we were given the opportunity to rest and regain our energy. Tonight and last night we had cultural sessions with yesterday being a storytelling bonfire followed by smores. We had a drumming and dance session this evening which got us pumped. During this trip there has been many laughs and chances to improve as leaders.
By Milayna and Nina
Thursday June 20, 2019
Hi everyone!
After breakfast we left early to go to the primary schools and nursery to ensure a productive day of service. The primary school group is officially 3/4 of the way done with the concrete floor we have been working on and the nursery group successfully taught simple addition today at school. With one more day of service left, both groups feel as if their impact has been strong and the lessons being taught have stuck with the students.
In the afternoon we split off and visited our host families for a few hours for one last time and were taught new words, dances, and songs. Each host family has their own lessons and information to share but no matter what we learned we all made sure to show it off at the park later by speaking in Krobo to our friends and singing with the kids. The park continued to be a fun time interacting with new kids and kids we already know. We teach them new games and activities everyday and they never fail to teach us just as much.
We ended the night on a high note with a GLA activity in which we learned how to accept change and displayed our leadership qualities we learned the nights before. Before going to bed we discussed our activity and decided that change is a constant in our world and in order to succeed and impact others, you must be able to adapt to change and understand multiple perspectives.
Enjoy your last few days of freedom, we will be home soon! Muahaha😈
-written by Sophia
Friday June 21, 2019
Hi everyone!
Julia and Jacy here, and welcome to our wonderful blog entry.
We started our day in the best way possible, by walking into a room with our adorable nursery children. As it was our farewell day, it was definitely one of the hardest mornings yet. Goodbyes are not our favorites but we sang songs that you guys might have sung to us as children. We fed, taught, and had so much fun with these kids this week as the rest of our GLA team was finishing up construction and teaching English at the primary school. We loved every minute of this week and our projects have been a big success.
We had lunch and rested back at homebase but quickly became energetic when time to go to Asitey park was nearing. By now, all of us have made very special friendships with members of the community and the children of Krobo village. We went to the park for the rest of the afternoon and soon it was time to go back to homebase as it was time to eat – and we certainly did that. Who knew spending all day with excited and eager children was a little bit exhausting?
You thought our day was over after dinner? Wrong! We had a wonderful guest speaker who owns and runs the Nursery School talking to us about her journey as a mother, business owner, banker and a member of Krobo village. After she talked to us, she became the judge of our spectacular runway modelling show. All of us modelled our hand made clothing that a talented local seamstress made for us. We finished the night with a dance party with Papa Henry.
As our final days come and go, we are all taking in every second in Krobo village trying to savor our time here. With all due respect, we are not ready to come home. See you all soon 🙂
J and J
Guess who? The cousin duo: Carter and Julia 🙂
We are here to write the final blog entry. It’s obviously a HUGE responsibility so we really hope you enjoy.
Today we had a sleep in because breakfast was at 8:30am instead of 7, and let me tell you, it was amazing. After our delicious meal, we split in half and did a cooking lesson, where we made a wide variety of Ghanian food, while the other half practiced hawking, the art of balancing items on your head. Sophia and Milayna deserve a special shoutout for being very very good at this, whereas Carter and I need some more practice.
After that busy morning, we spent time with Papa Henry, perfecting our negotiation skills for the market trip tomorrow– be ready for some lost arguments 😉 After this lesson we had our self-cooked lunch, and then most girls got their hair braided by local women… doing hair is definitely an art.
We ended our day at the park for the very last time. These kids have forever impacted us and saying goodbye was easily one of the hardest things we have done on this trip. Lots of tears were shed, but the love that those kids gave us was life-changing. And finally, we ended our night with appreciation activities and a slideshow… definitely not a dry eye in the house.
Thank you all for sending us on this trip. This was a once in a lifetime experience, and we are so lucky that we have had this opportunity. Y’all rock.
See you soon!!
Carter and Jules
