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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