When we flew over here, Jess and I both brought an extra
bag, stuffed full with school supplies.
Yesterday we finally emptied the bags at school and did some cleaning
and reorganizing. There was a
cabinet that had some construction paper and other supplies but nothing too
substantial. By the time we were
finished, the shelves were full of construction paper, markers, crayons,
colored pencils, play dough, pens, pencils, notebooks and more. We had wrote in a notebook some ideas
and activities for other volunteers to do with the kids using the
supplies. We based these ideas off
of what had been successful for us, and other things we hadn’t tried but might
be helpful. We left room for them
to write their own ideas for other volunteers, and hope that it will be filled
with different things.
Back at the orphanage, the kids were working on puzzles we had brought back from the school. They take pride in their work, and some of them had saved the finished puzzle in the box to show us. The others kicked a ball around, while some played cards, and Joe and Wisdom played a game similar to our checkers. They had lines drawn on a desk, up down, and diagonal, and moved rocks along the lines, jumping over their opponents rocks and taking them. Rocks, a pen, and some wood, and they create a game. Amazing what these kids do with what they have.
As are time grows shorter, we are often asked when we are leaving. No sooner do we finish saying “next Thursday,” they are asking “when will you return.” Their gratitude for us is expressed daily, and we are reminded how happy they are for us to be a part of the “happy kids family.” I assure them I will be back. I don’t know when, but I can promise them, and know that it won’t be broken.
Rain is a game changer around here, but I guess the best comparison I can make is to us having snow. The little ones don’t walk to school in the rain; instead they stay at the boarding house and learn there. We arrived unaware that Jessie’s class wouldn’t be there, so she decided to say at school and help me today. Last time this happened with the rain, I was the only teacher for the kids of all different grade levels, 1-6. It was overwhelming and we both thought that it would be best that she helped. We had brought letters here from home, written by the children at the daycare we work at. So today we spent the morning having the children read the letters, and write their own for us to bring home to our kids at work. Meanwhile, some CCS volunteers came, 3 of them, and it actually worked out well. My kids have a hard time reading and writing, so with some extra hands, we made sure everyone read a letter, and wrote one back that was actually readable. The kids enjoyed it so much. The older kids were so serious and into what they were writing and drawing, and wrote beautiful things. I had written some things on the board for my class to use as examples and for them to have the correct spelling. “My name is, my favorite color is, I like to eat… “ etc. The younger ones stuck to the basics but they drew pictures and loved having some time to be creative. After break, one of the CCS volunteers did a short music lesson with the kids. He is a music teacher back home and had come prepared. They had a blast, and we decided to ask him to write up a couple music lessons for us to have on record incase any other volunteer wanted to try something like that. The days have been great, but it makes leaving them harder.
This afternoon we headed back as usual, and brought Abigale, the hotel owners daughter, with us. She is friends with some of the kids, seeing as Hilda’s sister-in-law (Elizabeth) is the owner of Happy Kids. Abigale was so happy to get away from the hotel since she lives here, and had time to play with her friends. We didn’t spend too much time with the kids though, since we had other things planned. We headed to the field a short walk away, and as my hands shook with excitement, I was about to cross something of my “list of things I’ve done” that I never would have expected to be doing: learning to ride a motorcycle.
Back at the orphanage, the kids were working on puzzles we had brought back from the school. They take pride in their work, and some of them had saved the finished puzzle in the box to show us. The others kicked a ball around, while some played cards, and Joe and Wisdom played a game similar to our checkers. They had lines drawn on a desk, up down, and diagonal, and moved rocks along the lines, jumping over their opponents rocks and taking them. Rocks, a pen, and some wood, and they create a game. Amazing what these kids do with what they have.
As are time grows shorter, we are often asked when we are leaving. No sooner do we finish saying “next Thursday,” they are asking “when will you return.” Their gratitude for us is expressed daily, and we are reminded how happy they are for us to be a part of the “happy kids family.” I assure them I will be back. I don’t know when, but I can promise them, and know that it won’t be broken.
Rain is a game changer around here, but I guess the best comparison I can make is to us having snow. The little ones don’t walk to school in the rain; instead they stay at the boarding house and learn there. We arrived unaware that Jessie’s class wouldn’t be there, so she decided to say at school and help me today. Last time this happened with the rain, I was the only teacher for the kids of all different grade levels, 1-6. It was overwhelming and we both thought that it would be best that she helped. We had brought letters here from home, written by the children at the daycare we work at. So today we spent the morning having the children read the letters, and write their own for us to bring home to our kids at work. Meanwhile, some CCS volunteers came, 3 of them, and it actually worked out well. My kids have a hard time reading and writing, so with some extra hands, we made sure everyone read a letter, and wrote one back that was actually readable. The kids enjoyed it so much. The older kids were so serious and into what they were writing and drawing, and wrote beautiful things. I had written some things on the board for my class to use as examples and for them to have the correct spelling. “My name is, my favorite color is, I like to eat… “ etc. The younger ones stuck to the basics but they drew pictures and loved having some time to be creative. After break, one of the CCS volunteers did a short music lesson with the kids. He is a music teacher back home and had come prepared. They had a blast, and we decided to ask him to write up a couple music lessons for us to have on record incase any other volunteer wanted to try something like that. The days have been great, but it makes leaving them harder.
This afternoon we headed back as usual, and brought Abigale, the hotel owners daughter, with us. She is friends with some of the kids, seeing as Hilda’s sister-in-law (Elizabeth) is the owner of Happy Kids. Abigale was so happy to get away from the hotel since she lives here, and had time to play with her friends. We didn’t spend too much time with the kids though, since we had other things planned. We headed to the field a short walk away, and as my hands shook with excitement, I was about to cross something of my “list of things I’ve done” that I never would have expected to be doing: learning to ride a motorcycle.
"A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere."
Jess is signed up for a course to get her license back home,
but wanted to learn here on the field first. I went along with it, thinking that I really wouldn’t do it,
I’d just watch her instead. She
went first and did awesome, first with someone on the back teaching, then she
did it on her own. The kids that
had come to the field with us were laughing and yelling and clapping, so
excited to see it. I was shaking
when I got on, wondering what on earth I was thinking. I’ve driving a quad many times, the
difference being where you give it gas.
On the quad its done with the thumb of your right hand, but on the bike
(as many people know I’m sure) it’s on the right side but it’s the whole
handle. The first few times
around, he (Emmanuel’s friend) sat behind and showed me what he was doing, then
it was my turn to try. I could get
the hang of shifting and accelerating just fine, but my struggle came when I
had to turn. We were doing circles
in the field, making only right turns, and as I went to turn I’d
accelerate. Frustration came quick
and a little embarrassment too.
There were other people on the field too, not just us, and as I
struggled I began to do worse. I
got off before I got angry, and Jess went on again. Thinking we were finished I went to thank Korku for helping
us, and he said he was saddened.
He asked me if I drive a car at home, and when I said yes he shook his
head. Emmanuel explained that he
was sad I did not learn more and he wanted me to know so badly. With some coaxing, I got back on, with
Emmanuel this time. He took more
time explaining it to me, stopping and having me practice starting the bike,
then going from a standstill.
Still going to the right, he had to help me turn, but as people were
kicking a ball we somehow ended up changing directions, and were now making
left hand turns. I told him to
take his hands off, and the change of direction had made all the difference in
the world. Turning left was easier
since the gas was on the right hand.
He took his hands off and just sat as I did 3 or 4 more laps around the
soccer field by myself, shifting gears and making the turns. I felt accomplished, and was glad he
had encouraged me to try again, because leaving defeated would have been a bad
feeling. Korku was very happy as
well, and said he will return tomorrow so we can practice. They will not stop until I can do it on
my own. It started to rain just as
we finished, and Jess and I left feeling giddy. It was a site to see, since females do not ride motorcycles
around this town, let alone two little white girls. Hopefully there is no rain tomorrow so I can try again.
Tomorrow is our last Friday here, and on Friday’s the kids usually finish school early and play games. I had planned a while back to do Jeopardy tomorrow, and I told the kids we would be playing a game during the morning. They are very excited and have been asking about it all week. I asked Godwin to stop tomorrow for me to get them lollipops as prizes. This weekend we plan to climb the tallest mountain in Ghana, located about 45 minutes from here. The weekend will be spent with the children, taking advantage of the little time we have left.
Tomorrow is our last Friday here, and on Friday’s the kids usually finish school early and play games. I had planned a while back to do Jeopardy tomorrow, and I told the kids we would be playing a game during the morning. They are very excited and have been asking about it all week. I asked Godwin to stop tomorrow for me to get them lollipops as prizes. This weekend we plan to climb the tallest mountain in Ghana, located about 45 minutes from here. The weekend will be spent with the children, taking advantage of the little time we have left.
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