Ghana 2012 Update #6

I don’t usually write in reverse chronological order, but this time I will do so.

Today, Tuesday, January 31^st In Kumasi with the Adjei family [Second son Bright is a member of my church in Sequim.] I began this message with the ‘yesterday’ below, so if some of the characters are unknown to you, look below.

I am feeling a whole lot better today than yesterday morning.

Henry and I went to a travel agent friend to arrange for travel to the US in June. The man, a very influential business man, spent at least an hour with us to review all the documents Henry had prepared for the US visa process. I was most pleased with his thoroughness. He has gone through the same process several times to the US and the UK. When we were finished, I asked about one of the large photos he had in his office. It was of him being presented with a commendation by the King. Was I impressed …. Yes!

Back at the house Felicia asked if I would like to have a meal of banku and okra soup. I politely said yes, although the same meal in Beacon House would have been refused by me. Rachel hang onto your hat! It was not only good, but I ate it with my fingers! I was a bit startled at finding a small crab in my fingers, which I promptly handed to Cousin Junior, but after watching him eat that one, I ate the second one I found … not bad at all.

Yesterday, Monday, January 30^th

I woke with a slight fever and what felt like bronchitis. Henry (Bright’s dad) and I drove to his mother-in-law’s place, then he went to the bank to pay the fee to get a visitor visa to come to the US in June for Bright’s granduation. Adoma (mother-in-law) walked me down the street to where a house had burned to the ground last night. The fire was set by a discontent divorced husband; he killed his wife, her mother, and their two children. Unfortunately not so unusual in America. What was unusual, though, was the people gathered around to sight-see walking through the burned out remains of the house. There are no smoke alarms here otherwise these people might still be alive.

After our little walk, I looked so tired, Adoma suggested I lay down on her couch. I slept at least 2 hours and woke up feeling some better. Adoma prepared fried plantain for lunch which was delicious.

Henry and I woke Bright up at the terribly early hour of 5:30am Sequim time to continue the online application for his parents and grandmother’s visas to come over in June. We managed to get interview time slots for Thursday morning February 9^th so I can go to the US Embassy with them. Our government turns down most visa requests and we are hoping that my presence to vouch for them will help. They might not let me in to the interview, so I will write a letter as did Judy and Dave C.

The fun part of this time on the computer was for Bright and his parents to see each other in full color and action though the use of Skype. Bright has been gone for almost 9 years while working on his education; he will receive his PhD in June. Judy Cronquist was in the Skype video stream with Bright, so it was a great reunion for all.

Felicia (Bright’s mother) prepared the guinea fowl I had been given (but that story must wait until Wednesday of last week). Felicia is a splendid cook. I promised Bright that when his family ate with their hands, I would too. I did.

Sunday, January 29^th

Gufaro (taxi driver) got me to the bus ‘station’ at 4am. I again had to take Metro Mass, but again purchased two seats. This time I measured the seats. They are no more than 14 inches. No wonder people can’t fit. It was 9 hours of hot, dry, dusty, uncomfortable travel, but I arrived safely … no armed robbers … and Dennis (Bright’s brother) was waiting for me.

People on the bus are very protective and helpful to foreigners. They were quite willing to help me find the right place to ‘alight’ from the bus. Dennis had told me to call when coming near to the meeting place. I did so saying that the word was just ten minutes to the destination. About 20-30 minutes later, still on the bus, Dennis called. I told him it was a ‘long ten minutes’. Those who heard this remark burst out laughing and repeated it until everyone on the bus knew what I had said. It only added to their conception of the odd American granny traveling with the local folk.

In the evening, while I rested, Dennis used my computer and Internet modem. Getting online in Ghana is not the easiest thing to do.

Saturday, January 28th

In my previous, short message, I indicated there were some surprises. The plan was to pick up Nurse Bertilda, purchase some food, and drive out to the villages to visit Victor and our three little boys.

Surprise #1: I had been told Victor had not attended school last term due to funds not reaching Bertilda. Wrong … he has been attending school, but the school is still awaiting payment. Therefore the money I was currying was for last term, with an expectation that I would have money for the current term also.

Surprise #2: Victor is no longer living with his grandmother, he is with a family with whom I am quite pleased. Their mud constructed family compound was clean and well maintained (unlike some I have seen).

Surprise #3: Victor was not there and could not be found … actually he was at school playing football (soccer) but we did not know that. So we went on the Namalgo village to visit the three little boys.

Surprise #4: There are 4 little boys now, not three. We already knew that the mother had disappeared and the father had died, leaving the boys with their blind grandmother. What even Bertilda did not know was that 2 weeks ago, the boys’ mother died in Kumasi leaving a 4 year old son by another man. The Ghanaian culture (at least northern Ghana) says that the child belongs not to his birth father, but to the family of the woman’s deceased husband. These children did not even know of the existence of the other and sadly, the 4 year old speaks twi, not the fra fra language of the north.

Bertilda would like for the little boy, Christopher, to be given to another family in Ghana, or sent to an orphanage, or to be offered for adoption. Twelve year old John now has his grandmother plus three younger siblings to care for …. too much.

Driving up in the taxi was a kick and a half. The boys were playing nearby, they saw us coming, and ran after the taxi. Gufaro said they were anxious to see their grandmother. John and Peter (age 9) waited for us to get out of the car, but shy little Joseph (age 7) ran in to his grandmother.

While in the taxi, I showed Bertilda how to work a solar powered radio I had brought for the grandmother. There is a Christian radio station plus at least one other in the area and I wanted her to have something to do while the children were at school. I also told Bertilda that I hoped the radio would bring a smile to the face of this sad looking woman … it did. [photo of the grandmother and the 4 boys with a large bowl of food (oranges, bananas, and yams (huge potato-like objects)]

After visiting with the boys, we drove back to Victor’s new place of residence. [photo-Victor is in stripped shirt] Victor is doing well and is happy to be in school still. His future is uncertain, though, as there is no funding for him after this term.

Upon returning to town, I took Bertilda and Gufaru to lunch. I ate Fufu for the first time. It was good. This is usually eaten with fingers, but I used a spoon.

After lunch, I took a photo of Bertilda and the three (unrelated) orphans she is raising. The oldest of these three is about 13 and has sole responsibility for the younger two from Monday through Friday while Bertilda is in mid-wifery training. No small task.

Thursday-Friday, January 26-27^th

I spent much of these two days with Juliana, a former Beacon House house mother. Juliana arrived at the guest house in Bolga mid-morning and we did some planning for her startup business. A donor became interested in her case and offered to match funds with me to help.

Juliana’s thought when talking on the phone a few weeks ago was to sell cell phone units. On Wednesday afternoon, Gufaro and I did some research and found that this would be a hard way to earn a living because there is only a few pennies to earn on each sale.

Guess what? Juliana had already come to that conclusion and was ready to go with her other idea … that of selling grains in the market. This will be more demanding physically, but she is sure she can get the necessary help. This plan takes longer in the planning and preparing, so it will be some time before we have an idea of success rate. The good news, other than Juliana’s will to succeed, is there is a Dutch woman friend of Gerdy’s who specializes in small startup businesses; Bianca spends every other block of 3 months in Ghana to check up on and start new businesses with women. Bianca will add Juliana to her case load. This way, Juliana will soon get some experienced assistance.

Thursday we did Juliana’s shopping, bagged a huge amount of millet for the Pwalugo Village women, ate dinner, and hit the hay. Juliana slept in the staff quarters as she is used to sleeping in the heat … unlike me in my guest quarters with airconditioning. Must mention that before going to shop with Juliana, I handed her the whole amount of 832 Ghc, more money than she had ever seen before, and she divided it into appropriate portions (spending and depositing) and handled it well. The bulk of our time was waiting in line in the bank to open an account. Again she handled it well.

Friday morning we drove to Pwalugo village to deliver Juliana’s purchases to her house, take photos [and discover additional needs for next year], and meet with the women in her church. The women were again grateful for my visit and send many thanks for the folks in America who provided the 55 sacks of millet (10-15 pounds each). This will provide food for a number of days for many people. [photo-Pwalugo (Juliana is standing at the left)]

I almost forgot what I did Friday afternoon … more carpentry … this time for Mama Laadi. The people continue to be amazed that this old American lady is a ‘carpenter’. I assure them I am not really a carpenter, but that in America there are some women carpenters, plumbers, etc. We are so fortunate we can be whatever we can dream and work hard to achieve.

Wednesday, January 25^{th --}Vea Village and shopping

The requisite visit with the village chief was uncharacteristically short … much appreciated.

Lydia’s grandmother is well as are her youngest son, a granddaughter, and great-grandchild who live with her. She appreciated the photo album, necklace set, letter, and huge bag of millet. I purchased two stacks of baskets that will hopefully fit into my quota of check luggage for the return home. The grandmother asked that I send greetings to Lydia and her family.

Upon leaving grandma, she tried to hand me a guinea fowl! With, I’m sure, a shocked look on my face, I turned to Pastor John (my guide and interpreter) and asked “What am I supposed to do with that?” John rescued me by taking the bird off my hands, smoking it, and giving it to Bernard to return to me. [photo: grandmother]

Some might ask who Bernard is. He is the administrative assistant to Romana, the Beacon House orphanage directory in Accra. The two of them were at the guest house when I arrived and left for Accra Saturday morning early. They make several trips to the north to visit folks in need. They interview cases and decide which they will try to help financially and otherwise. The need is so great that if they had a million dollars at their disposal, it would still just scratch the surface. Even so, each life touched is one more potential success story.

Wednesday afternoon Gufaru and I did a bunch of problem solving shopping. Again as with last year, I wanted to purchase cloth bags from the people making them. We found the folks from last year and one new contact. I am pleased with the purchases, but will try to get a couple more styles in Accra.

Tuesday, January 24^th – traveled long and hard from Sunyani to Bolga

Monday, January 23^rd – Gerdy and I did the last minute running around to complete most of what I wanted to accomplish. The cabinet is still a loose end, but Gerdy will follow through on that.

I promised a financial accounting, so here goes: These monies are mostly donated funds, but where there was short-fall in an area or where some might question the wisdom of my choice, I covered the cost out of my personal funds. Whether donations or personal funds, many people are blessed by our (yours and my) presence in Ghana. I won’t try to list the dates although I have that available. I hope the figures don’t swim around on the email page too badly.

For The Kids’ Shelter

Ghc US $ Item

30 18.75 screws, nails, other hardware

10 6.25 flat of eggs

33 20.63 fruit for us all (kids and staff) for one week

40 25 10 playground balls

2 1.25 paint rags

73 45.63 medications for current cases & for future use by Gerdy (Nurse & director

162 101.38 paint, antifungal, kerosene, brushes, etc.

82 51.25 primer/sealer plus 2 Ghc for taxi to pick it up

30 18.75 2 Bible stories books to be read to the younger children

7 4.38 ream of paper to make posters by hand, to print from computer, etc.

150 93.75 labor of painter Ben and apprentice

145 90.63 fish to cover the next few weeks

36 22.50 2 laundry hampers, 2 laundry baskets to organize the laundry tasks better

3 1.88 1 toy basket to use a prototype for building the cabinet for toys/projects

9.50 5.94 one mosquito net to try on the bunk beds for fit

10 6.25 one more net to try on the bunk beds for fit

10 6.25 paint and brushes for toothbrush holder

3.60 2.75 screws and nails

11 6.88 fruit

27 16.88 9 more toy/project baskets

1201 750.63 deposited into NIB bank account with Gerdy as joint tenant for 3(4) boys

534 333.75 deposited in NIB bank account for Lamisi (more than needed as turns out)

100 62.50 given to Gerdy to deposit into account for Bianca to check on Juliana

25 15.63 contingency deposited into account

40 25 to Gerdy for running me around to do our projects

60 37.50 6 mosquito nets to complete the goal of 8 nets for the lower bunks

250 156.25 to Gerdy to pay for the toy/project cabinet when it is completed

Northern villages

162 101.25 two huge bags of millet: 1=boys, 1=Pwalugo village

16.45 10.29 55 strong bags and rubber bands to re-bag the millet for P village women

32.80 20.50 pencils, pens, erasers, paper, exercise books, etc. for school children

832 520 small business loan for Juliana

21 13.13 Blood pressure meds for Juliana

25 15.63 apron with zippered pocket, plus small money purse, both for Juliana

75 46.88 two half days of taxi (Thursday and Friday)

400 250 First three months sponsorship money for boys (to Bertilda)

80 50 Additional needed for little Christopher for the first three months

40 25 to Bertilda for gasoline for her many trips out to the little boys

20 12.50 change for the grinding mill for the boys’ millet

70 43.75 all day taxi to Namolgo village on Saturday

60 37.50 huge amount of oranges, yams, and bananas for the boys & Presby clinic

80 50 additional funds needed for Victor over the funds provided

32 20 to family providing room and board for Victor

20 12.50 meds for Vero (recovering from malaria) and little Deborah

Time to untwist my eyes from the computer screen and say hello to the family members who have all returned from work or school (all except Dennis who works in a bank very long hours, with even a half day (six hours) on Saturday.

Love, to all and thanks for the prayers,

Grandma Judy Griffin

Ghana 2012 Update #

Sunday January 22

My goodness … it has been a whole week since the last message. Time is running so fast here and there is so much to do. The 13 year old miss ‘M’ is counting down the days until I leave; she is very sad. I can only say that I will miss her and hope to come back next year.

Gerdy and I have been to town each day this past week, researching and shopping for the projects we are doing. Mosquito nets that fit her bunk beds are difficult to find, but we have tried two. Hopefully she will decide on one of them so we can buy some more before I leave.

Keeping the three little boys clean and out of mischief before going to preschool has become a priority for me. I asked permission to take them into the little TV room with a basket of toys. This has worked well and I have asked a cabinet maker to build a cabinet to facilitate this.

I said in an earlier message that food here is not an issue and certainly the food is good and the diet balanced. This month Gerdy received less in donations and from her foundation funding, so I purchased fish and fruit to help with meals.

Yesterday the older children helped me put together a toothbrush holder. The cabinet maker cut the pieces for us according to the design Gerdy and I gave them. They did well (as the Ghanaians like to say). The children were a great help holding the pieces while drilled and drove the screws. There were to small pieces of wood left over so they each had a turn at using my impact drive. They were thrilled.

The painting is finished and the walls not only are preserved against the weather, they look great. The painter put on several coats of a sealer/preservative that will hopefully keep the walls from crumbling away.

Today, Eny and I will take a bus to Kumasi to experience a cultural event. More on this next message.

My schedule for next week is:

Tuesday 24^th – bus to Bolgatanga (at least 12 hours) lots of prayers please

Wednesday 25^th – go to Vea village to visit Lydia’s grandmother

Thursday 26^th – work with Julianna on a business plan and shop for her needed items

Friday 27^th – take Julianna to her village (Pualuga), unload her things, & visit with folks

Saturday 28^th – go with nurse Bertilda to Namolgo village to visit our three boys

Sunday 29^th – hopefully bus to Kumasi for a visit with Bright's family (yet to be arranged)

I will give a financial accounting with the next message. Must go now.

No photos this time as the connection is not good.

Peace and joy,

Judy

Ghana 2012 Update #4

Friday the 13^th of January

I have for many years considered Friday the 13^th to be lucky. In spite of some trials along the way, the day did turn out well.

The painter arrived at 10 o’clock. Gerti frustrated over the loosy-goosy ‘Ghanaian time’, but he is a good painter and spent a productive 4 ½ hours before the children started arriving from school. I helped a little with the painting of the two bedrooms that were targeted. I say helped with a tongue in cheek. The man was pleasant to work with and tolerated me as I helped with the edge work. He is fast, but not as exacting as Gerti and I would prefer … but that is the way of it here in Ghana.

We stopped for lunch, and then started the scraping on the walls of the courtyard. It is obvious the place was not prepped properly when first painted. The paint peels away in small and large sheets; the stucco beneath crumbles away.

After we finished the areas that were in the shade, I quit as it is too warm for me to do that kind of work in the sun, in the heat of the day. By three o’clock the courtyard had the peeling areas scraped and caulked. Monday we hope to pick up a bucket of primer/sealer that will keep those areas from crumbling again. Eventually, Gerti will have to do the same process with other areas as they deteriorate.

By 3 o’clock, our 17 year old sick girl’s condition had worsened to the point that Gerti took her to hospital. I went along, hoping to see a more efficient process than the one I have described the past two years in Police Hospital in Accra. Sadly, I did not see such.

Five and a half hours later, we left the emergency area of the hospital with the lab test results and a different medication than we had in hand, but ‘Miss A’ had still not been seen by a doctor.

From three o’clock on Friday until Monday morning, the only medical attention available is in the emergency area of the hospital. The waiting room/entrance is very small with about 18 chairs. Most of these chairs were filled when we arrived. Most of those same people were still there (plus many more) when we left. It was only late in our stay, about 8 o’clock that there was any attempt at helping those in line on the chairs; this was done by a medical assistant coming down the line and ‘treating’ them right there in the waiting room. All the rest of the time, the one doctor on duty was busy with one elderly man and one young man who was carried in unconscious.

Patients arrived via taxi, even the unconscious man. Family members must take care of the patients even in the examining room, so people were coming and going with buckets, mops, water, food, etc., in and out of the one emergency exam room, an area that in the US would be labeled ‘no admittance’.

The good news is that ‘Miss A’ sipped water the whole time we were there and was looking better than when we brought her in. She was very dehydrated. She was poked enough by needles that she is now more willing to cooperate. The plan is to take her to see an ear nose and throat specialist on Monday. Gerti says her tonsils need to be removed.

Saturday, January 14

This morning, Eni (I wrongly was calling her Enid) and I took a taxi to Bechem, a small town about 30 minutes toward Kumasi. We had been referred to a ‘bead factory’ in Bechem. What an adventure!! We finally found the bead lady, Agnes, standing on the side of the road; she hopped into the taxi and led us on bumpy dirt roads to her ‘factory’. What we found was a tree covered factory of the future and a display of beads that she either purchased or made elsewhere. Eni and I both purchased some beads, but not nearly enough to please the Agnes.

When we were finished with our transactions, Agnes led us, on foot, back to the highway. There we waited at a taxi ‘station’ for about an hour before finding a taxi willing to take us home. Agnes and her brother waited with us and helped us flag down taxis, finally finding one to take us back to Abysim (suburb of Sunyani). The brother is a farmer and brought us each a pineapple to take home. While waiting, we visited with Agnes and her brother, and watched the village people at the neighborhood water pump. Agnes has another brother who lives in Dallas, TX. So many people here have family in America.

The children enjoy many of the same activities as do our children … playing with balls/balloons and dolls, coloring, working computer games, creating hairdos in adults, etc. Attached you will hopefully find some examples of those activities enjoyed by these beautiful children. In the ‘computer’ photo you will see Eni (from Holland), a Belgian volunteer young man, Eni’s personal computer, and a recently donated laptop. The children are learning how to use the ‘mouse’ (through computer games) and how to type a short letter.

Here at the Kids’ Shelter, there is one boy that I was having difficulty understanding his name. Gerti was saying Maichu (spelled phonetically) and the children were saying something slightly different. Finally Gerti said “Maichu, as in Maichu, Mark, Luke, and John.” …. Oh …. Matthew!

Sunday, January 15

Gerti’s Ghanaian husband Moses has a relative who is being ordained in a local church today so they are attending that function this morning instead of taking the children to Sunday School. We will have an in-house Bible study tonight instead.

I went to the Catholic Church with Eni. Eni is not Catholic so the two of us sat in the pew while the rest of the folks went forward for communion. I am allowed to take communion in Catholic churches in Europe, so I asked if I could here, but was politely refused, with an explanation.

In both churches, it has been difficult to follow what is said. The accent, the sound system, and my hearing loss gangs up on me. Perhaps it is time to look into hearing aids.

Offering time in Ghanaian churches is an interesting process. Lively, loud music is played while people walk, or dance, up the aisles to place their money in a pot. There is always more than one offering. The first one is usually for the church, the second one is for the speaker (Presbyterian) or for the day of your birth (Catholic). So many people in Ghana don’t even know the year of their birth, so they must be just picking a day for themselves. Sometimes there is a third and fourth offering for various special projects. Each offering provides opportunity for joyous walking/dancing/clapping down the aisles.

This afternoon Eni organized a ‘swim’ party for the children. Out in back is a large poly tank (water storage), with a tiled area for hand washing clothes. Eni and the older children scrubbed down the area, stopped up the drain, and ran water enough for the children to have great fun. Large and small they slipped, splashed, poured, and squirted, and eventually got cold, even in the high 80s.

After dinner, baths, and night clothes, the children had an in-house worship service. Thirteen year old ‘M’ led lively singing/dancing/clapping, mostly in a native language, with a few Halleluiahs here and there. Ma Gerti led a discussion of the meaning of Christmas, by asking questions of the children. They knew most of the answers; they have been taught well. The younger children were put to bed, then the Belgian young woman (I must learn her name) read from the Bible. Ma Gerti asked the children if they would like a Bible study several times per week and they responded with a rousing ‘yes!’

Tomorrow morning, Gerti and I will take our slowly recovering 17 year old to the ear-nose-throat specialist (at least that is what we hope). After that we hope to purchase some children’s Bibles so that each child can have their own (at least the older ones). We have a few hardware type things to purchase also … replacement for the power bar I burned out this morning and the primer/sealer paint stuff.

A solar lantern is being used for the first time … at Gerti’s house next door. So far there has not been a power outage here in the children’s home. The staff knows I have a lantern in my room that they can get during the night if there is an outage. The younger children become frightened if they wake up and there is total darkness.

Monday morning looks like I am online so will send this.

Love to all, Judy

Ghana 2012 Update #3

Ghana 2012 Update #3 – School starts

Tuesday, Jan. 10

I walked the mile or so to school with the children and Innid, a Dutch volunteer who is also living at the KS. Innid goes every morning with the children. All of the children attend school, even the preschoolers. I waited to see the opening ceremony which takes place each morning. The children recited and sang songs much like children do (or did) in our schools. There are over 600 children attending this private school. I visited the ‘class 5’ where our 5 oldest children are placed; there are 45 students in this room.

Notice in the attached photo the ‘sweaters’ the children are wearing over their school uniforms. It was a refreshingly cool 76 degrees and they were cold. In the photo there are 11 children. Two go to another school, one is home sick, and the preschoolers are brought by Gerti in the van.

I was asked who Gerti is. She is a tireless worker in her 60s; originally from Holland; worked as a nurse for about 40 years here in Ghana; started The Kids’ Shelter in 2004. She tells stories about children that would curl your hair. She also tells success stories that are so inspirational. Funding for the KS comes from donations from Holland, Germany, England, Ghana, and from us. She lives one day at a time, one month at a time, always praying there is enough funds to do what is needed. She administers the support money for over 100 sponsored children in the northern area. I have opened an account at a local bank and will put the support money for our 3 little boys in that account with Gerti administering it.

This afternoon, Gerti took me to the cabinetmaker’s shop. The proprietor gave me a tour. He has some interesting equipment … some the same as ours and some a bit different, but serving the same purpose. I asked if he had scrap wood that I could have for a small project; he said to bring in the measurements and he will have his men make the cuts for me.

While in the car, Gerti and I were able to have time alone to talk about projects that we (all of you and I) could undertake while here at the Kids Shelter. Food is not an issue here as it is at Beacon House, so some of the ‘undesignated’ funds will be spent on other projects. One such project involves painting. Part of the outside of the building receives much weathering and the structure will rapidly deteriorate if not corrected soon. These areas need to be scrapped, sealed, and painted to provide sufficient protection. A painter has given an estimate for the cost of materials and labor for the outside portion and for the materials for some inside areas that I will paint. Gerti vetoed my offer to do the outside part; she is wise. The weather has gotten warmer and the outside part is in the sun all day. The painter will come Thursday morning, Gerti will take him to make the purchases (I might go along), then he will begin work. If all goes as planned, I will start my painting Friday morning while the children are at school.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

This morning Gerti had planned to take me to the bank. She has such a terrible cold that I insisted on going on my own so she would go back to bed. Innid and I went together, first to the ATM machine and then to the Wednesday (once per week) big market. I needed clothes pins (pegs) and Innid looked for khaki fabric to take to the tailor for one of the small boys whose hand-me-down school pants are falling off him. It was a successful shopping trip all round.

At one point, I was bumped by a large bag resting on a handcart. I thought nothing of it as this market is not nearly as crowded and jostling as the Medina market in Accra. However, one English speaking Ghanaian man stopped the cart puller and made him apologize to me, teaching him to say ‘sorry’. The young cart puller not only verbally apologized, but his body language looked truly contrite. The people here are very protective of foreigners.

On the way home we stopped at the ‘cultural center’. Unlike other ‘cultural centers’, this one not only had crafts for sale, but also teaches classes in Ghanaian culture, music, and arts.

From an employee at the Sunyani bus ‘station’ we found out how to get to the bead factory in Kumasi. Innid is suggesting we go to Kumasi on Sunday January 22^nd to see a big cultural celebration and to also go to the bead factory. There is another bead factory only about 20 minutes from here, so we might go to both.

Tonight, after supper, I brought out the balls. Doris, who helped me purchase the balls, was convinced only the little children and boys would like them. Wrong. All the children large and small wanted them. Some of the children played as much as 1 ½ hours with them. They had a great time. Some of the older ones helped the younger ones learn to kick and throw.

There are two Belgian youth who come in the afternoons to play with the children and to help with homework. The young man is taking college classes and comes here when he has time. The young woman is here on an exchange student program. She is finished with Belgian high school and was attending high school here, but became bored with it. She asked for permission to do volunteer work instead. There were 56 students in her class and it was obviously not challenging her. They are both great with the children and have endless energy.

Thursday, January 12^th

This morning we have two sick girls … a 17 year old and a 4 year old. The older one probably has both malaria and a respiratory infection. The younger one has a probable infection in her leg and with swelling in the groin. Both have high fevers. Gerti is treating both with antibiotic and fever meds. Gerti is a retired nurse (very high ranking nurse) and prefers to treat children herself much of the time. The alternative of going to ‘hospital’ (clinic) to see a doctor is an all day ordeal and one she does only if the child does not respond to the in-house treatment.

One of our donors indicated a preference to use her donation for medicines. This is a perfect time to do so. We were able to get the proper meds for the current need and we stocked up for future needs. Cost of meds was 75 Ghana cedis or $50. We walked away with a good size sack of meds. Gerti asked me to pass along a great big “Thank you very much.”

Peace and Joy to all,

Grandma Judy Griffin

Ghana 2012 Update #2

Sunday, January 8th

Gerti, 14 of the 16 children, and I left for church at 7:30 this morning. The children all went to Sunday School and Gerti and I went to and English speaking worship service at a Presbyterian Church. Gerti had the children load into the car according to an assigned seating arrangement which avoids the fighting over seats.

The children wore new clothes and shoes that had been donated for Christmas. They looked splendid. [see photo]

The children said they enjoyed Sunday School and sang a new song for us on the way home.

We spent the afternoon at a ‘children’s party’ that was 3 hours of adult stuff followed by a fun meal and a few spectator games. Gerti had to go back to the home so I became the spokes person for the Kids Shelter. All other spokes persons were long winded, but I took no more than one minute, partly because I did not know the life history of the KS, but mostly because I wanted them to get to something the kids would enjoy. When Gerti returned and saw what was happening, she talked with a few organizers and they all agreed that next year there needed to be some changes.

Monday, January 9^th

The two little boys who were so troublesome a few days ago are now my best friends. They seek my attention with hugs instead of hits and kicks. They really are loveable, cute boys.

One of the older boys was given what we would call a coping saw for his birthday. Gerti and I will purchase some thin plywood and supervise his sawing of some material that will end up as a toothbrush holder, with places for each child. At least that is what we hope will be the outcome.

Romana (of Beacon House) asked if I would be willing to do some carpentry work so I brought along a cordless impact driver. Upon arrival at the Kids Shelter, I immediately knew that my tool would be of service there also. While Dinah and I were shopping a few days ago, we looked for appropriate wood screws of varying lengths. Not available. I had to make do with what they had and the screws are not of good quality. I must be very careful not to snap them in two.

This afternoon I came on a brief shopping excursion with Doris, the cook. While out, we purchased 10 playground balls (40 Ghc) so the children will not fight over the few that are available. Children squabbling over toys just wears me out.

This morning Dinah called to say she was worried about me spending the night at Julianna’s. There are many mosquitoes and the sanitation is not what would be best for me. We worked out a plan for Julianna to come to where I will be staying in Bolgatanga. We can work up a business plan then go shopping for the stuff. All of the needed things must be purchased in Bolga anyway. I will still go to her village either that day or the next to visit some of the people.

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.

I am again in an Internet café hoping to send.

Love to all, Grandma Judy Griffin

Grandma Judy is Off Again Ghana 2012

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Ghana 2012 Update 1 –Safely in Sunyani – Saturday afternoon, January 7th

Getting online is difficult here, but everything else is great. The weather is cool (except afternoons), the food is good, and Gerti (my hostess) is most accommodating.

I purchased a mobile online gizmo that connects to cell phone towers, but the reception here at the house is very poor. I am told that the reception is much better in town. I will take my computer with me when we go to town this afternoon (Friday). If the reception is still not sufficient, I will go to an Internet café and send this message along with three photos in black & white, low resolution. [It is now Saturday morning, I have had to abort using my own email service, and will try a free Gmail account.] Innid, a volunteer from Holland will take me to an Internet café this afternoon. Yesterday’s attempt at using my own email account there did not work.]

The trip here was 4 days long and full of challenges. I used my mileage plan to get from SeaTac to Reagan National in DC and took a ground shuttle to Dulles International. Even though Jamie Dailey had checked me in online, using his United Airlines furlough connection, I was turned away as there is currently an embargo on standby passengers to Ghana. Purchasing a ticket at that point would have been $2500 … totally beyond my capability.

I was on the brink of heading back home when it occurred to me that my mileage plan might save the day. It took the Alaska agent about an hour to arrange a plan, but it worked. The night spent Sunday in a hotel near the airport was reasonably priced thanks to a helpful United Airlines agent and the next afternoon I boarded a KLM flight to Amsterdam to Accra, Ghana.

When checking in for the KLM flight out of Dulles, the agents refused to let me bring my CPAP equipment. I showed my doctor’s letter, told how I had carried it on several other airlines to several other countries. They held fast! Finally one man suggested I wait and talk with the captain of the airplane. That worked. The captain looked up the manufacture of my equipment and it was on the approved list, therefore I was allowed to bring it aboard and to use it during the flight. The alternative would have been to leave some very expensive medical equipment in the Dulles airport. I must get prior approval at the Accra airport when I return to Accra or again risk leaving the equipment here. They still have the power to make me leave the equipment behind.

The flights to Amsterdam and to Accra were fine and Wednesday morning I was driven to Beacon House for a joyful reunion with staff and children.

Do you remember (those who received my updates last year) Dinah, the young woman who delivered her baby a few days after my return to the US? She and her baby Daniella [hopefully there is a photo of them attached] are both beautiful and have happy personalities. Dinah, Daniella, and I took the eight hour bus ride to Sunyani over very bumpy dirt roads. I told Dinah that you all have no way of even imagining the conditions of that ride unless you have gone in a beat-up old bus over the worst jeep roads possible. Actually part of the way was paved, the bus was air-conditioned, we laughed when we flew in the air on the biggest bumps, and we arrived safely, so all is well.

There are currently 16 children at The Kids Shelter here in Sunyani. The director, Gerti, is from Holland and has worked as a high ranking nurse in Ghana for 40+ years. In her retirement, she and her Ghanaian husband built and are directing the foster home for children. The children currently range from age 2 to 17. The home was originally designed for older children, but does not turn away the little ones.

‘A’ and ‘M’ are two of the older children. They moved from Beacon House to The Kids Shelter 2 ½ years ago and have fond memories of BH. They eagerly looked through my photo album to see who they would recognize. There are several staff members and one child (a staff member’s daughter) the girls knew. ‘M’ has already written me a letter and also one for me to take to Granddaughter Lydia. Hopefully you will see a photo of ‘A’ and ‘M’.

I was warned that the two youngest children, twin boys (A and F), were particularly unruly. This is very true. Twice I have put one or the other (perhaps the same child) in a ‘time in’. For those not familiar with this method, it is simply holding the child tight in your arms until the child stops kicking and screaming. Gerti has given me permission to do this, welcoming any attempt at bringing the boys into better behavior. Although this technique is not a miracle cure, I have already seen some improvement. Hopefully you will see a photo of the twins. [Woops! Friday evening made me aware that the two earlier sessions of time-in were with the same, more ‘mild tempered’ twin. Tonight the other twin about exhausted me. I certainly exhausted him. I finally asked one of the house mothers to tell him (the younger half of the children know no English) that I would put him down if he stopped screaming. He stopped for a split second and down he went. The house mother put him to bed and he was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I will try to make friends with him tomorrow. However, if he hits or kicks me again, he will be back in a time-in in an instant.]

Saturday morning finds both the twins my friend. They both want my attention, but this morning they are doing it in more acceptable ways. They really are cute, sweet little boys when not sprouting little devil horns

This morning (Saturday), Gerti tried the ‘time-in’ technique with one of the twins … it worked. She is very pleased.

Thursday and Friday afternoons, Dinah took me shopping for some of the little essentials that I purchase here rather than bringing (bowls for food, powdered milk, crackers, shopping bag, etc.). We also loaded into the return taxi a couple cases of bottled water. Gerti does not have a water filter here in the foster home, so perhaps this is where we can install the filter pledged by one donor.

Yesterday I started using the donated funds by purchasing a flat of eggs. The cost was 8 Ghana cedis plus two Ghc for the two flats to contain the eggs so they would not break on the way back. Next shopping trip I will take the flats with me and avoid the extra cost

This morning, early, Dinah had to return to Accra to go back to work. Her next ‘off’ is the third week of February, after I leave for the US. I am so glad she will be at BH when I get there in a few weeks. Dinah is good company and I so enjoy little Daniella.

Last night (Friday) Dinah placed a call for me to Julianna. I have great difficulty in understanding the speech of Ghanaians when on the phone and I did not want to have any misunderstanding during the conversation. Julianna was a house mother at BH last year, but had to leave her children at her home in the far north. She is no longer working at BH, is now in the north where she can be with her children. That part is good, but what is not good is the fact that she has no employment.

Julianna is a hardworking, intelligent woman and would like very much to start her own business selling telephone ‘credits’ People here do not have land lines or contracts on their cell phones. Instead they purchase credits in the form of a card with a scratch-off code to type into their cell phone. Julianna believes she can be successful in this business, but lacks the capital to start. Fortunately her case tickled the fancy of a kind hearted donor willing to match my $260 to make a total of $520 available for Julianna.

While in the north, I will spend a night (or two) in Julianna’s modest little home so we can have some quality time to work up a business plan, purchase the necessary umbrella and table, and buy the telephone credits for several popular phone services. More on this when the time comes.

Hope this finds you all well.

Grandma Judy Griffin

Ghana Update #9

Still in Accra

Did you think I had slipped off the face of the earth? I haven’t. I’m still here in Accra. The flights do not look good for me to fly standby due to spring breaks cropping up all over the world. I am 95% packed ready to go in 2 hour notice, but am content to await God’s timing for my return home.

In the meantime, I continue to have fun with the children.

Some of the older children and a couple of staff members enjoyed several sessions of bead stringing, making bracelets to sell for fund raisers. They copied some prototypes at first, and then made some designs out of their own imaginations.

Little miss ‘G’ has blossomed in the past number of weeks. She interacts with visitors and other volunteers, turning on her charm and beautiful smile. She is still very happy to play with a ball. Each meal, she takes the baby silverware and bibs to and from the dining room. She is soooo serious when doing her chore.

Master ‘M’ is one of our toddlers. He too loves balls, including the big ball under Dinah’s dress. He tries so hard to find that ball. Dinah is hoping to present that ‘ball’ to him any day now. She is more than ready to give birth.

Last week I was invited to attend a special celebration at the private school two of the girls attend. They performed cultural skits, readings, dances, and singing. It was wonderful!

Since the donation money has now run out, the kitchen staff must prepare food with the normal BH budget. What a difference the donated food money made! The vegetables, fish, and chicken were so evident in the dishes when we were involved. Now the cooks must make due with two small cabbages, several onions, and half dozen carrots to feed 50 people for a week. There is still some fish and chicken in the freezer and on Saturday a women’s group brought over eggs plus some packaged supplies. If I do not leave by this Saturday, I will give the shopper money for vegetables again.

Peace and Joy,

Grandma Judy Griffin