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 22nd 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 12th
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
No comments:
Post a Comment