A Very Busy last 4 days in Odumase!

I have failed to update my blog in 4 days. So I will start where I left off with Thursday July 22 -

On Thursday I went to the school and had the chance to observe two teachers. One was for the year 2 class and I saw an English lesson. The students were very respectful and motivated. They would all repeat the word "puppy" after the teacher spoke it and then they would spell it. They had reading time where the children read in pairs following with their fingers as one student stood and read aloud.
I also got to see a junior high science lesson. The teacher talks about the physics behind "work". He engaged the students with a hook on what they know work to be. He gave the physics definition then he did some demonstrations with a tennis ball, pushing on a table, pushing on the wall, and then finally pushing a table across the room. Each time he asked if work was done. And only when the object moved did students respond, "Yes." He showed them the equation that associated with the lesson and gave them practice examples. They did one example in class and went over it, and he assigned one for independent work to be completed at home. I thought it was a very well done lesson. The students seemed fully engaged and at any point if he called on one they were ready with an answer. When I debriefed with teacher after the class, I told him I thought it was a very good lesson. He said the only thing that is lacking is the materials like what we have in the U.S. My response was that materials don't make good students, excellent teachers do!
I spent the afternoon Thursday driving to Ernestine's (Ma), the school mothers, shop near Tema with Ma and Juliana. I bought 200 cedis worth the beads or about $130. I got necklaces, earrings and beautiful bracelets for my students, family, and friends.
I went for another run. It was less enjoyable for me this time since my leg muscles were a bit sore from Tuesday's run and it just seemed that people were more laughing at me than with me this time.


Friday July 23rd, 2010

The ants have gotten into my bread. I luckily checked it before trying to eat it (unlike the popcorn.) My main mission for the day was to type up the forms Juliana and I will be using to conduct our video conference discussion via Skype and to test Skype to make sure we could get it working in the school. At noon, my sister called us and I got to see her via Skype and introduce her to Juliana. In the afternoon, we went to the school district office. I was a big hit there, a man ask me to marry him and I said he'd have to wait in line because someone earlier in the day had already said he'd found me a husband. I told the officers there my mission to connect Juliana's school with my own and to hopefully set up an exchange trip program.
Juliana and I spent the evening at Ma's having the best dinner I've had the entire time I've been in Ghana. Since Ma used to live in the UK for over 20 years she makes Ghanaian food with a western touch, just the way I like it. We had "joma" green plantain boiled, with Kontumre stew (a delicious spinach, tomato, onion, garlic, pepper, stew) and she made fried chicken (boiled first) with sage and rosemary. It was so delicious! We drank my favourite, Star beer with Alvaro (like a cream soda) mixed in. We talked until after 8pm about the reason she moved back to Ghana 3 years ago to set up her HIV/AIDs NGO. It flourished at first but is not going as well now because she needs a space/location to see patients and no one will rent to her. The evening finished on a lighter note with Juliana presenting me with a lovely Ghanaian made shirt that I can wear when I teach back in New York. It was a gift from the school for my efforts thus far.

Saturday July 24th, 2010
I took my milk and tea on the balcony this morning. I dipped cream of wheat biscuits in my tea, munched on an apple, and watched a foot-ball (soccer) game occur just out front of the guesthouse. I felt like I had box seats! Today is wash day, so I gathered my clothes and carried them to Juliana's saying my "Good mornings" all along the way. At Juliana’s, Sarah and I washed my clothes together. Since I am so terrible at it, she did all the pants, shirts, dresses, and I did my underwear and socks. At least I know my visible clothes will be clean.
I ran errands in the afternoon. I went to Ma's to pick up the beads and then I stopped by Rosina's to get my Ghana dress she made me. It turned out beautifully. I decided to wear it to the children's party. Yes, that's right; Juliana and I threw the children who live in her families' houses a party. When I showed up in my fancy dress, all the children went to dress too. They were so cute. I gave them Swedish fish and read them a story from a West African children's book. We had Fu Fu and groundnut soup with okra, chicken, and garden egg (MY FAVORITE DISH!) for dinner. After dinner, we sat outside and Juliana and I bought some biscuits (crackers) and gave out Jiff peanut butter and more Swedish fish. By the end of the night, the children were patting their bellies saying "fufu baby." (something I had taught them a few days ago.)
I went over to Rosina and Irene’s after dinner to take some beer and Alvaro to them. (Show them this new mixture I discovered). They had their dinner and I just sat and drank and talked with them. Rosina was right when she said, “You’ll miss us when you're gone." I thought to myself, I most certainly will. They are like my African aunt and grandmother. They always keep me laughing and take such good care of me.

Sunday July 24th, 2010

I woke with a head cold, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy sinuses, etc. I suspect I picked this up from one of the children yesterday. Many of them have been sick with colds for a while. I met Juliana early this morning and her Ma and I took the tro tro to Akosombo Ghana suburbia) where we got on a boat and took a ride across the Lake Volta! There was a live band on board, so of course we danced. We also had a delicious lunch of rice, spaghetti, and BBQ chicken. It was sunny and beautiful so my feet got Teva lines from my sandals. It was a lovely vacation day.
When we returned, I said good-bye to Ma. Because I'm leaving early tomorrow for Accra, it will be the last time I see her. I hugged her good-bye in the tro tro. It seems that I've formed even more friendships during my time here. I can feel my ties to Ghana strengthening. I also stopped by Rosina and Irene’s to say good -bye. Irene dressed finally so she and I could get a picture. (She wouldn't let me take a picture before now because she didn't have her "face" on (a.k.a. wig). As I hugged her and Rosina good-bye I began to cry. I hope to return to Ghana in a year but what if this is the last time I see them. As I waved good-bye tears welling in my eyes, I hope to myself that they know how much they mean to me.

So now I sit in my room, preparing to relocate to Accra for 2 days, then I fly on to Kenya to see a country I've never seen before and to research trees in the forest on the coast. Wish me the best on my travels back to Accra. My only hope is that my arrival into Accra will go more smoothly than my previous departure.