Since my last post I unknowingly prolonged an illness for five days. After traveling a short distance from the city of Ho it became quite obvious that the hospital would be where I needed to go. So I spent a couple days learning about the health care system. I was dehydrated and not enjoying food so it took me about a week to regain my energy.
During the week I learned many things; that none of the masons showed up for work in the village, and that they wouldn't be working until they saw me again. For some reason they have started to believe that if they don't see me for a few days they won't come to work (there is a different level of trust between local Ghanaians). Aggravated and still crippled by my illness I decided to read and rest. While resting my mind wondered. Thoughts bounced around my mind; why is Africa plagued with problems? What could I be doing if I wasn't sick? From Thanksgiving and what it would be like, to how expensive health care is in U.S. my ideas soared -One major difference about the health care system I realized is that two days in hospital with drugs, multiple doctor check-ups, and nurse attention only costs around 80 US dollars -and that's without insurance coverage. Just before I left for my trip to come to Ghana I had a minor eye procedure that cost more than 300 USD.
Recently, I was drawn to a passage written by a journalist about the genocide in Rwanda and how little America hears about the specific issues in Africa. Upon recovery I began to talk to more people about what their thoughts were on the matter. Even today I was able to speak with a police friend shipping out to Sudan for a UN peacekeeping mission. Many seem to know a lot about what goes on in the U.S. but I explained that many of us don't educate ourselves enough on the matters abroad, or the media narrows the coverage not including much of Africa.
The upcoming week requires great organization as the team from Canada will be arriving. Tomorrow and Friday will be busy days and I'm thankful to be in much better health. The agenda includes meeting with another NGO for planning, bringing a carpenter to teach, hauling in paint, boards (for desks), and supplies for the completion of three rooms and the entire outside of the structure. My hope is to complete this and make a good start on the toilets -already several blocks have been molded. Once again my time and resources are limited but I know that something great will come from all of this work. Everyone's support in itself has been something great.
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