Fica enye e chi le fe? (Where is the bathroom?)

I purchased 35 boards for doors and windows about six days ago. As the boards came in they were worked on by an honest carpenter that I met through Kieran. He said that he was able to assist in all future projects without having to hassle over a price each time a task would be assigned. The week following the parent teacher meeting I have noticed more parents giving towards fuel for the van, which was a fuss beforehand and may continue to be one in the future. Despite that, I know that an understanding was made at the PTA, and I look forward to the next meeting in December.

The meeting with the other volunteer organization went well as free labor has been promised in exchange for accommodations to house at least seven Canadians. We will be setting up a painting and desk building project while they stay near the school.

More discussion in regards to future plans occurred, such as when and where the toilet placement would be on site as well as repairs to the existing structure. As far as labor was concerned several days were wasted by laborers claiming to come and finish but then not showing up.

Yesterday could have been the most difficult day so far. The start of the day was slow but had me skipping lunch to stain frames in the school structure. While staining, a student frantically shouted my direction in ewe about some kind of scuffle near the road. As I approached people gathered and explained that one of the students had thrown a rock at a passing vehicle, which struck a girl in the head. After using very basic first aid, and being disgusted, I traveled back to Ho for a meeting. However, before the meeting began I got pretty sick. Just before going to the meeting, police decided to raid the home my friend and I went to, falsely accusing us of a drug deal. They insisted on a search and then attempted to take us away. We almost were taken to jail but my friend (Kakra) knew two of the officers who instructed the other officers to leave us be. Thursday (today) could not have come any sooner...

Ending on a positive note, the carpentry is coming along great, thanks to Deon and his team.

Me dekuku mije suku fea (Please give money for school fees)

The last several days have been a whirlwind of events and meetings. After learning plenty about water sanitation and production, I moved to Kpetoe and readjusting. I noticed it took me about five days to get acclimated to the food, climate, people, transportation, and of course, the toilet. Last week, I traveled to Wodome, which is a very small village nearest to Godwin Amway School. While there, discussions of what to do next ensued, and the plastering took place almost immediately thereafter. Currently, we are working on the frames for the doors and windows. All the frames, doors, and windows will be set in place by the end of next week.



Good news came early last week as I was able to meet with several familiar faces. DIVOG (another volunteer organization based in Ghana) will be assisting in the completion of possibly two projects; painting the outside, and building desks. This was certainly a great thing to know, as more volunteers can give their support to this very cause. Organizing such a project takes quite a bit of effort, so I am already attempting to set things up -purchasing, cutting, and transporting wood. I was also able to meet with a rep form CrossCause (Kieran), who has been very helpful to me, and a great contributor to Godwin Amway School.

As usual that day was followed by another day of frustrations. Discussing the project with one of the carpenters didn't exactly coincide with my hopes, and has slowed the project. Even another frustration is that we must wait for the dry season to be in full swing before digging for the start of toilets. Again it seems as though time is not working for me, but I'm certain that these important tasks will come to fruition in due time.

Monday I traveled to Accra to bring another volunteer (Tianna) to the village of Wodome to volunteer teach in the school. And as usual the transportation system in Ghana isn't reliable, as I arrived much later than anticipated to the airport. Ironically, they don't give out tickets to everyone that purchases them, but then later in the midst of your trek they decide to check for everyone's tickets...

To finish, today was another important day for the school. When I first arrived I requested a parent teacher meeting (PTA) to take place relatively soon. Today, Thursday, the PTA was able to start somewhere between 9 and 1030AM. Little by little the parents were able to gather in the room. Unfortunately, not all could make it to the meeting but roughly 36 were able to attend. The agenda consisted of being introduced to the parents, explaining what I was there to do, and then describing that I do not have all the money to support everything (as is the case with the other foreigner investors), so I introduced the idea of small school fees, which would be a great accomplishment in relieving some of the financial hardships.

Ichee lay-jaja (It is raining)

I have arrived during the wet season. My arrival happened without any problems or delays. In fact it went so smoothly that I was able to start at the site immediately, and witness fast progress. Being in Ghana for nearly one week and seeing progress is amazing -at least that's all I had hoped in my arrival... Each airport I was at had at least a one hour delay, followed by a two hour wait in Accra, and finishing with a congested road to Ho (the city near Kpetoe) which lasted lasted four hours. Exhausted and tried, I greeted several familiars when I made it in. Perhaps it wasn't the best greeting, but it was positive nonetheless. During the next few days I slept and then hauled bags of water at the volunteer organization (GCS). The organization is trying to be more self sufficient by launching this water project, while continuing to maintain the lowest fees to volunteers.



The first day working with the new water project we taxied 30 bags of water (15 liters each) down the roadways repeatedly. In the midst of delivering water we got a flat tire, which wasn't a real big deal. But it happened again the next day during more deliveries -an abrupt reintroduction to their lifestyle. I also learned the few things there is to learn about the water project. There are three main components: distribution, storage, and production. Production has two branches which require more thought; purification and packaging. A machine drops an enclosure of 500 ml water about every three seconds. 30 of these are then manually, and uniformly packed into a larger bag. The large bag is stacked and eventually distributed. I have read that clean water is becoming more scarce and it's true. In a way one can see that in the high demand for water here, even in such a new project as this one.

I am really hoping to readjust soon. Work at the school started today and I will be 'picking' another volunteer from the capitol later this week. I have noticed that some things have not changed over the last year... time is still a casual concept in Ghana, the kids in the orphanage still go to the school, work hard, and always look forward to visitors. Delile is still a considerate caretaker at the orphanage. The kids at the school continue to stare and chant "yavoo" (white). Two teachers remain from nearly two years ago; Israel and Madam Francisca. To contrast all these similarities are a few noticeable differences, both negative and positive. One of the regular visitors to the orphanage had been murdered months ago, a girl (Innocent is her name) at the orphanage had a baby boy, and everything at the school has progressed!

It is great to know that the community has taken to the school. There is much more work to be done in the upcoming months, but it feels great to be a part of another growing and beneficial institution in this community. "the school looks beautiful" -many have said.

My return

With another busy summer coming to end I was able to speak at a couple more places. The Kiwanis club of the Dells, and the Lions of New Lisbon were a couple of the groups that gave me opportunity and support. Additionally, there was a fundraiser that brought in a large amount of donations. Thank you ladies of Curves, Thrivent Lutheran, and everyone else for your efforts and support!

Since the start of September, things have slowed down enough to allow me to refocus and get more organized for my trip. I purchased the plane ticket for October 26th, returning just before Christmas. The goal I set out for is within reach but not quite there. I am a few hundred dollars short but as I learned in the previous trip I will have to be patient and see what happens.

I will be writing one more time before I leave, and plan to keep more updates on a weekly basis while I'm there. I don't know what surprises will meet me this time, but I know I have more experience going forward.

Delayed update

Work has definately come full swing yet again in the summer, making it more difficult to update. I had previously hoped to return to Ghana in June for completing most of the project I originally set out for, however I have received much less support in the late spring.

I needed to move again from Eau Claire and have been searching for more places to speak at in order to raise funds. I am planning on; a fundraiser in July (Adams area), speaking at a couple places in July and August (Dells/Mauston areas), and having a raffle. When I am able to have more time away from work, and the time approaches for these events, I will release more details.

A few weeks ago I received several messages from Godwin in regards to a broken alternator, blown tires, and unpaid teachers... He received some funding last week, from our raised money, to help keep the project afloat.

Sidenote- Godwin's birthday was a bit over a week ago. Additionally, the team from Ireland should currently be in the area yet agian to continue assisting this project (late June-early July). Finally, Ghana in fact won against the mens U.S. soccer team.

In the meantime there are still young students on the other side of the earth attempting to learn. There are still disorganized days of school due to a lack in supplies. Ultimatetly this means there are still things that must be done to alleviate these needs, so please continue to help! Currently we are just above 2,000 dollars with a goal of around 5,000 dollars.

Recent pictures

Lately I have been busy, working (fortunately). I also have had the opportunity to speak at a couple places in the upcoming month and a half. About two days ago, I received some recent pictures of the school. One of the Peace Corps Volunteers (Thanks Dan!) was able to send me a few, which are also posted below...


Although this looks great, the project is not yet finished, there are more items that are needed, please consider giving again.




I am hoping to return again this year to finish the structure/organize the site more; add desks, add books, add a bathroom, and possibly put in a well at another location. Please help finish this project and help place a few students into a more organized public school.

Funds and my intended goal

As of now there have been many expenditures. The money spent on the 3 room block for the school totaled 6,000 dollars. Since the use of the money raised, we have been able to raise another 1,200 dollars. After the first trip I have spent 200 USD twice on salaries for the teachers -so they would continue working (the money wasn't used all at one time of course), and health care for Godwin when he was ill. Additionally I have spent about 100 USD on an alternator for the van (that was taken form the 6,000 USD). Below is a list of what the expenditure breakdown was for the first trip I went on.

Some purchases (where some of your money went)

Before trip
Plane ticket -$1,300
Program fee to the Volunteer Organization -$300
Passport/VISA expenses -$300
Vaccinations -$300
Miscellaneous (medicine, clothes etc.) -$200
Approximate cost to go -$2,400

During trip/for the orphanage
1 Fan -$20
1 Stove/grill with 3 burners -$17.40
Gas Cylinder -$33.57
3 yards of hose/regulator -$10
15 kg Bag of rice (last day celebration) -$17.86
Additional (food for orphanage) -$13.57
6 Pair of (good/used) Shoes -$11.07
Kids Movies -$1.79

This can give you an idea as to what the cost was to me, the first time around. However, it became quite different with the construction of the school block on the second trip, even though some of the expenses were similar from the first trip (ie plane ticket). Other items on the first trip were no longer expenses on the second trip, ie program fee.

Given this situation, it has become apparent that more money is needed -to fund this project, as it is not yet finished. My intended goal is to have the school finished (constructed blocks that house students in a decent learning environment) and to have adequate tools for the students to enhance their learning experience (mainly books). This means I am hoping to finish the structure, giving it a toilet as well. The last thing I would like to do is to place three of the students out of this school into a public school that is more equipped to harness their potential. I know we can do this again and finish the project that was started. I am currently looking for more places to speak at and write to. Please don't forget about Ghana and our investment in these kids, continue giving in whatever way you are able, even if you only have suggestions -I am all ears.

If you have not received a letter from my return yet, I do apologize and have not forgotten the help you have provided. I will try and continue sending them as I get more organized.



Thank you for the support

An overdue update

I know that it has been a while since I posted anything, but the holidays bogged down my process of updates. Currently, I am finishing mailing out letters to most of the supporters about the state of the project.

Rewinding back to the final week I was in Ghana...
My last week was a whirlwind of events. Trying to finish things in time but doing so the correct way meant I needed to run around lot more. I visited an orphanage in Tsito (a village 15 minutes away form the city of Ho). While I was there I met some of the people that run it. I participated in a meeting that was set up for prospective volunteers. This meant it was an additional site under the volunteer organization (GCS). I was able to visit the village "Gorkpo", where I was kindly received. Similarly to the orphanage of Tsito this village may be a future site for volunteers. Conversely though, it has never received any volunteers. Because of this, and the obvious fact that I was a foreigner, they expressed many needs. One of those most basic problems they face is that they must walk nearly five miles during the dry season for water. Even though I visited them and told them I would remember them when I returned to the U.S., I told them I could not promise them to meet any of their needs. I later found out that no other foreigners had ever visited the traditional village of about 200. I also learned that evidence of the developed world contrasts their world as it has been able to make its way in, via clothes, music, or other products.

I continued on the project daily by going with Godwin to get/purchase bags of cement, 2x4, 2x6, iron sheets and other materials. At the end of each day I continued paying the laborers. A few days I was able to actually work building the structure and learning how they utilize their dominant building material of cement (termites). Each day I would document everything in a notebook I brought along, from the cost of supplies, to a daily wage of a water fetcher. I taught for a few days and brought some art supplies that became useful in a rare art class.

I was able to make some useful contacts while I was there in the second half of my stay. People had remembered me from my first trip and some of those ties were strengthened. On the other hand, I met new faces that were very involved in the Volta Region (i.e. Peace corp volunteer). Unfortunately, as I anticipated with a week remaining, progress was being made at a pace that was too slow. Because of this, I left without seeing the completion of the roof. I also had previously discovered that I didn't have enough money to complete the structure I was hoping to leave them. Ironically, before I left more money trickled into the account and I wasn't able to spend it. Again it wasn't easy to leave but the time had quickly approached and I was on my way scrambling to finish documenting, purchasing the last of the supplies, and budgeting for a final few days of supervised work, in my absence.

Upon returning to the airport in O'hare, I was greeted after grabbing my luggage. The encounter was a bit of a surprise to me, as a man approached me asking for help because his "sister was too embarrassed to ask". He claimed that they didn't have enough money to get a ride to the car. ...After spending time in a country of constant begging and having been asked only twice in the U.S. for money, it happened again.

Clearly everyone has a need. But it's important to understand where your money goes, what your money buys, how great the need is, and how effective the program is in reaching the expressed need. Poverty will probably never be eliminated but new opportunities can always be created.

Since I have been back I have remained in contact with my friends/fellow members of GCS. I have had the opportunity to speak again at a couple of the same churches and I have taken time sending letters out, about the experience, to most of the known supporters. Some things cannot be explained but more money has continued to come into the account again and I know I will be returning yet again. At the bottom of this page I posted a video clip that I assembled, which sums up some of the experience. The support from everyone has been incredible and I'm thankful that we can all be a part of a program that benefits the less fortunate. I will post pictures as I get enough time, but in the meantime please take a look at the video clip, and if possible, continue to support. Thank you

Building and giving thanks

It has been a long process with many obstacles. The latest obstacle has been coming from a contractor that had been very ill with malaria which meant a different team of laborers had to come in for the the project. Because of this, the contract initially agreed upon has become void. This also meant that the others who had joined in this project had different ideas as to the formation of the school, which was another setback corrected almost immediately. The payments for work are now daily, and the supervision must be tightened even more. By the end of this week the rooms will be raised and that leaves the roof. Though many problems have made this all so difficult we have been able to trudge through the mud and make progress.

This week has also been interesting as I have returned to teaching 2 classes. The struggles of teaching young, illiterate (in English), disadvantaged, and ill equipped students has been difficult. However some students have demonstrated potential and interest in learning much more -as are their stomachs, their brains are also hungry. Some are in desperate need to have their intellect developed as they have been held back from advancing due to the constant instability in the school/untrained teachers/lack of textbooks.

Two students in particular have thrived through all of these circumstances and impressed me extremely. Given a fair chance in school, they could be what they wanted... but that fair chance may never come. One of the students told me they wanted to be a nurse when they grow up. The likelihood of this is very slim as she is coming from an orphanage, and poor school with very little stability. The positive aspect is she is quite possibly the smartest girl in the entire school. It is my hope that she will eventually get her chance as it is difficult for me to watch great potential wasted.

In light of all this I am reminded of our holiday in the U.S.

We are very fortunate. Opportunity has been abundant for all of us, and for that I am thankful.

Slow progress

Well I know I came with the understanding that things would not get accomplished as quickly as doing things in the U.S. but there have been many difficulties. To start; the contract agreement we made (the contractor, Godwin, GCS, and myself) was agreed upon in Ewe (local language). Therefore there were some misunderstandings in the whole process as to what the labor fee entailed. Because of this, the cost of a 3 room block for their use as a school is more expensive than the money I have raised. I already went into different markets to find out the cost of materials, but when the contractor spoke through Godwin about what was needed not everything came through in English. As a result I will be raising 2 rooms with the foundation of a third already complete.

To make matters worse, a few days ago both vehicles used for the transportation of kids to school (and transportation of the materials) broke down. The clutch on the blue vehicle went out Friday and on the white van (main vehicle donated by the Irish group) the alternator had gone out previously. Well the planets seem to line up perfectly on a daily basis for more things to complicate every simple thing you try to do because after returning more kids to their homes, the white van overheated while we were in Togo... All of this caused a delay in the work and transportation of supplies for the project. That night we met the mechanic that has been working on the troubled vehicle and again he tried to fix the alternator (which works now) and the fan belt. This costed me an additional 110 dollars, but had to be done. If that isnt bad enough Kpetoe (the village where all this happens) has had no fuel for about a month so we have had to run on fumes to get into the city (Ho) which is a half hour away.

-I bought out all the cement bags in the village so now I have to bring it all from Ho
-No more materials can be purchased in the village
-Abundance of potholes
-Communication is always a battle

Finally all the banks here are not taking more than 250 dollars in american express travelers checks each day due to some issue with conterfeiting. This means I am having to negotiate more with the workers so that they continue working and believe that I will pay them when I get the money. Fortunately some of the workers have taken interest in the school and either have or will have their kids go to school here, meaning it has become a collaborative effort.

Another thing I didnt realize when I came the first time was social services exist here. They arent governing everywhere but I was able to meet a lady that has recently been working with Godwin to help the kids and their foster families. We recently discovered that Mabel, one of the girls I met at the orphanage in the spring, had not been taken care of properly by her family. She was being deprived of a place to sleep and as a result slept outside in the town. She also was not given more clothes than the ones she had on the day we got her. Hopefully things will turn around and she will be able to come back to the orphanage as well as the school as I know that she would be better cared for there.

Hopefully progress will be made each day. One positive thing recently was that the secretary of the area for Education thanked me for what was going on. He remembered me from the spring and was glad that people living an ocean away cared enough to help their kids in the village.

But if I am to complete a 3 room school (for 90 kids) I will need additional funds. If you are able to give still, it would be extremely helpful. I really do appreciate all the support from everyone (letters, messages, money etc.).