Hello Everyone
What’s been happening this week? The toilet has been completed!!! Yeah!!! The inside of the hole was plastered and the toilet bowl attached. We then waited for 9 full days for everything to dry. The seat was installed and all was ready to go. The children needed to be instructed to put the used paper in the trash can to not fill the hole too fast. One boy called me to check and make sure what I meant. He lifted the lid and the seat and was sitting on the bowl directly. He then was asking me about what is a trash can. It was a rather silly word. He understood the term rubber container so all was well in the end. I did not laugh about him sitting on the bowl directly without a seat. But as small as he was it was a funny sight. Later that evening we had a toilet usage discussion. I demonstrated how to lift just the lid as well as what a trash can is. Everyone already knew that every time they go to the toilet they must wash their hands, thanks to Mother Sylvia. The toilet is a huge success.
The platform for the school’s water tank is about half built. The top needs to be put on it. The kitchen work is also about half done. The ceiling has been raised, the window opening cut and the holes filled in with blocks. However, the window screen is missing and the inside ceiling has not been done. One of these days these things will be completed and then I will pay the contractor the second half of the bill.
I gave the sewing machine to the Vocational Education School in the Liberian Camp. The camp has approximately 45,000 Liberian refugees. The vocational school is run by JoAnna. She is from Holland and a friend of the orphanage. She also looks out for all the Dutch volunteers in the area. She will be in Ghana for a total of 6 years. There was a young man from Holland who raised funds to build a school for the orphanage in Kasoa. The Vocational School construction students did all the work for free. Other Liberian refugees who heard about the project showed up and volunteered as a thank-you to the Ghanaian people. It is awesome! The school is almost done now.
As thanks for the machine, the sewing teacher is making new school uniforms for the children. Anne-Christien’s grandparents paid for all the material, buttons, zippers etc.. We’ll get pictures when the new uniforms are done sometime next week. So, that means you’ll see them in 2-3 weeks if you’re lucky. The same woman is making a dress, 2 tops and 2 pants for me for less than $20 US (again I got a cut rate). I purchased some beautiful fabric for about $2.50 US a yard.
To my quilting friends, the all cotton material here is gorgeous! There is tie-dye and African prints in beautiful, bold, bright colors. If you want me to buy some for you, it will be about $3.00 a yard to cover the dollar to cedi conversion and my travel. If you are interested, send me an email with your color scheme and quantities desired. I don’t think they sell less than one yard increments though.
Last night the children were writing thank-you notes to Anne-Christien’s grandparents’ who financed our trip to the beach. Kofi had to do his letter also. He scribbled in both pen and pencil a very nice thank-you letter and picture. He was so tired that he put his chin down on the table and fell asleep! His butt was on the bench and his chin was on the table and he was sound asleep. He didn’t put his cheek down just his chin and he was out like a light. It was very funny.
Rebecca, Justin, Beth, Derrick and Lexi thank-you for the emails! I miss and love you all.
21 March 2006
15 March 2006
Questions Answered
First to Antoine you sent me a comment but I don't have your email address to reply. Please post another comment with your email address. I won't publish it but I will be able to respond. Thanks.
What happened to my hat? I left it on a tro-tro. Tro-tros are always full. If they are not full you sit and wait until they are full before starting. One day a mother with a new born baby and a 3 year old were on the same tro-tro as Sylvia and me. Sylvia told the mother I would hold her daughter for her so she could feed her baby. The little girl just looked at me then relaxed. She was use to sitting on the laps of strangers. After a while she fell asleep. I spent the ride being sure that if there was a quick direction change or an accident I would be able to protect her. Luckily, I didn't need to use any of my plans. Later when her mother got off I was worried she would leave me her daughter. Again luckily, this did not happen. She just needed a minute to adjust her packages and her baby before collecting her daughter. The next stop was where I exited. I got off the tro-tro and my hat didn't. So I have since purchased a new hat for 15,000 cedis or just under two dollars.
What do I do all day? That's an easy one. I mostly sit. I always eat 3 meals a day and I always take two baths a day. I sometimes go to Accra to get more money from the bank. I sometimes go to the internet cafe. I occassionally help the children fetch the water for their evening bath. I've gotten much better at "My Grandmother" and "Mr. Bobo" two hand clapping games. Now that Isaiah has come to live with us, I watch him occassionally while his mother works or does school work. I was the first white person he ever met but now we're best buddies. He is 16 months old and talks in baby rap. We have our own special hello. We look at each other and laugh and toss our heads back. He'll run up to me and Anne Christien for hugs. We can hold him for about 15 minutes. Then he has to get down to check and make sure his mama doesn't miss him. All the children are very good with him. The three oldest girls almost fight to see who gets to hold him. Regina is very smart though. When she gets Isaiah she puts him on her back and walks away from everyone else so he doesn't ask for somebody else! Yesterday little Kofi was eating beans. Isaiah wanted the spoon so Kofi gave it to him (every child knows beans can be eaten just as well with fingers as with a spoon so no problem). Instead of eating the beans, Isaiah used the spoon to feed Kofi. It was so funny and so cute. He didn't always reach Kofi's mouth so Kofi would help him and then just pick up and eat any beans that fell on the table or more likely fell on Kofi's belly.
I miss everyone and wish you were here. I also wish I was at home. As Mark said as soon as I get home I'll wish I was back in Ghana. Don't tell him, but he's probably right.
Myrte arrived before sunset at her final destination, Nkoranza, last Saturday. She sent both Evans and Anne-Christien text messages to let us know she was fine. I think she was afraid I would show up looking for her! She likes her new position working with disabled people. They work making necklaces and bracelets to sell. Myrte works with them. So all of her friends will be getting jewelry for presents.
Once again I'm out of time and ready for lunch. Oh my goodness the salad place was heavenly. I got a huge salad that tasted wonderful. It was the first time in two months that I had eaten fresh vegetables. All of the vegetables we eat are fresh but thoroughly cooked to ensure Obruni stomaches don't get "runny". This restaurant is a true find. They know how to treat the veggies or they buy only from certain vendors or whatever. I don't care. I get a deliscious salad and do not get sick. Life is wonderful.
Love to all. Adios (Tucson ending), Caio (Pegge ending), Bye-bye (Ghana ending).
What happened to my hat? I left it on a tro-tro. Tro-tros are always full. If they are not full you sit and wait until they are full before starting. One day a mother with a new born baby and a 3 year old were on the same tro-tro as Sylvia and me. Sylvia told the mother I would hold her daughter for her so she could feed her baby. The little girl just looked at me then relaxed. She was use to sitting on the laps of strangers. After a while she fell asleep. I spent the ride being sure that if there was a quick direction change or an accident I would be able to protect her. Luckily, I didn't need to use any of my plans. Later when her mother got off I was worried she would leave me her daughter. Again luckily, this did not happen. She just needed a minute to adjust her packages and her baby before collecting her daughter. The next stop was where I exited. I got off the tro-tro and my hat didn't. So I have since purchased a new hat for 15,000 cedis or just under two dollars.
What do I do all day? That's an easy one. I mostly sit. I always eat 3 meals a day and I always take two baths a day. I sometimes go to Accra to get more money from the bank. I sometimes go to the internet cafe. I occassionally help the children fetch the water for their evening bath. I've gotten much better at "My Grandmother" and "Mr. Bobo" two hand clapping games. Now that Isaiah has come to live with us, I watch him occassionally while his mother works or does school work. I was the first white person he ever met but now we're best buddies. He is 16 months old and talks in baby rap. We have our own special hello. We look at each other and laugh and toss our heads back. He'll run up to me and Anne Christien for hugs. We can hold him for about 15 minutes. Then he has to get down to check and make sure his mama doesn't miss him. All the children are very good with him. The three oldest girls almost fight to see who gets to hold him. Regina is very smart though. When she gets Isaiah she puts him on her back and walks away from everyone else so he doesn't ask for somebody else! Yesterday little Kofi was eating beans. Isaiah wanted the spoon so Kofi gave it to him (every child knows beans can be eaten just as well with fingers as with a spoon so no problem). Instead of eating the beans, Isaiah used the spoon to feed Kofi. It was so funny and so cute. He didn't always reach Kofi's mouth so Kofi would help him and then just pick up and eat any beans that fell on the table or more likely fell on Kofi's belly.
I miss everyone and wish you were here. I also wish I was at home. As Mark said as soon as I get home I'll wish I was back in Ghana. Don't tell him, but he's probably right.
Myrte arrived before sunset at her final destination, Nkoranza, last Saturday. She sent both Evans and Anne-Christien text messages to let us know she was fine. I think she was afraid I would show up looking for her! She likes her new position working with disabled people. They work making necklaces and bracelets to sell. Myrte works with them. So all of her friends will be getting jewelry for presents.
Once again I'm out of time and ready for lunch. Oh my goodness the salad place was heavenly. I got a huge salad that tasted wonderful. It was the first time in two months that I had eaten fresh vegetables. All of the vegetables we eat are fresh but thoroughly cooked to ensure Obruni stomaches don't get "runny". This restaurant is a true find. They know how to treat the veggies or they buy only from certain vendors or whatever. I don't care. I get a deliscious salad and do not get sick. Life is wonderful.
Love to all. Adios (Tucson ending), Caio (Pegge ending), Bye-bye (Ghana ending).
11 March 2006
Miscellaneous
Week 7
Anne Christien said we have been in Ghana for 8 weeks now. This means we have been at the home for 7 weeks. Really? That seems like a really long time but it feels like we arrived yesterday. I have lost any and all sense of time so I am turning into a Ghanaian. There is the present and the past and the future will take care of itself when it arrives.
Sleepless Nights
What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep? Read? No books? Watch TV? No way, you'll wake up Mother Sylvia who works way too hard in the day to be awakened in the middle of the night! So you stare at the walls. It was while doing this I realized one reason why I feel so comfortable here. The rooms are just like in Old Bisbee. The floor is bare; nothing is square; the wiring is on the outside of the wall; and there are no closets. Just like my old house! Bisbee was one of my past experiences training me for Ghana. By the way don't feel too sorry for my sleepless night. I had slept too much for two nights running so on the third night I couldn't stay asleep. Oh poor me!
TV watching Family
The other night night I was watching everyone watching TV (Myrte and Anne-Christien excluded, they were in Accra to pick up Theo and Sanders. So, this stuff was written on paper just didn't make it to the internet until today). The show was in Twi so I wasn't distracted from watching the family. There were children in chairs, on the sofa, lying on the floor and each other. When someone on a chair left to get a drink, another person nabbed the chair. The older children could understand the jokes and would laugh followed by the younger kids laughing a few beats behind. There were also times when everyone was talking and no one could posssibly hear the television. Tis continued until Mother Sylvia sent the children to bed. It was a repeat of TV watchin in my house as a child just with different children in Ghana.
Water Filter
As you saw in a picture the ceramic water filter has been purchased. The box says the ceramic part is a 0.2 micron filter. There is also a second filter made up of carbon, sand and stones. The brand name is Safia and it is made in Korea. The salesman said you need to replace both filters every 7 months. The box itself does not specify length of time or number of litres of water that can be filtered. The ceramic filter box says it can be cleaned if it is clogged. Mother Sylvia is cleaning it once a week to keep it from clogging. Pamala or Kevin will you see if you can find out anything on the internet about this water filter and how often the filters need replacing? There is no part number on the box. It has a 12 litre capacity and that's everything I know. If you can't find anythng, I'll just ask Sister Sylvia to replace both filters every 3 months for me.
Funnies
*) The other day I say a chicken sitting in the yard that looked so peaceful and relaxed. I thought to myself, "Oh, I wonder if she is laying an egg". The fowl stood up and lo and behold she was a he. I knew it was a rooster because of his bad leg. When he was sitting and had the rooster's crown I thought it was a chicken.
*) While walking back from the internet near the Liberian Camp I got a little lost. There was a man sitting on his porch who called out, "Hello my wife, when will you come and visit me?" I answered "Hello, I'll visit when my first husband gives me permission." Mark gave me permission but as long as husband number two doesn't see this he'll never know.
*) I am always a walking sweat machine. I had lost my hat so the hankie I use was tied around my head to prevent sunburn. When I was loking for a tro-tro a man was following me wiping his forehead with his arms teasing me. But, I looked back in time to catch him. So, I took my hankie off and wiped my face with it instead of my sleeves. His friends totally enjoyed the show and the fact that he was caught and we all laughed.
*) At the same place one of the guys insisted he would help me get a ride to where I needed to go. He walked me to where the taxi to Camp was. I thanked him and then he asked, "Don't you want to help me." I was tired so I just told the truth, "No, I don't not at all." He was shocked at such a straight forward answer and so I told him that I'm already giving all my money to the orphanage. He then laughed and said, "Oh so you are already helping many Africans. Good, good." He then gave me a small hug and went on his way. The look on his face when I said no, not at all was priceless. People in Ghana do not talk like that. The proper response is to take their address, or say oh I'm sorry I really have no money today maybe tomorrow. But I was just too tired to be proper and he really didn't even care. He was very nice about the whole thing.
Kakum National Park
Rico and Alice from SYTO came for a visit. Like everyone they love our placement. We 3 went to Kakum National Park (Myrte and Anne Christien had already been). First we stayed the night at a hotel. I was in heaven. I had my own FLUSH toilet and RUNNING WATER shower. I was in a room by myself so I could also wake up and walk to the bathroom in the nude. It was incredible. On top of all this there was a swimming pool with shade. I took a shower in my clothes and sat in the pool for a couple of hours. When the sun went down I got COLD!!!
The next day we went to the park. It is a tropical rain forest with a canopy walkway. Don't tell Mark but I was walking on the top of the trees. It was amazing and beautiful and scary all at the same time. It is the only canopy walk way in all of Africa and one of only 4 in the world. It is right outside Cape Coast so we did the whole thing in two days. The travel time was about 3 1/2 hours by tro-tro. It was absolutely spectacular!
Myrte's Gone
We came back from the Park on Friday night. When I was in bed Myrte came and we had the following conversation:
M: "I'm leaving tomorrow."
F: "I know and you'll be back on Wednesday."
M: "No, I won't I'm not coming back."
F: "Oh yes you are!"
Myrte then laughed and explained that she really isn't coming back. Last I knew she was going to check out her two options on her next placement, come back and think it over. Instead, she decided to take her things, go to the one that interests her most and only if that doesn't work out go check on the second. So, instead of 3 more weeks she was leaving the next morning at 6:00 am. I said ok well then you have to wake me up so I can cry with everybody else when you leave. I then was wide awake thinking about where will she be?, will she be ok?, what if something should happen? I then thanked God that I am not a real mother or I would be a wreck. I was able to calm down by deciding what motherly advice and instructions I would give to her before she left. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't help myself I kept following her around. I told her she had to memorize Evans phone number. If she needs any help or has any problems she must call Evans immediately. He has a motorcycle and will come to wherever she is to rescue her. (I'll be a few hours or days behind on buses). She laughed and said she would. I also told her to send Brother Evans, JoAnna's and my phone numbers to her parents so they can call us if they don't hear from her. So, Myrte's real mom be sure to ask for the phone numbers and if she has memorized Brother Evans number yet.
This morning when it was time for her to go there was not a dry eye in the house. I will see Myrte again before she leaves when she is traveling and relaxing on the beach. The children won't though, so we all cried and were sad. I then went back to bed. The children are better now and so am I.
Refrigerator
Mark, what is in your refrigerator? Ask Mari to clean it out and buy some food to eat! Also, my phone died in the middle of my talk with my mom so that's why you couldn't reach me on Thursday. It should be fixed and ready for me to pick up today so I'll be able to be reached again.
End
This is the longest post and has been possible because Anne Christien and I are in Accra at a place called Busy Internet. It is the busies place in town because it has the fastest speeds. Using the intenet here is the same as the DSL line at my house. I can read my email, type and actually get things done. It is nice. Best fo all, when we leave here we are going to an Obruni restaurant that is a salad bar! We don't eat anything that is not cooked but this salad bar has Obruni belly fresh vegetables. So, I'll leave now and write more after lunch if we get back here. Thanks for all your support, thoughts and prayers.
Anne Christien said we have been in Ghana for 8 weeks now. This means we have been at the home for 7 weeks. Really? That seems like a really long time but it feels like we arrived yesterday. I have lost any and all sense of time so I am turning into a Ghanaian. There is the present and the past and the future will take care of itself when it arrives.
Sleepless Nights
What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep? Read? No books? Watch TV? No way, you'll wake up Mother Sylvia who works way too hard in the day to be awakened in the middle of the night! So you stare at the walls. It was while doing this I realized one reason why I feel so comfortable here. The rooms are just like in Old Bisbee. The floor is bare; nothing is square; the wiring is on the outside of the wall; and there are no closets. Just like my old house! Bisbee was one of my past experiences training me for Ghana. By the way don't feel too sorry for my sleepless night. I had slept too much for two nights running so on the third night I couldn't stay asleep. Oh poor me!
TV watching Family
The other night night I was watching everyone watching TV (Myrte and Anne-Christien excluded, they were in Accra to pick up Theo and Sanders. So, this stuff was written on paper just didn't make it to the internet until today). The show was in Twi so I wasn't distracted from watching the family. There were children in chairs, on the sofa, lying on the floor and each other. When someone on a chair left to get a drink, another person nabbed the chair. The older children could understand the jokes and would laugh followed by the younger kids laughing a few beats behind. There were also times when everyone was talking and no one could posssibly hear the television. Tis continued until Mother Sylvia sent the children to bed. It was a repeat of TV watchin in my house as a child just with different children in Ghana.
Water Filter
As you saw in a picture the ceramic water filter has been purchased. The box says the ceramic part is a 0.2 micron filter. There is also a second filter made up of carbon, sand and stones. The brand name is Safia and it is made in Korea. The salesman said you need to replace both filters every 7 months. The box itself does not specify length of time or number of litres of water that can be filtered. The ceramic filter box says it can be cleaned if it is clogged. Mother Sylvia is cleaning it once a week to keep it from clogging. Pamala or Kevin will you see if you can find out anything on the internet about this water filter and how often the filters need replacing? There is no part number on the box. It has a 12 litre capacity and that's everything I know. If you can't find anythng, I'll just ask Sister Sylvia to replace both filters every 3 months for me.
Funnies
*) The other day I say a chicken sitting in the yard that looked so peaceful and relaxed. I thought to myself, "Oh, I wonder if she is laying an egg". The fowl stood up and lo and behold she was a he. I knew it was a rooster because of his bad leg. When he was sitting and had the rooster's crown I thought it was a chicken.
*) While walking back from the internet near the Liberian Camp I got a little lost. There was a man sitting on his porch who called out, "Hello my wife, when will you come and visit me?" I answered "Hello, I'll visit when my first husband gives me permission." Mark gave me permission but as long as husband number two doesn't see this he'll never know.
*) I am always a walking sweat machine. I had lost my hat so the hankie I use was tied around my head to prevent sunburn. When I was loking for a tro-tro a man was following me wiping his forehead with his arms teasing me. But, I looked back in time to catch him. So, I took my hankie off and wiped my face with it instead of my sleeves. His friends totally enjoyed the show and the fact that he was caught and we all laughed.
*) At the same place one of the guys insisted he would help me get a ride to where I needed to go. He walked me to where the taxi to Camp was. I thanked him and then he asked, "Don't you want to help me." I was tired so I just told the truth, "No, I don't not at all." He was shocked at such a straight forward answer and so I told him that I'm already giving all my money to the orphanage. He then laughed and said, "Oh so you are already helping many Africans. Good, good." He then gave me a small hug and went on his way. The look on his face when I said no, not at all was priceless. People in Ghana do not talk like that. The proper response is to take their address, or say oh I'm sorry I really have no money today maybe tomorrow. But I was just too tired to be proper and he really didn't even care. He was very nice about the whole thing.
Kakum National Park
Rico and Alice from SYTO came for a visit. Like everyone they love our placement. We 3 went to Kakum National Park (Myrte and Anne Christien had already been). First we stayed the night at a hotel. I was in heaven. I had my own FLUSH toilet and RUNNING WATER shower. I was in a room by myself so I could also wake up and walk to the bathroom in the nude. It was incredible. On top of all this there was a swimming pool with shade. I took a shower in my clothes and sat in the pool for a couple of hours. When the sun went down I got COLD!!!
The next day we went to the park. It is a tropical rain forest with a canopy walkway. Don't tell Mark but I was walking on the top of the trees. It was amazing and beautiful and scary all at the same time. It is the only canopy walk way in all of Africa and one of only 4 in the world. It is right outside Cape Coast so we did the whole thing in two days. The travel time was about 3 1/2 hours by tro-tro. It was absolutely spectacular!
Myrte's Gone
We came back from the Park on Friday night. When I was in bed Myrte came and we had the following conversation:
M: "I'm leaving tomorrow."
F: "I know and you'll be back on Wednesday."
M: "No, I won't I'm not coming back."
F: "Oh yes you are!"
Myrte then laughed and explained that she really isn't coming back. Last I knew she was going to check out her two options on her next placement, come back and think it over. Instead, she decided to take her things, go to the one that interests her most and only if that doesn't work out go check on the second. So, instead of 3 more weeks she was leaving the next morning at 6:00 am. I said ok well then you have to wake me up so I can cry with everybody else when you leave. I then was wide awake thinking about where will she be?, will she be ok?, what if something should happen? I then thanked God that I am not a real mother or I would be a wreck. I was able to calm down by deciding what motherly advice and instructions I would give to her before she left. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't help myself I kept following her around. I told her she had to memorize Evans phone number. If she needs any help or has any problems she must call Evans immediately. He has a motorcycle and will come to wherever she is to rescue her. (I'll be a few hours or days behind on buses). She laughed and said she would. I also told her to send Brother Evans, JoAnna's and my phone numbers to her parents so they can call us if they don't hear from her. So, Myrte's real mom be sure to ask for the phone numbers and if she has memorized Brother Evans number yet.
This morning when it was time for her to go there was not a dry eye in the house. I will see Myrte again before she leaves when she is traveling and relaxing on the beach. The children won't though, so we all cried and were sad. I then went back to bed. The children are better now and so am I.
Refrigerator
Mark, what is in your refrigerator? Ask Mari to clean it out and buy some food to eat! Also, my phone died in the middle of my talk with my mom so that's why you couldn't reach me on Thursday. It should be fixed and ready for me to pick up today so I'll be able to be reached again.
End
This is the longest post and has been possible because Anne Christien and I are in Accra at a place called Busy Internet. It is the busies place in town because it has the fastest speeds. Using the intenet here is the same as the DSL line at my house. I can read my email, type and actually get things done. It is nice. Best fo all, when we leave here we are going to an Obruni restaurant that is a salad bar! We don't eat anything that is not cooked but this salad bar has Obruni belly fresh vegetables. So, I'll leave now and write more after lunch if we get back here. Thanks for all your support, thoughts and prayers.
08 March 2006
Hello Everyone
I have lost track of what week this is but I’m still here! Last Sunday 5 of March we all went to the beach. It was wonderful. The kids loved it as much as I did. When we got there everyone wanted to hit the water so we each were responsible for one child. I took Kofi expecting him to stay close to shore since he isn’t very high (being two years old and all). We got to the water about Kofi’s thigh high and I let go and said let’s run back. I ran towards shore and he ran towards the sea. I grabbed him in time so he wasn’t knocked down. Next time I let him get knocked over trying to convince him the ocean should be respected. HA!! When I picked him up he shook off the water and laughed. This kept up until my back had enough and I gave him to Anne Christien to watch. I took a much more sensible 6 year old (Susana), who knew not to go out too far. Kofi has no fear whatsoever of the water. Frogs however are very scary creatures, go figure! Extra thanks to Anne Christien’s grandparents who sponsored our trip to the beach.
Here’s an update on the school. The Director of Education for this district visited the school. She asked a class one boy if he could spell his name no, or write his name again no. I then her assistant about class 2 and their problems caused by the lack of teacher’s. Based upon enrollment numbers there is not a lack of teachers. The problem is that the teachers are supposed to combine the smaller classes and have enough teachers for all classes. Instead they have been leaving class 1 and class 2 to volunteers to teach. Not a good practice for anyone. With the associate knowing the situation, it is now up to the director to let the new head master do his job. On a happier note, Anne Christien’s father, Theo, brought some books from an international school in Holland. The headmaster liked them and Theo will be sending the rest of the books for the school to use.
Rico, one of my SYTO daughters from Norway, is visiting us this week for a couple of days. While she is here I will go with her and her friend Alice to Cape Coast and to a National Park. I’ll tell you about it next week after we return. It is the same place Myrte, Anne Christien, Theo and Sanders (Anne Christien’s beau) went last week. They said it was very beautiful but there were no wild animals.
Mother Sylvia’s daughter, Jacklyn, and her grandson, Isaiah are now living at the home. Jacklyn will be going to school in September so Isaiah will be staying with Sylvia. Jacklyn is a big help to her mother and Isaiah is as cute as can be. When he first met me he kept staring and staring. I’m the first obruni he’s ever seen. We now see each other and laugh at how funny I look! He let’s me hold him but like all babies prefers mama to anyone. This morning he rubbed my skin and looked at his hand to see if the strange white stuff would come off. Luckily for me it didn’t. Kofi has been very good with him. Kofi has always been the baby who gets everything. Now Isaiah grabs things away from Kofi. But amazingly Kofi lets him! Kofi also comes to watch when Isaiah is getting his bath because Isaiah cries. Kofi watches to make sure Jacklyn is not hurting his little friend. It is very cute!
When Theo and Sanders left, some of the children cried. The first one was Justice. I asked him, “Are you going to hug Mr. Theo good-by?” He answered, “Yes, but I have something in my eye.” He was trying his best to not cry but those darn tears showed up any way. Father John gave Theo a hug around the legs trying to hide his face because he had also started to cry. By the time Theo left, at least half the children were crying. Luckily for me, it only lasted a little while. Then life was back to normal. When it is my turn to leave, I know I’ll be a blubbering fool! At least I won’t be alone!
Nate, I saw your post. So your baby is Conner and Austin finally gets a brother. Congratulations to all! Send my love to Carrie. Tell her to wait until after May 12th to deliver so I can be home for Conner’s arrival.
Oh by the way for as little as 3,000 US dollars you can be a 40% owner in a gold mine in Liberia. No really, I met a guy who is a Liberian refugee and he told me he is now an orphan but luckily he still holds the title to his dead father’s gold mine. So since I don’t have the money to help him get his gold, I’m giving all of you this wonderful opportunity. It is sometimes amazing how stupid and gullible everyone here thinks I am. Oh well, you can’t blame a guy for trying!
Thanks Wayne and Carol! And Clark Roushey too!
Soo-Hyun, what are you doing reading this? You should be studying! Get back to work.
Here’s an update on the school. The Director of Education for this district visited the school. She asked a class one boy if he could spell his name no, or write his name again no. I then her assistant about class 2 and their problems caused by the lack of teacher’s. Based upon enrollment numbers there is not a lack of teachers. The problem is that the teachers are supposed to combine the smaller classes and have enough teachers for all classes. Instead they have been leaving class 1 and class 2 to volunteers to teach. Not a good practice for anyone. With the associate knowing the situation, it is now up to the director to let the new head master do his job. On a happier note, Anne Christien’s father, Theo, brought some books from an international school in Holland. The headmaster liked them and Theo will be sending the rest of the books for the school to use.
Rico, one of my SYTO daughters from Norway, is visiting us this week for a couple of days. While she is here I will go with her and her friend Alice to Cape Coast and to a National Park. I’ll tell you about it next week after we return. It is the same place Myrte, Anne Christien, Theo and Sanders (Anne Christien’s beau) went last week. They said it was very beautiful but there were no wild animals.
Mother Sylvia’s daughter, Jacklyn, and her grandson, Isaiah are now living at the home. Jacklyn will be going to school in September so Isaiah will be staying with Sylvia. Jacklyn is a big help to her mother and Isaiah is as cute as can be. When he first met me he kept staring and staring. I’m the first obruni he’s ever seen. We now see each other and laugh at how funny I look! He let’s me hold him but like all babies prefers mama to anyone. This morning he rubbed my skin and looked at his hand to see if the strange white stuff would come off. Luckily for me it didn’t. Kofi has been very good with him. Kofi has always been the baby who gets everything. Now Isaiah grabs things away from Kofi. But amazingly Kofi lets him! Kofi also comes to watch when Isaiah is getting his bath because Isaiah cries. Kofi watches to make sure Jacklyn is not hurting his little friend. It is very cute!
When Theo and Sanders left, some of the children cried. The first one was Justice. I asked him, “Are you going to hug Mr. Theo good-by?” He answered, “Yes, but I have something in my eye.” He was trying his best to not cry but those darn tears showed up any way. Father John gave Theo a hug around the legs trying to hide his face because he had also started to cry. By the time Theo left, at least half the children were crying. Luckily for me, it only lasted a little while. Then life was back to normal. When it is my turn to leave, I know I’ll be a blubbering fool! At least I won’t be alone!
Nate, I saw your post. So your baby is Conner and Austin finally gets a brother. Congratulations to all! Send my love to Carrie. Tell her to wait until after May 12th to deliver so I can be home for Conner’s arrival.
Oh by the way for as little as 3,000 US dollars you can be a 40% owner in a gold mine in Liberia. No really, I met a guy who is a Liberian refugee and he told me he is now an orphan but luckily he still holds the title to his dead father’s gold mine. So since I don’t have the money to help him get his gold, I’m giving all of you this wonderful opportunity. It is sometimes amazing how stupid and gullible everyone here thinks I am. Oh well, you can’t blame a guy for trying!
Thanks Wayne and Carol! And Clark Roushey too!
Soo-Hyun, what are you doing reading this? You should be studying! Get back to work.
03 March 2006
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