Mid-Placement in Ghana

Posted by Katie C on July 23rd, 2009

It has been a whirlwind time here full of adjustments, adventures and new relationships. It has been a journey with its ups and its downs, but I would not trade any minute of it. My expectations for my placement turned out to be far from what I would actually experience here in Ghana. I had done a lot of research on FAWE and the different programs they are supposed to run. I had huge hopes and expectations for the extra curricular programs I thought I would be assisting with. However, when I arrived at the school I discovered that the extra curricular activities (such as peer counselling, etc.) are not actually functioning due to loss of funds from a major donor. Rather I am assisting to teach English, but mainly I spend my days in the ‘library’ trying to stamp and catalogue all the books by hand. It is not the work I had intended to do, and at first I felt frustrated by the tedious work I found myself doing. I felt as though I was not making a difference. I have realized though, that as tedious as cataloguing all of the books by hand can be, it is an extremely important job that will enable to girls to excel in their studies. It is next to impossible to find information you need when there is no organization system.

The school system here is extremely different from the system I am used to in Canada. I am still not used to it, and continue to struggle with different aspects of daily school life. I struggle with the teacher student power dynamic that exists, especially when it comes to the use of punishment in the school. Thankfully they do not use the cane at my school. Unfortunately though, that is not the reality for many children in Ghana. Punctuality is another aspect of daily life that is extremely different here. Time does not seem to mean very much to those who live here in Ghana. The common opinion is it will happen when it happens. It always surprises me when teachers will be in the teacher’s room hanging out, sometimes watching T.V. while they are supposed to be in the classrooms. Sometimes teachers simply do not come to school at all. However you cannot really blame them when you look at the fact that they have not been paid in four months. I admire the dedication of the teachers here. In Canada there would be absolutely no way teachers would continue to come to school if they had not been paid in four months! A few months ago several teachers all resigned at once due to lack of pay, and it is very clear that the teachers who have stayed truly care about the girls here. They are extremely dedicated to their students and want nothing more then for all the girls to succeed.

The gender dynamics within Ghana is another cultural difference that I have struggled a lot with. The harassment and attitudes towards women went from being part of culture shock to being old very quickly. It is constantly tiring and frustrating to fall victim to/witness this behaviour. It always makes me grateful that I have the opportunity to work with young women here at the school, and I hope that I can least make them all realize how special they each are. They need to know that they are truly incredible each in their own unique way, and that they need to be respected by others (especially men). One thing that disturbs me beyond a belief here is the fact that when a girl is raped she is the one who gets blamed for it not the man. It also really disturbs me to know that over 50% of girls are forced into their first sexual experience. It is truly sad to know that so many girls have their innocence ripped away from them against their will. It is one of the hardest things to know that there are so many problems surrounding you, yet at the same time be powerless to create any real big changes. I can only hope that I can influence the girls to always stand up for themselves and for what they believe is right. If that is all I am able to accomplish this summer I will be thrilled.

At the school and around my tiny village of Obodan I have formed many relationships that have without a doubt influenced me and my time here. The people in Ghana are some of the most welcoming and hospitable people I have ever met before in my life. They are some of the poorest people I have ever seen; however they are the most generous. They are also probably the happiest people I have ever encountered. It is going to be extremely hard to leave all of the people I have become friends with here, some have even become a new little family to me. These new friends have taught me so much about this new culture I find myself immersed in. Despite the fact that I struggle with many different aspects of the culture here, I am falling in love with other parts of it. I have been learning to make traditional dishes, play traditional music, speak the local language, and even how to carry a baby on my back in the traditional Ghanaian style. I have noticed that in Ghana people care about each other a lot more than people in Canada. Here everyone is a giant family and they all look out for each other.

The time here is flying by despite how I try to slow it down. I know it will not be long before I am home in Canada. The summer has already pushed me to grow in ways I never knew were possible, and I am sure I will only continue to be transformed by my time here. I treasure every moment of time I spend here even though some days can be frustrating. I can definitely say that I have been enriched by my experiences here, and my life will never be the same again.

Posted in Ghana, In-Country