The Women of Ghana

When we left the airport in Kumasi we saw a woman carrying groundnuts on a large, silver coloured tray on her head. She effortlessly and gracefully walked down the chaotic road selling her groundnuts. She was the first of the many we were to see.
As we drove down the road to Wa we saw women carrying bowls full of fruit, coal, water, clothes, and purchases from the market. Some carried two full bowls stacked on top of each other. Others carried huge bundles of branches for firewood on their heads. We found ourselves wondering how far these women had walked, where they were coming from and where they were going.
Since our arrival in Wa we have discovered that the norm is for women to carry everything on their head, with their babies wrapped securely to their back, allowing them to keep their hands free. Their beautiful posture, sway of their hips, and ease with which they turn their heads while simultaneously carrying their babies and heavy loads on their heads has enthralled us. Because of this we desperately wanted to capture these beautiful women in a photograph. Success eluded us until Tiffany took this wonderful picture at the market.

The Market

After visiting Emmanuel we went to the market and Philip took us for refreshments at 'Meet Me There'. We enjoyed the local beverage alvaro so much, that we ordered a second and soon required a trip to the washroom. Have a look at the accompanying picture and try to imagine our experience. The small room contained a platform toilet, with a basket of used, soiled paper, and two small windows. After that we opted not to have another beverage for the rest of the day! We did however sample the local fresh ground nuts and bean cake, which were delicious. As always the children and adults were fascinated with our white skin and digital cameras.

My Visit with Emmanuel and His Family

It struck me when I visited Emmanuel and his family how little it takes to make a difference in the life of a child in Ghana and their family. I've been sponsoring Emmanuel for a number of years, but it wasn't until I met Emmanuel, his mother, younger brother and sister in their village today that I really understood the impact of sponsorship. $33.00 a month is so little for me, but in Ghana it means that a child will have the opportunity to go to school, and have a better future. When we arrived at their small home in their little village, Emmanuel's mother came out to greet me and express her gratitude. I brought some gifts for Emmanuel and his family, and it was heart-warming to see their beaming faces when they received them. His mother in turn gave me three beautiful hand-woven baskets which she had made, and Emmanuel gave me a live rooster. The rooster was a surprise to say the least and I certainly felt guilty about taking their next meal, but Philip said that it was important to accept their gift, so I did. Emmanuel is very bright and I hope one day to receive a letter announcing his graduation from University.
If you are not sponsoring a child, I urge you to contact Chalice and sign up. There are so many Ghanaian children waiting for sponsorship, and the opportunity to go to school. They really do need your help.

Our First Sunday in Ghana

Dancing outside the Church

July 17

Joyful, exuberant singing, prayerful and uplifting, only begins to describe our experience at Mass today. It truly was a beautiful Mass. The Church was small and simple, with paper chains hanging from the beams, painted crosses with roman numerals representing the stations of the cross, and chairs and benches that the parishioners brought with them to sit on. The setting was simple, but the people and music made it very special. Hand-made xylophones accompanied the choir as they sang and danced their prayers to God.

Mass at Ponyentanga

The parents in the school room.

The children peeking into the school room.