So, this is my life for the next year and a half. I think I've come to terms with it. Well, maybe the phrase, "come to terms" is not the write phrase to use. I like it here. I am happy. Not to say that I want to live the rest of my life here, but for now this is where I want to be.
I finally feel like I am doing work in my community. The womens' group is coming together slowly, but surely. They were even talking about exporting at our first meeting! What?!?! Where did that come from?!?! haha. I didn't know they had that on their minds. They are really 'gung-ho' about this group. Honestly, they are much more motivated than the Tourism Management Team that I am working with. It makes sense, though. This is the women's livelihoods. The people on the TMT are just doing it on the side. It is not their 'job'.
So, speaking of the TMT, I finally got them to meet! The second time in almost 6 months! We set monthly meeting times and have discussed many ideas for improving the TMT and the tourist reception center. My chief wants to have some in-village training sessions with just my TMT. He is very interested in trust and transparency in the organization. PC really pushes the trust and transparency issue becuase of all the corruption in Ghana and because we are supposed to be developing community-based tourism. Without transparency, how will the community know where the money is going and how it is benefiting the community? Also, one of the members mentioned to me that they were told to form this TMT by the district assembly, but they really don't know what their function is. Hmmm...very revealing. Only took me about 5 months to figure that one out...haha. Yes, another example of just how slow things here are (that is, compared to the US.)
So, I've had the shits probably about 6 months straight, on and off, since I've gotten to my village. I called the PC nurse today and she told me to take some meds for it. Hopefully, this will work. Only my third different med. that I'll be trying. haha. Oh well, my body is going to be very messed up after this experience. I'm on Larium, first of all and now all these meds. Oh well, I think it is worth it.
Currently, I am reading 'Guns, Germs and Steel' - a book about why some civilizations evolved differently than others. Really a very intersting book. I recomend it to any and everyone. Especially those of you who think that these types of things have to do with race ;). The book sheds some light on factors that I know I've never really thought about such as those involved in the development of farming and written language. I'm also reading The Cider House Rules by John Irving. I loved this book in high school, so my boyfriend found it for me in the Accra office. I hope it really is good still.
Well, that's all for now. Send me any comments with questions and I'll answer them. Sometimes I have a hard time thinking about things to write about.
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2 comments:
Hi Leanne. Tell us more about the foods Ghanians prepare/eat vs the diet you have chosen. Love your favourite momma
Found your blog by happy accident on a Google search of 'MIF kit.' I was in Kenya from 94-96, and from the sound of it, some PC things never change. I was a teacher, and I always was grateful that I had a time and a place every day that I was expected to show up. If I had to make my own schedule and just sort of put myself out there into the community (like you extensionists do), I honestly wouldn't have lasted. It sounds like you're doing great; hang in there.
So you're looking for topics...What's the craziest thing you see in your town every day?
What is something you've realized it's no big deal to live without?
What Ghanian custom/practice makes a lot more sense than the way Americans do the same thing?
What is place where, although you're the only Caucasian or American in the group, you feel most comfortable?
Are there weevils (aka 'protein enhancers') in your beans?
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