Kakum

After a long long ride through many towns and villages we arrived at Kakum National Rain Forest. Men and women began hawking at the windows with bracelets, necklaces, water, palm juice, and other goods. We passed through the main gate and parked the bus. As we stepped off the humid air of the rain forest covered my skin. I instantly felt sticky. To the admissions desk and the bathroom we went before our long hike up the mountain began. Over the rocks we hiked up and over stairs made of carefully placed rocks. Sweat began to drip down my forehead. The beads continued down my face onto my neck and chest. After finally reaching the top we came upon a line of people. In large groups, maybe 10 or so, we were sent up to this large wooden building set above very high high stairs. Once we climbed up those stairs the rope bridges began.

We sat in this wooden enclosure and waited for directions to go onto the bridges. One after the other the four of us made our way onto the bridges. My feet shook beneath me and the bridge swayed back and forth. I tried not to look down but the sight of the rain forest below me was spectacular. Across one, I made it. "Six more to go" chuckled a guide. I took a deep sigh and continued on. The bridges became shakier and shakier as we made our way to the end. After we crossed the seventh rope bridge we followed the signs to the exit. To the bottom we finally came and loaded the bus. Off to El Mina Slave Castle we went.

African Book List

Including Amy and Amanda, the group has compiled this list of excellent reads over these past two weeks.

1. Say Your One of Them- Uwem Akpan

2. The Blue Sweater- Jacqueline Novogratz

3. Redeeming Love- Francine Rivers

4. The Shack- William P. Young

5. Memoirs of a Boy Soldier-Ishmael Beah

6. My Utmost for his Highest- Oswald Chambers

7. Same Kind of Different Is Me- Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Swedru Market

Early this morning we woke up and boarded the bus to go to Swedru, a local village about 30 minutes away from Winneba. In Swedru we visited a street market, where locals sold goods. We pulled into a dirty square parking lot, where other cars were parked. Heaps of yams fill the parking lot, women sitting beside them, eager to sell. Quickly one of the locals led us to the 100 aisle of shops. Tightly packed shacks filled the space around me with inches between them to walk. Smells of rotten fish and must filled the air. I came close to being sick. "Come Obruni, come" yelled the older women from the openings of their shacks. In these markets we bargained to get such goods as cloth, fabric, and bracelets. The scents of fish and must bring back vivid images of this extraordinary experience.

Rafiki- Effua's smile.

Rafiki-Swahili for 'friends'

Up the dust dirt pot hole covered road we traveled. The smell of dirt, smoke, and must flooded my nostrils. Shifting side to side in my seat from the uneven roads I wondered when this trip to Rafiki would come to an end. The bus gradually came to a stop at the main gates, which was guarded by a darker African man who then waved us through. As we pulled up I looked to my right; in a perfect green field of grass stood the Rafiki family: 22 children (ages 18mths to 9yrs old. When our eyes met the children went wild.

Screaming, jumping, waving, and shouting as if it was rare to have visitors. As we stepped off the bus the children of Rafiki approached. Humble and shy a small petite, yet strong girl tugged at the bottom of my shirt. I bent down just enough so our eyes met. I extended my hand and she hers. I smiled widely as she rested her small frail hand inside mine. "I'm Casey" I said softly. "Effua" she replied. Effua was a strong, beautiful, brave and passionate young girl, who will forever remain in my heart.

As we met the other kids my heart overfilled with joy. I thought to myself 'this is why I want to teach'. We started with the normal Ghanaian welcomes, prayers and thanks. Next, we painted faces, warrior marks if you will on all of our faces to separate the children into teams. Today the children were off from school because of the national holiday, Republic Day. At Rafiki Orphanage it was field day.

Tug of rope, two legged race, plastic egg hunt, obstacle course, water balloon toss, and then water guns...lots of water guns.Effua was by my side. Effua and I sang:

Lord I lift you name on high.
Lord I love to sing your praises.
I'm so glad your in my life.
I'm so glad you came to save us...


I pulled out my camera to take a picture. "Let me snap, let me snap" said Effua. "You first" I responded as I held up my camera to take Effua's picture. "Smile!" I said. Effua would not smile.

As we played games I fell in love with this child I barely knew and as activities winded down, Effua remained by my side. As we were getting ready to go we were dismissed in prayer. "Amen" the group said to bless the prayer.

"Snap! Snap!" said Effua. I let her have the camera and helped her take a picture of us together. It wasn't until I was on the bus that I looked at the picture she had taken. In the picture of Effua and I, she smiled.

History of Rafiki

Not long ago,fishermen would come to Winneba,Ghana and the surrounding area and offer the locals a small amount of money for their children to come work on their boats. Because of their poverty,many parents would accept. As the fishermen cast nets to fish,the nets would often get caught on logs and other debris. The fishermen would “ask” the children to climb down and untangle the nets. As you might expect,sometimes the children would drown while trying to free the nets. The fishermen would then tie their bodies to the log;as the body decomposed,it would serve as bait for the fish. The orphanage was started,in part,to provide an alternative destination for parentless children.

Rafiki Foundation (http://www.rafiki-foundation.org/) is a US-based organization whose mission is to help Africans know God by caring for and educating orphans,providing materials and training in education and Bible study,and giving economic opportunities to widows. As part of that mission,they build orphanages. Typically,over the course of 5 years,Rafiki Foundation purchases the land,builds the buildings,pays the staff,and helps local churches and other organizations prepare to take over the costs. This was the original plan when Rafiki Foundation started building this village. Unfortunately,after 1 year,Rafiki Foundation was unable to continue supporting this particular village. It was left half-finished,and the Methodist church had to step in early than expected and take over all of the costs. Since then,the village has been struggling financially and has had trouble meeting current costs,let alone finish the building plan.

For more information about Rafiki Orphanage or to support a child, visit www.rafikifriends.org

Big Companies and Schools donating computers to children in Africa; not so.

Today we met Raymond and his wife Irene. Raymond teaches at the University of Education-Winneba in the Integrated Computer Technology Department. These two lovely people, just like everyone we've met, are the nicest, most caring people you could ever meet.

As we sat down for lunch, the question was posed if the 'Laptop per Child Program' was affective. Contrary to common belief, the computers never make it to the classrooms or the children. As the computers go through a series of authority's hands the middle men take the computers and are often later found in shops and stores being sold for a profit. There is NO accountability where they are being sent.

Unfortunately the same things are true for money in the programs that ask you to support a child. If you have, in past, been participating in these programs, I urge you to read above "Rafiki". Attached is a website where you can sponsor a child through schooling.

'I want to send the rescue boat to these children; the one I never had"

"Obruni! Obruni!" I heard as three young boys ran up the crowded roadway. Then, a surprised look upon one little boy's face, a grin, then a wave. Surprised to see someone of such light complexion, he continued on his way up the street. Slowly making his way out of my line of sight, I thought to myself of a story a local obruni teaching in Ghana once told us.

*[Obruni, meaning light complexion put simply white]

Close to where we are staying in the Volta, both a river and a lake. The Volta is the largest man-made body of water in the world. There, fisherman net and spear fish, then selling them to earn income. Although they don't work alone. Many children are trapped, tricked if you will, into helping these fisherman. Children just like the boy that stopped and waved to me with a precious smile on his face.

Using promises of an education and plentiful food, these fisherman lead these children into the villages and use them for cheap labor. If a net gets stuck or torn, a child is sent down to fix it. Unfortunately many children, not knowing how to swim end up drowning.

Amy, an obruni teaching here from America, has a major role in saving these children's lives. Amy works at a local non-governmental organization called 'Challenging Heights'. This organization enters these fishing villages and rescues these children that are being trafficked. James, the founder of 'Challenging Heights' was one of those little boys , but was one lucky enough to escape. He then founded 'Challenging Heights' and works with colleagues, such as Amy, to better the lives of these children. Jame's motto: "I want to send the rescue boat to these children; the one I never had"

'He is my soul, my rock, and my song'

Over the past few days that I have spent in Ghana, it is absolutely impossible to not absorb the religion rich culture. Never in my life have I seen people of such an under-privileged community trust in Jesus and all that he can do for them.

As Americans gathered Sunday morning in their carpeted pews and listened to their microphoned sermons, the locals of Winneba assembled in an open building with plastic lawn chairs organized in rows. Women and men alike wore brightly colored handwoven dresses, suits, and shirts. Shouts of "Hallelujah" and "Amen" never rang so loud in my ears. Songs such as "He is my soul, my rock, and my song" that were sang by the choir in Fanti and English echoed.


Religion and faith, primarily Christianity, is such a major part of life here in Ghana. Places of business are commonly named after verses of the bible. "Walk with Jesus shoes" and "Sweet Jesus Enterprises" are common names of local stores and markets. In schools, everyday is begun with a prayer and followed by many more throughout the day. Other places such as the University of Education-Winneba, our partner in this journey, requires prayers in all formal meetings, sessions, and activities.

Never have I seen people in such unimaginable conditions live so faithfully. Whether they lack of food, running water, or a stable home to protect them from the elements the faith remains. No matter what hardships or struggles they face, the Lord keeps them alive, safe, and fruitful.

Ghana is AMAZING!

AKWAABA!- Welcome in Fanti, one of Ghana's many remaining tribal dialects. I'm here, safe, and never felt so welcome into someone's home, the home of people who have touched my heart in only the few days I have been here.

From the time I stepped off the plane I have felt an array of emotions, sometimes more than one at a time. When we landed in Accra [pronounced Ak-kra], the capital of Ghana, we went through customs and all the airport formalities. Upon exiting the main doors of the airport we were bombarded with thousands of people holding signs waiting to pick people up. Next we were rushed by men,  who then load your baggage. Our luggage was swept out of our hands and taken to our bus that was waiting to take us to Winneba. The bus ride was an unimaginable experience. Common scenes were children washing their cloths on the street corners, as well as women and families 'hawking' [crowding around attempting to sell goods-similar to soliciting but on the streets and in between cars and trucks].

These activities are a way of life and how these families earn their income. These children do not spent their Saturdays watching television on playing on the jungle gym, but selling goods on dangerous, busy, and congested roadways. In about a 2 hour bus ride my outlook on my life, as an American, was altered forever.

Pre-Departure Jitters

Departure is getting so close and the butterflies are starting to turn in my stomach! I sent out my paperwork for my VISA today! So many things to get finished up before I board the plane. I will have access to a computer while I'm there so keep a lookout here for updates and amazing stories.

In 65 days I will be boarding a plane at Dulles International Airport and head on my way to Winneba, Ghana.

Ghana is on the West Coast of Africa. The capital city in Accra, where we will be flying into. We will be staying in Winneba, a small town approximately 35 miles from the capital.While we are there, they will be experiencing their rainy season. Winneba is also know as the "Windy Bay" and is located near the coast. Winneba is also the home to the teaching college of Africa, the University of Winneba.

We will be staying at the Lagoon Lodge, shown in a previous post, without warm water or air conditioning. This is a third world country, which means electricity outages are common and some aspects of the culture will break your heart.

The first week I will be using alphabet books and literacy instruction to plan lessons for the students. The second week I will be in a classroom with a teacher and will teach the Ghanian children. Unfortunately, Ghanian schools still use physical punishment as a discipline technique. We have to be accepting that is their culture, but I cannot guarentee I won't cringe. It is also common for the students to ask if they can come home with us and call us "white sister".

We will visit the El Mina slave castle and a native dressmaker, who will take our measurements and make us a dress out of the fabric of our choice.

The stress of travel and dresses.

There's so much to do and the anxiety is starting to flare. More passport photos for the VISAs and dresses, which is the dress-code in Ghanian schools. Registering with the US Embassy, purchasing MediVac Insurance, and inquiring about International calling.


This weekend I will be off to Goodwill to get some dresses. We will pack for two weeks but leave our dresses and such in Ghana, using our suitecases to bring home plenty of keepsakes.

Excitement and anxiety...

Step One: Attain Passport

Passport appointment is today-hopefully everything will go smoothly, although when is that ever likely. From the day they send it out its suppose to take six weeks to come in. For verification I'm a US citizen they also have to take your birth certificate, which is definitely put the parents in a fuss. "Make sure I get that Birth Certificate back" they exclaim. I would just like to say Im very proud to have parents that support me in anything I dream to pursue and follow along with me and my experiences.

Ghana Summer 2011

Winneba, Ghana-
This is where I will be staying when I travel to Ghana.