ENDINGS and BEGINNINGS
31 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
It is sometimes said that endings leave one sad, alone, and empty. I believe that endings allow beginnings to occur. For it is when something ends that it enables experiences, memories, and reflections to help the beginnings develop and grow in a new way.
It is the end of my journey at Tuskegee and now I will begin to work on the next phase of what we need to do to help the school and students growth as I head back to America.
Yesterday the lights in the area ended (twice) which meant total darkness until a transformer could be fixed. However, because of the darkness, we were able to begin conversations that might have been delayed due to the TV or the computer.
Yesterday also marked the end of a year for Charles as he begins celebrating his birthday today.
Granddaughter Angela ended her stay at the house as her mother picked her up for the long weekend. Belinda (Charles’ daughter and mother to Angela) is presently working on her degree in Nursing at Cape Coast so Madam Fausty has kept Angela, embracing her like she was her own child, during this school year.
Charles’ other daughter Lydia ended her studies last week and was able to begin her time with family and friends as she visited her father today and brought him a birthday present.
The family will end the day by having a special meal as they begin to share the cards and presents for Charles and sing happy birthday to him.
I will end my day in the Kotoka Airport, waiting for the plane that will begin to take me 6,000 miles back to my home.
And tomorrow, it will be New Years Day – we have ended 2011 and will look to 2012 to see how it will begin.
A LEISURELY DAY
29 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
Today is Thursday. The sky is overcast, it is a little bit muggy but there is a breeze. There is no agenda for today except for the children to make cards for a special person in their lives: Charles. His birthday is New Year’s Eve and it has become a tradition for us to make a little surprise party for him (even though he is aware) that lets him know how much he is loved by his family.
The children carefully work on drawings as they each create birthday cards. Granddaughter Angela adds her special drawing to the pre-written greeting. Even Madam Fausty gets in on the creative endeavor although she shies away from drawing.
It is very important for family to come together to do things with and for each other. They enjoy sharing ideas and also helping each other with drawings or coloring.
One of the cats has found a quiet and cool spot for his nap time atop a scaffold that is used to do construction. Charles and I work on things for the school and the children read, then work in their individual activity books they got for Christmas.
The peace and calm of the day gives one time for reflection and thoughts move to the gratitude I feel for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful family and share in the love, laughter, and joy that comes with being together.
A DAY FOR SHOPPING
28 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
Today the weather continues to bring the brightest rays out of the sun, yet a wonderful breeze blows as I sit on the veranda preparing to meet the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) teacher, Sir Kwame. He was brought into the school in the fall and has advised Charles on how to advance the technology for the school.
The school is presently getting refurbished CPU’s to use with the older students for some of their coursework. We will go today to a shop and see the present prices for items that include monitors, electric switches, patch panels, and a rack mount. It is furthering my knowledge of computers. We traveled to a place that will eventually supply the school with more equipment. Charles is asking the parents of the school to support this effort and he also hopes donors of Caring Kid Connections will help as well.
It just worked out that we could go to the Madina Market today. I LOVE going to the market with Madam Fausty. It is quite an adventure and I continue to be amazed at the fact that you can buy anything your heart desires from clothing to live snails to all types of fruits and vegetables.
It is the biggest market in the district. It is a maze that has stalls within 12 inches of each other. There is barely enough room to walk but you must know what you are doing and where you are going or you will spend most of the day just trying to figure out where you first entered.
Madam Fausty is masterful at knowing the merchants, their prices, and when a product is worth the money. I like following her as she carefully picks out the stall that sells the best tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. Be aware that a small amount of money does not go far. Just like in America, you spend a lot and come out with very little. But the smells, the sounds of merchants encouraging you to buy from them, and the overall energy of the place makes it special and you really want to go back often, at least I do.
There are many girls and woman who appear out of nowhere, with large pans waiting for you to hire them to carry your purchases. They are called “Kayayo.” The more you buy, the more is placed in their pan and then they carry it on their heads as you walk from stall to stall shopping. They are quiet but very strong and earn their living by carrying things for others. It is a hard job but they are glad to get some money for their families.
Visiting Family
27 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
Yesterday was Boxing Day/Family day in Ghana. It is a time for people to give gifts to each other and for the children to attend festive activities.
While presents were shared on Christmas day at the Yarfoh house, holiday celebrations don’t stop. We were invited to visit with Cici (a cousin) and her family and enjoy some wonderful Ghanaian food and company. Everyone present at this event is related and everyone considers each other a brother or sister.
Before we left for Cici’s place, the children and Madam Fausty took the morning time to read books (a favorite pastime of the family). Then Angela decided to clean up the compound a little before taking her bath and getting ready to go to the gathering. Children start at a young age learning how to be stewards of their home and school.
Charles had opened the items from the Daisy Scout troop and was appreciative of the 12 scouts who wrote notes on the back of picture postcards of Chicago. He will have girls from his 1st grade class, write notes back to the Daisy Scouts as a beginning of an exchange between the two countries.
Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 to 19 years, dedicated to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Through one of their members, Sherri, school pouches were donated for children in grades 2,3, and 4 at Tuskegee. These will be distributed to the students when they return to school in January. Students are always in need of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, pens, etc. so this philanthropic project will be greatly appreciated by the students of Tuskegee. Thank you Jack and Jill of America for caring about children some 6,000 miles away.
Today is a regular work day for most Ghanaians. Madam Fausty is busy preparing banku, a fermented corn/cassava dough mixed proportionally and cooked in hot water into a smooth whitish consistent paste. It is served with soup, stew or a pepper sauce with fish.
As I am writing this the local pastor has come to visit Charles and extend his greetings to the family for a blessed New Year.
People come to visit and extend their greetings at Tuskegee. Charles is a beloved member of the community and is always welcoming to anyone who comes to see him.
CHRISTMAS and its PRESENCE – 12-25-11
26 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
I have been humming the John Lennon/Ono Yoko tune in my head the last few days and decided the lyrics were appropriate for today’s blog.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
While presents may be under a tree for many, it is the “presence” of those you are with that really puts meaning to this holiday. I am so blessed to be part of the Yarfoh family, being welcomed as a member without judgment or expectation.
Last night I watched as Madam Fausty cooked for today, Jackline washing dishes, Liman and Mac helping with the cleaning and cooking of a Guinea Fowl brought to Charles from a family member for Christmas dinner. (I was not interested in watching the beheading or cleaning of the fowl which tickled the funny bone of all the children who are raised with this as a regular occurrence).
Charles had a carpenter come over to fix one of the children’s bed frames that had broken. Jennifer was pounding foo foo with a long stick (yes, it is a food and a favorite of Charles’). Three-year old Angela was moving about entertaining family members by singing “Happy Birthday Jesus.”
And amidst all of this work and preparation, the sounds of a radio with holiday music, laughter and joy coming out of each person as they gathered together to prepare for the celebration of this special day.
Presence is defined as the state of being with others and is synonymous with companionship. I am truly in the presence of wonderful gifts in the form of the Yarfoh family.
Note: the internet was down on Christmas day so I could not post this blog yesterday. I am glad to see it is working a little bit better this morning.
Christmas Eve Day
24 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
While I have not left the compound since I arrived and not seen some of the fun decorations that are displayed in stores and shops in Accra, I must say Christmas is alive and well in Ghana. Television shares programs with songs and well wishes to all Ghanaians for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The spirit of Christmas permeates the main house in the form of Jennifer, Liman, Mac, Jackline, Angela, Charles, and Fausty. Jennifer, Charles’ neice, is on holiday from secondary school (high school) and helps Madam Fausty with the work around the house. Liman, Mac, and Jackline are between the ages of 10 and 12. Liman and Jackline are nephew and neice to Charles and Fausty. Mac is Fausty’s son. Angela is Charles’ granddaughter and is 3 years old. She is staying with the family while her mother works on her degree in Nursing at Cape Coast.
Family is very important in Ghana. Everyone is welcomed and cared for. When necessary, children are taken in by different family members for various reasons. They are treated as well as the natural born children in the family and they watch out for each other and support each other in all things. As Mac says, “it is a group of people with the same blood that love each other.”
Nii, the art teacher for Tuskegee stopped by the school to talk of things he has been working on with the students and new things he will be doing in January. He continues teaching 4th through 9th grade students and has done some projects with a small group of 3rd graders who have exceptional talents in the art area.
Nii has worked on the basics of art education and is presently working on weaving and pottery with the older students. He eventually wants to teach the students tie dye so they can make prints on cloth.
Airport cheer and landing in Ghana
23 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
The plane from Chicago to Amsterdam left a little late but we made good time in the air and I landed happy to be stretching my legs at the airport. Sitting on an airplane for over 7 hours with little exercise room outside of going back and forth to the bathroom left me longing for some exercise.
It is always fun to go to the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. It is very large with lots of vendors and sights to see (art museum, shops, special visitors. The season brought 2 special Santa’s and some roller-skating carolers with amazing voices into the airport. It was enjoyable watching all of them entertain passengers waiting for their flights.
The Kotoka Airport/Ghana International had 12 planes landing within minutes of each other. The tarmac where the planes land has moving staircases that are pushed up to the plane for passengers to alight. Usually I get through customs quickly but this time, it was very slow. By the time I got through, my luggage was already for me to pick up.
It was so wonderful seeing Madam Fausty and Charles. We quickly loaded up the van and headed for Tuskegee. When we got home, the children greeted me and sat up for a little while as Madam made me some hot chocolate before I went to bed.
Today as I awoke, I was greeted by Madam Fausty with her words, “the water is ready.” This means she has heated a small amount of water for me to mix with the cold water that runs out of the new faucet in the shower. This also reminds me of how welcomed I am as part of this wonderful family.
I sat down with Charles after breakfast and we began talking about the various groups that want to be connected with Tuskegee. They include: Daisy Scouts, Jack and Jill International, and Catherine Cook Nursery.
The day is slow and easy. Madam Fausty is cooking lunch and later, we will all spend the day in our own way, writing, reading, watching movies, or just napping.
The weather is rather warm and the sun is shining brightly. I had a chance to walk around the compound and see the work that has been done on the school since my last visit. Donations continue to help with the building structures. The second floor now has 4 classrooms that are used by the JHS 1,2,3 (7th, 8th, and 9th graders).
Although the school is quiet and most of the classrooms are empty there is still an energy that permeates this quaint compound.
Several children and some teachers will be coming by during my stay to do some special projects with me for the Scout Troop and Catherine Cook school.
As I sat talking with Charles today, I learned a little more about the round building that is the main house where the family lives. It is always fascinating to listen to Charles as he shares things about the beginnings of Tuskegee and his life.
I asked him why the main house was round in shape. He said that when he first started building he built a round building to be able to see anyone who might try to hide and when the wind blows, it moves around the building instead of hitting up against it so it is safer. Charles is proud of this building and is leaving it as the last structure to re-build. He said he will leave the foundation of it as a reminder of the beginning of his dream school.
Ready for Travel
21 Dec 2011 1 Comment
The day has finally arrived and everything I think I need is packed. However, Magic Juan has his own idea of how he will pack himself, hoping to go with me.
My travel to Ghana will take approximately 22 hours with a stop over in Amsterdam to break it up. The weather right now in Ghana is 82 degrees with 74 % humidity which seems ideal. This time of year temperatures average in the 80′s but it can feel like the 90′s when the humidity rises.
Ghana is in Western Africa and is bordered by Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) to the south.
It is approximately 5,829 miles from Chicago and I will land in the Kotoka Airport tomorrow around 9:00 p.m. Charles and Madam Fausty will meet me at the airport and we will drive for approximately 10 miles to the compound, which doesn’t seem like much, but with traffic, can take over two hours to reach Tuskegee Intl. school.
It will be good to get back to the sights and sounds of Ghana. During the drive from the airport to Tuskegee, I will look forward to the wonderful smells that exude from the vendors stalls along the road as they sell their roasted corn, plantain, peanuts, and meat on a stick.
Off to Ghana
09 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
Six months have passed and I’m getting ready to head back to Tuskegee Intl. School for Christmas.
And yes, I am excited about returning to see and hear all the new things that have happened since I was there in July.
Although the students at Tuskegee will not be in school due to the holidays, it is a perfect time for Founder Charles and I to work on the next phase of his school.
I’ll keep you posted on what happens during this trip. Until then, have a happy holiday and may all your dreams and wishes become reality.
These photos are from last Christmas in Ghana (the spirit is there even without snow).
WE SERVE HUMANITY, a reflection
25 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
These words are part of the crest that is painted on the outside wall of Tuskegee. Three words that have a resonance beyond what I can really describe. It is something you have to experience for it is not verbose, it is not obvious, it is subtle but oh so powerful.
You can find it at Tuskegee in a touch, a look, a gesture. Serving humanity is 10 year-old Jackline teaching 5 year-old Ruth how to spell a word; it is 2 year old Tracy getting a chair for her classmate to sit on; it is Sir Nicholas staying after 5:00 p.m. to help 3rd grade students with their homework; it is a determined Portia who scrubs a plastic chair until it is whiter than snow as she announces that her work supports the phrase: ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness.’ It is Madam Fausty feeding and caring for each student like they were her own.
Everywhere I turn, I see examples of humanity. None of it is done for show, compliments, or ulterior motives. I believe it is part of the Tuskegee students DNA. They are thoughtful, helpful, and generous with everything, even the little bit of food they have.
They are the best at smiling from the heart. They are uplifting with their infectious laughs and the watchful way they care for each other. They truly epitomize their motto: We Serve Humanity. They are a true blessing to anyone privileged to be in their presence.
