An Unexpected Change

It is strange how you can get an idea into your head and become so set on it, so focused on that particular vision.  In December when I found out about my placement at Theatre for a Change in Accra, Ghana, that is exactly what I did.  I became completely 100% focused on that particular placement.  I became so excited that every day I needed to find out something new about Ghana or Theatre for a Change, I was thirsty for any new piece of information I could get my hands on.  However, Thursday morning my idea of what to expect this summer was shattered.  I received and email informing me that Theatre for a Change has 5 interns from the UK coming during the summer, and as a result they do not have a need for me to go.  Immediately I had that sinking feeling in my stomach, you know the feeling I am talking about.  That feeling of extreme disappointment where the bottom of your stomach drops out, and you feel a little light headed and dizzy.  If you have ever had a moment of disappointment in life, then you know exactly what i am talking about.  I had a few brief moments of disappointment, mixed with fear and anxiety over what I would be doing/where I would now be this this summer.  I allowed myself five minutes to feel panicked, stressed and upset about this unexpected turn of events before shaking some sense into myself.  What is the point of becoming upset over a change that I had no control over? What is the point of worrying about what the future will hold when yet again I have no control over it? I believe that this summer we will all experience a loss of control wherever we end up.  A sense of unpredictability and lack of stability that we are not used to in our North American lives.  We will all have to learn to give up the control we so desire to have and simply take life as it comes at us.  It is useless to sweat the things you cannot control.  So after my five minutes of self indulged freak out panic time, I pulled myself together.  I believe that all things happen for a reason.  If Theatre for a Change was no longer going to happen then there must be a reason for it.  Maybe there was something better for me somewhere in the world.  

Friday morning I received an email from WUSC informing me that the field office in Ghana had 4 possible placements for me.  The are all in the same village and through the same organization, but they are all different in there own respect.  Instead of working with Theatre for a Change this summer, I will not be working with an organization called FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists).  I will be stationed in a small rural village called Fotobi which it 35 km from Accra, 7 km from Nsawam (where there are many hospitals in case I have the privilege to increase my broken bone count), and 5 km from Pokrom where there is a clinic.  I have not received word back on exactly which position I will hold this summer, but I am hoping to be a Project Assistant/English Teacher at a High School.  This position will allow me to work closely with African women to address a number of issues which they feel are important, form wonderful relationships and really learn about the culture and traditions of Ghana.  I am so excited for this new opportunity and I look forward to sharing more information about it as I once again search to find every piece of information related to what my summer will bring.  

This sudden change in placement has given me a taste for the lack of control I will experience this summer.  This change has also showed me that things happen for a reason, and just because one door closes does not mean another will not be opened.  I believe that this placement is better suited for me then my previous placement and I am very excited for the new path it will take me on, and the adventure it will be this summer.  

Ghana Basics

It seems that since I was told about my placement in Ghana I have caught the Ghana bug. However, not only do I seem to have caught it, but my family and many friends have too.  I have been reading many interesting and wonderful things about Ghana and more specifically Accra, the capital city (where I will be living and working).  In order to spread the Ghana bug around even more I am going to share with you some of the interesting things I have learned.

Ghana is one of the most densely populated countries in West Africa with a total population of 23 million.  The capital city of Ghana is Accra.  This city has a population of 1.5 million with approximately 2 million people living in the surrounding metropolitan area.  

The official language of Ghana is English, but there are at least 75 local languages and dialects.  The most widely spoken language is Twi.  When you leave the major cities it is not uncommon to speak one language in a village and then travel 20 minutes down the road and find that the next village speaks an entirely different language.  

Ghana is a relatively stable and prosperous country compared to the countries which surround it and has earned the nickname "Africa for beginners".  I am not all to sure about how prosperous the country truly is though.  In one of my classes that I am taking this term we are learning about structural adjustment programs and the truly devastating effect that they have had on many African countries and specifically in Ghana.  These programs have not only caused wide spread poverty, they have also caused a rise in domestic violence against women.  I do not know as much about these adjustment programs as I would like to and in the near future I will be looking into the topic in more detail.  

Ghana has a diverse mix of people and cultures.  This diverse combination of people mix together to create a cohesive whole.  There is an interesting mix of traditional and modern culture - it is not uncommon to see people in traditional clothing texting on cell phones or see men dressed in business suits who are taking offerings to tribal chiefs. 

Ghana has hundreds of kilometers of coast land that has beautiful beaches, ruined European forts and small fishing villages.  The old European forts provide a haunting reminder of the countries importance as a holding station for African slaves.  

Within Gahna, as in all other countries, certain cities and regions are renowned for different things.  Accra is the commercial and cultural motor of the country.  Kumasi is famous for its crafts.  The Volta region (to the east) has a lot of forests crawling up mountains along the Togo border.  The the North of the country people are able to see many unique animals up close and personal.  

Ghana has a climate that reflects its location near the equator.  It is hot all year round with seasonal rains.  The rainy seasons are from Aril - June and September - October.  The dry seasons are November - March and July - August.  The maximum temperature is around 30 degrees.  This temperature only fluctuates a few degrees throughout the year.  There is always high humidity - about 80% humidity throughout the majority of the year.  The tourist season is from June - August because this coincides with the North American summer holidays.  

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country.  Boxing is a close second for the favorite sport.  Cricket, golf and basketball are also popular.  

Just like there is a diversity in the culture found within Ghana, there is also a diversity in the religious composition of the country.  Churches of every denomination can be found in Ghana.  Christianity was first introduced by European missionaries who were also the first educators in the country.  This created a link between religion and education that lasts to this day.  70% of Ghana is Christian (concentrated in the South of the country), 15% are Muslim (majority to the North), and the rest of the people practice traditional beliefs.  Despite the fact that a lot of people choose to follow Islam or Christianity, most people will retain their traditional beliefs alongside their other beliefs.  This gives rise to an interesting mix of beliefs.  

Food and drinks are very important in Ghana.  A typical meal consists of a starch staple (rice, fufu - mashed plantain or yam, kenkey or banku - fermented maize meal) and it is eaten with a sauce or a stew.  Other menu regulars include fried rice with chicken or vegetables, jollof rice, bean stew with meat of fish, and fried plantains.  Meat is usually chicken, goat or beef.  Grass cutter (a large rodent) is another popular type of meat.  Fish (usually dried or smoked) is a common component to meals - especially in the South because of Ghana's wonderful coast line.  Breakfast is usually iced kenkey - a type of liquid porridge made from fermented maize - served with a hunk of bread.  Another common breakfast is bread and an omelet.  the bread in Ghana is usually soft and white.  Different varieties include sugar bread (very soft and sickly sweet), tea bread (less sweet), milk bread (rich), and cinnamon bread. 

Cheapest food is usually sold in stalls on the street.  You can get a variety of cuisines in restaurants.  Most restaurants have a variety of Ghanian and western foods.  Service is generally very slow wherever you go to eat.  

Cold water in Ghana is sold almost anywhere in plastic sachets or plastic bags.  The water in the plastic sachets is called pure water and has been filtered.  The water in the plastic bags is simply called ice water and is just ordinary water that has not been filtered.  It is a good idea to ensure that you drink pure water when you are in Ghana in order to lower the risk of becoming sick.  

In terms of dangers and annoyances, Accra does not have much crime and is generally a safe place.  It is good to always beware of pickpockets like you should in any other major city in the world.  In Accra one of the most dangerous things you can do is cross the street.  Cars, taxis and tro-tros tend to drive as if they are in race cars.  It is also important to beware of potholes in the road when you step off of a curb.  If you are not careful you can easily twist your ankle! 

This summer I will be in Ghana for two holidays - Africa Day (May 25th) and Republic Day (July 1st).  

Women are generally ok to travel by themselves in Ghana.  There are so many female volunteers, workers, and students in the country that it is not uncommon to see foreign women traveling alone or in groups.  Women in Ghana are less likely to receive aggressive cat calls, but are more likely to be chatted up by young men who have friendly intentions but who are slow to respond to the subtle signs that their attention is unwanted.  

I hope that these little fun facts about Ghana have caught your interest as they did mine!  I will keep you posted as I learn more about Ghana and my placement there this summer.  

Hello Everyone!

Hello everyone! 

My name is Katie and I am currently in my second year of a Peace and Conflict Studies degree at the University of Waterloo.  This year I am also participating in a program called Beyond Borders through St. Jerome's University.  In May I will be leaving for Ghana where I will be living in the capital city of Accra (right on the coast).  In Accra I will be working with a program called Theatre for a change.  It is a program that uses participatory programs to lower HIV/AIDS transmission rates, promote Gender and Sexual rights awareness and lower the poverty rate. I am extremely excited for this experience and cannot wait for May to come.  However, before I can go away there are still many things to do.  This Blog will be a record of my stories and reflection throughout my time leading up to going away, as well as all my new experiences this summer.  I have never kept a blog before, but I feel it will be a very good tool for reflection and also a good way to share my experiences with you.  I hope you enjoy!