Shopping, Education Minister and Scholarships

Again, at the house with a few of
the kids.

After my visit to the internet cafe on Wednesday I took a walk to the Market and passing by a 'boutique', a top caught my eye.  I'd been thinking of buying a vest type top which would be a bit cooler than my t-shirts and the two vest tops I've brought are now slightly big for me, as well as having thick straps which are leaving big white stripes on my shoulders.  I popped in and was greeted by Matti, a lovely lady with very good selling skills.  After trying on a few tops I bought three for very little of money.  One of the tops is a lovely black and white polka dot halter neck which a few of the women in the house have asked for and laugh saying 'Sam's going bare back!'. lol

Near the market I found a supermarket selling Laughing Cow cheese (the closest I'm going to get to any type of cheese) and Sri Lankan Bourbon biscuits.  The supermarkets are nothing like back home, they're more small local shops with a variety of items stacked neatly on shelves.  I also noted they sold air fresheners which would be handy for my room as it's getting a bit sweaty with very little breeze and fresh air flowing through.  Seems a good idea until I think it may attract even more mozzies which I don't need.

Armed with my poor excuse for cheese and biscuits I picked up some oranges (which are green over here), a pineapple and a few more stories for the kids before jumping on a tro-tro back to Akrofu.  The night was spent reading to the kids and sheltering from the rain.

There was no electric in part of the village Thursday and most of Friday, so lantern and torchlight it was.  Luckily I've brought a wind-up torch which was handy for not eating much dinner after discovering my food consisted of fish head soup.  I'm hoping after saying I can't eat fish heads that they'll not serve it up again.  Fingers crossed.

Kids in their uniforms.

Friday morning Righteous came by to say there were visitors coming to the Primary school .  I went along and sat at the back to discover the visitors would be the Ghana Education Minister, the Ho Education Director and a number of other dignitories.  I felt very scruffy as everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, the Chiefs and entourage under canopies, the school kids in their uniform and also the Scout Commissioner and his pals in theirs.

As usual there was a lot of music, singing and dancing by the kids.  The Scout Commissioner also got up and danced, much to everyone's amusement.  He certainly was a character.

Again African time came into play and the Education Minister et al arrived in their big air-con 4x4s 3 hours late.  I think even the villagers were getting a bit peeved by this time although all was soon forgotten when it was confirmed the Government would help renovate the kindergarten school and provide more resources. Yay!

Along with the various Education ministers there were two guys from the UK fire service helping over here in Accra, looking equally as dressed down as me. lol.

After a libation ceremy performed by one of the Chiefs, an hour was spent with various speakers and applause before the visitors, Chiefs and Elders headed over to inspect the school buildings.  While they were gone music was played again and a few of the women and myself had a bit of a dance under the mango trees.  Again waving hankies in the air and wiggling bottoms.

Mother and kids receiving a
scholarship.

When the Chiefs arrived back some soft drinks were passed around before everyone left and I headed back to the house with a load of kids in tow.  I'd literally sat down for about a minute when Badu came over to say lets go to Abutia where he had some scholarship money to hand over to a mother for one of her kids.  Badu runs the SODECO NGO I work with over here and wanted me to witness where some of the money goes and how it is used.    So off we went as it started to rain.

It took us about 30 mins to get there, where we visited the mother and kids (the father is not 'responsible' as Badu put it, which I took to mean he has nothing to do with the kids or their mother and doesn't help out). 

Scholarships of various amounts are provided mainly for orphanged children or those that have lost one parent.  There are a number of beneficiaries in Accra, here in Akrofu and the surrounding area.  Everything is written down, the beneficiaries have to sign for the money and when it is used to help school fees, uniforms, text books etc, Badu requests school reports to ensure the kids are going to school and doing well.  If after a year it is found the children have not been going to school, are not performing well or the money has been misused, no further help is provided.

Badu and some of the kids with their
gaurdians in Akrofu receiving
scholarships.

When we arrived back in Akrofu, those receiving scholarships here were assembled and the relevant guardian signed for receipt.  Some of the kids are studying at the local private school, 'Liberty Memorial School Complex', where Badu took their fees direct to the Headmaster and collected a receipt.  It was great to see some of the kids benefiting from these scholarships and understand more of how Badu conducts his NGO.  It is also good to see that money I send over here is used appropriately and everything is accountable.  Here's to a continued partnership and hopefully a benefit to many kids. :-)

I know a few of my mates are looking to sponsor some children separately and I am in the process of discussing potential candidates with Badu and the various Headmasters.  I'll contact you directly when decisions have been made, take photos and send all the details to  you.

The electricity returned Friday night.  Yay!  No fish head soup.  Yay!  And more reading with the kids.  Yay!

Saturday morning the J H S Headmaster, Dixon, paid me a fleeting visit as well as Seth Ado,  Badu's brother's, son Maulin.  He'd brought some oranges from his father and greetings from his mum.  We talked about his studies at the Liberty school and how pineapples grow. lol.  A very bright nine year old.

Some of the pupils cutting the grass with
cutlass (machetes).

Yesterday morning there was a staff meeting at the JHS to confirm who is teaching what etc.  I'll be helping out with ICT and Integrated Science.  Lessons were to start today, however it was declared a holiday at the last moment and some of the pupils were called to cut the grass!  So tomorrow will be time to knuckle down.  I've yet to arrange with the Primary Headmaster to sort out what they'd like me the do there.

Sunday morning I noticed two tiny goat kids and their mother.  Soo cute.  You can tell with all the talk about insects and wildlife that I live in an urban area back home. lol.

Nothing from the coughing sheep and I'm wondering whether it has met it's end.  It could be all better and frolicking around with it's mates or continuing peace keeping missions but unfortunately I doubt it.

One spider in my room is getting more courageous and standing like a statue about half a metre from my pillow!  Not good at all.  It's not the biggest I've seen but still.  A quick tap next to it with a long radio aerial and it's off.  Ta-ra, all the best but don't come back and bring your mates with you.  At least it's not the humongous beetle I saw on the outside of the house that looked like it had just stepped out of the Cretaceous period.

ttfn

Sam x