So I don't know what happened, but I had posted an update on this thing on Saturday and apparently it didn't take so I'm hoping this one will work.
I know I haven't updated in awhile. In a nutshell, all is well with a few frustrations not dealing with Ghanaian culture, but, er, other things that I cannot really divulge into here since this is a public place to post and certain "negativities" must remain in personal emails or letters, which are coming soon! I promise, letters are coming. Just remember that mail here is extremely SLOW. So be patient. You will get them (for those who provided addresses that is).
These past two weeks have been really productive in terms of doing community outreach in health. Peace Corps is a REALLY good place in making you use the knowledge you have learned in a classroom. I did my SCOP project last week where I had to team up with one other person and do a small project for the community, which includes either building something for them (like a handwashing station) or educating them about a health topic. National Vaccination Week in Ghana occurred last week so I did my project on educating the community about vaccinations and what they were and how important they are. It was a good thing I did this because last Wednesday I volunteered at a hospital for half a day helping administer the Oral Polio Vaccine and Vitamin A supplement to small children. The nurse there giving the measles injections said that a lot of the mothers do not know the importance of vaccinations and just come to get the mosquito nets which the Ghanaian government also distributes during the vaccination week. So now their policy is that the mothers will not get mosquito nets until after their children receive the vaccinations. I was surprised that the mothers have not received any information regarding vaccinations so I think choosing to do my SCOP on vaccinations turned out to be a very good thing and not something that is redundant, which isn't exactly bad either because that is how people seem to learn best here: by repeitition.
I did my SCOP presentation twice: once to the Muslim community and again at the church my family goes to. That is one stark difference about Ghana here. The Muslims and Christians get along very peacefully. There is a high tolerance in this country for not only religion, but also race. Ghanaians are not a hostile group of people at all and are very accepting. It was really funny where one night I went to see my host mother get baptised and in the distance there was a Muslim service going on just a few feet away. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable working with a Muslim community. Apparently, where my site is there will be a good mixture of Muslims, Christians, and Traditionalists. I actually got to attend a Muslim service in the Northern Region about two weeks ago when all of us in our sector went on a 4 day field trip there. The Northern Region is mainly Muslim. It was quite the educational experience and something that I may do again just to learn more about how they practice it here.
We have been doing a lot of practical activities here where we've been going into schools and teaching about health and especially HIV/AIDS. All of it has been excellent experience and really tests your understanding of not only the culture here, but of the health issues themselves. When we teach, we really have to simplify everything and that is where my trop med knowledge really becomes useful. I highly recommend that anyone who does health in Peace Corps to bring along a communicable disease manual with you and any HIV/AIDS notes that you have.
In just two days, I am leaving to visit my site!!! I am so excited! I meet my counterpart (the person in the community I will be working closely with) tomorrow. It will be good to get away and work mainly with Ghanaians for awhile and also practice my language. I have to give MUCH THANKS to CM for the Bob Marley Legend CD. It's kind of off the subject, but that CD has definitely helped me through some rough times here. That is also a must have for anyone who is planning on doing Peace Corps. Really relish the small things to get you through the day. Also, much thanks to KA for the belated b-day present. That really made my day. Packages and letters are always good.
I have been homesick often and the funny thing is that I've been more "New Orleans sick." For some reason, I have been missing that city a lot. Could be because I had a great time there with the food, music, and people. Maybe it really is the food. I love Ghanaian food, but sometimes yams and more yams can be tiring. Plus, their food is very oily here. I have been losing some weight here, though, which is scary. I now need belts for a couple of pairs of pants. They say, though, that during service, most girls do gain, so I'm not that concerned. . .yet. If beignets and muffalettas were packagable for international delivery, by all means SEND SOME MY WAY. My goal, though, is to eat one entire fufu ball and make my host family pancakes before I leave here. Yes, my mission does go beyond health to food. My language teacher was making fun of me the other day because all the Dagaare words I know really well deal with food. I'm like, screw the greetings, I want the food! But I am fast finding out that protocols are very important here and if not followed properly can cause major problems in being accepted into a community.
My host family is also what keeps me going sometimes. I have grown very attached to them and my host mother sometimes reminds me of my own. Mom, if you are reading this, you and my Ghanaian mother will get along very well. She has done things (such as discipline) to her children that remind me of you. Oh! And I found the Dagaare equivalent to "tax preparer:" Lampo kyeera. Pretty darn cool. I also have the cutest 4 year old Ghanaian sister in all of Ghana, I just want to say. I am actually going to try and download pictures today so look out for a link for kodakgallery. You'll know if I was successful or not if you get the link. Also, some Ghanaian children for some reason or another cannot pronounce "Karen" so they call me "Heaven," which I don't mind and I find really funny. If anyone can cheer you up after a long day, it is Ghanaian children. I definitely plan on spending Christmas with my host family.
One more thing before I sign off this thing. I had mentioned this in the blog that did not publish. So I am thinking of pulling a Natalie Portman and shaving my head. Two girls have already done it in my group and I am tempted to do the same since my hair is growing like a weed. It seems that it is very low maintenance and a much cooler (as in temperature) style to have. I may do it at the beginning of next year as I'm not sure my host family would approve, but Ghanaians in general don't seem to have a problem with a bald "obruni" walking around. Obruni means white person, which is not an offensive term here. When people identify you by calling out your ethnicity, it really isn't meant as an offense here as it is in the states. I have been called Chineesee and Chinagirl, but I take it all in stride. I know they don't mean anything by it; they just don't know my name and want to greet me. In any case, bald Karen, good or bad? I'm just curious on opinions.
Alright, my peeps, gotta go. I miss everyone so much and I just want to say that being here makes me appreciate my friends and family so much more. I love you guys and know that I am thinking about everyone very often. I will try and update again after site visit.
Too, te na le poge taa,
Karen
P.S. For those interested in visiting me (and please do!!!) apparently, Northwest and KLM airlines are the best ones to go to for an affordable fare to Ghana. Normally, it costs around 2000 bucks to get here, but those airlines are charging around 1200. FYI. Just let me know!
P.P.S. I got a mobile phone here and receiving phone calls are free for me, so anyone who wants the number (and can afford to call me, I know it is expensive), let me know, and I will send it to you.
