Edem

This morning, I accidentally slept in a bit.  I woke up with 45 minutes to get ready and pack back up.  So, I get ready and hear a bit of complaining outside my door (which is next to the checkout counter), and had a feeling it may be about me and the room.  (I am aware the Ghanaians are different about time than I am…so I thought, “Uh oh.. what if they feel I have overstayed my welcome?”   Then, the phone in the room rings and the front desk told me that, Edem, my soon-to-be new friend was waiting for me in the lobby.  Soon after I get a knock from one of the employees who tells me that they need the room.  I tell him, “I was told noon and I will be out by then.”  It was like he didn’t understand me completely, and he said he would talk to the front desk.  Then, I was like… “Let me just tell the front desk, myself.”  I stepped out of my room and I talked to the girl at the front desk.  Same sort of deal… and it ended where I said, “Ok.  Just hold on a minute.  I am almost done packing.”  (I wasn’t completely done getting ready either.)  Oh well.  I told Edem I would be right out.  He didn’t smile back.  I got a bit worried that maybe there was cause for concern.

When I came out, Edem came over to help me with my bags.  I told him that before I trust him and go anywhere, we would need to talk outside for a minute.  I just wanted to clarify that everything was ok and that he was not regretting his offer to allow me to stay at his home.  He then smiled and reassured me.  All was well.  I got into the Taxi with him and off we went.  From Legosi south to north.  It was amazing.. like night and day.  I will certainly post pictures as I can.

We went to his home, I settled in and met his two nieces. There is much more to say.  I will say it later.

Thank God for good people

This I mean TRULY.  Thank you thank you thank you God

Last night I was going to go out to this place called something like Shezah Friqu (She’s a freak play on words :)) with my school group.  On Friday nights everyone is tired from working and wants to relax and have a good time.  They have a live band playing and people dance and have a good time.  The place gets packed.  Regardless, everyone else decided to stay at the hotel because they were tired from flying and had to get up at 6am.  I however, was frustrated with my blog pictures not working.  I went in the lobby to grumble to myself as I floundered my way around this new macbook and blog site… (apparently in vain, though last night I thought I had it.)  Regardless, I ended up ended talking to a kind gentleman, Awuku, who talked to me about Ghana and the Kayayei and became Facebook friends with me.  He showed me precious pictures of his wedding.  He has only been married for a few months!  Afterwards, I was reintroduced to the gentleman that drove me to the hotel from the airport with Theo.  Then, after we talked about the fun to be had on Friday night, I finally ended up going out to a place with a new friend, Yusef. I wish I had my camera… but I didn’t.. so no pictures dang it.  It was a nice time though.  Shezah Friqu was closing down, we checked out a few places and settled on this place, I believe it was the Crystal Palm Hotel.  It was a rather nice place with a glass elevator, booming music, and fancy lit bars and pool tables.  The people were dressed to impress and cars of all kinds surrounded the place.  We sat and talked about many interesting subjects.  I was also introduced to this reality show that was on the flat screen tvs.  12 different Africans from 12 different regions, forced to live together and EVERYTHING was shown.  You had to be 18 to watch it.  It was an interesting concept to me, because when the fights would break out, the resolution was also aired… perhaps this can help things to grow towards the better as we witness not only the conflict, but also the resolution and aftermath.

Been trying to post the pictures but I am having some problems hopefully I can get them here soon!

Ghanalove... Every day is a blessing...

On the plane, it was truly interesting to meet Bernard Woma, a Ghanaian who also lives in the US.  He has started his own very successful drumming program and Dagara Drum Center.  You should check out his website http://www.bernardwoma.com if you are interested.  Anyhoo, he has invited me to attend at least a day of this drumming program for a day.  I think I could fit that in.. 70$ for 3 meals, lessons, and a night stay!  This will be next month after all the work and research… to let off steam.

Another man I sat by was George, from Liberia.  He was a very kind and gentle man.  We talked about very simple things… I showed him Sudoku (he didn’t seem to take too much to it lol).  I shared my honeydew with him and he gave me his brownie.  We talked a bit about what I was doing…

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It begins!

On the plane, it was truly interesting to meet Bernard Woma, a Ghanaian who also lives in the US.  He has started his own very successful drumming program and Dagara Drum Center.  You should check out his website http://www.bernardwoma.com if you are interested.  Anyhoo, he has invited me to attend at least a day of this drumming program for a day.  I think I could fit that in.. 70$ for 3 meals, lessons, and a night stay!  This will be next month after all the work and research… to let off steam.

Another man I sat by was George, from Liberia.  He was a very kind and gentle man.  We talked about very simple things… I showed him Sudoku (he didn’t seem to take too much to it lol).  I shared my honeydew with him and he gave me his brownie.  We talked a bit about what I was doing.  It felt good too hear him support the project.  I told him I was, at one point, going to go to Liberia, but it got cancelled by my school after the elections over there got a bit dangerous.  He grew quiet and thoughtful after that.  I felt like maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that… he has many loved ones there.. I hope none of them were hurt.  I also wish I got a picture of him before we parted.  Regardless, we wished each other the best.

I was greeted by Theo and two other people who are associated with a company here that help people to get assimilated.  He had big card with my name on it and greeted me with a big smile.  He also had a temporary phone for me to use out here.  I can text anyone now!  Yay!  Then he brought me to the Miklin Hotel.   On the way, people were literally standing at the intersections and in street selling things from phone cards to sugarcane.  Some of these people had things on their heads (both men and women.)  I saw one woman just standing and talking with a small load on her head like it was nothing.  I was definitely impressed.  (reminds me too that I gotta work on my posture) Just waiting on my colleagues now from UT…  And it’s time to get in touch with some officials.

Much love to you all!…  Here are some pics!  I’ll get better ones…  These aren’t the best cause I’m still trying to find my comfort zone… There were way better photo ops.. but I just don’t want to offend anyone.

 

Kayayei at work.. baby on board.

These young women and girls carry heavy loads upon their heads. The loads can be roughly twice their own bodyweight. They tend to make an average of around 3$/day (after conversion)… barely enough for food.

Hello world!

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at this page….

Although there is a purpose to this trip to Ghana, which is to help add to the voice of the Kayayei (observe picture above) and gain understanding about the human sex trafficking industry,  I humbly present this blog as nothing more than my personal perspective on a place that is completely different from anything that I have ever experienced in my entire life.  Certainly, I am hoping to grow as a person.  There is so much that I am unaware of… All I know is that I want to help.

Yes.  I know this is dangerous.

Regardless, fear has run our lives for far too long.  I would rather die trying to help ease this horrible suffering, rather than moo along in the herd and just keep safe as I do nothing to help this very real, urgent, and disgusting issue.

Ha…  of course.. there is also the very valid point of “Who am I to even be taking on something so big???”  Well, obviously, I am no one particularly special…  no more than anyone else.  Anyone could (and many do) attempt to make a difference in scary, unfamiliar situations… and that is all whatever whatever… no generalizations here.

I just believe we should have evolved more by this point beyond crying over the sorrows of another person with empathy, then turning around and disregarding it later due to fear of what would happen if we actually did something to relieve them of it.  Compassion should motivate us to act…

Compassion based on understanding.  Not assumption.

So anyhoo, I am going to be flying to Accra, Ghana later tonight…  I am terrified to be honest.  Regardless, it is what I have chosen to do and it is for good.  Whatever needs to happen will happen and I trust that the Divine Creator of All Existence (aka: God, Allah, Source, etc.) will guide me to whatever needs to happen.  We have a pretty strong connection.  😉

Thank you again for joining me.  My next blog will prolly have some interesting photos…