We have been in Ghana for almost a month now. We spent the first week outside of Accra at a local university getting oriented and poked with lots of needles. The second week we split up. Jennifer spent a week in Liate-Wote in the Volta Region. She hiked the highest mountain in Ghana overlooking Togo, and saw the highest waterfall in western Africa. Meanwhile, Scott spent a week out side of Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region. He worked with a volunteer involved in cashew farming.
Currently we are staying with a host family in Maase for our language and technical training. Maase is located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Our host family, like every one in Ghana, are extremely nice. Our host mom is named Jennifer, which is kinda ironic and funny. When our host mom introduces us to people they get a kick out of the fact they are both named Jennifer. We have two sisters, Patience and Faustina. They are 26 and 21. Faustina is a teacher and Patience is a hair dresser, although we have only see her do one person's hair. We live in an open style compound with lots goats and chickens running around. There is electricity, but no running water. The food has been interesting to say the least, but its been mostly tasty. The strangest meal so far has been palmnut soup with calf hooves and snails. Snails are considered a delicacy and are the size of your fists. You eat the soup with something called fufu. Fufu is mashed plaintain and cassava. It has a very strange texture, but goes down well with snail.
We found out were we will be stationed for the next 2 years. We will be in a small fishing community called Dipale. It is located north east of Tamale along the White Volta River, in the Northern Region. Scott will be working on establishing beehives for honey production and pollination on mango plantations. He will also be helping to establish a garden at the local school. The garden will be used to incorporate fresh vegetables into the children's diet. Jennifer will be helping establish an indigenous tree nursery for the community. In addition, she will be working with the mango farmers and promoting composting. Our projects are pretty flexible and may change over time. Our house will have no electricity or running water. There is a borehole just outside of the house, so water will not be a problem. We are excited to see what it will be like.
We will be adding lots of pictures soon. Pictures of food for Denise and a picture of the bathing bucket for Mel.
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Your jobs sounds awesome!!! I loved the description of the food!! I read your blog post to Matt and we both laughed a lot and were VERY excited to hear your updates. It sounds like such a wonderful adventure!! Two different experiences you guys are having, and also able to share the same ones too!! Joyous!!! Can't wait to see this fist size snail!!! I've been sharing your stories with strangers!!! XOXOXO!!!!
ReplyDeleteI too would like to see the fist-sized snail! I don't know if I could be brave enough to eat that. You guys are definitely pretty adventurous!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures were great, especially of the waterfall. It looks spectacular.
Maybe tell us what the weather is like? I know I am pretty curious as to the temperatures you're experiencing.
I thought you guys were going to be gone for one year! Was surprised to hear 2! I guess that shows how much I was paying attention!
Things are cruising along here; you have been missing out on all of the buy-outs that are happening with the NRCS. Suffice to say, there may be plenty of spots open for you once y'all come back! :)
Cheers,
Madeleine