My Work

In November I suggested we get a catalog together so the Peace Corps Vol. could order baskets for All Vol - they would be the ones that we knew we would sell then we would bring others to sell for those that still wanted but had not purchased.

Well when I got back from South Africa I lite a small fire and got Nyariga Craft Center get one together.  PC was very sweet and emailed a copy to all the PCV's for me since I do not have everyone's email.

We got about 15 orders but they were not ready when we left for All Vol.  The craft center did a show on Saturday at the Farmers Mgt at the Embassy that I had set up and then came to Bunso where we all were at the college.

Emma made sure she was first in line oh yeah no line just go and grab!!!  Emma is one of my Upper East Children that has moved to Takoradi! 

Emma wants to have this one please BUT please bring to her because she doesn't want to lug around!! My children are all the same!!! Love them all!!!

Sarah is sporting the most popular bag at the show.  I think they lasted maybe 15 minutes and I brought about 10 more down to Accra and they were all gone the same day I was here.  Sarah and her husband Jordan shared the same ex pat until they went back to America.  Fun getting to know my Upper West Children.                                                                                   

Here is Richie from cashew country.  He designed a picnic basket and Tahiru is going to see if he can have it made.  Richie was the hit of the talent show if all my information is right!!! Yes, I went to bed before the end of the show, sorry Richie!!








Since the ordered baskets were not ready I came down to deliver what I could and left the rest at the Accra Rest for them to pick up and pay for when they are in Accra again.  Everyone was so good about being able to pick them up.  The baskets will keep me busy until the end of my service.  They are fun but it is more fun getting pretty things that people love.

Girls Opportunity Camp

 The girls opportunity camp was for middle school girls from around the Upper West Ghana.  They were chosen for being hard working, their attitude in class and their leadership in class.  These girls were so much fun to be with.

On of the fun things we did is teach yoga.  The cook Mama D and the seamtress Ethel decided they would like to join in.  Was so much fun. Lots of laughs and new things for all. 

Here we are practicing our plank.  The girls said it was very hard!!!

Here is Mama Dee and Ethel learning to rest.  The girls loved that the women practiced with us.

 

We took our picture to send in our Thank you notes that we wrote for all the people that donated to have this Camp.

 

Here the girls were waiting to get their certificates.  Big smiles on everyone.

 

Here are some of the PC's that lead the camp.  The lady speaking, Sarah, lead the group and her husband is looking at her-they were so good with the kids and lead by example - like Jordan carrying water on his head to load up the barrels.   

 

This is one of the things that we have done as PCV's that you could see immediate results.  They all finished their draw string bags, the coil pots, and their dream catchers.  When it came time for the quiz on all they had learned about Malaria, HIV/AIDS, raising rabbbits etc. they were quick to answer.  Thanks for letting me be part of this camp.

How we work and play in Nyariga

The winter time things slow down around here except for our farmers.  We are on a dam called Vea and the irrigation is in farm lands just before you get to our junction.  Rice and tomatoes are what are grown – my friend has got her farm up on a pumping system with a generator here in town.  They had to dig down in the hole to get water to pump to the seedlings then the other day I watched them dig it out further so they could get more water.  Hard work but the tomatoes have lasted a whole week in my refrigerator so I am thrilled.  Even in my special bags 3 days is all I get when I buy in the market, guess because of the heat getting to my house.

Paul and Frances play in the area where the seedlings were grown until they were strong enough to go to the fields.  Every night they watered from the bore whole with buckets.  The small boys watched and now they put water in and make mud.  What a deal.

 

This is one of the beautiful Baobab Trees I can see right out my door.  When I came out I saw this young man sitting at the top – Can you see him?  He has a LONG stick in his hand with a nail made into a hook.

Now can you see him.  Well he is the neighborhood “delivery boy”.  He is knocking down as many of the fruit as he can.

He is so high up there I used my telephoto on the highest mark to get his picture while he worked.. Yes like all the kids when he saw the camera he stopped and posed.  I told him no I wanted to see him working.

Here he is with his “catch” of the day.  Grandma (Peter’s Grandma) is dividing it all up for all the neighbors in our area.

The inside comes apart in chalky like pieces that are little sweet and has a seed in it.

The ladies will put in water to dissolve the fruit and strain out the seeds.They make a dish call sagebo similar to tizet. Once it is cooked with flour it make a much more firm “Jell-O” and this is how they will scoop their stew up.  They also can make a porridge out of it.  The take the water they dissolved the fruit in and mix it with oats, or tom brown.  I have tried the tom brown, at training and at an IST, and do not like even when I put sugar in it just not for me.   This porridge is sold on the street in plastic bags.  They tear a hole in it like we do water sachets and drink it most of the time with pano (bread).

 

 

The Grandma, in blue, is Tahiru’s mother and she has gather their

portion of the pods to cook here.

Of course when you play this hard it does not matter if there is food being collected, someone is washing clothes, or cows are getting a drink you sit down in the curve of the trunk of a Baobab Tree and take your nap.  He slept for at least an hour never noticing any of us.   Notice he has on a down like vest – Cold I don’t think so!!!!

Another afternoon in the “hard working” Peace Corps Volunteers day.

Winter time in Nyariga

Yes, it is winter time.  I think it gets down to 88 at night and almost to 100 in the day.  The last week though it is nice in the morning but the weather seems determined to skip right past the rest of Harmattan and get to dry season where we will melt under 110-120 degrees. You guessed it I am trying to figure out how to head out of the Upper East for a small while next Month.

So to help me forget about the temp I take pictures and want to share with you.

 

This wagon is loaded with about 6, 5 gallon plastic cans full of water.  The young girl was sent to fill them up at the bore hole and bring it back.  Since she is older she has enlisted all the kids she can to help her get it back across the main road and up a small incline to her house.  When I bring out the camera there are more kids to volunteer.  Glad I could help!! Brenda in white dress (the one that use to shake she was so scared when she saw me) Peter in blue panties and I am sorry I don’t know the other children’s names.

 

The women in the village are all changing their hair it seems like weekly.  Even the small children have to sit through it.. Here is Amena all ready to go to work with her new hair extensions.

 

Here is the before picture while they are struggling to keep her still.  Not easy on a 2 year old to be so beautiful.

 

Here are my two neighbor children helping their mother put her hair in a pony tail with her extensions.  She is the hairdresser next door and she is working on another lady while the girls do her up.  The girls have gotten pretty good at doing the extension not sure though I would want to sit and have it done.

Found these children on Sunday using the craft center for a jungle gym.  They were having so much fun until I pulled out the camera and then they just wanted their picture taken. 

 

Our Days in Victoria Falls

We went to Zambezi Sun Resort where we were able to not only see lots of wildlife because we were in the National Park but we could walk to Victoria Falls.  We had baboons and monkeys to keep us company while we walked to the falls.

These “warriors” were there to greet us.

The baboon walked by us but was more interested what

he could find on the ground to eat.

We dressed for the “rain” from the falls.  Would have never guessed that the mist would be heavier than anything I have experienced in Ghana.

Robin enjoying a slight mist from the falls.

Yes this is vacation – bottle of wine from Cape Coast, sitting by the pool and a Zebra comes by to make sure you remember where you are.

Mom was so content eating next to our car but her baby was so scared that she finally had to take him to side of road and secure him until we left.  So sweet.

This chair made from beads sat in our hall way at the hotel.  The hours it must have taken to make and it was so beautiful.

Seeing another day end on the beautiful country of South Africa.

Safari First Class at Arathusa Safari Lodge

Headed out for Safari.  Yes it is sprinkling but so cool and wonderful no one really cared.  They gave us poncho’s that were lined so no problems.

One of the beautiful animals we saw was a rhino.  He is so big and awesome.  The horn he has has caused them

so much trouble.  The Chinese will pay for the horn in powder form that is high than the cost of gold.  If I am not

wrong I believe South Africa only has about 800 left since the poachers can’t be stopped.

 

                                                      

 

We had this view from our veranda.  We could sit on our porch and watch the animals come down for a drink.  Such a pleasant way to spend and afternoon.

 

We even could see the hippos playing in the water.  Nothing like nature coming to you and just ignoring you.

 

Does anyone remember “The Elephant Walk”  Well here it is in real life!!

 

Yep even the baby walks wonder if the music is playing in their head?

 

Just wanted us to remember who was the King of the Jungle.  Our guide made mention that Disney did not get many things right in the Lion King.  Don’t want to ruin the magic so that’s all I will say.

 

Sort of the way I felt after our wonderful dinners at the Lodge.

I love watching the animals doing their own thing without even paying attention to the vehicles or us.  There were a few times, like when mom was reminding us that she would take care of her babies even if it meant dealing with us, that reminded you that you were in the wild and there is always danger (maybe the reason for the gun on the top of the car) when you are dealing with wild animals.

The lodge, restaurant and the staff were awesome.  This was all planned through Rhino Tours if anyone is heading to South Africa can’t say enough nice things.

Even more animals!!!

More of the great animals for your enjoyment.  Justin, Sarah, Haley, Lexi, Cole

hope you enjoy all these animals.  Would have loved to have you with me.

 

Mama

watching the other truck and her baby!!

 

Played so hard had to take a nap.

 

Let me take a look and taste of that Boa and see if I

want to eat it now.

 

See the babies following Mama

 

This is taken from our vehicle that is our scout Carl

in the white hat.