Wow, sorry it has been so long since I have posted but I will catch you up quickly on everything I have been doing. Last week, Monday and Thursday I watched cataract surgeries and pterygium surgery also. It is awesome to watch these and also see where all of your donated money is going! The people are so happy after surgery. It is an amazing thing to experience. The other days of the week I spent doing outreaches with the staff. I love the staff here! There is Dr. Kate, Osay ( the driver), Eric( the guy who calls me his girlfriend), Irene(a nurse) and also Everest (the big helper). They are all great people and alot of fun to work with. The outreaches this week were all way far away up in the mountainous jungle areas. Absolutely beautiful drives! I have taken sooo many photos and will be uploading them soon. Then after our long week of work, Matt and I went with Dr. Kate to Mole National Park. We took a charter bus 6 hours up to Tamale, then had a 5 hour van ride to the park. The roads here need some serious work! You can only go about 20 mph in order to not rattle your brain out. They are BUMPY!! So, in Tamale we met up with other volunteers and stayed at their house. We then left in the morning for Mole. We finally made it there and checked into the hotel. Then it was time to go on our safari! It was just like you see on tv. We rode on top of a Jeep and drove around for a good 2 hours looking at animals. We saw alot of antelop, monkeys, baboons, birds, water bucks, and elephants! There are lions and other big cats at the park but they are not often seen so we were not lucky enough to see them. But the elephants were enough! We got off the Jeep and followed them on foot for about 30 minutes just watching them. I got alot of cool pictures of the safari also. Then, after the safari, we went back to the hotel and ordered dinner. I had spaghetti and it was wonderful!! I needed a homey meal. Then we went to our rooms for the night. Our room had no AC and minimal electricity. I ended up taking a bucket shower in the dark. It was definitely an experience. But it worked. Then the next morning we woke up and headed back to Kumasi. The safari was so fun!!
I have had some horrendous bath room experiences but you all probably do not want to hear about them. But last week was a good week! Work about 50 hours total and got a lot done. I am in Kumasi for another week before I head back to Accra. Oh, I am getting a traditional Ghanaian skirt and top made this week. I picked out fabric last week and went to see the tailor. It should be ready in a couple of days so I am very excited to get it! I love all the colorful dresses and skirts the women wear!
That is all for now, I have been having the time of my life (except I miss toilets sooo much). But other than that, everything is wonderful! No bug bites yet! I will post again this week and put up pictures on facebook as well. Miss you all!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Its crazy that my first week has already gone by. I was working with Northwestern Eye Center all last week. I loved all of the staff! There was Seth, who was the driver and also helped at the outreaches by distrubuting the medications and glasses. He is a young guy, about 27 and very shy!. It took him a little while to open up to me but once I got him to all it look was me grinning at him to make him laugh! He was very fun! Then there was Derek who usually helped with the visual acuity and distribution. Derek is also a young guy, 24, who was super chatty and outgoing! Always laughed alot with him, he called me ''happy girl''! Another very nice guy and fun to work with. Then there was Dr. Che who did all the exams. I was in the room watching him a couple times. He is very quite and doesnt chat a whole lot. I didnt get to know him as well as the other two.
On Thursday, after the outreach I had a chance to go to Corle-Bu Teaching Hospital. It is the largest hospital in Ghana. I went there with Seth and Derek. It was not what I exprected at all. It was all open air, with lots of patients lined up in rows in beds with no privacy at all. It was very interesting to see but also gave me the willies a little. After we left there we went back to the Telecenter and I crashed early that night from a long day! Friday was my last outreach day with the NW team and I was sad! I really enjoyed working with them!
Oh! And I cannot forget to tell you all about Sherry! Sherry is a woman who I met on Monday at the outreach. She is a volunteer community coordinator. She was very welcoming to us and let us use her toilet in her house which was very nice. Then she wanted my phone number to keep in touch! She calls me about 4 times a day just to say hi and to see how I am doing. She says she misses me while I am in Kumasi. On Wednesday, my feet were a little swolled from the heat and being on them so much and she was kind enough to rub my feet down! lol I felt like I was getting a pedicure in the US! It was very funny. She also told me that she would give me her daughter because I am a caring person and would be a good mother! Shes just so sweet! Then there is Kingsley, he is a coordinator for NW Clinic. He is very nice as well but I did not get to work much with him. But he calls me a few times a day to see how I am doing and to check up on me! Like I said, all the people here are so loving and love to help in any way! Sherry even offered to do my laundry! But, my time here at the internet cafe is running low, Matt and I are going to find some lunch and grocery store for some water.
Love, Laura
Monday, May 14, 2012
First few days..
Hey all, sorry for the slow posting. The internet in my hotel does not work so well. So I found an internet cafe today! I took a tro tro, which is like a large van, to a stop called the Circle where there are lots of markets and a hige internet cafe. It is quite nice, air conditioning and all!
But let me catch you up...The flights here went smoothly and once we arrived we got picked up by Unite for Sight and they brought us to the hotel. I then met the other volunteers, got my room assignment, then crashed quickly because I was exhausted. The next morning I was up and ready to go around 6:30. And come to find out, my clock was set wrong so it wsa really 4:30 and I had 2 more hours to sleep. haha oopsies. There have been several things like this happen. Its fun getting acquainted to everything. So, I went back to sleep and awoke to a rooster a couple hours later. Keep in mind that this rooster wakes me up every morning! Nicole and I are wanting to kill this thing. We swear it is right outside OUR window. No one elses. But then we ate some breakfast. Ate a piece of toast with peanut butter on it, drank a pouch of water, then headed out to the first outreach. We went to a village about 3 hours away from Accra. It was a nice drive though, interesting to see everything since it was dark when we arrived. Once we made it to the village, we were introduced to the people and they all cheered for us. We then set up the stations and got to work. I was assigned to distributing this day. So I sat and waiting for the patients to see the doctor then they brought their sheet to me which told me what medication to give them or which eye glasses. This was a fun job because the people would get huge grins on their face when the glasses helped them see. They thanked me left and right and it felt good seeing them so happy. They were sooo appreciative. They refer to me as obroni, which means white girl. They all love the fact that someone from the United States came to their country. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, sometimes too helpful. But, one thing that stood out that day was after the outreach we all had to use the bathroom real bad. So, the doctor asked a lady if we could use hers. So we walk into her house and she points us in a direction. I go into this room and see a canal in the middle of the room so I figured this was where I was supposed to go, so I did. Then, the rest of the volunteers go and after the last guy came out he told us all that we peed in the wrong spot and that there was an outhouse in the back. We all we laughing so hard after he told us we peed in this persons house in the wrong place. Oopies! Guess we learned quickly to ask for a toilet not just a bathroom. Then a lady cooked us banku and tilapia. Banku is like a dough made of cassava and plantains mashed together. I gave it a try and did not like it at all. The texture of it was different. And it was very spicy! They love spicy food here. Wish I did more but thats okay, looks like Ill be getting used to it.
Saturday we had the day off and so we decided to hit up the huge central market in Accra. We took a taxi here and once we arrived we were quite overwhelmed. There were people EVERYWHERE! I cant wait to upload pictures so you guys can get an idea of what I mean. We walked around for a good 2 hours and I bought candy and rolls there. It was quite an experience. The people were very friendly and many stopped us to say welcome to Ghana. They are are such nice happy people. Another thing I love about here is no one is n any hurry, time is very relaxed and there is never any rush. Its very nice! So after the market we hit up a chop bar for some lunch. We got chicken and rice, seems like its one of the only things places serve here. It is my goal to find a supermarket within the next few days so I can buy some basic things. I really miss American food and its only been 4 days! haha But anyways, then on Sunday we went to Cape Coast and did the canopy walk in the rainforest. This was awesome! I took so many pictures! Then we went to ate lunch then went to a slave castle. This was very interesting. The tour guide explained everything to us and for not liking history much, I really enjoyed learning about the castle. Then we took the 3 hour ride home from Cape Coast and I had shotgun riding back. It was nice because I could see so much more! I love the long drives because I can see so much of Ghana.
And holy cow, let me mention how hot it is here! Very hot and very humid! Feels great at night thought when the temperature cools down a little and there is a nice breeze.
Today we went on another outreach and this one was alot closer. It was only 20 minutes from our hotel so this was a nice change. We got there and got right to work. We say 150ish people today. Another great day. We were working with a different clinic today so this means new doctors and nurses. The doctor I worked with most was 24 and soo funny!! He kept saying how they needed me to mix up their gene pool here and that I need to marry someone in Ghana. Very interesting. Then towards the end of the day several school kids came by us and were teaching us a dance and they loved us. I gave out my phone number so I know they will be calling soon! haha I think the kids are the best part so far. They love that we are here in their country. They are all so friendly and I seem to be getting soo much attention from these youngins! They are quite fun! We got some pictures with them today and I will put them all up ASAP. I just paid 2 cedis for the internet for an hour, which is like 1 dollar. Very cheap. But my time is about to run out so I will write again when I get the chance. Sorry its so brief but I have done so much and have so little time to type is all, and sorry for all the typos too. I know there are alot! But I will post again very soon hopefully. I love this place and I feel very safe here. I chose the best place to come visit for my first time abroad! :)
Much love,
Laura
But let me catch you up...The flights here went smoothly and once we arrived we got picked up by Unite for Sight and they brought us to the hotel. I then met the other volunteers, got my room assignment, then crashed quickly because I was exhausted. The next morning I was up and ready to go around 6:30. And come to find out, my clock was set wrong so it wsa really 4:30 and I had 2 more hours to sleep. haha oopsies. There have been several things like this happen. Its fun getting acquainted to everything. So, I went back to sleep and awoke to a rooster a couple hours later. Keep in mind that this rooster wakes me up every morning! Nicole and I are wanting to kill this thing. We swear it is right outside OUR window. No one elses. But then we ate some breakfast. Ate a piece of toast with peanut butter on it, drank a pouch of water, then headed out to the first outreach. We went to a village about 3 hours away from Accra. It was a nice drive though, interesting to see everything since it was dark when we arrived. Once we made it to the village, we were introduced to the people and they all cheered for us. We then set up the stations and got to work. I was assigned to distributing this day. So I sat and waiting for the patients to see the doctor then they brought their sheet to me which told me what medication to give them or which eye glasses. This was a fun job because the people would get huge grins on their face when the glasses helped them see. They thanked me left and right and it felt good seeing them so happy. They were sooo appreciative. They refer to me as obroni, which means white girl. They all love the fact that someone from the United States came to their country. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, sometimes too helpful. But, one thing that stood out that day was after the outreach we all had to use the bathroom real bad. So, the doctor asked a lady if we could use hers. So we walk into her house and she points us in a direction. I go into this room and see a canal in the middle of the room so I figured this was where I was supposed to go, so I did. Then, the rest of the volunteers go and after the last guy came out he told us all that we peed in the wrong spot and that there was an outhouse in the back. We all we laughing so hard after he told us we peed in this persons house in the wrong place. Oopies! Guess we learned quickly to ask for a toilet not just a bathroom. Then a lady cooked us banku and tilapia. Banku is like a dough made of cassava and plantains mashed together. I gave it a try and did not like it at all. The texture of it was different. And it was very spicy! They love spicy food here. Wish I did more but thats okay, looks like Ill be getting used to it.
Saturday we had the day off and so we decided to hit up the huge central market in Accra. We took a taxi here and once we arrived we were quite overwhelmed. There were people EVERYWHERE! I cant wait to upload pictures so you guys can get an idea of what I mean. We walked around for a good 2 hours and I bought candy and rolls there. It was quite an experience. The people were very friendly and many stopped us to say welcome to Ghana. They are are such nice happy people. Another thing I love about here is no one is n any hurry, time is very relaxed and there is never any rush. Its very nice! So after the market we hit up a chop bar for some lunch. We got chicken and rice, seems like its one of the only things places serve here. It is my goal to find a supermarket within the next few days so I can buy some basic things. I really miss American food and its only been 4 days! haha But anyways, then on Sunday we went to Cape Coast and did the canopy walk in the rainforest. This was awesome! I took so many pictures! Then we went to ate lunch then went to a slave castle. This was very interesting. The tour guide explained everything to us and for not liking history much, I really enjoyed learning about the castle. Then we took the 3 hour ride home from Cape Coast and I had shotgun riding back. It was nice because I could see so much more! I love the long drives because I can see so much of Ghana.
And holy cow, let me mention how hot it is here! Very hot and very humid! Feels great at night thought when the temperature cools down a little and there is a nice breeze.
Today we went on another outreach and this one was alot closer. It was only 20 minutes from our hotel so this was a nice change. We got there and got right to work. We say 150ish people today. Another great day. We were working with a different clinic today so this means new doctors and nurses. The doctor I worked with most was 24 and soo funny!! He kept saying how they needed me to mix up their gene pool here and that I need to marry someone in Ghana. Very interesting. Then towards the end of the day several school kids came by us and were teaching us a dance and they loved us. I gave out my phone number so I know they will be calling soon! haha I think the kids are the best part so far. They love that we are here in their country. They are all so friendly and I seem to be getting soo much attention from these youngins! They are quite fun! We got some pictures with them today and I will put them all up ASAP. I just paid 2 cedis for the internet for an hour, which is like 1 dollar. Very cheap. But my time is about to run out so I will write again when I get the chance. Sorry its so brief but I have done so much and have so little time to type is all, and sorry for all the typos too. I know there are alot! But I will post again very soon hopefully. I love this place and I feel very safe here. I chose the best place to come visit for my first time abroad! :)
Much love,
Laura
Friday, May 4, 2012
Is this real life?!
So as you all know, I go to EIU. My study abroad coordinator had mentioned to me that there is a girl in grad school at EIU who is from Ghana, and the exact city I will be spending most of my time in. She suggested to me that her and I get in contact and meet up to talk a little before I leave. So that's exactly what happened...
Tonight, we met for dinner and began to talk. The conversation was easy, she spoke English very well. We began talking about what I will be doing while over there and I mentioned one of the eye clinics I will be at, Crystal Eye Clinic. She told me this sounded very familiar and then went on saying that she had been there before. I started thinking to myself, ok..no big deal, she went for an eye exam when she was younger... Then she asked me if Dr. Clarke was still running it. I told her that his name sounded familiar and I looked it up on my phone to clarify...Sure enough he is the main doctor in the area. She then goes, "That's my uncle. Dr. Clarke is my mom's oldest brother." We then take a photo together, and she sends it to her cousin who is also from Ghana but is studying in NY. She told her cousin that she is at dinner with a girl(me) who will be working along side her father back in Ghana. Her cousin sends her father the photo of us and explains whats going on. I cannot wait to meet Dr. Clarke.
At that very moment, I was thinking, this cannot be real. What are the chances that of the 24 million people in Ghana, and the select doctors I will be with, I know one of their nieces, and just had dinner with her on our school's campus. I will be working with her uncle in Ghana in less than a week. How crazy. Once we found out this connection, I felt as though we were destined to meet. We talked and talked for a good 3 hours after. Any worries, doubts, and questions I had, she answered them and reassured me. She told me the things I HAVE to do while there, and she also told me what I need to stay clear of. Having this happen to me tonight made me feel like this is what I am meant to do. I am meant to spend my summer in Ghana helping those who need it. Such a small world. This really makes me realize that the people God puts in my life are all there for a reason. An absolutely amazing feeling.
With this story shared, it's time to go get some more packing done since I leave so soon! I am getting very anxious. Beyond ready for the experience :)
Tonight, we met for dinner and began to talk. The conversation was easy, she spoke English very well. We began talking about what I will be doing while over there and I mentioned one of the eye clinics I will be at, Crystal Eye Clinic. She told me this sounded very familiar and then went on saying that she had been there before. I started thinking to myself, ok..no big deal, she went for an eye exam when she was younger... Then she asked me if Dr. Clarke was still running it. I told her that his name sounded familiar and I looked it up on my phone to clarify...Sure enough he is the main doctor in the area. She then goes, "That's my uncle. Dr. Clarke is my mom's oldest brother." We then take a photo together, and she sends it to her cousin who is also from Ghana but is studying in NY. She told her cousin that she is at dinner with a girl(me) who will be working along side her father back in Ghana. Her cousin sends her father the photo of us and explains whats going on. I cannot wait to meet Dr. Clarke.
At that very moment, I was thinking, this cannot be real. What are the chances that of the 24 million people in Ghana, and the select doctors I will be with, I know one of their nieces, and just had dinner with her on our school's campus. I will be working with her uncle in Ghana in less than a week. How crazy. Once we found out this connection, I felt as though we were destined to meet. We talked and talked for a good 3 hours after. Any worries, doubts, and questions I had, she answered them and reassured me. She told me the things I HAVE to do while there, and she also told me what I need to stay clear of. Having this happen to me tonight made me feel like this is what I am meant to do. I am meant to spend my summer in Ghana helping those who need it. Such a small world. This really makes me realize that the people God puts in my life are all there for a reason. An absolutely amazing feeling.
With this story shared, it's time to go get some more packing done since I leave so soon! I am getting very anxious. Beyond ready for the experience :)
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