Travel Days by Sean – What You Ghana Do About It?
After roughly ten months in the waiting, the 30th June was finally here and the atmosphere was exciting and anxious. Once the first flight to Lisbon was out of the way, we knew the long haul to Accra would be manageable without any iPods, phones, music or movies. It was tough and felt much longer than six hours! However we were lucky enough to fly pass a massive storm cloud that kept flashing with thunder, which caught the attention of everyone. Landing in Ghana was what we had all been waiting for and no one knew what to expect but we were safely met by William the driver, and Robert, our Partner Ghana staff.
We arrived at our hotel after loading the bus with a number of keen Ghanaian helpers!
We set of early next morning for Brenu in our trusty bus. The road was long and we got to really experience Africa watching thriving local markets all along the side of the road. We stopped for a fantastic breakfast in a lovely desolate restaurant where we were treated like Kings and Queens. We devoured eggs, toast, tea, coffee, pineapple juice, sausages and baked beans. Everyone was in a good mood for the rest of the journey. Before arriving in Brenu we stopped at the market in Cape Coast to pick up food. Robert led us crocodile-fashion though a cramped yet extraordinary market, this was truly Africa. The sounds, smells and sights were all totally new, we turned heads at every corner as our white faces were fascinating to the locals.
As we arrived at the school children rushed down the hill to greet us and they insisting on carrying our heavy bags on their heads back up the hill – a hill made from clay and sand which is a steep, water eroded rough path. This was quite an amazing achievement for the children. The school is quaint and the views are fantastic overlooking the lagoon towards the sea.
We met some of the community members including the Headteacher Anthony, the link teacher Patrick, who formally welcomed us to Ghana. He also told us that they had specially built three showers for us to use. We got to know the site in a few hours and got stuck into our designated roles. However the locals were keen to do as much as they could to help us set up camp. Dinner was spaghetti bolognaise a little familiar but none the less delicious. We know we are in for some good meals. By 9.00 pm it pitch black and everyone was exhausted. After a few laughs and discussions, including the heavy rain, which has followed us from England, it was time for sleep.
Our first night in Brenu had been amazing and we knew the rest of the trip was going to be incredible
Monday 2nd July by Ben – Bread and the Beast
Today was our first full day in Brenu. As we woke up underneath our mosquito nets, we still could not believe we are here. There was no project today because of the Bank Holiday celebrating Ghanaian independence, also known as Senior Citizens Day – so we were flocked by the locals as the children had no school. We had the opportunity to befriend everyone so as not to stagnate in a pool of suncream and mosquito repellent.
Instead of beginning the project work, the team enjoyed a day of entertaining the children who are adorable, so loving and playful – although in substantially better shape than us fatigued westerners – they were running rings round us. We had met our respective buddies and our gifts were very well received. Robert and some of the other locals brought some African drums and the party was well and truly underway. The children taught us some of their dances, and in return we were doing the Macarena and singing ‘Old McDonald’.
Life around the school is so relaxing, so simplistic yet elegant at the same time. Aside from the odd spider panic (they are monstrous), which has led Sean and myself to form a spider busting team with bamboo sticks and infinite machismo! We took a walk down to the sea front, though the town with our buddies adding another ten or so kids to our exploration party on the way.
On a more serious note we met with the science teacher and Patrick, to discuss the decoration of the Science classrooms. Designs were drawn up by the scientists in the team, lead by Mrs Burnett and Evelyn, our star classroom planner and designer!
I learnt that by befriending the cooks and learning the Fante word for delicious I got substantially more food and in return Sean, Robert and I walked the ladies home in the pitch black with our lethal bamboo swords.