DAY 7, FRIDAY 26TH JUNE 2015
In the morning, the mural was planned in a smaller group depicting both of the logos and flags from both of the schools. The rest of the group painted the classrooms yellow and finished the outside of the school to make sure it had two coats of paint. We then had lunch and afterwards the mural group started painting one of the walls which looked really good. The rest of the group finished painting the classroom and started a second one. Some of our buddies helped us. Then the evening we had dinner and afterwards some of our buddies, the local teachers come down to our camp.
DAY 8, SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 2015
After both a slightly rainy and noisy night, we woke up to prepare for a visit to a cocoa plantation in the countryside nearby. Unfortunately though, it started to rain soon after breakfast – and this wasn’t just a bit of drizzle. When it rains in Ghana, it really rains. As a result, we spent about an hour sitting inside playing chess, reading and watching the massive gutters become small rivers. In the end though, the mini monsoon passed and we were able start the walk out of the village and along a small track. We passed a small space where cocoa beans were dried and then took a look at some of the trees themselves and sampling some of the fruit (which most of us are starting to get into). We also got some information about the cocoa industry in Ghana which is the second biggest in the world. We walked home for lunch and then got ready for a traditional drum and dance session. We all hosted some moves with cultural dance instructor and then moved on to a very enjoyable drumming session. Later, we had dinner and then some of us started singing and dancing before bed.
DAY 9, SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2015
On Sunday, we had a slightly more relaxing day planned with a visit to some of the local churches followed by a short rest at a seaside hotel nearby. There were three churches which we planned to visit in groups – Catholic, Methodist and Muzama Disco Christo Church. I went to the Muzama Disco Christo Church with Mr. Perry, Ed, Emma, Jamie, Emily, Henry, Liberty and Emmanuel, a teacher at Ankaase School. After a slow start, it really started to get lively as the drums, tambourines and vocal chords were brought into action. That was followed by an enjoyable dance around the large cross in the center of the room. The service finished with a few short Bible readings and blessing to say thank you for coming and wishing us a safe journey home. Despite a short rain storm and a couple of chickens, it was a great insight into how religion affects Ghanaian life. At the end of the service, it was time to get straight on the bus and head down to Elmina Bay. There could we have a swim in the pool as well as a buffet lunch. It was nice to have a little break as well as a few running showers and flushing toilets and we all felt refreshed before heading back to our camp. Tomorrow, we hope to finish decorating the school including adding some letters and numbers to the junior block.