Wednesday, July 11, 2012

mr. counterpart goes to dondometeng


July 11, 2012

We left Anyinasin on Sunday afternoon and headed to a hotel/conference center in Kumasi.  Here in Kumasi is where we would be meeting our counterparts for the first time.  A counterpart is a Ghanaian teacher who teaches as the same school we are assigned to for the next 2 years.  This counterpart is also there to help us integrate into the community and help us with any questions or concerns we may have.  As we were meeting our counterparts, we were simultaneously told our sites.  These sites will be our homes for 2 years.  So we were all beyond anxious.  Here at the conference center, there is a large courtyard.  Peace Corps staff members drew (in chalk) a giant map of Ghana in said courtyard.  They divided the country up into its 10 regions.  I knew I would be going to the Upper West Region, but didn’t know exactly where.  And I also didn’t know my counterpart.  So of course I was anxious.  Mary and Joe B (Peace Corps staff members who are hugely in charge of sites and everything associated with it) would announce the site and region followed by the volunteer.  They came to the announcement in the Upper East Region.  We all knew it was Ethan in the Upper East.  They said “[insert school name here] in the Upper East Region……Jessica Keeton!”  Um….what?!?!?  Everybody was shocked!!!  I was just as shocked and hugged my counterpart with a huge smile on my face.  Then Mary and Joe B said “Just kidding…Ethan!!”  Haha!!! It was soooo funny!!  I wasn’t upset at all!  I got a huge kick out of it.  Anyway, my announcement was next.  “Dondometeng in the Upper West Region….Jessica!”  Ahhh!!! I was pumped!  And I met my counterpart too!  His name is Eric and he’s massive!  Haha!  We have gotten the chance to talk and what not the past few days, and he seems beyond friendly and just ready to help me with any problems I have.  I’m stoked.  I also learned more about my site and house!
Site Info:

I am living in the town Dondometeng (dawn-do-may-tang) in the Nandom district.  It is about as far northwest you can go without leaving Ghana.  It’s crazy!  I am also the first volunteer to come to this specific town, so that’ll be interesting too.  But still, beyond stoked!

Food:

There is a lot of farming in the area.  Eric told me there was tons of rice, yam, beans, chicken, fish, goat, PORK, CATTLE, sheep, eggs, pito (the local liquor), beer, MILK, fruit (from other parts of the country), bread, seasonal potatoes.  And I was also told Dondometeng is the heart of groundnuts.  Which are just like peanuts.  And they’re amazing.  And I’m excited. 

Water:

The main supply of water in the town is via borehole (which comes out of a spicket).  And it’s actually free!  So I can fetch water whenever I want with no concern!

Religion:

The predominant religion in my town is Catholicism.  Weird.  I was expecting it to be Islamic.  But was told there are some Muslims in the town, but mostly Catholics. 

Greenery:

Eric told me there were very few trees, but around the school there are some bushes and smaller plants.

School:

My school is Dondometeng JHS.  I live about 2km from school.  Currently, there is no math teacher.  Eric told me that there was one, but he left to further his education.  So they definitely need me!  The info sheet we got says the school has 130 students.  All of which are girls.  I didn’t ask Eric about that, but figured I would find out more once I got there.  Here is what my school does NOT have:  science lab, art studio, computer lab, library, and electricity.  So it’ll definitely be a challenge, but I’m optimistic.  The school year is split up into 3 terms.  Term 1 is from September to December.  Term 2 is from January to April.  And Term 3 is from May to July.  There is zero school during August.  So plan your trips to visit me accordingly. Haha!

Festivals:

There are 2 main festivals that happen in (or around) my town.  They are both similar in events.  They are the Kakube and Kabine Festival.  They happen in November and October, respectively.  It is mainly to show appreciation to God for good harvest after every farming season.   It lasts 3-4 days and is full of dancing, singing, a xylophone (ha!), and a display of cultural values.  So I’m pretty excited to see what those are all about!

House: 

Last but certainly not least.  My house.  I haven’t seen it yet.  All I am going off of is this info sheet they gave me.  I will be living in a bungalow.  Which could mean anything.  It is a school bungalow.  I have a KVIP toilet.  Which is kind of like an outhouse with a ventilation system.  I was told it’s just like the toilet I have at my homestay.  My bathroom is attached to my house.  Score!!  Source of power, you may ask?  On the sheet, there are 4 options.  Electricity, generator, solar, and lantern.  Can you guess which one is checked?  Yep…lantern!  No electricity for this girl!  Though Eric told me that the wiring is all there, they just need to finish it.  But I’m not getting my hopes up.  Though it would rock my socks off.  Eric also told me that there is internet at a nearby SHS I could use.  So that’ll be nice!!  I have a bed frame, writing table, and a chair.  There are 2 bedrooms, a sitting room, and a kitchen with a “sink”.  This kitchen I believe is just a space for what should be a kitchen.  There is no stove or anything.  The “sink” doesn’t have running water.  So I’m not sure what to expect.  But beyond excited nonetheless!

We leave for our sites tomorrow morning.  Most of us are leaving at 4:30am.  I love roadtrips, so I’m beyond excited.  Eric said we would leave tomorrow and get to site tomorrow.  So it doesn’t seem like it’s going to take us very long to get there.  After our site visit, we leave for job shadowing.  My job shadow is a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer in a town nearby.  I’m going to be staying with him and observing him while he teaches.  I’m really excited (can’t you tell?)  about the next week and a half.  It’s going to be amazing!!  I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to keep everyone updated, but I’ll do my best.  Since my camera is no more, Alex is letting me borrow his video camera.  Not sure if it takes pictures, but I’ll be able to shoot a video of my house and as much of the area as I can without “intruding” or looking like a fool.  Anyway, I should probably start packing (joy!).  Ahh!!  I seriously can’t wait!!

‘nuff said


June 29, 2012

Today was just purely amazing.  It was our last day of practicum, and our collaborating teacher told us that we would teach for about 30 minutes and then spend the rest of the time answering any questions the students had for us.  It was so much fun.  They asked about my family back in America, my pets, where I was from, my last job, etc.  They asked me if I was married.  I said no.  They asked if I had a fiancé.  I said no.  They asked if I was dating.  I said no.  They just couldn’t believe it!!  They were shrieking and laughing at the idea, it was so funny!  One of my classes even asked me for my number.  Ha.  I don’t think so.  But it was still a lot of fun.  One of the girls in Form 1 (about 7th grade equivalent) told me I never taught her class a song.  Oops.  I forgot I had said I would.  After their break, my co-teacher (collaborating teacher) got Forms 1 and 2 together (that’s about 40-45 students) in one room, and I would teach them a song.  I was going to teach them the Hammer Song which was taught to us by Taj, our language coordinator.  After showing them how to do it, they all joined me in singing and doing the dance moves.  It was beyond amazing.  Hearing 40 voices in one echoing room, seeing smiling faces all around.  It gave me chills.  Honestly.  Then we had a photographer come and take pictures of us with all the students and staff members.  It was just such a fun day teaching, and I hope I have so many more days like today.

After we were finished with practicum, we had to meet in Anyinasin to discover what language we get to learn.  Knowing the language would give you a hint on what part of the country you’ll be spending the next 2 years.  I was pretty anxious/nervous/excited.  The verdict?  I am learning Dagaare!  Which is the language spoken in the Upper West Region!  Looks like I’m going to the north!!!  I also learned who would be in my language group.  It is just me and one other person learning Dagaare (Nicole).  Lou is learning a language that is in the northern region, and Ethan is learning one that is in the Upper East.  So it is the four of us in the north.  I’m so excited to get started learning a new language.  In a few weeks, we will (finally) get to see exactly where in the country we will be living.  That’s gonna rock.  But for now, all I know is that I will be in the Upper West region. 

Today is a big day for funerals in Anyinasin.  They pick specific days to hold funerals, and there were 3 that occurred today.  I spent most of my time at the funeral at the house next door.  The person who had passed away did so about a month ago.  So tonight, there is a huge celebration.  We walk in and see chairs spread out all over the indoor courtyard.  There is also an area of the courtyard that is curtained off.  That is where the body will be.  We are kind of just standing around talking (and waiting) when all of a sudden, we see people practically run in carrying something long wrapped in blankets.  Yep.  That’s the body.  We go sit down, and all of a sudden a marching band comes in.  For reals?!  That’s awesome!  They were playing super loud and everyone was dancing.  When the band would take a break, the DJ would play some music over huge speakers playing the loudest music in the town.  It was beyond loud.  We all got up and shook hands with all the people sitting in the front row (the family of the deceased).  They figured that since we were already out of our chairs, we should start dancing too.  It was so much fun.  I felt like a fool, but I didn’t care.  We all looked like fools.  They said the loud music would play until 4am.  During that time, family members would come in and go beyond the curtain and look at the body.  After 4am, the curtain would come down, and friends and neighbors were allowed to look.  Then around 1:30pm, the celebration moves to the cemetery.  Then there is a more formal session that happens on Sunday.  It’s such an interesting process, and it was so cool to get to experience such a celebrated occasion.  I love new cultures.  So much.  Except the music is still blaring and sleep doesn’t seem to be much of an option tonight.  I’m going to put my headphones in tonight, and if that doesn’t help, I have neon green ear plugs I need to test out.  In any case, today has completely reminded me that this is exactly what I was meant to do.  Purely amazing.  ‘Nuff said.

rollercoaster


June 25, 2012

Today was filled with highs and lows. 

High:  I only had to teach one class today.

Low:  That one class was plain awful.  I had 11 kids show up late.  I wasn’t happy.  They have a 15 minute break right before my class, and they all walked in at random times.  I had the same issue last week.  And I scolded them.  This week, I made them all write their names on the board and stand up in the front of class while I scolded them.  During class, everyone was talking more than usual.  They weren’t paying attention, and some were even mocking me.  Joy.  I was teaching about vectors, so I was already struggling (because I don’t seem to remember a damn thing about them).  So this didn’t help.  When I was finally done with my lesson, I told the people who were late to go sit on the floor at the front of the class room.  That part of the floor was covered with chalk, so their clothes were going to get dirty.  I scolded them again.  I asked them “Did I seem very happy today?” and they all replied no.  I asked them what would make me happy and they responded with “Being on time.”  So hopefully tomorrow is a different story.  I didn’t have time to give them homework today, but you better believe they are getting homework tomorrow.  I also need to come up with more punishment ideas for those who don’t listen (i.e. those who don’t be quiet when I tell them).  It was just such a frustrating teaching day, and I felt terrible.  I knew days like this would happen, and that is exactly why we have practicum.  To help prepare us for such occasions at site. 

High:  I was able to go to the internet café again today.  Just relaxing and spending an hour away from everything was great.  Chatting with people definitely helped bring my mood up.  It was great.  But it made me miss everyone even more.  I wonder if I will be able to stay in touch more when I get to site.  We shall see.

Low:  The computer I was on at the internet café didn’t have Microsoft Word installed, so I couldn’t upload my blog.  Which wasn’t a huge deal at all.  I had maybe 2 entries to add since last time. I think I may go to another internet café later this week.  Perhaps Friday.  To celebrate the end of practicum!  Woot!

High:  We get to find out our language assignment on Friday!  Depending on the language, we may have a better idea of where in Ghana we will be living!!!  I am so stoked!!!  I can hardly wait!!!

High:  I finished my lesson plans fairly early tonight.  So I can go to bed early.  Or actually read!!  That’ll be amazing!!

High:  I happily helped my “sisters” finish their homework.  It was just a nice relaxing way to end the night.  I also had Aquia listen to music with me (Ama was already asleep in my room).  After 2 or 3 songs, Aquia fell asleep too.  I woke them up and told them we should all go to bed.  It was so precious. 

It’s amazing.  After such a rough day teaching, I have all sorts of high points that just make my day.  Even through the hard times, it’s important to see the good in things.  Looking at the good parts helps me realize and remember why I am here.  I want more than anything to be able to teach somebody something or help somebody in some way.  I may have done that today, but it didn’t necessarily happen in the classroom.  There are so many other ways that I can help or teach people.  I’m glad my day went the way it did.  It helped me realize this is definitely a hard job.  It helped me remember I have so much support behind the scenes.  It helped me appreciate the small ways I can help people.  Instead of just hoping for a better tomorrow, I hope to learn something tomorrow. 

Anywho, mah-bray-pah (I am very tired).  So may-co-dah (I am going to bed).  Sweet dreams to all and goodnight world.

one large pizza and some water


June 24, 2012

Today was amazing.  It’s Sunday, so we didn’t have practicum or class today (wooooooot!).  Peace Corps organized an excursion day to Boti Falls.  This place has hiking and waterfalls (clearly).  We have to drive about an hour to get there, and we trek down 250 stairs to get to twin waterfalls.  It was gorgeous!  I still don’t have a camera, but I had people take a billion pictures for me (and with me).  We got to explore around the waterfall.  A bunch of us walked along the rocks behind the falls and got an entirely different view.  It was beyond beautiful.  And so peaceful. 

After leaving the falls (and climbing back up those 250 steps), we went on a hike.  It was pretty intense.  Lots of climbing and slipping and sliding and panting.  It was more than exhausting.  But totally worth it.  At one point, Tony (a Ghanaian Peace Corps staff member) yells “This is punishment!!”  It was soooo funny!!  I had to stop walking because I was laughing so hard and I didn’t want to slip and fall!  Anywho, it was so amazing to see all the landscape around us.  Tall trees, dark caves, huge rocks.  It was great.  After the strenuous hike, we ate lunch.  We were promised pizza…and Peace Corps delivered!!  It was an enormous and legit pizza slice with cheese, veggies, and meat.  AMAZING!  I love how we have only been here for 3 weeks, and we were dying for pizza.  It was sooooo deelish!

After lunch, they said we were going to go look at another waterfall.  We get to the site, and do some more hiking.  It’s a smaller (but just as beautiful) waterfall.  We were sitting on rocks just looking at it, when Tony notices it’s starting to sprinkle.  He tells all of us we have to get out of there and head for the bus.  It was such a light rain, all of us are hesitant on leaving.  But being in Ghana for only a few weeks, I’ve noticed these rain storms can get pretty extreme.  Tony knows this too, and screams “Run for your lives!!”  Haha!!  Seriously, that guy cracks me up!!  It was so funny!  We start walking back to the bus, and the rain picks up hardcore.  Alex, Angel and I decide to take cover under a tree until the rain passes.  We see others behind just start running towards the bus, so we do the same.  I brought my umbrella, so I pull it out, and simply walk to the bus.  It rained for a good 30 minutes (at least), and we had to wait for everyone to get back before we left.  Some people had stayed behind closer to the waterfall to wait it out.  We finally headed out, all soaked to the bone.  Despite all the mishaps, it was such a great adventure.  And I think everyone else agreed. 

We get back and all decide to work on lesson plans together at the Golden Spot.  It’s kind of nice having all teachers in this group, because we all have to prepare in the same manner.  So it was really nice having a giant “study group”.  We wrote our lesson plans and drank a few beers (which probably made our lessons more interesting).  It was very relaxing.

I come home and eat dinner, and hang out with Ama and Aquia.  We are kind of just sitting around, so I pull out my mp3 player and have them listen.  Well, I had Ama listen, because Aquia was angry with me at that point (I wouldn’t give her chocolate) and wanted nothing to do with me.  So Ama and I were lying down on the spare bed, sharing my headphones, and listening to music.  After a few songs ended, I looked over at Ama, and her eyes were closed.  How adorable.  She had fallen asleep.  It was so precious.  After a few more songs, I woke the girls up and made them go to bed.  Which is exactly where I am about to go.  It has been such an exhausting and exciting day.  I think I will do as Ama did, and fall asleep while listening to music.  Day-ee-ya!

schooooool’s out….for….today


June 20, 2012

I went to bed super early last night because I was exhausted, so I didn’t blog.  The JHS didn’t have to teach today because the schools were closed due to a Chief Ceremony.  Sooo….I GOT TO SLEEP IN! Until 8 o’clock!  It was glorious!  Anywho, teaching went well yesterday.  On our way to Kukurantumi, I took a taxi with Jim, Sara, and Mandee.  All of a sudden, the taxi hit a bump, I heard a clunk, and then I felt something roll under the cab beneath my feet.  I don’t think that was supposed to happen.  The taxi then had to go up a hill, and the driver pressed on the gas pedal.  Nothing happened.  It made a revving noise, but that was it.  I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.  He got out of the taxi and flagged down an empty cab.  He told us to move to that one and it would take us to where we needed to go.  I don’t know why, but I found the whole situation to be hilarious.  It’s just typical travel in Ghana. 

We all went to The Golden Spot (aka The Spot) which is that bar right by my house.  We stayed for a couple hours and just escaped from the real world.  It definitely helps to have get togethers like that. 

After supper, I sat outside with my two “sisters” and my “grandmother”.  My “grandmother” had me sit right next to her on a bench, and she was teaching me Twi.  Every time I would try to say a word, I would immediately get it wrong, and she would just giggle at me.  It was so cute.  I love her.  I could (sort of) say the words last night, but I don’t remember a thing today.  She said she would teach me again, and this time I would write it all down.

I haven’t done much yet today, but I plan on leaving in about an hour to go observe my fellow volunteers as they teach art.  It’s going to be so cool.  I would love to teach art (if I knew anything about it)!!  It will also be nice to see how different a high school is compared to a junior high school.

It has been nice not to feel rushed this morning.  I woke up.  Ate my breakfast.  Drank two cups of coffee.  Brushed my teeth.  Sat around for a bit.  Went to bath.  And now I am sitting here blogging.  And I still have an hour before I have to be somewhere.  It’s great.  And hopefully after I observe, everyone will want to go to The Spot again.  Fingers crossed! 

If anything exciting happens later today, I will write about it.  Otherwise, ay-cheer-ee yee-bee-she-ya (see you later)!!

madam jessica vs science


June 18, 2012

Whew.  Day one of practicum is done!  I taught 2 classes at Presby Junior High School in Kukurantumi.  Both classes were supposed to be 70 minutes long.  The first class was about simple machines and lasted about 50 minutes.  Oops.  I tried filling the time, and I ended up doing so, but not well.  I definitely made up for it in my second class which was about fish.  Yep.  Fish.  I definitely learned something new about that one.  Both classes got critiqued by Peace Corps staff members.  After my second one, the staff member said “You did exactly what an ideal teacher should do.”  For reals?!  Oh my gosh!!  I was definitely smiling ear to ear when I heard that.  It made me feel so good and confident.  I’m not going to get cocky about it or anything, but hearing those remarks definitely helps my morale and reminds me why I’m here.  It’s great. 

After we got done teaching, a bunch of us went to a bar back in our homestay town.  In fact, this bar is within eyesight of my house.  It’s amazing.  We all grabbed a beer and chatted about our first practicum day, tattoos, tv shows, San Francisco, and everything in between.  It was awesome.  Being able to spend time with our fellow trainees (and actually getting along) definitely helps boosts everybody’s moods.  It’s nice to have time to relax and reflect on our days and our lives.  I get the feeling we will be having beers after practicum every day for the next 2 weeks.  And I am 100% a-okay with that!

We had a small thunderstorm earlier tonight.  I love thunderstorms.  But supposedly storms get pretty bad here.  Luckily, this one was calm.  Once I was done with my bath, my “mother” told me “The rain is coming!”.  It was getting dark and cold really quickly and the wind was starting to blow.  As the rain began to fall, the girls (Ama and Aquia) and I began our homework.  Yay for lesson planning!  I teach 2 classes again tomorrow, but one is 35 minutes instead of 70.  I hope I have enough material for the 70 minutes class.  We shall see, I suppose!  Fingers crossed (I do that a lot, I’ve noticed)! 

It is only 8:47pm, but I am about to head to bed.  I am beyond pooped.  I have to be up at 5:45am to eat breakfast and get ready, so I can be at the taxi station by 6:30am.  Maybe I will take a nap tomorrow.  That would rock my socks off.  For reals.  Anywho, day-ee-ya  and sweet dreams.