In love with Africa!!

Jet-lag. Pot-hole-riddled roads. Loud, scary noises at night (just a mysterious animal in the ceiling).

Generous smiles & laughter. Little hands to hold. Nighttime lullabies.

This summer, I returned to The Forever Young International School in Twifu-Hemang, Ghana. A huge part of my heart belongs to the students of this remote community. Every moment with them, they inspire me with their determination to do what it takes, and sacrifice, in order to get an education. They wake up early in the morning (4am for some) to do their homework, chores, and get ready before school. The boarders study into the evening, well after classes have ended. The older students take care of the younger ones--acting as surrogate parents.

One young man, Nick, started high school this year, at the age of 25! His parents didn't have the money to send him 10 years earlier, so he worked and saved money. A young girl comes faithfully to school, everyday. She appears sadder than when I first met her two years ago. I find out that her mother died and a family friend now watches over her, but doesn't love her like her mother did. The young man has dreams of becoming a businessman. The girl--a famous actress. :)

Jenn, doing what she does best--loving children!

The school (FYIS) is located in a rural community in the Central Region of Ghana, West Africa. Most of the students wouldn't be able to have access to such a quality school if The Forever Young Foundation (FYF) had not partnered with a Ghanaian man who had a dream to provide a state-of-the-art school to their community. The foundation (FYF) continues to help with the construction of facilities, support in materials and supplies, and by sending experienced educators--led by my dear friend Jenn--to work with the administration and staff at the school. This year, we were able to take over 30 laptops and set up a computer lab, teaching and school supplies to supplement what they already have, medical supplies to replenish their first aid/malaria clinic, and hundreds of books to increase the school library book count to over 2,000, and provide training. While there, we also carried out an in-depth evaluation for the school to help them to identify their strengths and weaknesses so that they can continue to improve their performance.

The school's library after we inventoried and added the donated books.

I want to love the students (which I do) and take care of them all (a little more challenging to do). I want to guarantee that they all have the opportunity to receive a quality education. I am working at doing my part to help more students have access to a continuous education.

If anyone who reads this is interested in funding a partial or full scholarship for one of the students in financial need at FYIS, let me know and I'll help you figure out what to do.

Making fufu while visiting a student's house.

 

 

An outdoor kitchen at one of the students' homes.

Window looking out at Cape Coast Slave Castle.

Senior high school students working in the computer lab.

Love this girl. She was only 2 when I first met her.

During an advanced art class I taught while there.

A school excursion to Elmina Slave Castle.

 

The first aid/malaria clinic...this boy didn't feel well that day.

The Muslim market in Accra, Ghana.

Harvest!

 

These are all photos of vegetables we have harvested from our garden. Heirloom tomatoes are so elegant and dynamic. 

Jed and I have really enjoyed eating from the garden. We've had months of garden fresh salsa, bruschetta, cucumber-tomato-onion salad, and grilled bread with fresh basil, melted cheese, and tomatoes. I'm really loving eating what I've grown. 

At the same time, we've found it challenging to balance the demands of school, work, sleep, and life in general while still visiting our small plot of earth. We only get out there once a week, but the tomatoes keep on growing!

Off to Ghana, West Africa!!

Isaac, but they called him "Obama" because they thought he looked like our president.

Tomorrow I leave for Ghana to volunteer at the Forever Young International School for three weeks. So excited!! I'll be there with two friends: Jenn (the team lead) and Calli (who just finished her masters--congratulations!). In the past we have focused quite a bit on teachers' training--touching on best practices in education.

This year, we hope to spend more time assisting the administration with their goals. Each year we bring over donated reading books for their library, medical supplies for the office (they currently don't have a school nurse), and school supplies (for both students and teachers). The Forever Young Foundation is getting some computers over there for their lab this year. We have also set up a scholarship program to help students who might not be able to finish school. They get help with tuition, lunches, etc. On that note...if you would be interested in donating towards supplies (for next year) or in sponsoring a student, please let me know! I've helped sponsor one boy who's parents were earning about $2.50 a day. Projects we have for the future include setting up a malaria clinic (through grants and donations), getting a vocational program up and running, and expanding the computer lab.

But really, I'm just excited to go over and see old friends and make new ones. The students range from pre-kindergarten all the way through high school. There are roughly 650 students total. I've posted photos from the first year I went, but will definitely share some from these next few weeks! I'm just blessed to have a husband who will support me in this adventure. Love you, Jed!

The American school bus...

Jesussina (right) and friends after school.

Sarah: Me do pa!! (I love you!!)

Dishes for my Brotha

So my brother asked me to make a dinnerware set a little less than a year ago. I finished them about a month ago. And I've just packed them in boxes a minute ago. But before I did, I took pictures. Here they are:

Salad/Soup Bowl

Ceramic Cup and Water Pitcher

Ceramic Pot for Counter

Set of Salad Bowls

Serving Bowl

Stack of Plates

Place Setting

My Signature and Stamp!

I quit!! This is fun!!

Depending on the day, or maybe more accurately, the moment--I have told Jed that I am DONE with this whole farmers market thing or that the adventure is so much fun and I LOVE it! The market day when our Kansas county was on tornado watch and almost no customers came was a little discouraging. But just in the moment that I needed a boost, we had a fun Friday night harvesting and Saturday morning talking to people stopping by our booth.

I've found myself taking a lot of pride in our healthy-looking Russian kale (an heirloom variety) or the rainbow-colored beets we pulled from the ground (also an heirloom). It's fun becoming part of the community of vendors at the market...like Patty who sells amazing goat's-milk soap in the booth next to us (who gave me some ground-up apricot pit to put in my first try at soap-making). Or Becky who makes beautiful pottery (she came to my school and helped me figure out how use the kiln in my classroom last September). And there's the lady who spins her own wool (how cool is that?!!) and the honey-lady, and the Kromers (who are retired military, now growing produce). And I love seeing the plants grow and take on these amazing colors: food is so dynamic! These plants are my babies.

So, I'm learning that just like anything--being a local, market-garden farmer is a lot of work, with its challenges and its joys. And I'm glad we are making the journey...most days.

Clover, Weeding, and the Artistic Curves of Food

Between school winding down and ending this coming week (at the high school where I teach) and moving into town (we still have our garden plot out at Jed's parents' farm), I only made it out to the farm on Saturday. The plants had grown, and the weeds were HUGE!! So I spent 5 hours pulling out unwanted plants and tried my hand at the hoe.

Before...

After weeding (and drip irrigation)...

I didn't know onions could do this!

Jed calculating garden strategies. It's technical.

Tomato Plant

Lettuce Mix

Red Cabbage...look at those colors!

Onion...the lines and curves are gorgeous.

Red Clover

I was just amazed at the colors and textures, and lines and shapes that I saw and wanted to share them with whomever stumbles upon this blog. Nature truly is a masterpiece to behold.