I have succumbed to eating Nestle products after a life time of boycotting their brand. Since arriving in Africa, I have found it to difficult to avoid the Nestle logo. From milk to drinks their bold, blue label is easy to see. Not only are their products on every shelf, but many billboards advertising their ‘nutritious’ and ‘delicious’ products dominate the skyline.
My reason for boycotting? Because of Nestlé’s irresponsible marketing of baby milk products in the developing world. Where water is unsafe a bottle-fed child is up to 25 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhea than a breastfed child (www.babymilkaction.org). An estimated 1.5million (WHO) infants die around the world every year because they are simply not breastfed. Nestle’s aggressive marketing encourages mothers that baby milk is best, causing many infant deaths.
I suppose your thinking, so why boycott? What’s that going to achieve? And when I was younger, feeling deprived that I didn’t get KitKats in my lunchbox, I asked the very same question…
A silent boycott probably won’t achieve very much. However if we put pressure on corporate companies that are abusing their power and encourage others to do the same then change can happen.
Take action today and join the boycott: www.babymilkaction.org
Trip stats so far
Number of marriage proposals: 17
Number of mosquito bits: 21
Number of children offered to me to take home:3
Number of photographs taken:454
Number of birthdays celebrated: 3
Number of regions traveled to: 4
Number of mosquito bits: 21
Number of children offered to me to take home:3
Number of photographs taken:454
Number of birthdays celebrated: 3
Number of regions traveled to: 4
Baking birthday cakes
So far we have celebrated 3birthdays in the group already. This week it was Shana's 20th birthday so I decided to bake her a birthday cake. At home this usually involves dashing round tescos, quickly stirring the ingredients and relaxing infront of the tv while it bakes. However in Ghana, this is a little more taxing. First I visited the food market in Kumasi, I was greeted by some very friendly women pointing out the stores I should visit. After an hour walking around the market I finally had all the ingredients; flour, sugar, margarine, nutmeg, eggs and chocolate!
I had asked my Ghanaian mother and sister for help with baking the cake, I suggested cooking the cake the night before but they insisted that it would be better fresh so I woke up early. First we had to beat the sugar and margarine together until all the grains are smoothly beaten - taking nearly 2hours! We then mixed the eggs and stirred it in with the rest of the ingredients. After another half hour stirring we finally greased the heart shaped tins and poured in the mixture. Thinking the job was nearly over we then had to waft the fire while the cake cooked - for another hour! So 3hours later, we finally had 2 heart shaped cakes with chocolate chunks and a birthday candle. The next task was carrying it over to Shana's house, this was quite challenging as the heavy rain had made the ground wet. When I finally arrived the group sang happy birthday in the dark (yet another electricity cut) and then ate the cake!
I had asked my Ghanaian mother and sister for help with baking the cake, I suggested cooking the cake the night before but they insisted that it would be better fresh so I woke up early. First we had to beat the sugar and margarine together until all the grains are smoothly beaten - taking nearly 2hours! We then mixed the eggs and stirred it in with the rest of the ingredients. After another half hour stirring we finally greased the heart shaped tins and poured in the mixture. Thinking the job was nearly over we then had to waft the fire while the cake cooked - for another hour! So 3hours later, we finally had 2 heart shaped cakes with chocolate chunks and a birthday candle. The next task was carrying it over to Shana's house, this was quite challenging as the heavy rain had made the ground wet. When I finally arrived the group sang happy birthday in the dark (yet another electricity cut) and then ate the cake!
Unable to make it stop, unable to protect her
Our day started with a blow. We turned up early to the building site and as we waited for the tools to arrive we caught up with the latest news. As we chatted about people's weekends, I heard a scream from behind. I quickly turned to see a man hit a school girl to the ground. She yelled and called out in Twi. We couldn't understand her screams as the man continued to beat her. Then silence. He opened the large metal gates to his home and pushed her through. I thought it was over but the worse was yet to come. Standing several yards away on the building site we could hear his belt hit her soft skin. I couldn't bare to listen, some said it's their culture. But it wasn't a culture I was used to and asked Ata, one of the village elders, to do something. He could see the group was mortified by what they were witnessing. I pleaded with him to do something, I said 'either you do something or I will' and he knodded and said this is child abuse and walked towards the gate. I couldn't bare to listen anymore, I felt physically sick as I could still hear the girl crying out. I didn't want to cry infront of the group but I couldn't stop the tears run so I quickly walked to behind the female toilet walls and broke down. I felt completely helpless. A few yards away was a girl being continually beaten and I stood on the otherside helpless. Unable to make it stop, unable to protect her. I later returned to the group to find out that Ata hadn't stopped the man, once he found out that the girl had stolen money he commented that she deserved it.
Why in a world of plenty, are people dying from hunger?
Since a young age, I've know that poverty existed. My mum would be the first to remind me of starving children in Africa when I didn't want to eat my veg! At school we would learn about different countries and I would feel sorry for the poor children who couldn't go to school but I never felt empowered to do anything. I remember my old RE teacher would say the poor will always be with us, and I think I just excepted it. Then the Make Poverty History campaign was launched in 2005 and everything changed. Poverty was placed on my doorstep, it became personal to me. Through organisations like Christian Aid and CAFOD, I felt empowered to do something about it. So I got involved; signed postcards, lobbied MPs, organised and attended protests. I was 16 at the time and slightly naive to think we could Make Poverty History in a year but nevertheless the campaign stirred me to act. Since living here in Ghana, I've had moments where I do feel sorry. I walked through a shanty town and encountered people who could barely afford to live and sympathy was my instinct reaction. Then anger. Why in a world of plenty, are people dying from hunger? Why do I have so much but thousands more have so little? Out here I sometimes feel a little helpless, that poverty surrounds me here yet all we're doing is building some toilets and doing a little teaching. However I know that this is just the beginning and that are real work is to be done back home. To engage young people in development issues and campaign to Make Poverty History. It's not about charity, it's not about sympathy, it's about justice. Ghana is a country rich in resources, many of the chocolate you eat will have come from here. You may pay 40p for the enjoyment yet the people who slaved away in the cocoa plantations only receive a very small fraction (unless you buy fair-trade of course!) We must challenge and change the systems that keep people poor. Please take action today and make change happen: www.christianaid.org.uk/actnow
Happy snaps:)
Today the photography group received their first prints and they were brilliant! Well some were wonky with fingers in front and peoples heads missing however the majority we're in focus with a subject focus. The excitement from the children we're contagious as they all opened their individual packets of photos. Eight year old Vivienne rushed to show her photos to her mum with pride while the others rushed to see every photo they had taken. Many of the other children from the village came to ask where their photos were? We have kept a few of the special photos in a group book and hope to host our very own photo exhibition here in Achiase. Public space is limited though so I'm hoping that once we finish the toilets we will be able to use the reception are for our exhibition. In our last session, I taught them how to use the timer button on the camera. They were surprised by the function and got very excited when they realised they could do self portraits. I can't wait to see the pictures!
Transport tales
I have a reputation in my group for being the one to organize weekend trips away with my trusty (falling apart) guide book! I’d noticed in the transport section that trains ran between Kumasi to Takoradi, so I decided the Western Region would be our destination. I was excited about traveling on a train across Ghana and on Friday morning we set out to the train station. We arrived in Kumasi and a very friendly gentleman led us to the station. I was a little surprised that our route to the train station was walking on rusty old train tracks with people selling various items along the side. However I assumed these must be old tracks and we marched on. We finally arrived at the train station where many people stood, so I was hopeful that a train would be coming soon. However when we asked the train guard he laughed and said no trains have ran in the last year and from the look of the train tracks no trains will be running anytime soon. So we jumped into a posh trotro and headed to Takoradi. Sarah was talking to a very friendly gentleman who smiled when she said we had been planning to travel by train, his response ‘Ghanaians wouldn’t even travel on those trains if they were free!’
Once we arrived in Takoradi, we caught a rickety old trotro to ‘The Green Turtle Lodge’ where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner and night on the beach. The eco lodge was beautiful; we were able to camp on a stunning white sandy beach with an outdoor shower looking out to the sea. I enjoyed a beautiful walk along the beach and a dip in the sea before breakfast. On Saturday we traveled further into the region, we we’re kindly given a lift to the bus station in a 4x4. There were a few too many people to seats, but the driver calmly suggested the roof and we jumped at the opportunity, So Karem, Sarah and I climbed up onto the rickety roof and watched the beautiful scenery pass us by. It was brilliant! Although Karem questioned whether our insurance policy would cover us and how would we explain it to our parents if anything happened!?
Our next form of random transport was a small canoe, we questioned whether all six of us and our luggage would fit, however the boatman calmed our fears and we all piled on. The canoe journey was stunning, we passed through two jungles and out onto a vast black lake. Our final stop was a stilt village built on the lake, which we explored.
I’d noticed in my guide book a desert of the coast of Ghana, where tourists are allowed to camp. So we decided our final night would be spent on the desert island, half our group backed out but Karem, Ifsa and I decided to face our fears and board a very old fishing boat which would take us to the Nunu Busua Island. Ifsa and I clutched each others hands as we boarded into the boat and headed out onto the rough sea. Waves continually rocked out boat, up and down but we made it to the small Island. With no tents, no sleeping bags and no mobiles working we stayed on the Island. We enjoyed banana pancakes as we watched the sunset over the main land. It was a cold night, however I did manage to sleep for 7hours! Unfortunately Karem didn’t and spent the whole night worrying about the heavy clouds lurking above us!
Once we arrived in Takoradi, we caught a rickety old trotro to ‘The Green Turtle Lodge’ where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner and night on the beach. The eco lodge was beautiful; we were able to camp on a stunning white sandy beach with an outdoor shower looking out to the sea. I enjoyed a beautiful walk along the beach and a dip in the sea before breakfast. On Saturday we traveled further into the region, we we’re kindly given a lift to the bus station in a 4x4. There were a few too many people to seats, but the driver calmly suggested the roof and we jumped at the opportunity, So Karem, Sarah and I climbed up onto the rickety roof and watched the beautiful scenery pass us by. It was brilliant! Although Karem questioned whether our insurance policy would cover us and how would we explain it to our parents if anything happened!?
Our next form of random transport was a small canoe, we questioned whether all six of us and our luggage would fit, however the boatman calmed our fears and we all piled on. The canoe journey was stunning, we passed through two jungles and out onto a vast black lake. Our final stop was a stilt village built on the lake, which we explored.
I’d noticed in my guide book a desert of the coast of Ghana, where tourists are allowed to camp. So we decided our final night would be spent on the desert island, half our group backed out but Karem, Ifsa and I decided to face our fears and board a very old fishing boat which would take us to the Nunu Busua Island. Ifsa and I clutched each others hands as we boarded into the boat and headed out onto the rough sea. Waves continually rocked out boat, up and down but we made it to the small Island. With no tents, no sleeping bags and no mobiles working we stayed on the Island. We enjoyed banana pancakes as we watched the sunset over the main land. It was a cold night, however I did manage to sleep for 7hours! Unfortunately Karem didn’t and spent the whole night worrying about the heavy clouds lurking above us!
Children and the hierarchy of age
Since arriving here in Achiase, Ghana we have entertained local children with our funny accents and pale skin. Every morning children run to greet us as we walk to work and in the evenings they enjoy hanging out with us in the village centre. At times it can be quite intense, when children fight to hold your hand or stroke your strange soft hair. However most of the time it is fantastic to be in their company, listening to how much they enjoy school and watching how they take care of one another. It is clear to see the hierarchy of age here in Ghana. Not only is great respect paid to your elders but children differentiate between themselves. The older children take care of their young siblings as if they were their own child and enjoy exerting authority over them. Being the youngest in my family, I empathise with the smaller children who begrudgingly obey their older siblings (although I was never that obedient!).
As I was walking to the boy’s house to play scrabble, I encountered the most beautiful baby. She was smiling and giggling as her mother cradled her. I couldn’t help but stare. Her mother noticed me watching and engaged me in a small conversation in Twi. She passed baby Beatrice over to me and I enjoyed a cuddle as the baby happily gurgled. The mother then said I could take her, I thought she was joking so made a quick remark about not being able to fit her in my suitcase back to England. But she was serious.
As I was walking to the boy’s house to play scrabble, I encountered the most beautiful baby. She was smiling and giggling as her mother cradled her. I couldn’t help but stare. Her mother noticed me watching and engaged me in a small conversation in Twi. She passed baby Beatrice over to me and I enjoyed a cuddle as the baby happily gurgled. The mother then said I could take her, I thought she was joking so made a quick remark about not being able to fit her in my suitcase back to England. But she was serious.
Something special
Wow! I've just had an amazing weekend. On Friday we packed our bags and headed off to the trotro stop. The guide book said the public transport to Nkoranza was from the racecourse. I was expecting to see an old dirt race track and maybe a few stables. I definitely wasn't expecting to see a sprawling shantytown built upon an old race track. After a half hour walk we arrived at a small hut with a sign to Nkoranza and bought our tickets. We showed how british we were when we asked 'What time does the trotro leave?'. They laughed and replied when it's full!
So after a cramped 2hour journey we arrived in Nkoranza and travelled to our guest house. We stayed in a truly amazing place, called the 'Hand in Hand' community. After arriving a little late they showed us to our stone huts with outside showers. On our way to dinner we met Bob who lives in the community. His wife Ineke, a dutch doctor, set up the community to care for mentally handicapped children and adults in Ghana. Bob spoke with pride of his remarkable wife's achievements, Ineke who helped set up Health Insurance in Ghana and last week was honoured by the president. Bob invited us into their home where he showed us his extensive book collection, he is a man who loves knowledge. It was a pleasure to spend time with Bob over the weekend, he spoke with passion as he described the life 'Hand in Hand' community has created for many children who were often abandoned by their parents.
As we ate breakfast, we were joined by Emanuella - a beautiful little girl. Who was rejected by her mother at Christmas after being born with no limbs. She smiled while Bob sang old love songs to her. He described the night Emanuella had arrived into their community after her mother had threatened to abandon her in the bushes.
On Saturday, we visited a monkey sanctuary and in the afternoon we relaxed at a beautiful waterfall. Standing under the waterfall was a gorgeous way to cool down from the hot african heat.
So after a cramped 2hour journey we arrived in Nkoranza and travelled to our guest house. We stayed in a truly amazing place, called the 'Hand in Hand' community. After arriving a little late they showed us to our stone huts with outside showers. On our way to dinner we met Bob who lives in the community. His wife Ineke, a dutch doctor, set up the community to care for mentally handicapped children and adults in Ghana. Bob spoke with pride of his remarkable wife's achievements, Ineke who helped set up Health Insurance in Ghana and last week was honoured by the president. Bob invited us into their home where he showed us his extensive book collection, he is a man who loves knowledge. It was a pleasure to spend time with Bob over the weekend, he spoke with passion as he described the life 'Hand in Hand' community has created for many children who were often abandoned by their parents.
As we ate breakfast, we were joined by Emanuella - a beautiful little girl. Who was rejected by her mother at Christmas after being born with no limbs. She smiled while Bob sang old love songs to her. He described the night Emanuella had arrived into their community after her mother had threatened to abandon her in the bushes.
On Saturday, we visited a monkey sanctuary and in the afternoon we relaxed at a beautiful waterfall. Standing under the waterfall was a gorgeous way to cool down from the hot african heat.
With the highs comes some lows
I dithered about uploading this blog. Those of you who know me well, know I hate to complain. But I thought I should include some of the lows as well as the highs - so here it is.
I'm fed up, tired and dirty. I could do with a wash but instead I've decided to write. Today was really tough, we started with a team meeting to review the past few weeks. I took the role as minute writer and quickly discovered how difficult it is when there are several people talking at once! The final item on the agenda was 'group dynamics', I think the meeting showed how bad our team dynamics are. There was many conversations happening at the same time, while others listened to music and played games. I felt like I was back at high school. The topic of group dynamics created a tense and upsetting environment. From early in the trip our team split into smaller groups. Which is expected as a team of 15 but I think we've come to a stage, 4 weeks into the trip, where we want to unite but are struggling to accept one another's differences. So after an aggravating hour meeting, I stared to dig. A great method of releasing anger, even though my blistered hands my disagree! We're currently digging a huge hole for a septic tank.
Any way, that's my rant over. I'm hoping now we have all aired are views we can start to move on and work on team moral. Although I am really excited about escaping this weekend. Going to explore the Brong-Ahafo region with a few fabulous people!
I'm fed up, tired and dirty. I could do with a wash but instead I've decided to write. Today was really tough, we started with a team meeting to review the past few weeks. I took the role as minute writer and quickly discovered how difficult it is when there are several people talking at once! The final item on the agenda was 'group dynamics', I think the meeting showed how bad our team dynamics are. There was many conversations happening at the same time, while others listened to music and played games. I felt like I was back at high school. The topic of group dynamics created a tense and upsetting environment. From early in the trip our team split into smaller groups. Which is expected as a team of 15 but I think we've come to a stage, 4 weeks into the trip, where we want to unite but are struggling to accept one another's differences. So after an aggravating hour meeting, I stared to dig. A great method of releasing anger, even though my blistered hands my disagree! We're currently digging a huge hole for a septic tank.
Any way, that's my rant over. I'm hoping now we have all aired are views we can start to move on and work on team moral. Although I am really excited about escaping this weekend. Going to explore the Brong-Ahafo region with a few fabulous people!
Religion
One of the first things I noticed when arriving in Ghana was how commercially Christianity is used. It's everywhere! Clap for Jesus slogans cover the back of taxi windows, shop names range from 'God's time beauty' to 'The lord's fashion' and churches dominate the skyline. Religion is a live in Ghana and within our group. I've really enjoyed getting to know the rest of the team here in Achiase and it's been fascinating to learn about one another's beliefs. On Friday I felt honoured to be invited to the Mosque where Karem and Ifsa pray. I rushed through the village as I heard the prayer call from the loud speakers. As I approached the mosque, I covered my hair with a scarf and peaked in through the doors. I could see Karem at the front calling people to prayer but was unable to see Ifsa. So I started to turn away, as I did a few of the children called me back and invited me to sit at the back with them. I felt more comfortable with the children who showed me where to sit. The sermon was spoken in Twi so I was only able to identify a few words - 'Obama' and 'nation' particularly.
On Sunday I was invited to my Ghanaian mother May's Methodist Church. May takes a very active role in the church, particularly the Women's Fellowship. As she was helping to lead worship she introduced me to the choir and handed me a hymn book. The songs were lively (and thankfully in English) with lots of dancing and praising God. As I spoke to some of the members of the church you could tell they were happy to be there and happy to praise God. As I was unable to understand the service in Twi it was a little surprising when everyone looked at me and i was taken to the front of the church! I was asked to say a few words about our mission here in Achiase and the congregation prayed for us all here. However I did struggled a little to stay as lively as the congregation for the full 3hours, as I'm used to Mass back home lasting just 30minutes!
On Sunday I was invited to my Ghanaian mother May's Methodist Church. May takes a very active role in the church, particularly the Women's Fellowship. As she was helping to lead worship she introduced me to the choir and handed me a hymn book. The songs were lively (and thankfully in English) with lots of dancing and praising God. As I spoke to some of the members of the church you could tell they were happy to be there and happy to praise God. As I was unable to understand the service in Twi it was a little surprising when everyone looked at me and i was taken to the front of the church! I was asked to say a few words about our mission here in Achiase and the congregation prayed for us all here. However I did struggled a little to stay as lively as the congregation for the full 3hours, as I'm used to Mass back home lasting just 30minutes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
