Day 1- “what the hell have I received myself into”
I arrived late from the airport after a surprisingly unproblematic flight. I believed I used to be additionally in for an unproblematic drive however I used to be welcomed with the hustle and bustle of Ghana. Evening markets beaming with folks balancing stacks of meals on their head to promote in the course of the street and visitors, loud upbeat music taking part in from gatherings on the road. To not point out the insane driving, I believed I used to be going to die a number of instances in that 2 hour journey having to carry my breath and stress eat plantain chips to get me by means of (I can verify they slap).
Day 2-Cape can’t
After spending the evening alone it got here to the day I might meet the opposite volunteers. An extended harmful drive to cape coast the place they’ve been staying for the previous week. Once I arrived there was no sign, plenty of critters and low morale. There had been battle and division of their group which I had walked into. Dwelling circumstances there weren’t nice and the battles between peoples stomachs and the Ghanaian meals have been ongoing. However I got here in with weetabix, dioralyte and enthusiasm to avoid wasting the group. I discovered all of us received alongside properly and I settled in in a short time embracing the tradition and the conditions we have been in.
Day 3-6 Medical placement
Narcotics nameless programme
All through the week I assisted an habit restoration programme at Ankaful hospital. Assembly many inspiring people sharing their tales and struggles they’ve making an attempt to get sober. The tales shared have been extraordinarily emotional and the lives these folks have lived have been darkish:
A form lady shared her story: she was crushed abused by her husband for 3 years for not with the ability to have kids which is one thing essential in Ghanaian tradition. All she ever wished was to please him and provides him a baby as a result of she beloved him greater than something, she rebelled in opposition to her household for him. So she stole cash from household companies to afford IVF on three events however medical doctors mentioned surgical procedure was her solely choice to have a baby. She stole and saved for the surgical procedure the place they scammed her and gave her a hysterectomy so she may now not have kids. Her husband was satisfied God would discover a approach and reassured her. However nothing labored. he impregnated another person and made his spouse take care of this lady as if she was a nurse. As quickly because the child was born the spouse was given again to her household who she went in opposition to to marry her husband within the first place and stole from and so she was shamed and shunned. She couldn’t take it and ran away strolling the streets and travelling Africa by foot till she was based by a lady. This lady took her in and heard her story and want for assist however additionally launched her to medicine. From then on the labored within the day and received excessive at evening and escalated from hashish to cocaine and ecstasy. However this wasn’t sufficient. She had a burning hatred for males after what her husband did to her and wished revenge. So she joined a gang that trafficked medicine and assassinated males. Particulars weren’t given of what occurred on this gang however she did find yourself in max safety jail for a number of months earlier than being launched again on the streets, then she turned again to medicine. till someday she was injected with one thing on the road and blacked out, then she awoke within the psychiatry rehabilitation ward and has been there since engaged on her restoration. She is now 5 months sober and continues her restoration.
I used to be additionally fortunate sufficient to fulfill Herman Taylor who got here all the way in which from New York to share his restoration story, he was so inspirational and motivated folks to additionally share. To see his story take a look at his e-book “from nothing to nearly one thing”.
One of many purchasers was so grateful he painted some superb items of art work for us after advising him to channel his damaging feelings into one thing constructive comparable to artwork. He was impressed to make a full restoration this time as he had experiences current relapse.
Day 7- Discover
This weekend I went to Accra and visited the black star sq. the place the primary president of Ghana, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, achieved independence for the nation. I additionally visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum to know his historical past.
I additionally went to the artwork centre which was small channels of vivid colored markets promoting something and all the things, right here I used to be bombarded with store keepers to purchase one thing. I needed to be taught to firmly say “ no” in a short time and have the ability to be out and in of the market as quick as I may. All through this week now we have had a Ghanaian assistant known as Albert who now we have made nice associates with and he had by no means been to a cinema earlier than. So we took him to observe “dangerous boys” on the cinema and phrase for phrase he mentioned it was one of the best day of his life and couldn’t cease laughing. Lastly we ended the day with a properly deserved KFC, I’ve heard it tastes so significantly better in Africa than the UK so I’ve been dreaming of it since getting right here. And I can verify it’s considerably higher!
Thats week 1 full, 5 extra to go 🙂
