Settling into my new home

Tuesday, October 4, 2005:

Nearly two years from the idea of teaching in Africa, I am at my post in Bechem. With a bit of luck I will be able to post pictures of my self-contained room in the Principal’s bungalow. Experienced my first rain storm here, the heavens open up and the rain comes down in torrents. Of course when it crashes on the tin roof the roar of it all fills your being.
Today began with a private mass for me in the Rev. Father Matthew’s bungalow at 7:30AM welcoming me and blessing me for the commitment I have made to assist teachers. I then awaited the 10 AM staff meeting which did not start until 10:20AM. During this meeting, staff came in and the Principal and two Vice Principals worked through their agenda sharing examination results which were read orally as copying is at a premium here. I was then introduced and I gave a quick introductory speech which I include here:
Yaa Nua (a brotherly/sisterly greeting), I am honored to be in your presence and to be the recipient of your gracious hospitality. I am your sister from America. a humble volunteer, here to work with you under the light of our Lord’s spirit and with his guidance. We are colleagues called together by God to develop teacher training practices. Ghana’s children are specially blessed to have people like you training their teachers. Teaching is a challenge, but like our Lord has taught us, through patience, hope and determination we will be able to make positive changes. Your role is extremely important, preparing future teachers. Let us work together this year as brothers and sisters to make our work together effective and long lasting.
As I finished speaking the room full of Tutors started calling out "Akwaaba (you are welcome) and all applauded. I will take that as a favorable beginning. The building I have for the Teacher Resource Center is a cement building with roll out windows and 3 ceiling fans (Thank Heaven!).Many materials are already there but they have been stored and or piled into a back room. I am looking forward to working with my LINK Tutor tomorrow to develop a floor plan and room set up. We hope to draw it up so that next year when they take over the running of the Teacher Resource Center it will be a simpler task. I also received the parcel receipts, the 5 boxes I shipped arrive on the 23rd of September however no one here knew my name yet so were nearly ready to send them back. I will hopefully be able to pick them up tomorrow. I am anxious to get started. We are hosting a series of workshops from the Ghana Education Service in November so I must get the center looking professional by then.
The Principal’s family is warm and has opened their home to me. I am having a hard time adjusting to meal time. People eat individually and in silence when at home. As I was walking back to the office earlier this evening to go visit the Convent and the Pastor in town several neighborhood children called to me and waved. Just after I finished taking my dinner of Jollof rice, chicken and boiled plantains three of those children came by to teach me some Twi. It was really quite entertaining.
One cultural tradition I will take home with me is the way Ghanaians greet and send home their guests. No matter when guests are always welcomes. You greet guests beginning on the right and move clockwise, then you engage in conversation, after you offer them water for water is life! When your guests want to leave they ask your permission to do so and then you walk them out and down the path toward their home. Take time to appreciate the time you share with others, it is a precious time together.