I need to relax (part 1)

Maakye (good morning) everybody,
I've been dodging this update because the last week has been kind of stressful. Last wed., I donated supplies to my class (50 notebooks, 13 dozen pencils, and 4 dozen sharpeners). I wasn't trippin over it because the class really needed it. I took my friend Candace with me so she could see my class again. When we reached the school, I met with the headmaster and told him that I bought some supplies to give to the kids. I let him know that I could only donate so much because I'm still trying to pay school fees back home. He initially seemed happy about. We gave the stuff to the kids and thought we were about to leave. Next, we were told to take pictures donating and distributing the things to the kids. We really didn't go there for that. We tried to get out of it but they kept telling us it was for "records" so people would know we were there. It was a very nice thing to do but it was uncalled for. We just felt like we don't need to have that kind of recognition for something that should be gone. Anywho, I gave the headmaster 80,000 cedis as well. I told him to put it towards one of the school projects.

When we were on the way out, the headmaster said "thanks". Then he said "maybe next time you can donate a lot more" repeatedly. At first this bothered me. Then it pissed me off. I've been coming and volunteering for the past few weeks and trying to put up with some of the ignorant beliefs of the other volunteers while hoping to be productive and all he can say is "I want more next time". That's ridiculous. I've put up with people constantly looking over the "Black American" because they think the white students have all these resources for them. I can't recall a situation where people from organizations here have asked for my help or input without asking a white person first.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sound anti-white, I'm just trying to let people know that the effects of colonialism are very visible. We finished our Twi (language course) last week as well and Candace went off on the class. She told me she told everybody about how they're abusing their time here. I couldn't agree more. I've met people who are doing "development work" and all I've heard from them are complaints about NGOs while they plan for their next trip. God forbid they go out and do something on their own. There are countless places to volunteer here. It's been complete bs. I'm gonna end on that note and calm down for a while.

I'll be back.

Lift Every Voice

Alright folks, I did it. I went to my Societies and Cultures of Africa class today and made an announcement. I took the microphone before my professor got to the room and asked the Ghanaian students about their perceptions of Black Americans. I told them my name and I said that there are many things that we believe about each other that aren't true:

• Africans don't like African-Americans
• African-Am. think they are better than Africans (and Vice Versa)
• Af-Am. are mad at Africans for selling them into slavery

These are just a few things. I asked the class to please let me know what they think. A few students asked for a questionaire and I told them I would make one only if they promise to fill it out. After being a nervous wreck for the rest of class I was relieved because I got a few
responses afterwards.

One student, named Gideon, told me that he thought I was a Ghanaian who just stayed to myself. He said many students probably feel that way. I asked him about the students who speak to my white peers rather than me and he said that they might think of me as a Ghanaian who wants to be white and they take offense. I couldn't understand that because they would have to hear me talk to know if I was Ghanaian or not.

I talked to another student, Eunice, and she told me that she would marry a Black American. She personally feels that many Af-Am. have suffered enough due to their history in America. She understand's that it's a very complex situation and she hopes everything gets better.

I talked to my friend Edwin about it as well. He asked me what Af-Am. are doing about the struggle of Africans and I told him that there are people who support through missionary groups and study abroad programs but I feel that it's hard to get that kind of information to people because we harbor so many misconceptions about Africa. He said he hadn't even heard of Af-Am. who aided in Africa until he saw a special on about Oprah. I had to explain to him that there are Af-Am. who aid in the effort, but at the same time, there is a stuggle going on at home as well. I told him there are many people who "move up and move out". They have no desire to look back; let alone help someone else get ahead. We ran out of time, but I told him we would finish the discussion. I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

School Daze

Monday was my mom's b-day everybody!!! Just thought ya'll should know.

I went back to the Anani International School on tues. The entire community (Nima) was outside watching the children's parade that takes place every year. I found out there are about 20 community schools in Nima alone. Kofi and his brother's own three of them. I wish ya'll could see them because it's such a positive thing. I took Candice with me so she could meet my class and take pictures of the parade. On thursday, I went back and did a lesson with my class. I'm going to try to generate some supplies because I saw this girl sharpening a pencil with a razor. That's bad business. Anywho, I'm loving my class. They just started teaching me french so I can communicate with them better, so we'll see how that works (lol).

Well, I found out if I got one of the research positions I applied for in 2 weeks. Wish me luck. I'm doing ok here, but I'm ready to come home. I'm ready to see everybody and tell them more about my trip. I'm also ready for KU.

Ghana Update

Hey everybody,
I know these entries are few and far between but I'm here to update you on the latest events. I began teaching english last tuesday at the Anani International School. It was unbelievable. I had a great time. One girl, Mia, from my religion class told me about it. She said it would be a great experience and it definitely was. The students were amazing; their ages range from 4-11 i think. Everyone there is taught to speak english and french. I really loved the amount of discipline they showed too. Mia and I went to 3 different classes and taught for the afternoon. The school is located in the middle of a housing division (by that I mean in an alley). It's hard to describe but it's true. I'm having a lot of trouble getting pictures loaded here but when I do, I'll show everybody.

Also, everybody probably knows that I'm hooked on the jazz club "Jazz Tones". They had a Soul Food dinner on tues. to celebrate black history month. Let me tell you what we had:

• Baked Chicken
• Pork Chops
• Talapia
• Ribs
• Cornbread Stuffing
• Ghanaian "Greens"
• Salad
• Rice
• Black-Eyed Peas
• Carrot Cake
• Strawberry Cheesecake

So basically, they had everything I've been missing for the past 2 months. I'll faithfully admit it now that I ate them out of a house and a home(lol). On the real, it was really good.

I went back on wed. for their student night. The NYU students hosted it and they performed poetry and hip-hop. I was feelin it. I'll go back but I don't think I'm gonna perform. I really haven't been feelin it lately. Anyway folks, I've got class in a few so I'll catch up with you all later.