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.