This week I have been 'going solo'. Since John and Bev left and the house has become so quiet (aside from my bouts of insane singing only rivalled by that of the Anglican Church opposite), that I decided it was a good time to focus on my work, and attempt to really get stuck in. Well, it was a good idea and all, but with Monday being the day when no one ever really comes into the office, and Tuesday a Public Holiday, my motivation proved pretty futile.

I have to say that by the end of Monday I have never been more on top of my emails in my life, and by close of play Tuesday I was seriously itching for something to do!

Slowly though, things did start to happen. First I got to have a meeting with the Ghana Federation of the Blind group for Bawku West (this area), which allowed me to speak to some of the disabled men who live in Zebilla, and hear from them some of the challenges they face. It is my intention to follow up on some work done by a previous volunteer (Mona Lisa) who did a report on disabilities in this area - its a truly fantastic report, but at serious risk of being left on the shelf for the odd VSO volunteer to leaf through every now and again, so I met with them to discuss what kinds of things I might be able to support them with. It's clear they are a well organised group, with a great leader, but unfortunately the women are not represented at all. They explained that the women's 'wings' of the group do not function well, if at all, and have asked me for some support to attempt to get them on their feet again. One of the biggest barriers is funding - they are entitled to 2% of government funding each year which many districts struggle to get their hands on (as disabilities are barely recognised or supported here). Fortunately this year they did get it, but it was only around half the amount, and was a whole year late. Still, I suppose this was progress in a slow-changing situation. So, I will have to see what exactly it is that I can do...

Next I was invited to a meeting of all head-teachers in the district; a gathering that I was told was to discuss 'this and that' (hmmm), and was also told would be in English. Ha, as if. I sat through two long hot hours of Kusaal, (giving up on asking one of the friendly looking female heads to translate for me when she scowled like I'd asked her to lick my shoe) the last half an hour of which was a heated debate about the amount of T and T (money for food and transport) that they will get for this meeting - it's hard not to get tired of things like this here thinking I am sure they could be discussing more important issues. But to them this is the most important issue, and so they thrashed it out for a good hour and only closely missed coming to blows (the scowly lady was in the middle of it and I think the others backed down as really, you wouldn't want to cross her).

And then... I was asked to pray. Just like that. I didn't hear him at first, it actually didn't register; "And Madame Aema (aka Emma) will say our closing prayer". The room fell silent and everyone bowed their heads ready and waiting. Oh flip flop. Prayers here are so long and intense and delivered with such serious ferocity that I really didn't think I could pull it off. Plus I had no idea what to say - I mean I had no inclination as to what was discussed in the meeting, nor what these people would ideally like me to ask God for. Perhaps I could say a prayer for better T and T, oh and an interpreter for the confused white lady next time perhaps. I did try to wriggle out of it, but here trying to wriggle out of anything is as futile as trying to run up an escalator or climb up a slippery slide. So I took a deep breath and delivered, what I have to say was a pretty impressive prayer. I thanked the 'Lord' for 'giving us guidance, wisdom, strength and encouragement etc etc etc to deliver a successful meeting' I prayed for the health and happiness of the children that will be coming back to school, for sunshine and laugher in our schoolyards (what?!!) and even for 'the head teachers' hard work to be rewarded' (aka better T&T). I peppered it with lots of 'we praise you lords' and 'God Almighty's and, I by the resounding 'Amen' of the group when I, finally, finished, I think I had pulled it off with a flourish. Hurrah!

The other interesting thing that happened so far this week was that I found myself planting trees! It happily reminded me of my job back at the University, and was a nice change from the usual things that I would be doing here. There is a man who owns a tree-nursery just a couple of houses down from mine, and my manager at World Vision has tasked him with growing 3,000 Acacia trees for farmers in local communities. Trees are a super valuable resource here and I was amazed by the number and different types of trees hat James grows in this nursery. There are Neem Trees, Mango, Acacia, Eucapyptus, Teak, and a whole heap of other species too many to name without sounding like Gardeners World. It's a beautiful little paradise of a place, cool and breezy and visited by brightly coloured butterflies and gorgeous red yellow and blue birds. When I asked James how much he sells the trees to farmers for, thinking that this place could become fairly profitable, he explained he sells for only one cedi (40p) - he's not in this for the profit, he's in it to help farmers, schools and communities plant trees to support their environments, shelter their homes from bad weather, and provide them with a potential secure livelihood option.

Later that evening I met his wife, Linda (and their two children who are named after previous VSO volunteers!), and could understand why these two would be brought together. She is a Red Cross Volunteer, supporting mothers groups in far flung communities, teaching them about safe motherhood practices and health and first aid. She is a fabulously committed woman, and I felt a rush of support mixed with sadness for her efforts. She doesn't get paid for what she does, in fact the whole programme has now come to an end, and so what she does to continue it is from her own steam and her own back pocket (which is very small and full of holes). I really admired her enthusiasm and just marvelled at how much some people here simply want to help others, regardless of their own situation. The sense of humanity and community is so strong in Ghana that sometimes it knocks me off balance. It's truly humbling indeed.

With love,

Em

xxx