tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45220467720303363922024-03-13T23:40:17.665-07:00NFED Savelugu: Working ProgressSavelugu stories from International Service and Ghana's Non-Formal Education Division (NFED)Gareth Wilcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726286676169009904noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-9671729010656970682017-03-22T07:18:00.001-07:002017-03-24T04:33:51.465-07:00Waste water...why does it matter? <div class="MsoNormal">
Cycling to work every morning never gets easier; the thick
sand makes cycling more of a chore, which is made even harder in the presence
of the hot rising sun and the dry, dusty air. When we finally meet the smooth
track of the main road it then becomes an obstacle course of giant potholes and
steering around the many people and bicycles coming our way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While I struggle to cycle the relatively short distance from
my home to the office, I see women carrying huge basins of water on their
heads, walking swiftly without spilling a drop, all the while their babies
sleep soundly, tied to their backs. How far is she having to carry that water? How
often does she have to do this? And how in the world is she carrying it all
without spilling it?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local women walking back from fetching water. <br />
They have to travel quite far with the heavy containers. </td></tr>
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It is currently the dry season in Ghana, otherwise known as Harmattan,
and the shortage of water in the area means many pumps are running dry and some
local taps have even been turned off. This
is the first time in my life that I have been excited about the thought of
rain. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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In a climate like this, it is hard to believe that water
covers 70.9% of the Earth’s surface. Of this, 97% of water on Earth is salt water,
whilst water found in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, swamps, etc. accounts for
only 0.3% of the worlds fresh water. The rest is trapped in glaciers on in the
ground-too far down for most of the water pumps in Savelugu to reach. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken water pump in one of our communities, the area is <br />
not well maintained and is a long walk from the community.</td></tr>
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All the communities that we work with here in Savelugu have
ongoing problems with their water sources. The bore holes and pumps they have
installed are easily damaged, and not so easily repaired. Some communities even
find that their source of ‘drinking water’ soon becomes salty. These unreliable
sources of water keep the community member alive in many ways; the water is not
just for drinking, but is also used during rice production, for making soap and
throughout the processes of producing shea butter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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These same communities are advised to irrigate their land by
recycling their waste water, to use their water sensibly and not to take
advantage of their limited supply. So why don’t we all do that at home? Why
don’t we value the water we have as much as they are expected to? In many
countries around the world people complain about regular rainfall, and don’t think
twice about their easy access to clean drinking water. If we all started
valuing water a bit more, then maybe we could improve the availability of clean
water for more people around the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dam in Savelugu where many people fetch water for washing, cooking and drinking</td></tr>
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748 million people still do not have access to an improved
source of drinking water, and some 1.8 billion people in the world continue to
drink water that is contaminated with faeces. 2.5 billion people do not have
use of an improved sanitation facility. Maybe these all just look like some
random statistics that don’t affect you, but if you were one of these millions
and billions of people who relied on unsafe wastewater to drink, clean and cook
with, maybe you would think twice about how you use the water available to you.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated the
date of March 22<sup>nd</sup> as the first World Water Day. This day is not
just for awareness raising on water issues, but should also be a day we
celebrate the water we have. Today is a day to be thankful, not only for the
water sources around us, but also the fact that this incredibly versatile substance
keeps our human bodies alive! Water is one of the most common substances on
this earth, and continues to be one of the most vital. It is a tremendously
valuable resource, one we are very guilty of squandering and polluting
prodigiously.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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By 2030 The United Nations aims to have reached all 17 of
their sustainability goals, one of which is to ensure access and clean water
and sanitation for all people. Despite the high percentage of wastewater in the
world, there is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this! As
impossible as it seems, there has been improvement in water quality globally; between
1990-2015, the proportion of the global population using an improved drinking
water source has increased by 15%. This goes to show that we can make positive change
to the way we use water, if we can get more people to realise how valuable
water is to sustaining all life on this Earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaZt5fAlclQ/WNJ7mw9eSuI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/2Ku1R3kAIfAMhKIRbNQ_jyLk_fTWV7mDQCLcB/s1600/pic%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaZt5fAlclQ/WNJ7mw9eSuI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/2Ku1R3kAIfAMhKIRbNQ_jyLk_fTWV7mDQCLcB/s400/pic%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our office door decorated with our Water Day posters! </td></tr>
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Written by Rachel Morgan <o:p></o:p></div>
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(sources: UN.org, UN
World Water Day; EPA Water Sense; EPA Water, treehugger.com)<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-42524819298654427382017-03-16T05:01:00.000-07:002017-03-16T05:01:30.224-07:00The Northern Tree<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> This tree
is not just a tree; it is a source of income for many people. The value of this
tree in Northern Ghana is superior, for this reason most communities have put a
ban on the cutting down of this tree to signify its importance. Its fruit is a
very nutritious nut and after eating this fruit the seed is not thrown away this
is because it contains an important commodity that needs to be extracted for Shea
butter. This tree is called the Shea tree which in the Northern language is
called the ‘Taan Tia’. Shea butter is a traditional butter mostly found in West
Africa, it’s been used for many centuries </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_rkFYSaww/WMp5AjsPTqI/AAAAAAAAA64/hUsj2oSWtQkHDSbWxdgzVdmb3oPOeRCnQCLcB/s1600/shea%2Bnut%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_rkFYSaww/WMp5AjsPTqI/AAAAAAAAA64/hUsj2oSWtQkHDSbWxdgzVdmb3oPOeRCnQCLcB/s400/shea%2Bnut%2Btree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shea nut tree</td></tr>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Today,
we take a look at Shea butter processing as one of the income generation activities
that our income generation groups are into, their challenges and the returns
they gain from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Shea butter is extracted from Shea nuts.
The nuts are mostly picked by women during the raining season, between the periods
of August to October.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
fresh fruits are boiled and allowed to dry, they then crush it to remove the
kernel from the hard outer shell. The crushed nuts are then pounded to smaller
particles using a local mortar and pestle. They then fry the pounded nuts. The nuts
are then grinded into Shea paste. Water is then added to the paste and mixed by
hand until the butter suspends on top of the water. The butter is washed continuously
until it becomes white. The raw butter is then boiled until it becomes pure Shea
butter. The pure Shea better is then scooped out levering the residue. The hot
Shea butter is then allowed to cool and solidified before it is sent to the
market.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvCx81ynrIE/WMp4_0m6WlI/AAAAAAAAA6w/P6b0LdGAhEQjc4AuFAMM1BOpc8NMMxXdACLcB/s1600/ICS%2Bvolunteers%252C%2BLouis%2Band%2BRahama%2Bsteering%2BShea%2Bbutter%2Bwith%2B%2BMadam%2BAbibata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvCx81ynrIE/WMp4_0m6WlI/AAAAAAAAA6w/P6b0LdGAhEQjc4AuFAMM1BOpc8NMMxXdACLcB/s320/ICS%2Bvolunteers%252C%2BLouis%2Band%2BRahama%2Bsteering%2BShea%2Bbutter%2Bwith%2B%2BMadam%2BAbibata.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rahama and Louis stirring shea butter with Madama Habibata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbPogf6pTgw/WMp4_TniCDI/AAAAAAAAA6s/Uc5E4heQ2GgDUl2DZRhEmekD0UqUUx2eQCLcB/s1600/Madam%2BAbibata%2Bscooping%2Bout%2Bthe%2Brefined%2BShea%2Bbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbPogf6pTgw/WMp4_TniCDI/AAAAAAAAA6s/Uc5E4heQ2GgDUl2DZRhEmekD0UqUUx2eQCLcB/s320/Madam%2BAbibata%2Bscooping%2Bout%2Bthe%2Brefined%2BShea%2Bbutter.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madame Habibata scooping out shea butter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">A woman
in the Shea butter business said they sometimes get bitten by snakes and stung
by scorpions in the bush when they go to pick the nuts. She has been in the Shea
butter business over ten years now and it has been her main source of income,
however she says getting ready market for her product has been a major
challenge, because it takes her a long time to sell her products. This makes it
difficult to save money to increase her production capacity. She will like to
join a co-operative in order to promote her business. The North has so many
potential cash crops that when these crops are utilized to its fullness, they would
have greatly helped in the reduction of poverty in the three Northern regions.
The Shea fruit is used for making soap, as a lubricant for vehicles and other
heavy duty machines and also used for cooking. Shea nut is used in almost every
household in the Northern part of Ghana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">The three Northern regions are the
poorest in the country, however, surprising the usage of Shea products has
spread far and wide nationally and globally. It is however surprising that a
community with a very important cash crop as the Shea tree is wallowing in
poverty. This can be attributed to behavioural attitudes of the people and some
government policies that are not so favourable to the economic fortunes of the
North. Shea butter is mixed with chocolate to give it that smooth taste in the
mouth. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Around 95 percent of all Shea
products are used by companies such as Nestlé and The Hershey Company as a
substitute for cocoa butter, to create the melt-in-your-mouth texture and clean
snap consumers associate with good chocolate (the Chronicle news paper, August
19, 2015). </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">The market for Shea butter has doubled in the past 10 years,
according to the Global Shea Alliance, which is based in Ghana’s capital,
Accra. That demand has sent the price of unrefined Shea butter soaring, from
around $900 a metric tonne before the year 2000, to an average of $2000 over
the past three years. Last year, after a bad harvest, prices reached a high of
$4000 a tonne as demand outstripped supply (the chronicle news paper, August
19, 2015). </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Adamu is a 65-year old woman
from Sagnarigu Dungu, a community in Ghana’s Northern Region. She has been
working with the Sangnarigu Women’s Shea Butter Group for 12 years. After
getting married, she began producing Shea butter on her own. "I used to
make about GHC 6.OO (US$3.00) a month, but now I earn approximately GHC
50.00 (US$25.00) a month", she said, during emergencies, she goes to sell
some Shea butter at the local market. This has drastically reduced her
borrowing and improved savings (UNDP,</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Success story from undp.org)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM0Il0rb7pI/WMp5ASTov0I/AAAAAAAAA60/wkWKwhmI7gYYULp0S2ITs2GQIu7P--0FgCLcB/s1600/Refined%2BShea%2Bbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM0Il0rb7pI/WMp5ASTov0I/AAAAAAAAA60/wkWKwhmI7gYYULp0S2ITs2GQIu7P--0FgCLcB/s320/Refined%2BShea%2Bbutter.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shea butter</td></tr>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Shea butter processing venture is an economic
activity that can boost the local economy of the North and this Northern tree
has over the years survived the harsh weather conditions of northern Ghana. The Shea butter produced is not only highly valuable, but is a core ingredient to local life in Northern Ghana, not only for the global consumers but also for the Ghanaian people that benefit from this wonderful and natural tree. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-24375458198989997702017-03-08T07:00:00.002-08:002017-03-10T07:02:56.628-08:00#BeBoldForChange : Team Savelugu Celebrating Women <div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>Beth:</b></i> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The banana seller near our office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For 104 years, International Women’s Day has been celebrated
on March 8<sup>th</sup>. This day is not just about working towards gender
equality, it’s also a time to recognise the achievements and contributions of
women all around the world. When in the UK we talk about successful women, we
usually think of politicians, CEOs and celebrities. While women in Ghana do
achieve in these areas, being here has made me think about other ways in which
women can be successful and how narrow my concept of a businesswoman has been.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A businesswoman isn’t always someone in a crisp suit who
heads board meetings. The woman who comes by our office with a basket of cloth
on her head is a businesswoman, as is the woman at the stall where we buy yam
and beans for lunch. Independent businesswomen are a key part of the economy of
Savelugu; we see them at the market and all around the town, selling fruit,
noodles, rice, shea butter and so on. Businesses don’t have to involve more
than one person or be formally structured to be significant. The informal
entrepreneurship I have observed in rural Ghanaian women is very different to
the businesses I encounter at home in the UK.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite its vital importance to society, stereotypically ‘feminine’ work, such as childcare and food preparation, (which is of course not always done by women) is often not valued as highly as it should be. With translation help from my fellow volunteer Rahama, I
spoke to a woman who sells bananas near our office (photo right)</div>
<br />
For six years, she has been
selling bananas that her sister brings from Sunyani, the capital of the
Brong-Ahafo Region. She spoke about how difficult it can be for her to make a
profit.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Women all over the world, especially in less equal societies,
face the challenge of dealing with multiple economic and domestic expectations.
This balancing act isn’t always just metaphorical; it is a common sight here to
see women carrying their wares on their heads and their babies on their backs. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWrYxgJ1alE/WMAZ64IxsHI/AAAAAAAAA58/aBQLJvZSd7YLwYZFH65XbrUxEg_TRTETwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170308_135039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWrYxgJ1alE/WMAZ64IxsHI/AAAAAAAAA58/aBQLJvZSd7YLwYZFH65XbrUxEg_TRTETwCLcB/s640/IMG_20170308_135039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local yam seller: another example of an independent businesswoman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>Simone:</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We recognise and appreciate the work done by women; mothers,
sisters, workers, carers, friends, leaders and all the other endless roles and
standards that women uphold. We wanted to illustrate just how much gratitude we
have for all the women worldwide and their forgotten and ignored pains and
struggles that without which the world wouldn’t function in the same way. As a
team, we concluded that for International Women’s Day-we must make it big!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAkV_Aia13s/WMAZrL5wEWI/AAAAAAAAA54/MdLVWCOK6IMG78OmenW5sqPW4onXeB3ZwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAkV_Aia13s/WMAZrL5wEWI/AAAAAAAAA54/MdLVWCOK6IMG78OmenW5sqPW4onXeB3ZwCLcB/s640/IMG_1962.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone preparing for the march</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the day of the 8<sup>th</sup>, we as a team organised a
march with the local community in Savelugu. To enlarge the crowd and ensure the
event was successful we decided to liaise with Savelugu senior high school and collaborated
with them so we were all to march on the day. At 9am we arrived at the school.
It was more than what any of us could have anticipated, the students were all
prepared and revved up for our march, and to increase the spirits (and noise)
they brought along their band of drums.<br />
<br />
The experience was amazing and
exhilarating, as us volunteers marched alongside students and community
people, all united as one for International Women’s Day. There was singing,
chanting, clapping and most importantly, dancing. Our presence through the
streets of Savelugu was something else, and with other locals along the
roadside dancing cheering and joining in, we were definitely being noticed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the march, we thanked everyone who took part, and a
speech was given to the students about the importance of the actual day. We made
sure that the message of International Women’s Day hadn’t been lost or
forgotten through all the fun we had been having during the march. Ending on
the quote by Mr James Aggrey, ‘if you educate a man you educate an individual,
but if you educate a woman you educate the whole nation’, which all the school
children knew!<br />
<br />
It was a really empowering movement on a whole and I honestly couldn’t
have pictured things to have gone any smoother- it exceeded all our
expectations. International Women’s Day is important, but it is also important
that we don’t overlook the roles carried out by women, and that we learn to
appreciate them more in our everyday lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gj7NGWmvxg/WMAZrEZ8WTI/AAAAAAAAA50/zklMpyUj8W8P2ZGZRBwhsfVFjns05HoQgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gj7NGWmvxg/WMAZrEZ8WTI/AAAAAAAAA50/zklMpyUj8W8P2ZGZRBwhsfVFjns05HoQgCLcB/s640/IMG_1961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Watermelon walking through Savelugu with local students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-89604838916804393342017-03-01T06:38:00.000-08:002017-03-01T06:38:20.661-08:00"Ab-what? Abstain!"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAM8lbijeok/WLbYK8DvsYI/AAAAAAAAA5E/iDWK2hIN4tg61YcZBvfTngxOF26oh57UwCLcB/s1600/louis%2Bsexual%2Bhealth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAM8lbijeok/WLbYK8DvsYI/AAAAAAAAA5E/iDWK2hIN4tg61YcZBvfTngxOF26oh57UwCLcB/s320/louis%2Bsexual%2Bhealth.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team member Louis, from Upper East Ghana, talking to the<br />students of Savelugu Senior High </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Issues of sexual and reproductive health have become a
global concern, this is a result of the low education of youth in respect to
sexual health education. In Ghana, sexual health has until recent times not
received much attention from the public, even in our educational institutions.
This has led to high incidences of sexual health related issues, especially
among the youth in the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What then is sexual reproductive health? Sexual reproductive
health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all
matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to
have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce and the
freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOrOY_dkD-c/WLbYKNAiy9I/AAAAAAAAA5A/WZgGaD--1OEld7oGyzPpF2x3nG1VYYVzQCLcB/s1600/luois%2Bsexual%2Bhealth.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOrOY_dkD-c/WLbYKNAiy9I/AAAAAAAAA5A/WZgGaD--1OEld7oGyzPpF2x3nG1VYYVzQCLcB/s320/luois%2Bsexual%2Bhealth.PNG" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis at the Senior High School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Ghana, perspectives on sexual reproductive health
provides the latest peer-reviewed policy, relevant research and analysis on
sexual reproductive health on teenage pregnancy risk, contraceptives and
others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lack of understanding of contraceptives and safe sex is
widespread throughout the country, due to the low education of the youth in
respect to sexual health. Contraceptives are therefore an agent or device
intended to prevent conception. Modern contraceptives use is uncommon, with
more than one third of women reported ever using abstinence, condoms, injectable
and pills were the most commonly reported modern methods ever used. How can one
maintain sexual and reproductive health? People need access to accurate
information and acceptable contraceptives method of their choice. Many
organisations such as the UNDP/UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, WORLD BANK and others have
issued new selected contraceptives recommendations for use. On the 14 December
2016, this publication was one of WHO’s evidence based guidance documents to
support and strengthen national contraceptives/family planning programmes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teenage pregnancy is another great factor that has become a
global issue in the country, this is as a result of the poor education of the
youth in respect to sexual health. In Ghana, teenage pregnancy has not received
much attention from the public and even in our educational institutions. Teenage
pregnancy is a pregnancy in female age between 13-19 which is understood to
occur in a girl who hasn’t completed her core education, secondary school, or
no marketable skills. All these issues arise due to lack of parental care, broken
homes, peer influence, financial difficulties etc. In Ghana, this issue rises
every day and young girls are victims of this. There is not any curriculum in
the senior high level to educate this young girls on how to prevent themselves
from this social act. Teenage pregnancy has led to numerous abortion in the
country were many lives has been lost. Abortion rates drop in more developing countries
but fail to improve in developing countries.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwQRpirOwe0/WLbYMW3G0jI/AAAAAAAAA5I/nxgnwmkxjEMyd2EAXyiQpIe8i9Y-xwg_ACEw/s1600/DSCN1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwQRpirOwe0/WLbYMW3G0jI/AAAAAAAAA5I/nxgnwmkxjEMyd2EAXyiQpIe8i9Y-xwg_ACEw/s320/DSCN1841.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Savelugu after their presentation at the school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In comparison, 15-24-year old’s in the UK experience around
two thirds of all STI diagnosed within medical clinics. Similar to Ghana, this
is due to the lack of sexual health education in schools. The government aims
to improve sexual health and wellbeing to the whole population, and providing a
lasting education plan that focuses completely on the sexual and reproductive
health. To do this, there must be a reduction on inequalities and growth of
sexual health outcomes such as, building an honest and open culture where
everyone can make informed and responsible choices about relationships and sex.
Also, recognise that sexual ill health can affect all parts of society. Comparatively
to the Ghanaian government, the UK have focused more on sexual health matters,
and from April 2013, the commissioning of sexual health services changed. Significant
progress has already been made in improving sexual health. Teenage pregnancy
rates have fallen to their lowest levels since records began. Access to
services have been improved through the expansion and integration of service
delivery outside of specialist services, particularly in the common and general
practice. Comparing the difference of sexual health education from the UK to
Ghana shows a significant gap, everyone must work together to achieve the
global ambition to improve sexual and reproductive health and make a real
difference to the lives of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the 12 of May 2016, new estimates, published today in the
lancet, indicate that the induced abortion rates have declined significantly in
develop countries between 1990 and 2014 but not in developing countries such as
Ghana. Many organisations are putting on much effort to help curb this problem.
Mr Nuuri-Teg a sexual educator advises the youth especially girls to try as
much as possible to seek information on sexual related issues to avoid teenage
pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, much attention needs to be put on to help curb this
sexual and reproductive issues in the country. The government can create a platform for young
girls in the remote villages to be educated on their sexual and reproductive
health and also on how to abstain from them.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-81942571996992777112017-02-21T05:22:00.000-08:002017-02-24T03:49:54.448-08:00Savelugu's Top 6<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="text-align: justify;">So,
team Savelugu are now half way through their placement; we’ve all had some
great experiences over the last 6 weeks. Two of our amazing team members,
Hannah, from Scotland, and Shirley, from the central region in Ghana, are here
to tell you their top 3 moments of what’s gone on in Savelugu so far! Hope you
all enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Hannah:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olbKxXv_6as/WKw9pCVqVDI/AAAAAAAAA38/Hh6607Rjj1slm9WFFNHI15eYl-f-CbbsQCLcB/s1600/Hannah%2Band%2Bhost%2Bkids.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olbKxXv_6as/WKw9pCVqVDI/AAAAAAAAA38/Hh6607Rjj1slm9WFFNHI15eYl-f-CbbsQCLcB/s640/Hannah%2Band%2Bhost%2Bkids.PNG" width="640" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah with her host brother and sister,<br />
Kobby and Grace </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. For me, one of the best things about Savelugu is all the children. Being so far away from home in an entirely different culture,
it’s no wonder that sometimes I do get a little bit lonely. The thing that makes this easiest to deal with is the kids; especially my younger host brother
and sister. Kobby, 7, and Grace, 3, are always so happy to see me when I come
home from work. We spend evenings talking about my home, their home, and playing traditional Ghanaian games. Their excitement is such a pick me up! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>2. One other thing that I love about here in Savelugu is the food. I am incredibly fussy back home, but coming here has widened my taste palette. My host mum has been brilliant about catering to my
likes and dislikes, and I look forward to dinner every night! I’ve tried many
new traditional Ghanaian foods, such as TZ, fufu and banku. Although they are
not to my tastes, I am glad I've tried things that I wouldn’t usually
get back home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>3. Finally, one other thing I love about living in
Savelugu is living with my counterpart, Sylvia. She is from the Volta region in
Ghana, and sometimes I don’t know what I would do without her. Whether it’s
getting sandy stains out my white t-shirts, or getting rid of cockroaches and
lizards from our washroom, she does it all without even blinking an eye. We
wash our clothes once every weekend, and we use this time to talk about each
other’s home lives; whether that be about religion, jobs or the future. Living
with Sylvia has been amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next
half of the placement brings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzLdhlrmvqU/WKw9o8smAeI/AAAAAAAAA34/8MASNwUujdkbdUEDFETFJ76tl-W_Mq_YACLcB/s1600/Hannah%2BShauna%2Band%2BSylvia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzLdhlrmvqU/WKw9o8smAeI/AAAAAAAAA34/8MASNwUujdkbdUEDFETFJ76tl-W_Mq_YACLcB/s640/Hannah%2BShauna%2Band%2BSylvia.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah, Shauna and Sylvia at mid term in February </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
S Shirley:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0TF0QGtdoA/WKw9uu7kNqI/AAAAAAAAA4A/FqzrlzEI4dMnI4qshP6fBZBHjGrrwzXzwCLcB/s1600/Shirley%2BSchool%2BTalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0TF0QGtdoA/WKw9uu7kNqI/AAAAAAAAA4A/FqzrlzEI4dMnI4qshP6fBZBHjGrrwzXzwCLcB/s640/Shirley%2BSchool%2BTalk.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirley at Savelugu Senior High School giving a talk on<br />
sexual health </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I came on placement with high hopes and this
is the 6<sup>th</sup> week and I have not regretted joining ICS. These are some
of my best experiences on placement so far;</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">1.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">One of my very best experiences and times I look
up to on this placement is coming back from work to meet my host brothers and
sisters all hearty and ready to ask me how my day went. Also, later in the
evenings on most days, helping my host mothers to cook supper. This experience
has rather been an eye opener for me because I have had the opportunity to
learn new culinary skills and learn more about my host family’s culture. This
is absolutely my home away from home!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Placement is all about working and helping the
vulnerable in the society. So, it gladdened my heart when my teammates and I
met with women from the various communities we are working in and sensitized
them on the need to take very good care of their water sources so that their
produce will be of good quality hence bring them more income which will better
their lives. There was a resource person from World Vision who also reiterated
the need to practice the maintenance culture so that whatever water source they
have will last long for the future generation. It was a great time with the
women as they all welcomed the idea of water sustainability and were ever ready
now to make the most out of their water resources.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxTBg57j9I8/WKw9u3Yw4aI/AAAAAAAAA4E/qbMtklh5YAMA0ozrU_ipJZ2HJJtRk3KvwCLcB/s1600/Shirley%2BWater%2BSensitisation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxTBg57j9I8/WKw9u3Yw4aI/AAAAAAAAA4E/qbMtklh5YAMA0ozrU_ipJZ2HJJtRk3KvwCLcB/s640/Shirley%2BWater%2BSensitisation.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel, Shirley and Sylvia at the water<br />
sensitization for our communities </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Six weeks into placement has been both fun and
educational. As part of event days on the ICS calendar, International Day of
Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness was celebrated at the Savelugu Senior
High School and that was a very successful event held. There were several talks
on teenage pregnancy, the use of contraception and sexually transmitted
infections. Since we were talking to young adults, more emphasis was laid on
the need to abstain from premarital sex which can hamper their education. Statistics
were given on the rate of teenage pregnancy, use of contraceptives and STI’s
across Northern Ghana. There also was a drama session to crown the whole
activity on that day. The feedback was
awesome which indicated that the education given on that day will linger on
these youth’s mind and will help them in their daily living. Thanks to the
wonderful teamwork done by every member of our team. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">These are some of the best moment so far - we look forward to seeing what the rest of the placement brings!! :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 73.65pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-53195625416918316632017-02-14T02:26:00.001-08:002017-02-14T02:26:07.320-08:00Dancing for the Chief and speaking out on radio, just another week for team Savelugu!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS80N55bjy0/WKLWsoDt3uI/AAAAAAAAA3U/rgamQp1QSLcarTs7E4zTghiehfBoHQ2qgCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170209-WA0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS80N55bjy0/WKLWsoDt3uI/AAAAAAAAA3U/rgamQp1QSLcarTs7E4zTghiehfBoHQ2qgCLcB/s640/IMG-20170209-WA0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In the week following Monday 6<sup>th</sup> February, team
Savelugu had a lot planned, from watching a chief become enskinned, having
their first of the two live radio shows and visiting a local school. The week
was full of planning and preparation, and it led to three successful events.
Simone and Sylvia have explained these events through their joint blog for this
week- enjoy!<br />
<br /><o:p> </o:p>Simone: Cycling up to ‘Might FM’ was the first challenge of many
on Thursday morning, the uphill ride left us all breathless as we all pulled up
outside the large, pale green building. Stood in the middle of an open spaced
area, just off the side of the road, the radio centre was unlike most buildings
around; and we all took in the fact that within half an hour we would be live
on radio. Stepping into the room the aircon hit me, and I felt as though I had
stepped into a large fridge, because in comparison to the 38-degree heat outside-
it was pretty cold. Never-the-less, I felt grateful to have been given the privilege
to have a 30-min live radio slot- an experience that is completely new to me,
and something that I possibly may never do again.<br />
<br />
After going live and being introduced by the host, Mr Yaro,
we all got the chance to personally introduce ourselves as individuals and say
where we come from. We split our team into two groups, one of which did the
radio show today, and the next will do it in some weeks to come, so as the
first team, we had to ensure we gave Cohort 6 the best first impression
possible. Throughout the sit-in, we got the chance to inform the audience about
our project, ranging from information regarding ICS as a whole, NFED- our
partners, and the work both us, Cohort 6, and previous cohorts have done. We
spoke about the community women we work with, and the main challenges and issues
that they as cooperatives face.<br />
We as a team, along with Mr Yaro, discussed a variety of topics,
for example; the mentality of the community women. This was an interesting
point, as often volunteers are thought to simply parade through a deprived area
throwing cash at people, but we spoke about this point and made it clear that
our role here is purely to guide and facilitate movement towards more
sustainable income. These topics are vitally important, and with our Dagbanli speaker
translating, we were hopefully able to get a number of important issues across
to the whole audience. All in all, it was a highly successful trip, and all 5
of us who took part thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.<br /><o:p> </o:p><br />
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<o:p><br /></o:p>Sylvia: On the 8<sup>th</sup> of February 2017, the
fantastic cohort of Savelugu NFED-ICS had the greatest opportunity to the Yoo
Naa’s palace to have a real experience on how the culture of enskinment was
performed in the Northern Region. It was a great and a blessed day for the
UKV’s and some of the ICV’s because that was their first time of witnessing
such a wonderful and great feast.<br />
<br />Before the cohort arrived at the chief palace a lot of
people were already there some dancing and some also with their local guns, waiting
for the over-lord, and the new chief. In a few minutes the new chief arrived
with his elders of the community, as they were also warmly welcomed and took
their sit, the over-lord was highly welcomed too with his elders where some
were at his back and others in front of him, which shows that they were all
protecting and guiding him. As the king step out of the royal palace to the
playing ground everybody from the royal palace to the bowed down before him,
which I was amazed of because I do see all this in movies but this time it was
real. A lot of praises where made to the king through singing and drumming.<br />
<br />After, the over-lord took his seat, the rites then started. The
elders brought the new chief to be enskinned. The over -lord prays; he asked
the good lord to give him knowledge, wisdom and understanding to rule his kingdom
very well. When he finished praying then he wears a new smock and hat then he
is enskinned as a chief of his community. The drummers then drum for the new
chief to dance.<br />
<br />
After the enskinment finished, some money was collected from the people and replaced by a cola-nut which means the chief has been accepted by the community. When all this is done the over -lord blessed the people and went back to his palace. Then the new chief goes back to his community to continue the feast there. Before the king could leave the palace ground Simone, a UKV, and I were invited to dance for the king - I was so amazed by it, and confused because I didn’t know how to dance. Simone went first to exhibit her style of dancing and after that I also went out to show mine. Some of dances were; Gonje, Jara, Kombong waa, Naagbegu. It was a great experience with the people, chiefs and the over-lord who was so, so excited to see us around. When everything was successfully over the lovely and energetic volunteers, both the UKV’s and ICV’s, exhibit their dancing styles and Rachel our UK team leader danced melodically<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_8GVHq7dJM/WKLWg1XZeZI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/i4JHHItA2EI_lQw_1NU90aTv8mXA0c8WgCLcB/s1600/DSCN1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_8GVHq7dJM/WKLWg1XZeZI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/i4JHHItA2EI_lQw_1NU90aTv8mXA0c8WgCLcB/s640/DSCN1726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing for the chief</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-26261781952778488442017-02-06T03:19:00.000-08:002017-02-06T04:02:27.155-08:00The Great Environment of Savelugu<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello everyone! We’ve been in Savelugu for over three weeks now. Here we all
(UKVs and ICVs) experience a very different environment to where we’ve come
from and what we’re used to. We’ve had
the great pleasure of adapting to many new sights, sounds, smells, and
sensations. Through this experience, we’ve learnt many new things. Here, Rahama
and Beth share their thoughts on the environment of Savelugu.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tDOn0K3ydY/WJhYKdLB2ZI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qVv3BiBtW7kIdi6b1DqKH9Mq1B6IWWswACLcB/s1600/P1070518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tDOn0K3ydY/WJhYKdLB2ZI/AAAAAAAAA2I/qVv3BiBtW7kIdi6b1DqKH9Mq1B6IWWswACLcB/s320/P1070518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main Savelugu mosque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Rahama<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I can see here is different from what I have been
seeing back at my place. In Tamale, where I am from, people normally use
motorbikes, cars and Yellow-Yellows for travels. That makes it look quite
different from Savelugu. Walking of children to school is less common in my town
because parents send their children to school by motorbikes, some with cars and
others put them in Yellow-Yellows to school. Some women in Tamale sometimes
carry their children on their backs to school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here in Savelugu, I can see children mostly walking to
school, people using a Motorking for travelling and that looks differently from
my home town. I can also see people always on donkeys, sometimes with water,
and women always carrying water on their heads to their places. It has been a
good sight for me.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDrUieRlNUk/WJhYVEFfqRI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/5olqCe25NzUu5FcrAPYKQFVZGYun_lpqwCLcB/s1600/IMG-20170206-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDrUieRlNUk/WJhYVEFfqRI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/5olqCe25NzUu5FcrAPYKQFVZGYun_lpqwCLcB/s320/IMG-20170206-WA0000.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees around Savelugu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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What I can also feel about the environment of Savelugu is
that the weather there looks a little bit different from where I am from. The
weather here is good for me being able to sleep well in the night as compared
to my home. In the night here, the weather is somehow cool as compared to
Tamale and it has given me more and suitable rest in the night, even though it
is somehow hot in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Here I can also feel that people are fluent in speaking
Dagbani. It is good for me because that is my language. To my UKV friends it
has been a difficult task for them, not understanding it, but they always try
to speak the greetings. It is just a few things that they cannot understand
yet, but I am sure by the end of the three months they will be able to do something.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sound of Savelugu too is strange. I can hear mostly
children calling my friends from the UK ‘Silminga’, asking them for toffee. It
is now becoming fun for them but at first, we were all confused about their
comments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Beth<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u>What I see:</u></i><b> </b>Having lived in a city all my life, it
is odd for me to see animals everywhere: goats, chickens, guinea fowl, donkeys
and so on… Unlike in the UK, when these animals would usually only live in
farms, here they roam around the town. I quite enjoy living in a place where a
pregnant goat regularly tries to wander into our office and where no one blinks
an eye at having chickens outside the washroom!<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOc0gYNVbxY/WJhYYmZm_qI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ZN38Btb6JC49Wa7W7hptZJuw8TbspHI1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170206_104100%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOc0gYNVbxY/WJhYYmZm_qI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ZN38Btb6JC49Wa7W7hptZJuw8TbspHI1QCLcB/s320/IMG_20170206_104100%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rahama and Beth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><u>What I feel:</u></i> Adjusting to the hot and dusty weather was quite difficult for me at first. When I said ‘Goodbye’ to the UK, I needed a thick winter coat, but here I am very grateful for the fan in my room and in the office! I now find it very strange to think that back in Sheffield (where I am from), it is cold, wet and cloudy, with temperatures around 5°C. Here the heat is consistently in the mid-30s degree Celsius and it has only rained once since I arrived in Ghana!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u>What I hear:</u></i>
The sounds of Savelugu are very different to back in the UK. Even just sitting
in my shared room in my host home, rather than just traffic, appliances and
televisions, I can usually hear goats braying, roosters crowing, music playing
nearby, the call to prayer from the local mosque, my many host siblings
playing, shouting or singing…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the UK, it isn’t very common for strangers to say good
morning or good afternoon each other, but here we exchange a greeting with
almost everyone we pass. I like to think I’ve mastered the Dagbani greetings (<i>Dasiba/Antire/Aniwula</i> = <i>Good morning/afternoon/evening</i>), even if
I don’t understand other things people say to me. When in doubt, I just smile
and say ‘<i>Naa’</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever we cycle through town, the local children call out
to us:<i>“Silminga, Good morning!”. </i>Some
of the kids near my host home have even learnt some of our names, so they try
to shout Beth (they can’t quite say my name though, so it sounds more like
<i>Bac</i>). When I go back to the UK, I will definitely miss being greeted everywhere
I go!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sG2QxWMyezw/WJhYyII-6rI/AAAAAAAAA2g/E2cGAtZv60oPTmbkZp1fi2UJP4ygN5INQCLcB/s1600/P1070510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sG2QxWMyezw/WJhYyII-6rI/AAAAAAAAA2g/E2cGAtZv60oPTmbkZp1fi2UJP4ygN5INQCLcB/s320/P1070510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dusty paths of Savelugu are very different to the cities we both come from</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-31785746706795674682017-02-01T06:59:00.002-08:002017-02-03T01:39:01.724-08:00Savelugu - Our Journey So Far<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Journey
So Far.</span></u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Y7qnt5gTU/WJH2yMsaTDI/AAAAAAAAA1M/6_YHXwYimHY-K8W-JMluDx3WfAEqYus1ACLcB/s1600/TEAM%2BWATERMELON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Y7qnt5gTU/WJH2yMsaTDI/AAAAAAAAA1M/6_YHXwYimHY-K8W-JMluDx3WfAEqYus1ACLcB/s640/TEAM%2BWATERMELON.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Team Watermelon!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Two weeks has now gone by, with the Savelugu team now
fully on way with their project work with NFED. We have two of the best
volunteers this week who have graciously given up their time to write about their
experience so far, and also why they both decided to join our ICS team.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Firstly Louis will tell you a bit about his experience
so far, let’s starts from the beginning...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step
forward. My ICS journey started with an application, when I first heard about
ICS, I remember thinking, Challenge yourself to change the world? That sounds
awesome! I opted to give it a try. After going through a successful
application, I was short listed out of 400 applicants for assessment which
would take place in Tamale. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">It was finally assessment day... I made my way to the
Tamale sport stadium conference hall, extremely nervous. I had no idea what an
assessment day was going to be like. I came to a stop outside the door, and
took a breath, I then entered the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was looking at me. I quickly looked down to the floor and made
my way to the front desk for my registration. The day was consumed by group
activities and one to ones with the ICS staff. To make it through the
assessment, you had to compete against yourself. The long awaited day was over,
and I was reimbursed for my transportation. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Two weeks later I received a call informing me that I
was offered a place on the ICS scheme. However, the placement offer was
conditioned subject to my medical clearance, criminal clearance and
satisfactory reference. A pre-placement training was organized for in country
volunteers awaiting the UKV’S. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">On the 9<sup>th</sup> of January both ICV’s and UKV’s
were hosted at GILLBT for an in country orientation before we move to our
various project based communities. I got to know and meet my other amazing team
members, and together we made up Team Watermelon (as we chose to name
ourselves). The NFED Savelugu team finally arrived in Savelugu the evening
after our last day of training. We started work on a positive note, meeting
with the director of NFED, where we read through the reports of the previous
team. We paid homage to Yoo Naa to announce our presence in his community. This
was followed by our first community entry to meet with the various IGG’s, we
were welcomed with Kola nuts from the chiefs of the local communities. I must
say the team looks set to take this project to the next level. It has been an
inspiring, fun, educative and life-changing two weeks, and I can only hope the
journey continues.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8CJSIc-628/WJH2yO8JGpI/AAAAAAAAA1I/DAv4_rHD9jwjDjvewfn_pO_-JVIm7Vy-gCLcB/s1600/me%2Band%2Blouis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8CJSIc-628/WJH2yO8JGpI/AAAAAAAAA1I/DAv4_rHD9jwjDjvewfn_pO_-JVIm7Vy-gCLcB/s640/me%2Band%2Blouis.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luis & Shauna respectively</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Next we have our UK volunteer, Shauna....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sitting on a 5 hour train journey to York, I struggled
to keep my eyes open. York had been the closest assessment I was able to
attend, and I fully expected to be the only Scottish one there. The day had
been long and tiring, it consisted of group activities and also a one-to-one
interview, all of which being constantly assessed. Around a week later I received
a phone call to say that I had been successful and had been placed on a team traveling to Ghana. I only found out at training that I would be working with
NFED Savelugu, helping women maintain their cooperatives and create a
sustainable future for themselves and their communities. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I have currently been in Ghana for two weeks, and I am
enjoying every minute of it. Living with a lot of children, and my bucket
showers in the morning have been quite a struggle. None the less, experiencing
a different culture and living here day to day has been the most rewarding
experience of my life. I look forward to my forthcoming months living here.
Working with ICS is very different from many other charities, instead of
offering money to these communities and expecting a change to develop, ICS
promote sustainability. Allowing the women, in the communities to help themselves, by
producing Shea butter, soap making and rice production. The women can then pass
these skills on to the developing generation in the community, creating jobs
and a balanced lifestyle. By visiting the various communities we will be
working with, and seeing how International Service as well as NFED has already
made a considerable impact, will be something I never forget. I can only hope
to carry on in this department throughout my career after working as a
volunteer, and I will be a strong advocate on anyone who wishes to volunteer in
the future, ICS is the place to do it!</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-27343062082094124292017-01-24T06:26:00.000-08:002017-01-24T06:51:34.440-08:00The Savelugu Host Home Experience<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The year is 2017, and our cross-cultural
team of both UK and Ghanaian volunteers will be working hard here in Savelugu,
Northern Ghana, from January until the end of March. During this time we will
be using our combined skills of cultural knowledge, determination and other
various abilities to work as a fantastic team, and to help support and empower
communities where most are living far below the poverty line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">An entire week now has gone by, so we have
all of us had a full seven days to adjust and adapt to our individual host
homes.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two of our amazing volunteers Shirley and
Jake, from developed central Ghana and the UK respectively, have written the
following to describe their experiences at their host homes so far.</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Here is Shirley’s host home experience! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">So from the Gillbt guest house and
conference centre, our mini-bus took off towards Savelugu. My team leader
informed myself and my counter-part volunteers, they had made contact with my
host father and he was very ready to receive us. I was for rest of the journey
quite anxious and uncertain of both our host home and its appearance. I was
very sad about leaving home. Then came the moment I wasn’t sure of...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Team Savelugu arrived safely at the
Savelugu Central Mosque, patiently waiting for our host father.Shortly after we
arrived, our host father soon appeared with a car and his friend on his
motorbike, and they packed my luggage, as well as my two other counterparts
luggage into the car, and what wouldn’t fit was carried on the motorbike, and
we all then traveled towards our new home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">The welcome we received from our host
brothers and sisters was so overwhelming! There were so many welcoming us, that
it felt so good. Our host father showed all three of us to our various rooms,
of which I instantly realised were very different to the room I was used to
back at home. This made me feel very sad and apprehensive. My host brothers and
sister, were very young, and were all over us to the extent that we didn’t know
what to do. This was another overwhelming experience. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Our host father invited us to see our
bathhouse and toilet facilities, it wasn’t at all like the one at home, thus I
felt even further concern. Later in the evening, we had some supper which I
wasn’t able to eat properly despite feeling famished. Afterwards, he again
called us and introduced himself, and his family and we also did the same by
introducing ourselves. I and my two counter-parts have two host mothers, and
they both dote on us always. Whenever it is time for supper, they allow us to
help them cook on their respective days of cooking. WHO HAS THIS?!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLD4ka8Nj_A/WIdhzTJHXbI/AAAAAAAAA0c/4KUNlyUhPCsNh3kMcRXxd94HNOMEW1jQQCLcB/s1600/Social%2BMedia%2BPost%2BJanuary%2BShirley%2BHost%2BHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLD4ka8Nj_A/WIdhzTJHXbI/AAAAAAAAA0c/4KUNlyUhPCsNh3kMcRXxd94HNOMEW1jQQCLcB/s320/Social%2BMedia%2BPost%2BJanuary%2BShirley%2BHost%2BHome.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Our host brothers and sisters are always
ready to teach us ready to teach us some new words in Dagbani, the local
language, and I always now love to go home and meet them. They are all so
bubbly, warm and inviting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">My host home doesn’t have the most
sophisticated and conventional of all basic & social amenities, but it surely
is a go to home always. I’m looking forward to having a lovely stay at my host
home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Hello! I’m Jake and whilst Shirley is from
the more developed central Ghana, I have traveled from rural Somerset, South
West UK.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">With a very different perspective, I will
now share host home experience so far.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15hk7GDsD3Y/WIdpK3jkLHI/AAAAAAAAA0w/621wAfmE4rk0MSWfGTTHZv_2C6nckmcegCLcB/s1600/Jake%2BICS%2BBlog%2Bpost%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-15hk7GDsD3Y/WIdpK3jkLHI/AAAAAAAAA0w/621wAfmE4rk0MSWfGTTHZv_2C6nckmcegCLcB/s1600/Jake%2BICS%2BBlog%2Bpost%2Bimage.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">The first major difference that I noticed
upon arriving at my host home is, although larger than most homes, it is all on
one floor.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"> In the centre is an open courtyard, of
which everybody’s rooms surround. Each room has a locked wooden door, and a
mesh window. Whereas back home in a<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4522046772030336392" name="_GoBack"></a> much colder climate,
I am used to double glazed windows/doors to retain heat and repel rain. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">The
home doesn’t have a TV in each room, however in the living room, with the one
TV that we all watch some evenings as a family. Off to one side is the two
cleaning rooms, one with a toilet that sometimes flushes, sometimes you have to
pour water down the toilet. In the other room is a basic shower head on the wall
and a tap lower down to wash feet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">All water that comes from the taps is unsafe
to drink and comes from a small salty reservoir located just outside the home.
All cooking is performed over an open fire, and washing of clothes and eating
utensils, is done by hand in a large steel basin. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">As for the room myself and my
counterpart share, there is a roof fan, light switch, three plugs, two beds
shrouded each by a mosquito net, sometimes we even have to light a mosquito coil, similar in design to an incense stick, of which the faint smoke deters insects and more importantly malaria carrying mosquitoes. </span></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdWoCPHBsGo/WIdibZGGTXI/AAAAAAAAA0g/-yRUZN_dhso9G058ObPmAxqV_kKWRB3ngCLcB/s1600/Social%2BMedia%2BPost%2BJanuary%2BJake%2BHost%2BHome%2BExperience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdWoCPHBsGo/WIdibZGGTXI/AAAAAAAAA0g/-yRUZN_dhso9G058ObPmAxqV_kKWRB3ngCLcB/s320/Social%2BMedia%2BPost%2BJanuary%2BJake%2BHost%2BHome%2BExperience.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Just that which we need.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">There we have two experiences both from
Shirley and Jake, and as you can see each of these two volunteers has had so
far a varied view. However both are happy, and have everything that they
require in which to live a basic but humble way of life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">A home that both volunteers enjoy being a
part of, for the duration of their placements. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Thank you for reading, hopefully this has
been enlightening for yourselves at home, wherever in the world your home may
be.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Jake & Shirley </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-66146420374574383392016-12-01T06:42:00.000-08:002016-12-01T06:42:21.105-08:00Bismark's Blog
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">ICS
(International Citizen Service) is a great programme where opportunity is given
to young people encouraging them to challenge themselves to change the world in
a positive direction. This is enhancing growth, poverty alleviation, community
development, sexual health education, women empowerment, helping grow local
businesses, livelihood, community integration of the less privileged etc in
Ghana and other parts of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For
me; Bismark Odum, volunteering with International Service on the ICS programme
has being a very great experience as well as challenging. My project – Non
Formal Education Division (NFED) project, is in Savelugu Ghana. I am a stranger
in this community since </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">it</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">is my first </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">time</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">here. However, I have come to love the community’s peaceful nature apart
from the frequent power outage. As a member of the fifth cohort on this project,
we have being working </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">over</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">the past nine weeks to ensure six cooperatives who are into </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">rice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">production and
processing, soap making and shea butter production work together as a team and
putting away all differences. This we believe will help them meet the aims of the
cooperatives. We continue to ensure these cooperatives which are located in
Jana, Balshei, Kukuo, Naprisi, Sahakpalugu, and Manguli get access to loans to
buy equipment needed to work with. We also help to solve their transportation
issues as well as getting access to quality water needed for producing the good
quality of products into the market. Through radio awareness raising and
various training sessions, we are making a positive impact by helping the cooperatives
get vibrant leadership, putting in place sustainability plans, ensuring the
cooperatives </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">take</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">and keep proper and up-to-date </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">records</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">. We are demonstrating great commitment to
helping the cooperatives improve quality of their products and link them to
prospective buyers or get a reliable market to sell their products in order to
generate more income. Amidst many challenges, our activities are yielding positive
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">results</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">which
we trust will last to benefit generations yet unborn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Aside
project activities, we have been able to educate the community on sanitation.
We educated the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">people</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
on: the need to keep the environment clean, health benefits of washing hands
after visiting the toilet, avoiding open defecation, proper refuse disposal and
teaching food vendors the need to cook in a very clean environment to avoid
cholera outbreak, diarrhoea, typhoid etc. We have also engaged Savelugu M/A
Junior High School students to educate them on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">personal</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">hygiene.
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">These are among the many activities we have undertook
to enhance </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">community</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">integration alongside community development.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One
great opportunity of being a volunteer on the ICS programme is the cross-cultural
exchange experience of being and working with UK volunteer counterparts. This is
an opportunity to learn and share from each other. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">am</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">learning how to live and work with people from a different cultural
background. My commitment to personal and professional development aims at
discovering my potential and developing skills in the area of building
effective communication, leadership, collaborative and public speaking skills. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">am</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">improving my report writing skills and more importantly, am showing great
commitment towards contributing to community development. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
have had some farming experience with my host family. I decided to join them to
go and harvest beans. It was my first time harvesting beans; my experience was
wonderful and memorable. I love to eat </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">the</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">Ghanaian </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">bean</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span lang="EN-US">dishes, Waakye (made of rice and beans) and Red Red (consisting of
beans, fried plantain and palm oil) but never knew how to harvest the beans.
Even though the sun was shining with high intensity, we managed to harvest
three large sizes of jute bags between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on
Saturday. One thing I love about my host family is their love and concern for our
well-being as well as their readiness to serve us food. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">am</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
enjoying these opportunities and encouraging the youth between the ages of 18
to 25 years to volunteer on the ICS programme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-22931676919593567612016-11-22T02:07:00.002-08:002016-12-02T05:32:08.218-08:00My Harmattan Experience<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hbyv9Yq688/WDQYE73E4cI/AAAAAAAAAz0/TIL9AYcMN4QlVGwKTP-jFMbIYUab2_LvACLcB/s1600/IMG_20161122_095023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hbyv9Yq688/WDQYE73E4cI/AAAAAAAAAz0/TIL9AYcMN4QlVGwKTP-jFMbIYUab2_LvACLcB/s200/IMG_20161122_095023.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep your skin moisturized!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During Harmattan the weather always changes
drastically, the sun is hotter, the wind is drier and the nights are colder,
this starts from the ending of October to early April. Growing up in the
Northern Regions of Ghana I have experienced the harshness of this season. </div>
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When the harmattan starts there are certain rules that come into play naturally
if one wants to stay healthy and make it through the harmattan without much
health problems, these include:<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Covering the nose with a cloth when it is dusty or when you are travelling on an untarred road to prevent you developing respiratory complications;</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US"> Using very good and effective
body lotion to keep the skin moisturized <span style="font-family: inherit;">and healthy, otherwise the skin often
becomes dry and sometimes scaly;</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e5b91; font-size: 13.524px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Drinking a lot more water to keep hydrated which of course prevents dehydration, a very serious issue;</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Also many people tend to carry
around lip gloss, even men because the harshness of the weather can cause the
lips to dry up and develop splits. I do not know the health implication of this
but I do know that it is very painful and uncomfortable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piQGsg5HXzc/WDQX_z4EJmI/AAAAAAAAAzw/T3nC2E8rKMEK9BEX2mXSFUkB5FUKD00HgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20161117_091321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piQGsg5HXzc/WDQX_z4EJmI/AAAAAAAAAzw/T3nC2E8rKMEK9BEX2mXSFUkB5FUKD00HgCLcB/s320/IMG_20161117_091321.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in my face mask!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">There are many more precautions that need
to be taken in this season but that above are just a few. So many people expect
that as they experience the harmattan so often it should get easier as time
goes by. This year’s harmattan will be my 26th experience and I can only
remember vividly perhaps 17 or 16 of those, but I am yet to have an easy
harmattan. Every single year I dread the coming of the harmattan, I
keep hoping ‘this year’s harmattan will be different, it will be mild’, this
however is never the case. I know that if I want a mild harmattan then I would
need to spend that entire season in the South of Ghana as the Harmattan is
always much milder there than it is in the North.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> Harmattan in the North never gets easier, however I
love the season because it means the coming of Christmas
and I love spending Christmas with my family. It is the season when everyone
makes plans to spend time at home with their families and share love. So, we know
that when the harmattan starts we also need to speed up our Christmas
arrangements, deciding where to spend Christmas, making our travel arrangement,
buying gifts for the family ( they do not come wrapped though), making Christmas
budgets, buying or searching for Christmas decorations, calling up friends to
make arrangements to catch up. So many exciting events happen during this
season, for instance this year my family has formed a Christmas planning
committee… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Harmattan gives us the chance to share in each other’s experience
and gather to help each other through (at least part of the season).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As I contemplate the harshness of the
season, I think of our counterparts from the UK, I have spent 25 harmattans and
still dreaded the coming of the 26th. This is their first and I can only imagine
how they must be feeling. They have received the guidelines of making it
through the harmattan, and they are seemingly prepared, but only time will tell
if they are actually prepared. I have heard
that it can be slightly compared to winter for our counterparts only hotter,
drier, dustier and less chilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We will go through this harmattan as we
usually do, as a family sharing experiences, ideas and helping each other
through. I may not be keen for the harmattan but one thing is sure this year
the harmattan will be a totally different experience sharing it with this
family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_31SSlMbNOc/WDQYFr7wU0I/AAAAAAAAAz4/m2RGcthzeegBSVGBA5bhkvy-GBOr1NVMACLcB/s1600/IMG_20161117_092053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_31SSlMbNOc/WDQYFr7wU0I/AAAAAAAAAz4/m2RGcthzeegBSVGBA5bhkvy-GBOr1NVMACLcB/s400/IMG_20161117_092053.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protecting ourselves from the Harmattan whilst in the communities</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-39286472205962133382016-11-21T03:35:00.000-08:002016-11-22T02:26:17.768-08:00What I hear, see, smell, taste and feel<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>What I hear;</b> motor bikes rumbling, babies crying and the laughter of a group of men who are having a jolly at the NPP shelter.</div>
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<b>What I see;</b>
gutters filled with rubbish and waste, the streets scattered with goats, sheep,
chickens and the odd child asking for toffee.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What I smell;</b> the
unpleasant odder from the open sewer, and the toxic fumes leaking from the
vehicles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What I taste;</b> the
dust which is carried in the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What I feel;</b> the
uneven ground under my feet, the small but needed breeze and the suns sharp
glare on my skin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnifBheBvEs/WDLajP9c7LI/AAAAAAAAAzg/yTsGqGNOaV4d9wDd0xk04mHz7Ir_3XmNQCLcB/s1600/_20161117_115057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnifBheBvEs/WDLajP9c7LI/AAAAAAAAAzg/yTsGqGNOaV4d9wDd0xk04mHz7Ir_3XmNQCLcB/s320/_20161117_115057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens when waiting for the women!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This may all seem really negative but don’t worry I’m
getting to the good part. So above all of that, what I see when I look around
is normal people going through the struggles of everyday life just like me and
you, but I see them doing it gracefully by getting up every day and doing a
job, any job, anything that can bring them any money in, for me that’s
admirable! I see a community packed full of different cultures, religions and
personalities but it all works so well together as the people here are so
friendly and welcoming. They love to wave and say “Dasiba” which mean good
morning in Dagbani. Every night I go to my local shop to get a drink and stand
for about 20 minutes each time just speaking to the shop owner about his day
and any topics that can be spoken about, the people are so easy to talk to and
get along with. What I hear is the laughter of the women on the streets all
making food, usually the laughter can be at us UKV’s trying to speak Dagbani,
but it’s all just fun. I smell the many different spices and flavours of food
rushing through my nose as I travel down each street. I then get to taste the
various new foods that are offered here, a favourite of mine is bean stew and
yams! Then sometimes as a treat the women who sells watermelon will come to the
office and obviously I have to have some, then it’s like there’s a little bit
of home here. I feel the hot rays of the sun cleansing my skin and slowly but
surely bronzing me, under the many layers of sun cream I apply! The cool
refreshing breeze that comes with riding the bike is exactly the break you need
from the heat, and finally, I feel happy to be here, on the other side of the
world, experiencing this life changing opportunity!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5lXqknPLD8/WDLaQwHtX4I/AAAAAAAAAzY/klqzPZD4KuA6KI-AKY3rmEUFhlNZpJghACLcB/s1600/DSC_0032_1479382226939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5lXqknPLD8/WDLaQwHtX4I/AAAAAAAAAzY/klqzPZD4KuA6KI-AKY3rmEUFhlNZpJghACLcB/s320/DSC_0032_1479382226939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in my community- Sahakpalugu</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-45092477684474391982016-11-21T03:10:00.001-08:002016-11-21T03:10:50.059-08:00SAUSAGE!<div class="MsoNormal">
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So this week in one word- SAUSAGE! It was one of the best weeks we have had since being here, just because we had multiple activities and we were able to travel to the Upper East region, because we had the Mid-Term Review in Bolgatanga. There were good and bad things about the trip, the one bad thing was the travel. We had to travel 3 hours in a bus or shall I say Tro Tro as they call it, which is like an old school bus with more seats crammed into it, so as you can image it was quite uncomfortable. But, everything else was amazing, we got to see some amazing sights and in fact saw the first hill since we have been in Ghana! Once we got there we had a nice reunion with the groups from the different districts as we have not seen them since the training at the Gillbt House.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus journey to Bolgatanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The mid-term review in short was an overview of how all the groups are getting along and a big security up date as the elections are coming up and the Harmattan is also about to begin. Oh and back to the one word description of the week; the reason I said sausage is because for the first time since being here we were able to buy sausage in Bolgatanga and it was amazing!! Especially in a bread bun with some tomato ketchup! It just took us back home a little as it's been one of the few foods we have had since being here that tastes like anything from back home. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMo4wFUeVVQ/WDLVebZydJI/AAAAAAAAAy8/adRrBfLLXgYdJUizxVCfijBOvVSTamlXgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMo4wFUeVVQ/WDLVebZydJI/AAAAAAAAAy8/adRrBfLLXgYdJUizxVCfijBOvVSTamlXgCLcB/s200/IMG_1247.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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On the Thursday of this week we had the group from Tolon come to visit us as they are on the same project as us, NFED (Non Formal Education Division), but one cohort behind so they wanted to come to see how we are doing and take some of the knowledge back with them. We booked the big ICT hall as we have a really small office which definitely wouldn't have been able to fit us all in, and we had a big meeting that lasted several hours and consisted of us asking each other questions and relaying any information that we think would be beneficial. Once the meeting finished at around 4:30pm we decided to have a little social activity before they had to leave at 5pm, so we went and had a quick Alvaro (A non-Alcoholic beverage) at the local bar, which was nice.<br />
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In all this week went by very fast, and was helped along by a bike ride we went on, on Saturday, exploring around our community. So as a whole I would say the week was a win.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-19121216318277374802016-11-08T03:05:00.001-08:002016-11-11T08:16:13.865-08:00The number 5<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
The number 5 is the number associated with
perfection and I believe week five of our placement is exactly that. 'Silminga
buy toffee' is now a common rhyme, which is heard whenever we walk, cycle or
sit in the office with our mates from the UK. </div>
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Mondays are often boring days,
but with International Service, it’s a different story. My experience on
placement in a rural community is very fulfilling. I wake up to the sound of
birds singing at dawn and it gives me the best appreciation of nature. Mondays are
always busy for us in the office as we try to do as much as we can and make
space to push activities forward and have more time to plan them, hence the
breakfast my host mum gives me is very much appreciated as I get the energy I
need to head off to a busy day. </div>
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We plan the week and meet with NFED to update
them on all that we have been doing so far as well as to inform them of our
upcoming activities.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji_2khGn2dA/WCGwW7hwyPI/AAAAAAAAAwE/-DYaZIVdes4WBAHUyVrDQ_i707dNMNFNgCLcB/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji_2khGn2dA/WCGwW7hwyPI/AAAAAAAAAwE/-DYaZIVdes4WBAHUyVrDQ_i707dNMNFNgCLcB/s400/office.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone hard at work in the office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN">My mate Lewis and I know all the geographical
hotspots of the community, like miners in search for gold and we stumbled on a
piece of Gold – a successful cooperative not far from our community, which
meant that the women from our communities would be able to see firsthand what
they can achieve and be motivated to work hard towards it, first however we
needed to visit them to make sure that they were worth consideration this
required preparation and I must say we were not disappointed. We sought to find
out what made their cooperative a success. We had discussions with the chairman
who promised communicating and teaching the women how to be a successful
cooperative. I saw this as a major step, since it is going to open more doors
for information and training for the women. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The day finally came
for the MASLOC training,</span><span lang="EN"> this was arranged to help the cooperatives learn about the various loan packages
available and what documentation they will need, the meeting started at 10:30am
and the M.A.S.L.O.C trainers explained the process of acquiring a loan, what is
required for a loan, the maximum amount they can take and the types of loan
products they have, it was a very interactive session between the women and the
trainers as the women were eager and had a boat load of questions to ask. The
training came to an end at 12.50, We realized that though we had initially thought
the motor kings were what the women needed, it seemed the cash loans is what
they are interested in the most, and they confirmed this to us when we asked
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlC9GDcVzOk/WCGwnrR1ZbI/AAAAAAAAAwI/-dRiKvdWI6QfrHtvJSXjuB3fc9wkozaKwCLcB/s1600/masloc%2Bbetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlC9GDcVzOk/WCGwnrR1ZbI/AAAAAAAAAwI/-dRiKvdWI6QfrHtvJSXjuB3fc9wkozaKwCLcB/s400/masloc%2Bbetter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women at the MASLOC training</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN">As a way to relax midway through the week we had
games night and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. For the rest of our week we
compiled reports, and made plans for our supply run and the week to come. Our
friend 'Biscuit' the goat failed to visit us early instead, a strange puppy
visited us, we are now searching for a name for it, who knows we might name him
'toffee'. Perfection is not achieved when everything you plan goes smoothly,
instead it is when we are able to learn from mistakes, adjust to new plans and
improvise the old plans…. In this regard I think my friends here will agree
with me when I say week 5 has been a perfect week.</span><b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-29850107057588263942016-10-21T07:28:00.001-07:002016-10-24T06:48:05.513-07:00One month in SaveluguSo we've been here a month now. It's strange how it both feels like we've been here no amount of time but feels like we've lived here forever. It's definitely good that we have our social activity list which keeps us entertained. Game night on Wednesday, and it was Shiela's birthday this week so we were celebrating. Chloe brought along a new game called Jungle Speed, which made a nice change from the card games we usually play, or Ludo. Friday night's are film nights at my host home which is always nice to just be able to sit and relax. Tonight I'm cooking as well so it'll be a good film and some nice homely food (if I don't poison everyone).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pglxBGLri7M/WA4QPC6adhI/AAAAAAAAAvc/pYO5kax_WjwamIKUMWBUCm9Ev4AJWuUKQCLcB/s1600/SOCIAL%2BACTIVITIES%2BBLOG%2BWEEK%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pglxBGLri7M/WA4QPC6adhI/AAAAAAAAAvc/pYO5kax_WjwamIKUMWBUCm9Ev4AJWuUKQCLcB/s320/SOCIAL%2BACTIVITIES%2BBLOG%2BWEEK%2B4.png" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 'Social Activities' list- up on the office wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This week has been a busy one, with the Co-operative training in the communities and plenty of report writing and risk assessments. This morning we had our third guided learning session, and we visited the Central mosque. We learnt how the mosque was part of a project including the construction of a school, accommodation for students, a health centre and more. The project would also offer scholarships to some people in need.<br />
For me so far religion has been a prominent part of my time in Ghana. My host home family are Christian and I often wake up to my wonderful host mum singing along to the cheery gospel songs playing from the TV. Then across the road is one of Savelugu's many mosques, so I've also become well used to the call to prayer's (especially the 4am one!). Hearing the wonderfully enriching music of these two religions being celebrated just a few hundred yards apart makes me inherently happy and grateful. So many people live and celebrate religion in harmony, and whilst often it's overshadowed by those minorities who turn to terror, negativity and violence, it's important that we appreciate all those who remain peaceful even in the worst of times and most difficult of situation.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NFd1gplVTY/WA4QOgx3ifI/AAAAAAAAAvY/LHCxy4ILvowAR7O3lJgwxG5YpmVuth9cACLcB/s1600/MOSQUE%2BBLOG%2BWEEK%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3NFd1gplVTY/WA4QOgx3ifI/AAAAAAAAAvY/LHCxy4ILvowAR7O3lJgwxG5YpmVuth9cACLcB/s320/MOSQUE%2BBLOG%2BWEEK%2B4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team visiting the Central Mosque for our Guided Learning Session.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We are in Savelugu to help the women of our communities, but nevertheless we're all learning ourselves. We're experiencing no end of new things, from new foods, learning Dagbani to just spending time with a new group of people and learning about who they are and where they're from.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-68093188772809175182016-10-17T06:07:00.002-07:002016-10-18T06:29:08.059-07:00Community Entry<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was our community entry, we started off by going
to Sahakpalulgu, which is Chance and Sheila’s community. The women were friendly
and welcomed us into their community. We then went to Naprisi, which is Lewis
and Bismark’s community, the women were dancing and laughing so it seems like
a nice community to be in which is good. After that it was Kukuo, this is Molly
and Hamdia’s community, the women only spoke a little and just mainly agreed
with what was said. </div>
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Next was Jana, Nasiha and Natty’s community, their Chief
seemed pretty cool but the women did not speak much. After was Manguli, this is
Dan and Selorm’s community, the group of women seemed to be very small we were
not sure if that was because of the lack of people turning up or if it was just
a small group. </div>
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Finally, was mine and Ridwan’s community, save the best till
last, Balshei. The women were so friendly and seemed very enthusiastic to get
started, they told us that they were happy to see me and Ridwan as excited to get
started as we are. The Chief was cool as well and seemed very eager for us to
look at their rice production and see how we can help, so he sent us through to
look, I got a few photos and a video which will really help us later on to refer
back to. The community is very beautiful as well it’s just full of greenery and
these amazing views! We got a pretty cool group<br />
photo in the grass. All in all,
the women seemed really friendly and welcoming and eager to get started with
the new cohort.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHf-DcJXGDs/WATMwju9uxI/AAAAAAAAAu4/aSN9p1hgkkki0UERHVAPRkZCpc6pb_IEwCEw/s1600/EMILY%2BRIDWAN%2BCOMM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHf-DcJXGDs/WATMwju9uxI/AAAAAAAAAu4/aSN9p1hgkkki0UERHVAPRkZCpc6pb_IEwCEw/s640/EMILY%2BRIDWAN%2BCOMM.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and Ridwan with the women of Balshei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the Tuesday night it was meant to be a “Fire Festival” so Lewis, Natty and I went to meet everyone at the office to watch from a safe
distance, but then it absolutely poured down with rain, it was thunder and
lightning and storming for so long. Luckily when we got to the office the caretaker was sat in our office and invited us in so we went in there to hide
from the rain. </div>
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Finally, the rain stopped so we pelted home
before it started again. In the end the fire festival did go on but just at
like 11pm and we were all flat out by then so missed it completely. Massive let
down. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall, this week has actually been pretty good and went by
really fast which is a change from last week. Looking forward to next week and
doing the training with our communities and getting to know them some more.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-51993167005941848692016-10-07T07:56:00.001-07:002016-10-17T06:10:59.546-07:00Welcome to SaveluguHello from Cohort 5!<br />
<br />
Savelugu was a word we'd said many a time before coming here. For UKV's (UK volunteers) when fundraising and for us all when telling our friends and family where we are going. Now finally, we've reached the town. It's a beautiful place, with nice scenery, and full of heartwarming and lovely people. <br />
<br />
The Savelugu Munincipality consists of 149 communities with a total population of 110,000. The primary language here is Dagbani of which our team has had some basic training in. Some of us are definitely better than others! Luckily we have three Dagbani speakers in the team, which will certainly make life a little easier.<br />
<br />
"Silaminga buy toffee" is a recitation that the children of the community chant anytime they see the uk volunteers. It means "White man, buy me toffee". (History of why they say this is a long one (trust me!).<br />
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Our first full day here was a Sunday, so we decided to visit the nearby lake, it was a good cycle and a worthwhile one, the lake is beautiful, and children were playing in the water.<br />
<br />
The office is a nice cozy place (it's a tight squeeze). The first day was really packed, we started by cleaning the office. After work, Chloe, one of the team leaders showed us to the bar, somewhere we can relax after work. Most of us tried a soft drink called Alvaro, it's really good. We spoke mostly of our cultures, and as usual with our group we joked and laughed (mostly at each other).<br />
<br />
We decided to designate one night a week as a games night, to ward off the boredom that may be associated with lots of work. Wednesday is the day which we collectively agreed to meet at a volunteers residence and have games. There was Twister, Ludo, Snake and ladders and Playing Cards. There was lots of music and fun. Twister was the funniest of all the games, a new game for all the ICV's (In country volunteers), it involved about four people having their hands and legs on colour patterns on a plastic sheet.<br />
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With the help of one of the host parents, we were able to meet the chief of Savelugu. Before we went in we had to remove our footwear in obedience to tradition. The chief welcomed us and expressed his support for us to make our positive impact in the community. We too had a moment to express our mission and thanks to the chief. We also got to meet the NFED team and the supervisors who welcomed us.<br />
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It's only week 2 but already we're really fitting into the culture and norms of this wonderful and lovely community.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NFED Savelugu Cohort 5</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-64086841099088354112016-09-13T04:38:00.000-07:002016-09-13T04:39:01.328-07:00Becoming one with Ghana<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
UK volunteer Dionne Heslop sums up her experience at the end of the ICS placement </h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers amid the organized chaos of Tamale market</td></tr>
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Let’s be honest:
this experience has not been easy. As someone who hasn't had much
experience with the poverty line or different cultures, it has been
an almighty shock to my system. Yet it has also been the best
experience of my life.
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<br /></div>
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I came here with an
open mind and was ready to take on any challenges coming my way.
Admittedly, I was scared when we landed in Accra – which seems
silly now. It wasn’t just a little bit different from what I was
used to. It was a whole different world. My first experience in Accra
was of a man who approached the open minibus window where I was
sitting, demanding I buy some sort of child's toy that had obviously
seen better days. All I could do was pray the red light would hurry
up and turn to green.
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Thankfully, Tamale
was a whole different story. The streets are constantly alive with
music and people dressed in brightly coloured clothing, rushing
around trying to sell flip flops, fruit or even fish carried on their
heads in metal bowls or wicker baskets. The biggest challenge I faced
in Tamale, was trying not to get run over by the crazy ‘I do what I
want’ traffic. I'm not even sure if they have any road laws in
Ghana.</div>
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After my short time
in Tamale I was all set to move in with my host family in Savelugu,
they could not have been any more welcoming and willing to help us
settle in but, another culture shock. The squat-down toilet and
thought of washing from a bucket of rain water every day for the next
three months was pretty daunting. You only get one bucket of water
per shower, so you have to use the right amount of water for your
hair, and then leave enough to wash with. I've become a master of
this. Also, if it doesn't rain, then you don't get any water.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KfKgd4bqGj4/V9fgXXjDCzI/AAAAAAAAAsU/e2I2WzzY-ngf7zXRJcuaCX4Y4n6IE3pxgCEw/s1600/D2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KfKgd4bqGj4/V9fgXXjDCzI/AAAAAAAAAsU/e2I2WzzY-ngf7zXRJcuaCX4Y4n6IE3pxgCEw/s640/D2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road lead to Savelugu lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At first, being in
Savelugu, where there isn't much to do proved difficult. I don't
agree with the food and the food doesn’t agree with me, and that is
something that hasn’t got any easier. Savelugu is a quiet town with
one bar, many shops that sell the same things and the forever
beautiful lake. It took us a while to discover the lake, but we have
still managed to make a lot of great memories there. It's quiet,
secluded and a lovely place in which to relax and reflect, or in our
case play spar (a Ghanaian card game) and kick the football around.
‘The mango tree’ is also a place where all meet and think of
endless ways to try and entertain ourselves.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Working out here has
not been easy to say the least: the cramped office and numerous dead
ends can be frustrating, but getting to meet the working women from
surrounding communities has been a pleasure. Learning about the way
the women make a small living and what it entails to do so has been
mesmerising, and they are truly amazing for what they do on on a
day-to-day basis. Juggling family life with processing and selling
their products all whilst under the poverty line is something to be
proud of. It may not seem like a lot to us, but out here, trust me it
is</div>
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</div>
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I have met some
amazing friends, who I've made some of the best memories with. I've
lived with the kindest, funniest family and I've helped vulnerable
women better their small income-generating activities. I feel great
for being a part of it all.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What was out of my
comfort zone has now become comfortable.
</div>
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All in all: what a
strange, wonderful place. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQBXCz58u4w/V9fgXLOQzMI/AAAAAAAAAsU/uUWnJzc4RZwLMVyMBnE0Cm3dMq-6g7pIwCEw/s1600/D3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQBXCz58u4w/V9fgXLOQzMI/AAAAAAAAAsU/uUWnJzc4RZwLMVyMBnE0Cm3dMq-6g7pIwCEw/s640/D3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After financial training at Savelugu information center </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-3387596540161060292016-09-07T06:36:00.000-07:002016-09-13T03:33:26.368-07:00What a culture shock <h3 style="text-align: left;">
UK volunteer Sarah Chebrolu describes her journey from fear of change to confidence in responsibility</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HLs6OZKB0I/V9AWhysBM6I/AAAAAAAAAr4/8jwSeZpe71MWC1bFh-OBCeW7noTRUnSXQCLcB/s1600/IMG-20160907-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HLs6OZKB0I/V9AWhysBM6I/AAAAAAAAAr4/8jwSeZpe71MWC1bFh-OBCeW7noTRUnSXQCLcB/s640/IMG-20160907-WA0000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank and Sarah with community members in Jana, south of Savelugu</td></tr>
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</span></span></h3>
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Before my ICS journey, I wrestled a lot with my fear of change and I made it one of my personal goals to go beyond my comfort zone. After just a few days in Savelugu adjusting to the new tastes of food and hearing words in a different tongue, I realised I am 4,000 miles away from my comfort zone and now coming to a successful end of week 10.</div>
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In one of my many conversations with my counterpart, Mariam, she mentioned that “<i>cooking is just like handwriting… we all may be presented with the same book and pen but each of our handwritings differ. In the same way we may all have the same ingredients but the way we cook is also very different</i>.” I took this view on board, and not only have I been able to appreciate and enjoy Ghanaian culture, but I have also been able to work better in a team and appreciate everyone’s individual way of doing things. This also encouraged me see the project in a new light and recognise how different all the six cooperative groups are.</div>
</div>
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Over the past few weeks, after successful sessions of soap-making training for the women in our communities, sustainability became our main focus – we decided that creating an English/Dagbani soap manual would be the best way to ensure the women in our communities have benefited from the training.</div>
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I was given the task of creating and completing the soap manual and well… facilitating all things soap. This became my new ‘mini project’. I expected to finish the soap manual much earlier but trying to piece it together involved learning about soap production, gaining awareness on the health and safety aspects, calculating the feasibility costs, carrying out market research and, most importantly, recording the exciting intricacies in the soap-making process while soap training.</div>
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Throughout this process, I have learnt about the challenges in development, issues that arise while introducing a new income-generating activity (IGA) which are not always immediately apparent.</div>
</div>
<div>
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However, I am eager to complete this soap manual in the coming week with the help of our amazing Dagbani translators (Thank you, Ayisha and Alhassan) and I am hopeful to see the long-term benefits these women in our cooperative groups will reap. I felt a massive responsibility being assigned to this task, but with the support of my lovely team I can confidently say that my journey here has been much more fulfilling.</div>
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</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are innumerable memories, new springs of motivation to continue volunteering at home and not to forget the super skill of making soap that I will be taking home with me and also to new places. I now feel my fear of change disappearing.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-51285745774374666122016-08-30T02:49:00.002-07:002016-08-30T02:58:43.171-07:00Audio blog: The impact of NGOs on education in the Northern Region<h3>Elvis Aboagye finds a wide range of views on this central developmental issue. For his report he spoke to school pupils, Savelugu's NFED district director, an International Service team leader, and the Savelugu Nanton Municipal planning officer.</h3><br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/280559143&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-21214074446046778002016-08-21T11:11:00.000-07:002016-08-22T02:11:31.001-07:00A soundtrack for development in Ghana<h3 style="text-align: left;">
From independence to the present day, Ghana’s musicians seem to have it covered, says UK volunteer Jasper Jolly</h3>
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Like any immersion in a new country, the culture and subcultures of Ghana can be overwhelming for a new entrant. On the music scene this is particularly true: highlife, hiplife, azonto, rap in Twi, English and other many others. And all this sound echoes the country we are living in for these three months. Hearing Sarkodie’s “Dumsor” shortly after experiencing it – the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumsor">“off/on” power cuts</a> that regularly plunge us (and businesses, factories) into fanless darkness – made an impression. Here are five songs I’ve found to soundtrack our work in Ghana’s development – the good and the bad.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Nana Ampadu – “Ebi Tie Yie”</h4>
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Let me tell you something, says the title of this 1967 Highlife song, before laying out a simple story about a leopard bullying a duyker (an antelope, apparently). So far, so homely, but listeners in 10-year-postcolonial Ghana found an Orwellian parable of social justice behind the simple story – to the point that its title is still <a href="http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/politics-and-highlife-of-ebi-te-yie-guitar-boy-and-to-wobo-ase-days.html">associated with justice today</a>. Its simplicity allegedly saved Ampadu from any serious repercussions from the suspicious military officials who overthrew Nkrumah’s first independent government. Today its infectious energy stands as testament to Ghana’s status among Africa’s more socially just nations.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Sarkodie – “Dumsor”</h4>
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But there are still big challenges. Sarkodie – probably the biggest star in the country’s musical firmament – is becoming one of Ghana’s proudest exports. In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4MpyQub5Xc">‘New Guy’</a> he takes on America in English, but it was in Twi (thank you, Alhassan, for translations) that he made his name. Dumsor is emblematic of the challenges of improving infrastructure with a limited budget and a population hungry for electricity-heavy development. Sarkodie hits deep in the gut straight away with the title’s opening refrain.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Sarkodie – “Inflation”</h4>
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He’s at it again in “Inflation”, hitting out at rising costs from petrol to pineapple juice with a rolling thunder rhythm that’s thrillingly ominous. But again this is a problem that’s close to the bone here – every coin in our pockets was minted in 2007 <a href="https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-157950549/ghana-new-currency-in-july-2007-after-suffering">when the currency was devalued</a> by 10,000 times. Sarkodie has been accused of being party political because of his music, which he denies stridently (even in the actual songs). Either way, “Leadership is what we need”.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Rockstone – “Ya Bounce Wo Visa”</h4>
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Rockstone is credited in some quarters with introducing the <a href="http://accradotaltradio.com/2015/04/highlife-goes-hiphop/">Hiplife Twi rapping</a> which made Sarkodie possible. He’s also a potent symbol of globalised culture – bringing American influence to bear on Ghanaian music via London. With any cultural mixing there are bound to be sticking points – although we have had remarkably few.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Criss Waddle feat. Medikal – “PƐ Kakra”</h4>
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Last and, musically, probably least comes Criss Waddle’s “PƐ Kakra”. Despite its low-rent obsession with standard status symbols (picture above is a case in point), this has become a very much unofficial theme tune for cohort 4 in Savelugu. We UK volunteers were drawn by the chorus which we could at least understand: “Triple cedis, | Cedis, cedis, cedis – pƐ kakra” – get more. We could link that to what we’re trying to do with our communities’ incomes, but let’s leave it at that.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-70705891974625981482016-08-18T10:17:00.000-07:002016-08-19T04:26:34.209-07:00Something else in Savelugu<h3 style="text-align: center;">
At the halfway point Sualihu Mariam and Yahaya Ayisha reflect on new experiences and opportunities</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNPz4WrsbdE/V7IKFdbgRBI/AAAAAAAAArY/IM6iHx-JCiIchSMT38TnGc1SqYv8K4oHwCLcB/s1600/Lowlandi%2BFAJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNPz4WrsbdE/V7IKFdbgRBI/AAAAAAAAArY/IM6iHx-JCiIchSMT38TnGc1SqYv8K4oHwCLcB/s640/Lowlandi%2BFAJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insight: volunteers learn about rice milling at Lowlandi Rice Processing, Tamale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As in-country volunteers we both heard about the ICS programme from family and friends and were encouraged to apply as volunteers. Together we held similar expectations about this programme and set out personal goals to help us to learn from people of different cultures, develop on public speaking skills and also learn about development and its process. </div>
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Over the six weeks in Savelugu, we have spent time with our communities by educating the students in Savelugu Junior High School about their human rights. It was a successful and interesting activity that taught both us and the children something new and important. We have also gone into the communities to teach families about sanitation and the importance of keeping themselves and their surroundings clean. This was a useful part of our active citizenship because it helps the community understand the importance of preventing diseases and keeping themselves healthy. For us this was also very helpful and educative because as volunteers we were able to fulfill our duty to learn from the community and teach the community at the same time. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Ayisha</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most enjoyable and insightful experiences this week was meeting with Madam Memunatu at Lowlandi Rice Processing Company. She helped me understand how to improve the quality of local rice processed. This information will be helpful in our project impact as we can share this with our communities and project partners to ensure sustainability. During this meeting I was able learn about packaging rice and also learn about development.</div>
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I thought that working with my team would be difficult for me because of cultural differences and ideas, but so far I am pretty comfortable with the team and also enjoy Josh’s jokes because he makes everyone laugh.</div>
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My hope for the next six weeks is to learn more about my teams and their likes and dislikes. With the help of my team, I hope we can make a sustainable change in the work we do and also hope to record some valuable information for the next cohort that arrives in Savelugu. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Personal development: Ayisha and Jasper teaching pupils about their right to safety</td></tr>
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<h4>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Mariam</h4>
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As a girl who loves to be with people from different places and different backgrounds I have been enjoying being with my team and learning new things from them. We work with women in six communities in the Savelgu-Nanton municipality who are into processing rice and producing shea butter.</div>
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With rice processing being their main source of income, the team along with NFED thought it will be beneficial for the women to be trained in soap making as an alternative income-generating activity. During week five, we were able to provide training for the women with the help of Madam Andaratu (“The soap lady”). The team thought it would be better and easier to split the communities into two wider groups for the training. The soap training took three days to complete it involved soaking the ingredients and preparation of soap. Overall it was a success and in order to make it sustainable I am part of a sub-group focusing on the Dagbani/English soap manual. I am very excited about finishing it and seeing how it will have an impact on the cooperatives. </div>
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As this was our first time writing a blog we find ourselves repeating ‘anything else’ to make sure we haven’t missed anything. We are both hopeful, happy and confident about the next six weeks we have left. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-8782592449006226152016-08-15T11:07:00.000-07:002016-08-15T11:08:42.920-07:00We need to talk about Savelugu<h3>
UK volunteer Jessica Notman has 10 things to bear in mind for ICS in Ghana's Northern Region</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spar time: one of our many sessions playing cards together</td></tr>
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1) Playing cards has become a key part of our day-to-day activities. Whether it’s spar at the bar, or sh8thead at the mango tree, we play at least one game a day. It gives us time to wind down and reflect on all we have done at work. It’s also a great opportunity to kick some ass and beat everyone! Local boy Osman is our hero: he picks a blind card in sh8thead, and you’re guaranteed to be a winner. Everyone wants to be Team Osman – ‘what would Osman do?’<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team players: supporting each other in group activities</td></tr>
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2) I cannot get over how supportive and kind and lovely my AMAZING team are. There have been ups and downs being here, as it’s natural to expect, but the team got this! I found the first couple of weeks really challenging, but having someone to moan at or laugh with really made me realize what it’s all about – it’s about being there for someone and doing your best to support them… no matter how bad you’re feeling yourself. I have made friends for life, and I feel very lucky to have the best team in Savelugu! ;) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4AOtuKVNV4/V7HIcpGC_KI/AAAAAAAAAqc/JuPnSY4ZSm4dVylDMoX267iRoKvXCvsbwCEw/s1600/J3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4AOtuKVNV4/V7HIcpGC_KI/AAAAAAAAAqc/JuPnSY4ZSm4dVylDMoX267iRoKvXCvsbwCEw/s640/J3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Activities: engaging with a local school.</td></tr>
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3) Every Friday afternoon we focus on one topic area from the Active Citizenship Pack provided by ICS; we have been to a school to teach them about their human rights, we have been round different communities and taught them about sanitation, and as I’m writing this we are organizing a trip to hospital to ask questions about health care. Everyone in our team looks forward to Friday. It gives us a chance to go out and engage with different people throughout the communities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck in: hands-on training with the communities in soap making</td></tr>
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4) Soap making was SUPER fun. We spent three days, spread over two locations, and invited all of the women from the six communities we are working with to join; and now we have six communities of soap makers! We were dealing with caustic soda, and all I could think of was that scene from <i>Fight Club</i>… slightly awkward! But once I got over that I put some sweaty plastic bags on my hands, covered them with a sock, then got involved with the women – moulding the soap into balls was more complicated than it looked, but apparently I’m a natural!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IxtxOVlde8/V7HRi_vbSzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/iZc4GOJtHRUhrXeKzqCjeAoVycDOWUO3QCLcB/s1600/J1%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IxtxOVlde8/V7HRi_vbSzI/AAAAAAAAAqw/iZc4GOJtHRUhrXeKzqCjeAoVycDOWUO3QCLcB/s640/J1%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
5) Mosquito bites: maybe not a cultural exchange, but a huge part of our time here. At least once a day someone will talk about a bite… damn mozzies. They attack you when you’re walking, they attack you when you are sleeping, and they even attack you when you are on the toilet. They know no boundaries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radio stars: the team after the broadcast at local station Might FM</td></tr>
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6) On the 9th August we did a radio sensitization. This was an ace experience, being in the room with a microphone in my face with Jasper, Alhassan and Frankie sitting with me. We spent AGES writing a script, and then in typical Ghanaian fashion, all of the timing was changed and the DJ rushed us through. Making it up as we went was our natural response from then on. Still slayed though…<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yys2Ozq-6bc/V7HIe-3yOlI/AAAAAAAAAqo/T784nISUNpUk7iyGNL6aLSaragh8jfDNQCEw/s1600/J7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yys2Ozq-6bc/V7HIe-3yOlI/AAAAAAAAAqo/T784nISUNpUk7iyGNL6aLSaragh8jfDNQCEw/s640/J7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say toffee: volunteers with some of the local children</td></tr>
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7) The children are amazing here. They irritate UK volunteers by constantly shouting, ‘Silaminga, buy toffee’, but more often than not they are adorable. One of the funniest things I have seen (though I feel Josh will not agree), is when the little girl spat fish all over Josh’s back. He just sat there repeating, ‘Has she just spat on me?’- Hilarious!! There is a little girl that sits outside the office asking for our team leader, Chloe. She even wrote her a letter, expressing her displeasure when Chloe forgot her name… <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon runner: a volunteer feels the effects</td></tr>
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8) People have spent a lot of time out the office, because they’ve been running… by running I mean running to the toilet. We can’t decide if it’s the mystery meat kebabs, the roadside cheese, or the shitoh (or a combination of all three!). Either way, running is very popular amongst our team in Savelugu!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcgz0yoVe-g/V7HIfpf0z7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/nINOXVIkIIsh1tcf3TW0cPF_76gZ4PHBwCEw/s1600/J9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcgz0yoVe-g/V7HIfpf0z7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/nINOXVIkIIsh1tcf3TW0cPF_76gZ4PHBwCEw/s640/J9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-terms: from Savelugu to Sirigu and back again</td></tr>
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9) The Mid-term Report was this week, and it was SO much fun. We got to meet back up with the other parts of our big team, after being spread out all over the whole of the Northern Region. Waking up at 5am for a three-hour bus journey was not ideal, but seeing everyone was so worth it! We played our own mini-Olympics, and obviously Team Savelugu won! GO TEAM!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4aC7U3J26I/V7HIbLp4sAI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Q6jksDryn3Advbhbp7iRxUjNZdbUCi15gCEw/s1600/J10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4aC7U3J26I/V7HIbLp4sAI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Q6jksDryn3Advbhbp7iRxUjNZdbUCi15gCEw/s640/J10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus selfie: volunteers from various International Service projects</td></tr>
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10) Friendship was honestly one of the main reasons I came here, and although we are only halfway through, I already know it is something that I have gained. Other volunteers from the UK, the ICVs and the team leaders now make a complete friendship group; we have shared so much together and I now have memories with these people that I will cherish forever. Another six weeks with our team will fly by, but the friendships and memories we have made will last forever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-12594469588032374542016-08-04T08:57:00.003-07:002016-08-05T10:27:17.439-07:00I came, I talked, I conquered<h3>
James Willis explains how ICS has helped him to develop public-speaking skills</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human rights: team leader Emmanuel telling Savelugu students about their rights.</td></tr>
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I’ll begin with a quick overview. My name is James and I'm terrified of public speaking.<br />
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One of the main principles of ICS and International Service is Personal and Professional Development. Even now, just six short weeks in, I can say that I have achieved this goal. Personal development for me was being able to conquer a task or challenge that gave me great trouble throughout the past, and for me, that was public speaking.<br />
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Let me explain.<br />
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During our ICS assessment day for International Service I had to present to a group of potential volunteers – as well as the assessors – on a topic I was passionate about. This could be anything in the world. I chose to present on my love of photography and how I developed this hobby. The room couldn't have had more than 10 or 11 people in it, yet when I stood up to present, I was shaking, nervous, jittery and incredibly flustered. Thankfully I was able to do what was needed and I passed (obviously).<br />
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So when I was told by my team leaders that it was my group’s week to present something from the Active Citizenship pack, (a guide given to every volunteer explaining various issues that affect ICS projects globally), I thought now would be the perfect time to challenge myself to do something different.<br />
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I could have presented to our small team, or just interviewed some of the locals on a subject. But for me that wouldn't have been a challenge, and that’s why I came to Ghana.<br />
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Instead of hiding in the office, my colleague and I wrote a lesson plan and approached the local high school, with the idea of educating teenagers on their human rights and specifically their rights as a child under the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child. It was all planned out, all my colleagues knew their jobs and the subject they had to talk about. The only thing left was to put the plan into action.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talents: volunteers Frank and Jess with a group talking about their right to education.</td></tr>
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This was where the nerves kicked in. I started shaking and it wasn't until I stepped up and started talking that I realised it was no big deal, that I was scared over nothing. Once the afternoon was over, the kids seemed to have learned something new, I’d learned something new about myself, and my colleagues had enjoyed the activities.<br />
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My time with International Service so far has been an amazing adventure and I’ve learned a lot, but for me, one afternoon in a school with 70 teenagers has helped more than I could have imagined. Throughout our training, it is emphasised that we will grow and change as people and professionals. Initially I thought of this as sales pitch – just a way to draw us all in.<br />
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But I've conquered a fear, and a fear I didn't think I would ever be able to beat. For that alone, the ICS experience has already been worth every second. And that’s before you factor in the lifelong friends, the business skills, the Dagbani language, the culture and the knowledge gained from it all.<br />
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Here’s to six more amazing weeks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522046772030336392.post-60634610076071516162016-07-29T05:29:00.000-07:002016-08-04T04:12:16.565-07:00NFED: making the dream possible<h3>
Mumuni Alhassan reports on how the work of NFED is helping to lift rural women in Ghana's Northern Region out of poverty</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human rights: team leader Emmanuel and volunteer Dionne talk to school pupils about their human rights</td></tr>
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Before the commencement of my ICS journey, my hope was to be placed in <a href="http://life.internationalservice.org/2014/03/goodbye-sandema-poppy.html">LIFE Project, Sandema</a>, to help advocate for the persons with disabled (PWDs) and to also build their capacity to enable their rights and capabilities to be realized. This will enable them to be productive in life and be able to contribute enormously and effectively to the development of their community, country and the nation at large. But to my surprise, my hope was proved futile and I found myself in NFED Savelugu.<br />
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Having got there, I met lovely and adorable colleague volunteers who hail from different cultural groups and hold different schools of thought when it comes to execution of works and sharing of ideas in relation to development. Having met them, my fears and prejudice have all evaporated, and I integrated well with them. I have set goals for myself which they are helping me to achieve.<br />
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NFED is the <a href="http://nfed.gov.gh/">Non-Formal Education Division </a>under the Ministry of Education in Savelugu municipality, north of Tamale. It provides literacy classes to the people who are not able to have access to formal education. Their target groups are the rural poor. In running the classes, they have teachers (facilitators) who assist them in making this dream possible, whilst the NFED serve as supervisors to ensure that these facilitators deliver up to expectations.<br />
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These facilitators are given incentives which serve as motivation to enable them deliver well. The classes are run in 21-month cycle. After the first cycle they are then enrolled into the normal classes to learn basic English. When these people are done with the basic English and can now read and write, NFED encourages them to form income-generating groups (IGGs) and start running income-generating activities (IGAs). These enable them earn an income in order to develop themselves, their community and the nation.<br />
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This is where NFED’s partnership with <a href="http://www.volunteerics.org/apply-now">International Citizen Service</a> (ICS) comes in. <a href="http://www.internationalservice.org.uk/">International Service</a> (one of the charities involved in the ICS scheme) partners with NFED to provide livelihood skills to these IGGs, so that they will be able to develop their families, communities and the country at large. International Service focuses on reducing poverty levels. On a global level Ghana is relatively poor and the Northern Region is the leading region in terms of poverty among the 10 regions in Ghana - this particularly impacts on providing livelihood skills to vulnerable and deprived people.<br />
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During our first discussion with NFED we wanted to ascertain the progress of the IGGs and the way forward to ensuring that the dream of ICS was feasible. According to them, "the intervention of ICS has brought significant improvement into the lives of these IGGs in terms of running their IGAs". The improvements they stated were leadership skills and group dynamics, business management, how to develop their own constitution, how to register their group as cooperative, and how to get bank accounts through the cooperative.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community: ICS volunteer Ayisha talks to the cooperative members in Kukuo.</td></tr>
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Human rights are a key indicator in this goal of international development. People with peace of mind can think critically and find alternative methods when it comes to planning towards development.<br />
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But people suffer various forms of abuses of human rights every day. As a result, we as International Service volunteers are also serving as human rights activists, aiming at bridging the gap between human rights and human rights law and to realize the recognition of human rights law.<br />
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We started to do so by sensitizing Savelugu Junior High School on the <a href="http://www.unicef.org/crc/">United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child</a>, covering topics like the family, health, safety, education and personal rights as part of their volunteer learning session.<br />
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We believe that when peoples identify what their rights are they can live peacefully and contribute to developmental issues in their families, communities and the nation at large.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Savelugu, Ghana9.6164557 -0.824638599999957489.5538327 -0.90531959999995748 9.6790787 -0.74395759999995748