One month in Savelugu

So 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).

Our 'Social Activities' list- up on the office wall.

 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.
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.

The team visiting the Central Mosque for our Guided Learning Session.

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.