Operation Ghana

Monday May 12, 2008

If yesterday was the longest day ever, today was the shortest day ever. I woke up, showered, had a protein shake, then Deb and I met up with marco to walk to town. It was already 3:00PM. Curry, Erin and Michelle went to Accra this morning to meet with folks at the Department of Special Ed., talk through the agenda and to make sure everyone expected was going to show up. Brian and Amy went to the internet cafe. The internet cafe is now just up the road at the YMCA! It costs 40 cents for 30 minutes.

We stopped by the internet cafe but did not see Brian or Amy. I hopped on-line and sent out a few email messages - to Aaron, Emilie and my mom. I tried to blog but the site would not load. I could only get on yahoo. The funny thing was not all of the keys on the keyboard were in the correct places, so if you are someone who looks at the keyboard to compose a letter, you are hosed!

Deb, Marco and I walked to town. Deb bought a bath towel. Actually Marco bought it, on Deb’s behalf. We bought oranges, mangos, and bread. Marco bout the things he needed for his dinner that night. While he bought his groceries I asked the woman there if I could take a picture of her store. She said, “no.” Oh well.

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Sunday May 11th 2008 - Evening

Today has been the longest day ever! It is hot and humid! Actually it is SO hot and SO humid! The tro-tro picked us up at the airport. It was interesting to take the drive to Mampong again. It wasn’t so foreign this time.

When we arrived, Marco was waiting. He helped us unload our bags. He had already set up the bunk beds for us. Everyone settled in and took naps. It is really hot… did I already say that? We are sweaty and yucky!

After the nap we went up to see both headmasters and let them know we are here. As we came up the road, the children came running. I don’t even know that they necessarily recognized me. I just think that they hug first and ask questions later. I wish I remembered more names. There were a few name signs I magically pulled from the deep recesses. They didn’t all remember my name - so I guess we are even. Remember the little girl who took my hand and led me up to the classroom where the picture was of me and Alex and Leah? She ran up to me. I asked her name. She showed me her name sign, a “T” tapping at her hip. She doesn’t know how to finger spell her name and her name is not written on her dress. I asked her age and she looked away. Another little boy told me, “She is new. She doesn’t know sign.” (SIGH) I smiled and told him, “Good! You can help her learn!” “T” tapping at her hip stood in front of me, then turned her back to me and wrapped my arms around her so she could swing from my arms. I’ve spent hours thinking about her, trying to figure out what it would take to give her a useful and meaningful vocabulary. I guess like always I would need to show her the sign, the word and the image.

We stopped by Dora’s. She wasn’t home.

Right as we returned to the cottage, it started to rain. Then it started to pour! I heard a familiar but unidentified sound. The sound was like an Australian didjeridoo. It was familiar because it had kept me awake a number of nights in January. Turns out it’s a frog.

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