WOW it seems like I just posted a blog about it only being 16 days away and now its less than 4 days until I leave! Its almost surreal feeling knowing that its finally happening! Today was a major day because I got my actual placement details! I am being placed with a school/day care that is new to the Cross cultural solutions program. Me and one other girl from the group I am going with are only the second group of people to be volunteering with them. So it is really important for us to make a really big impression for CCS.
The school currently has a population of one hundred and five (105) children with forty in day care, thirty in kindergartens and twenty five the primary school. From what I get from the name and classes taught at the school it is a Christian based school, so that should be nice. Here in the states, religion isn’t taught in “public” schools so I think it will be a very interesting perspective. I’ll be doing everything that evolves kids! This is exactly what I wanted. I’ll be helping with conversational English as well as simple math, games, music, hygiene and everything small in-between.
I’m finally finished packing and throwing in those last minute items. And I don’t know how people can go with only one bag? I tried and tried, just did not work out. So im forced with two bags. Once I get to New York, 6 people will be on my flight to Africa. So it will allow us a good time to visit before the cultural shock. But there will be a total of 16 people arriving the same day as me, not including other people that will have had arrived before us with other groups!
Still not positive as to how I will be updating when im actually in Ghana. Due to the fact that the internet and power can never really be counted on. But I will have a journal to write in every day. And when I am able to log online ill be able to take everyone day by day from what i write down in my hard journal.
Monday, July 27, 2009
So close i can smell it
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
16 days
Its really hard to imagine that in only 16 days ill be leaving for Ghana, Africa. All the hard work really paid off. I should be receiving my exact placement next week, and the wait seems to be killing me. Anywhere im put I will be grateful, but just getting all the finial details is such an important step and makes everything finally come together.
I have been organizing, packing, unpacking and repacking, and even more organizing. Making list, and crossing them out. Printing contact information and so much more for my family. So even though the wait seems like it is taking forever I seem to be pretty much keeping myself busy.
Everything’s done, all my meds, all my shots, passport, visa…you name it and I got it done. Now its just the 16 day wait.
I never really considered myself a VERY religious person. Though I am Baptist I do not attend regularly like when I was younger. I just feel as if this trip is something that I was put on this earth to do. Because I know that this one trip will open doors and opportunities that I will have never thought about otherwise. I am truly blessed by the support I received. And hope to continue more work like this in my future.
I have gotten a lot of questions as to how I will be living on this trip like housing, food, water, and things of that nature. For everyone who was wondering. We have a “safe house” which I like to describe as a mini college dorm. We have a kitchen and dinning area and there are 4 same sex people to a room with bunk beds. The beds have mosquito nets and fans. And basically as long as I eat and drink what Is in the house I should be perfectly fine. And we have bottle water to carry around town. I don’t have any personal pictures yet but here are a few I was able to find online of the actual base house.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Moving Along Now...
Things have definitely been moving on. Slowly, but well! Our fundraisers went off with huge success! Way better than any of us ever expected! I think the biggest shock was the bake sale when we sold 12 cakes and make around $650! I am still so very greatful to everyone who helped out for the trip, but especially my family. Even though they may not be trilled about my plans, they have still supported me. Between helping bake cakes, gather up “stuff” for garage sales, and selling raffle tickets to everyone they know there is no way I could have done it all on my own!
Unfortunately there have been a few changes in our plans. Amy will no longer be traveling with me. As much as we wanted to make it possible, only one of us can go for now. A lot of changes in her life have made it financially impossible for her to travel with me this time. But there is always a next time!
Today was a no turning back point as I found the PERFECT flight! I had been searching for days. And even though my Program date isn’t until Aug 1 it was looking like it was going to take two days of travel to even arrive meaning I would have to leave on July 30. (Meaning that I was going to have 12+hours of layover in foreign airport floors)
So today when I found a delta flight from with only a day of travel and very little lay over I immediately booked it!
Later on this week I will be finishing up with my passport so I can soon apply for my visa.
Sorry about such the delay since my last post, things should start moving along soon now! It’s a slow moving process and it seems like its taking forever! I just cant wait!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Fundraisers!
- In Crowley, LA on March 12th we will be at the Crowley Rice Arena for the Rice Auction. We will have a variety of things up for sale from gift certificates, quilts, cakes, and much more! The Auction starts at 6:30pm so come on out and support us!
- We are holding a HUGE Garage Sale in Jennings, LA on April 4th The address is 16196 highways 102 (Parents House) A lot of local organizations and people are pitching in to donate things to sale, so be prepared to find some good sales! Hit us up early in the AM to help sponsor our trip.
- We are currently also selling Raffle Tickets at a $1 per ticket. The Drawing will be held on May 1st. A lot of goodies are up for grabs including Wal-Mart gift cards, Smoked Brisket from Cormier’s meats, Amy Copeland’s Photography gift card, gift card to C’est Bon Restaurant and more! Contact me if interested in buying tickets! (337) 370-6905 or Amanda1164@gmail.com
Maps and Facts
We will be staying in the Volta Region Of Ghana.
Some Interesting Facts about
- One of the poorest countries in
- The Currency is cedi and 1
- Ghanaian Cedi Life expectancy is around 56 years
- Literacy rate is just under 75%.
- We will be staying in the Volta region, and
- The main religion is Christian
- Gold, timber, and cocoa production are
- Hospital Beds: 1.46 available per 1,000 people in need
- Physicians: 0.15 doctors per 1,000 people in need
- Less than 64% of the total population has access to sanitation facilities
- Infant mortality rate is 52% per 1,000 births a year
Saturday, February 7, 2009
First we would like to thank everyone for taking the time to check out our page. Because if you did that means your interested in what we are doing!
We will Be Traveling to Ghana Africa on August 1, 2009 (So Close!). Our Fees are due on June 1 (even Closer!) We will be staying for a month, offering our services through a non profit organization called Cross Cultural Solutions.
A lot of people do not understand why we have to pay a fee to volunteer?! So let us break this down for you:
programs are financed by volunteer contributions and Cross-Cultural Solutions is an independent, international non profit organization with no governmental or religious affiliations. Places like Ghana can not afford simple supplies to run orphanages, teach English, run medical clinics, and so many things that we often take for granted. The fees for this trip go directly to getting supplies, and allowing us to give them the services that they don't have (like medical and teaching) So we desprity need your help to raise the money for this trip
Since this organization is a non profit group Donations are Tax deductible for US citizens.
If your interested in helping out, to the right there is an icon that you can click on that will allow you to make a donation directly to our trip online. Simply Search by one of our names to see our Cross Cultural Solutions Profile.
If you would like to know more or another way to donate please contact us and we can answer any questions you may have.
Please Bookmark this Blog as we will keep it updated with information on how we are getting prepared, while taking the trip, and after the trip is complete.
