Teaching English

Me Akwaba!

2005-08-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

I've returned back home...and felt the need to write some thoughts...and put closure to the incredible 5 week journey had in Ghana this summer.

It's amazing how quickly one can adjust back to everyday NY life...as I have. It's been only 4 days since I've been home, and at times I feel like I've been home all summer....picking up quickly my daily routines left behind while in Ghana. I miss Ghana incredibly, though it always feels good to be "home"....especially when it involves a warm shower and a soft bed! Though, I would trade these luxuries any day to be able to go back...which I would do in a heartbeat. There is truly something very special about Ghana...and I hope those who have been reading this blog can experience first hand how special Ghana is.....with their own trip there!

I've missed so much since being back.....

waking up at 4:00 in the morning with the chickens...whether in the city or the village, african stew and rice, hearing "obroni" wherever I immersed myself, the loud and colorful music heard throughout a neighborhood or city street, the kindness and big hearts of all the people I met, dancing ...at home, in the market, in the club!

Much thanks to all my families who took such great care of me in during my stay in Ghana. Sadique, Farida, Sarah, Nasi, Emma, Evelyn, Obroni...and everyone else who truly made me feel at "home" throughout my five weeks there. I hope one day to give back to them all that they have done for me to make my trip so memorable! I miss you all.....and looking forward to coming back! As the title states....ME AKWABA (translated as...."I'll be back"...in Twi.!)

A World Away....

2005-08-07T03:22:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way back to NY...sitting in the airport in Amsterdam.....trying to believe I'm still back in Ghana...but easily reminded I'm not, as I look around and see the lavishes I've been without for the past 5 weeks. How could it be that one continent can be so entirely different than another one. Though I've only traveled 6 hours to get to Amersterdam..I truly feel a world away from the one I experienced in Ghana. I've gone to the bathroom more times here in Amsterdam than I have in probably 2 1/2 days in Ghana. Why...you might ask? Well...because they are readily available here, toilets...tissue paper...running water and all. In Ghana....I'd have to pray very hard at times not have to use the facilities...and if my prayers weren't answered...I'd pray harder to find a "comfortable" spot to do my business. For most people....a toilet is nothing more than a porcelin figure sitting in their bathroom. My time in Ghana...I know see it as a luxury!!! (I've already promised myself to go home and clean my toilet as if it were gold! :)

Everything looks a bit wierd here.....though in a short time...it'll all once again look familiar. I just question why it is I have to take a plane to see and feel what is in Amsterdam....NY....but a place like Ghana is without so many of the things we take for granted...and will continue to take for granted. For the past week.....I've been without running water. Everytime I went to the tap....I prayed that water would flow out of it....so I could wash my hair...my hands...or flush the toilet. It came back for about 2 hours...and then quickly disappeared. To my friends...it's a part of life there...not really able to be so annoyed or concerned...since it happens so irregular. To any American, it would be a great disturbance, at times...so unaware of that running water is actually a "luxury" in many parts of the world!

Why it is that some countries have so much...while others have so little. Though...what I have realized is that on the outside, countries like America and Europe might have so much...but in reality, it is countries like Ghana that truly have more than America will ever have. You have to go there to truly understand what I'm trying to convey. And I hope you do!

African Time

2005-08-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

My blog wouldn't be complete without making a quick note about "African Time", something I've learned quickly to dislike and hope to forget as I head back to NY!

What is African Time...you might ask. To put it simply....it's the time given to a person as to when he or she should be ready to do something... then adding 2-5 hours to that time...depending on the day, person, temperature, food taken that day, etc. (as you can see...it could be anything!) Unfortunately, you never know if it is 2, 3, or even 5 hours added to the time...so you are always somehow left waiting, waiting, waiting....and more waiting.

I've decided to list some examples...for one to get a true understanding of African Time!

After a long and relaxing day at the beach in Accra.....the next day was going to be filled with little errands and things to do before I said my final goodbye to Ghana. My friend needed to do some things in the morning...so he left the house around 5:30...letting me know he would be home "soon" to take me on my errands. Waking up around 6:30 myself...I knew I had to get ready quick so I would be set to go when my friend arrived. At around 8:30...I became a bit ansy....wanting to leave the house...but needed to wait for my friend to arrive. 9:30 came...and I was bored and annoyed....but not surprised since by this point in my trip...I was familiar with the African time. I can't say "used to it"...since someone like me could never get used to their timing system!

Finally, at 10:40...my friend called to let me know he was on his way. I tried hiding my being annoyed while speaking to him...since I knew he was doing me a great favor taking me on my errands. So...I took it like that and figured he was really on his way....I mean...he took the time to call me...and let me know he was coming...so why wouldn't I think he wasn't coming? Well...I should have realized once again that African time always plays a role in whatever you want to do, since I was left waiting for him once again. 11:30 came along...then 12:30....then 1:30....By now....I'm either thinking something happened to him....or his message that "I'm on my way"..really was to be translated as "I still have one or two things to do before I come home...so I'll see you in a couple of hours". The latter was what actually happened...are you surprised?
He finally arrived at 1:40.....strolling leisurely into the house...as if he just called 5 minutes ago to say he was on his way! I tried very hard not to show him I was annoyed....but I couldn't help opening my mouth to let him know that he needs to choose his words more carefully when telling someone "I'm on my way!"...something I've had to tell people on more than one occasion.

I give a lot of credit to my friends here...who deal with this timing system on a daily basis! I'm looking forward to escaping it....hoping that I too haven't become a victim of it as I head back to NY! (if I late to see any of you....I'm sorry...but you know I have a valid excuse...at least for the next few months anyway...until I can't shake the syndrom off!)

ps....couldn't help but add this!
My student's friend was calling for him as we were loading on the bus. My student responded to his friend that he's coming back right now...so he should wait. After the bus was on it 's way..I asked him why he told his friend that he was cominb back right now...since he knew that he wasn't coming back right away...but instead spending the night in the big city!!!! He looked at me with a perplexed look on his face......see what I mean about African time! :)

Life in an African Village

2005-08-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a trip to a small fishing village 3 hours from the main city of Accra. Though the trip was short, less than a 24 hour stay...my thoughts and observations were plenty!!

I arrived at the station at 5:00 a.m...thinking I would get a "tro-tro" by 5:30 and we'd be on our way. I once again forgot I wasn't in NY...since in Africa, you wait, wait. And wait! So...after 90 minutes of waiting on the tro-tro...we were on our way. The journey was a quick one...thankfully the roads weren't too bad, and when they were...we just bounced along as did the rocks on the road. Luckily..I was looking carefully at the signs on the road..since I almost passed my drop off. Not realizing I would be the only one getting off at my station...I was lucky to catch the location in time to let "the mate" know I was getting off.

Upon arriving to the small town..I was now on my way to find my "family". (Ghanaians always know how to treat you as family!) I wasn't sure as to the village's name, so I inquired with one of the taxi driver's at my drop-off. Within 5 minutes time..I felt as if half the town was helping me look for my friends...That's also how Ghanaians are. Always trying to help..whether friend or stranger. Though, within meeting someone..you feel as if you were their friends for the past few years...instead of some few minutes. It's truly amazing.

After finding out where I needed to go...I had my new friend, Billy, take me to the town. Asking the price of the taxi...he assured me he wouldn't cheat me..since he believes one day he will be in NYC..and wouldn't want someone to cheat him. So...I took it like that...and didn't beg too much for a lower price (something I've gotten very good at!). He not only drove me to the village...but walked me to the "door" of the house I was in search of...just to make sure I arrived safe and sound. I hope to one day meet Billy again...since he's the type of person one never forgets!!!

Peaceful, serene, jovial, picturesque...these are only a handful of adjectives that could describe a true African village. As I walked in the sand (the village is located on the shore)...you hear the sound of the ocean..waves crashing together...calming every thought inside you. Everyone is each other's family. Everyone I met seemed to related in someway...that's how African families are. One big family! And that is how I was recieved. Since I was in a fishing village...you can assume what everyone eats! But...when Cari comes along...everyone became a vegetarian for a night. I think I would have even eaten something with fish in it...out of respect. But, in turn..they gave the respect to me...and catered to my needs! I truly believe it was their first meal ever without a single piece of fish!!! (I'm wondering if they gobbled some fish before going to bed..! :)

Life is very simple there. No electricity..no running water. The toilet is the sand...if you're lucky..you can find a big enough "bush" to conceal your behind! The people are all "one" with each other. Every where I went...everyone was extending their greetings to me and my friends..! Greetings are not just "how are you?". In their culture...a greeting can reach to 5 minutes..asking about your mother...father...brother,..etc. Americans have a lot to learn from them...in terms of how they take each other as family..and the concern they have for eachother!

Now I"m back in Accra...admist the noise..pollution..and sanity of so many people! I miss the ocean.....the sand between my toes...and the simple way I lived while I was there. I wish I could have bottled it up...and taken the feelings felt there back to NY!! But as I tell everyone before I leave them....."Me Akwaba!" (I'll be back!)

Some thoughts.....

2005-07-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

It's my final day at AMASS...and I'm getting ready to leave my students, my school and my wonderful family behind! I say "family" which such ease...since I feel like I have an extended family here in Kumasi...though only meeting them 3 weeks ago, they have taken me in as their own, treating me like any other family member and making me feel like I was home. I am going to miss them tremendously...but know the friendships started here will be a lifetime..and look forward to the friendships growing with the years to come!

So much has happened the last few days...not sure where to begin, along with not knowing how much time I have on the computer before the lights might go out again, I will keep this post short! :)

My students started and completed their memoir writing project this week. Memoir writing was an entirely new way for them to write, and overall, they did an outstanding job. Some of the students really took the instruction and advice given to them, and wrote a memoir, that if I didn't know better, could have been taken from a bookstore shelf! They allowed themselves to open up and be creative with their writing, even if it was something that was so new to them! I wish know that this workshop could have been longer...since I feel I have tapped into their creative side, and it would be great to see the students go forward with their writing. But as I told them, and everyone..."Me Akwaba"! which means I"ll be back!!!! Looking forward to having a continuation of this workshop...who knows...maybe it'll extend into a year's project!:)

Last night, I was packing up my belongings since I'll be heading back to Accra tomorrow. My family was there with me packing...and some thoughts came to mind as we were there sitting together, talking about life, America, Ghana, etc. First off.....Ghanaians are truly special people. The way they have been so free with me, but more importantly, how they are so free with each other....we Americans have so much to learn from them, in terms of how they treat each other, and welcome even a stranger into their homes with open arms! No matter where you go in Ghana...you will always hear laughter and see smiles. That's what is so amazing about this culture. They might not have as much as Americans...but deep down...they have so much more than we do....their spirit, their love and their kindness!

One thing I realized as I was packing was how much Americans take for granted the everyday things we have in our lives....me included. Water, electricity, a nice home...and the everyday selections we have when we go to the supermarket, drug store, etc. I was trying to explain what the store Target is like to my friends here...and even with much explanation..I"m not sure if they really got the grasping of it...since if you describe it to someone who has never been ...it's almost alien like.....how can so many things be available to one person....is a thought they had. Going through what I could leave behind for my family....they were so curious at these things (band-aids, toner, bacitracin) , that... to me, I don't even think twice about having.....but for them, being in Ghana....it might be something that they would have never come across if it wasn't in my luggage. The big question is why we Americans need to have half the things we really have. For example, I brought some cleansing cloths with me, to wash my face. Of course my friends never saw them before, asked what they were...as I was explaining it to them...I was thinking to myself why I even have these...since soap and water would do the job the same...or even better. But, as an American, I'm used to buying these I don't really need....just for the sake of buying it!!!! (i think i'm rambling....but my mind is racing with thoughts! :)

Just some thougts to think about.....

OK....I beat the lights out..since I"m still typing and the electricity hasn't gone off :)

"Lights Out"

2005-07-27T02:16:00.000-07:00

I've decided to learn a local dance from Ghana, to bring back to teach my students in NYC! My friends in Asokore only wanted the best teacher for me...so contacted the "royal family" of Asokore, where the children learn at a young age to dance the traditional dances of Ghana. They are known as the royal family since their mother has been named queen of their village, something passed down from generation to generation.

I spent my first dance class mainly watching the 2 kids....one boy and one girl, ages 18 and 15. They make it look so easy, so I thought "how hard could this really be?". Well, I was quickly mistaken...trying to count the beats on my feet with the offbeat of my arms....frustration took over quickly....and decided that the first dance class would be shorter than expected! Though, the fact that we had no electricity didn't help the situation, since no music could be heard, instead, using a make shift instrument of two spoons to catch the beat of the song.

I was happy to meet electricity yesterday in Asokore, since that meant we could actually dance to the cassette instead of my friend's two spoons. I forgot almost all of what I learned a few days before, but somehow managed to quickly get it back. The counting wasn't as difficult as the first day. I realized that if I don't think too much about the counting, the beats, etc....the dance will somehow come to me....somehow take over me...which it did! I think my teacher, who by the way doesn't speak English..so that's a challenge in itself...was surprised to see an "obroni" dancing their traditional dance as well as I did! I was getting into the beat, really allowing myself to take in the music and put sway and motion into the movements...things seemed too good to be true: I was actually dancing to the beat and the electricity was still going!....Well..all good things eventually come to an end...since at a second's notice, the cassette went off and the room was left silent. "Lights out in Asokore", shouted a nearby neighbor! Meaning..the goverment cuts off the electricity...with no notice..just like that. You never really know when it's going to happen. So...as most things go in Ghana..you just go with the moment. One second you have electricity...the next you don't, something people here are far too used to dealing with. (though, in Kumasi I"ve yet to have "lights out!")

So...my class is to be continued..hopefully I didn't forget what I learned so far..and hopefully my next lesson will give me more electricity time than the previous one!

p.s....one always knows when the lights come back in Asokore..since their is always a group like cheer from the little kids which could be heard from a mile away! :) The colorful and cheerful sound almost makes the lights out worth dealing with!

Becoming Ruth and James....

2005-07-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

After spending some days reading a few chapters from the memoir,"The Color of Water", it was time for the students to demonstrate their connection so far to the main characters in the book. Having read about a major conflict had between the characters Ruth and Tateh, I decided to let my students take on the role of each character by creating a dialogue between the 2 characters. Since time will not allow for us to read the enitre book, the dialogue allowed for the students to make their own predications as to what might come later in the book. Working in pairs, one student was to become Ruth, and the other Tateh (Ruth's father). They had to imagine that Ruth was now 35 years old (in the chapter, she is only 10) and has decided to confront her father about all the bad things he did to her as a child. They had to come up with a dialogue where Ruth confronts her father about all the things he did to her in the past, and how it has affected her as an adult. After discussing with the class that in real life, not every problem has a solution, it was up to the students to decide if Ruth was to make peace with her father or not.

After giving out the instructions, the students were now ready to work. As usual, whether in NY or in Ghana, some students got to the task immediately, while others lingered along. Some of my students are still not 100% comfortable at working in pairs, so there were even some who made it clear that they wanted to work alone. But with any dialogue, there needs to be a minimum of 2 people, which I tried explaining to them. Since they were only to use one piece of paper, where both students were switching writing their character's dialogue, they had to work with their partner! Still, some wanted to write their own dialogue and then fuse it in with the other student's dialogue. It's amazing how difficult it becomes to break one's habits...in this case going from working individually to working as a pair. Some are still not comfortable working together....though after doing this dialogues they proved to themselves that it could be done...and have fun as they are doing it!

In short...my students did an amazing job with their dialogues.....each pair of students came to the front of the class to present their dialogue. They really allowed themselves to take on the role of their character....reminding them for the past 2 days that they "were no longer themselves...but Ruth or James". Accepting this, Ruth's anger and frustration was presented loud and clear, while Tateh's stubborness and abbrasiveness read in the book was carried out similarly in their dialogues.

Below is a sample of one of the dialogues presented in class!

Ruth: How are you today, Dad?
Tateh: I'm not intereted in your food!
Ruth: Tateh, can I talk to you?
Tateh: About what?
Ruth: Did you ever love us?
Tateh: I never loved anybody or anything except money!!
Ruth: Do you know you preach in a synagogue?
Tateh: And what's wrong with that? Does it bother you anyway?
Ruth: Yes, is does bother me a lot!!
Tateh: In what way? I'm tired of all these questions..don't you have any better things to do instead of these unnecessary questions?
Ruth: Do you know you have created low-self esteem for me because of what you did to me?
Tateh: Are you mad! Who gave you such an impression? Who said I did? Is it your useless mother?
Ruth: Can you cast your mind on when we went swimming? ?What you did to me? Please leave my mother from this!
Tateh: Nothing happened when we went swimming. Have you forgotten who I am? I can still give you eight sounding kicks in your head!
Ruth: Go ahead Tateh!

A Visit to Asokore

2005-07-19T03:52:00.000-07:00

After spending the week in Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, I decided to spend the weekend in Asokore, a village 45 minutes away from Kumasi. On Friday, I was excited to tell my students about my travels. They questioned why I wanted to go to Asokore. For many here, it may considered a boring place, since there's not much going on except for visiting a neighbor or two, or finding a T.V. in someone's window to watch. But, for me, it is like my second home, since 5 years ago...that is where I spent 5 months of my time teaching.

While I am enjoying my time in the city of Kumasi, surrounded by a warm and loving family....with the cutest two girls who I've adopted as my own.......I was looking forward to new scenery....and the quiet that the village usually brings. I say usually due to the following:

After arriving in Asokore around 7 p.m....I was greeted by the younger brother I never had.....Ibrahim....a former student of mine whom I've stayed in contact with for the last 5 years. After saying my hellos to the neighbors and anyone who wanted to converse with an "obroni"......I was able to sit down for some time and eat plaintains and kontumbre (a spinach like vegetable) with Ibrahim and his family. After my belly was satisfied...all I was longing for then was a cold bath and long, restful sleep. The cold bath was no problem.....since I haven't yet come in contact with a shower with hot water. Though, I 'm not looking either..since from the moment I get up till the time I go to sleep...I seem to be sweating. I envy my African friends who say they are cold while my face is covered with beads of sweat!

After my cold bath, I was ready for a good night sleep. After catching up on some conversation with Ibrahim and his family, I made my way to my bed....looking forward to a quiet and restful sleep. Well, once again...I was quickly reminded that I wasn't back in my bed in NY...where I could hear a pin drop in the middle of the night. Here...it was quite the opposite! See, about 2 hours before going to bed, I made a comment to Ibrahim about the great lively music I was hearing as we walked to his house. He reminded me that a funeral was taking place. A funeral to me means sorrow, tears and quiet. In Ghana, the word funeral takes on a whole new meaning!

It is tradition in Ghana, within the Christian religion, to have an ongoing celebration when a person dies, filled with music, dancing and drinking. Ongoing is defintely what happened that night. As soon as my head hit the pillow......I remembered the loud music that I walked through just a few hours earlier. While it was enjoyed then, since I love to hear African music, it was now my time to sleep, which I realized wasn't going to come easy. I'm not sure if I slept all that night...and if so...it couldn't have been more than a total of 30 minutes. The whole night, the bass of the music surrounded me.....no where to escape but into my ears! I thought at least they would quit sometime before midnight......not thinking the funeral would persist until my breakfast hour the next morning. For a quick second during the night, the music did shut off. I figured it was "lights off", which could happen at any time in Asokore, no notice of the electricty being cut off. It was the first time I was actually wishing for that to happen...since then the funeral would have to come to a close....what's a funeral in Ghana without music? I guess I didn't wish hard enough...since the lights off didn't come...instead...maybe someone stepped on the electric cord...since within a few seconds...the bass was beating again...and the people cheering....ready for another 5 hour marathon of dancing and drinking!

If the music wasn't bad or loud enough, I got another surprise around 3:30 in the morning. I know I wasn't dreaming, since I wasn't even sleeping. I began to hear very loud voices......so close....they sounded as if they were just outside my door. Which, after asking the next morning, they were!!!! During a funeral, it is customary for people to go from house to house...singing African songs and gospels...in hopes of recieving money. While their singing was soothing, I definitely would have enjoyed it more during my waking hours.,...instead of when I was trying to sleep. If I knew they were looking for money...I would have been the first to jump out of bed...and offer all that I had....in hopes of them leaving...to get some sleep. But, I didn't think they were there for money...thinking instead that they were maybe drunk and lost...thinking they were at their own house..instead of at a house where an "obroni" was staying and had no idea what was going on!

So...in short....the restful evening I thought I was going to have....and even boasted about to my students....was nothing but a night full of tossing and turning. However, I can now say that I truly experienced an African funeral. Even if it was spent in bed! :)

Patience

2005-07-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

It's now Thursday.....and I've been sitting at the internet cafe for the past 2 1/2 hours...and in the duration of that time, I was only able to send THREE e-mails!!!!!! So you may be wondering why the title of this posting is PATIENCE.

Without patience, one could not survive in such a place as Ghana. And that's what makes Ghanaians such special people. However, my patience is running thin, extremely thin! I decided to begin an internet project, where my students in Ghana would be communicating with about a dozen students back in NYC. Since they will all have read the same book, I thought it would be a great way for them to express their thoughts, ideas, comments about the book and share them with one another. What I thought would be somewhat of a small task has turned into about 6 hours worth of work, and is still yet to be finished. Since my students don't have the internet at their school, their letters to my students in NYC were handwritten, which I then typed into Microsoft Word. I figured all I had to do is cut and paste their letters in an e-mail to each student in NY, send it off...and I'd be on my merry way. Well, I was quickly reminded that I'm not sitting in front of my computer in NY...with a cable-modem and all! I'm in AFRICA...and in Africa...well...you wait...and wait and wait! Wait for your friends to get ready for an outing.....you wait to get a tro-tro home.......you wait in plenty of traffic...and most of all ...you wait for the internet! 6 hours...and a total of 8 messages sent........when I think about it makes me want to scream! Even the internet here is on African time! :)

I tried explaining to my friends here how we use the internet in America...and for someone like me who has a cable -modem...as soon as you click a link, it's there. They were a bit perplexed......but wanted to know more. I tried to have them imagine how much MORE time they would have if their internet was a bit faster. They laughed......but at the same time.......their patience is endless.....which is what makes them the people they truly are! They have been nothing but hospitable.....as if I met them 3 years ago...and not 3 days ago. There is much to be learned in this beautiful country....and I'm blessed to be here and have the opportunity to experience and learn new things with each day that comes my way!

Until next time.....I'm about to see if can send 3 e-mails in less than 60 minutes! :)

First Day Teaching

2005-07-12T04:50:00.000-07:00

July 11th, 2005

I had the opportunity of meeting my students for the first time today. Out of over 2,000 students, 30 were chosen to participate in the Reading and Writing Workshop to be implemented for the next 3 weeks. After about 10 days of touring and relaxing around the beautiful country of Ghana, I am ready to begin my teaching here!!! (My body is slowly becoming mush...not used to sitting and relaxing as much as I have been......though definitely feeling good to do so!)

First impressions of my students. Well-mannered, eager, motivated and definitely curious as to who this "obroni" (white person) teacher is and why she came to be a part of their school. Realizing that I speak much faster and a whole lot different than most Ghanaians here, it was quickly pointed out by one of the school teachers to make sure my English is slow and clear. Just as I tell my students how to speak back in NYC, I too am taking on that role. I think I succeeded, well, at least in speaking slow and clear. Though, I'm not sure if it did much help, since the look on most of my student's faces said anything but "understood". With time, I know we will get used to each other's pronunciation and usage of the English language. As I told my students, either I will speak like a true Ghanaian after the three weeks are up or my students will be talking like true New Yorkers. I think they wouldn't mind having a slight NY accent! ")

After introducing myself (a New Yorker, avid cat lover, vegan, twin, etc)...it was now their turn to introduce themselves to me. As a way of assessing their writing, I had them each write a letter to me, introducing themselves. They were free to include any information that they would like me to know about them. From first glance, students in Ghana have much better handwriting than students in NY. Neat handwriting is greatly emphasized here...something my students back in NY could work on. (to my students in NY reading this...sorry guys! :)

Looking forward to the next three weeks...and having my students work in a way that will improve and/or strengthen their current English skills....to benefit them in the near and far future!

Me Akwaba....(I'll be back....in the Twi language)

Test

2005-07-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is a test posting.