Three Girls Walk Into A Black Hairdressers. How Long Does It Take For Them All To Get Their Hair Done?

Tuesday it was decided that the school wasn't really a valuable use of our time (they were doing exams until the next Monday and then were cleaning the school till the 4^th of August) so we were recruited at the Women of Glory with Jess and Holly. In went with Holly to her placement but it was her supervisor's birthday so we didn't actually do anything… we sat and they sang some songs and then her supervisor Jojo came and got her hair done and her nails done and then we ate cake (it was cream and brown coloured – looked strange but tasted divine) and drank this ginger tasting drink that was pink. It reminded me of the ginger drink my aunty gives us in Grenada, so I drank it all and they gave me a bottle to take back to the hotel which Mo ended up drinking herself at dinner... 

Before dinner Me, Jamee and Binks went to the hairdressers expecting to spend the rest of the week there and we spent (drum roll please) 1 and a half hours. FOR ALL THREE OF US!! It was fantastic!! So B got her hair braided down in a zig-zag fashion and me and Jamee (sticking to the twin thing [they love twins here like seriously!! They sometimes just give us gifts of bracelets on the street man!! It's awesome!]) got our hair braided just at the front (as in Grenada) still in the twists we have. It cost like 7GHC each! That's like £3!!! I would love to get my hair done back home for three pounds!!! Anyway we were late for dinner but still man, 1 and a half hours!

Maleka’s Adventures in Africa: Ghana

I apologize for the lack of updates. I could lie to you and tell you it was because I had limited time last week but in truth I didn't make the time to blog… because I am slightly lazy… So here is a week's update of Maleka's Adventures in Africa: Ghana. Belt up, it's a long one.

So it was decided on Monday I would go to school with Jameela as the journey to the national theatre wasn't worth the limited time I was actually there. I was excited (I remember that much) the teachers were friendly enough the last time I went and I was confident in my teaching abilities, I was sure I would be able to teach the senior class something. We arrived (late) and sat in Mr. B's office for… an hour or so before he told us to invigilate some of the exams that were going on that week. Invigilating was actually really entertaining. The kids were good enough. When myself and Mr. B walked in they all stopped talking instantly. The boy Mr. B caught talking greeted us then Mr. B told them who I was and that they needed behave. If they didn't I could take a red pen and mark it. This would mean that they lost 20% on those exams (I marked those exams later that day; come of the kids on the French exam didn't have 20% I could even take from them.) After Mr. B left I assured the children I wouldn't take marks off if they talked – I would if they pushed me though. So they continued writing their exams. It was interesting to view. About a ¼ of the class brought the utensils – pencils, ruler etc.  – So there was a lot of "Madame," (because they called me Madame) "may I please get the ruler/pencil/etc." I would nod and they would move across the room and take the said item. If they got to loud, I would stare at the child and they would quickly silence their conversation. At one point they got far too loud (well Ghana loud which really was a whisper if you compare it to the noise levels of an exam with a sub in the UK) and one child took it upon himself to move to someone who looked like they would pass this particular exam. That I wouldn't accept, that was a step too far. So I said, in the most diplomatic tone I could muster, "What the hell are you doing?" He looked up at me with these doe brown and was like, "Who me?" I nodded. He seemed taken aback (up to that point I hadn't spoken). "What are you doing?" He pointed to his friend who was looking very forcefully at his exam paper. I shook my head and told him to go back to his seat. He sulked off to the front of the room where he was supposed to be sitting. That was just the beginning. The bell rang for break but their exam was still going on so they had to sit and finish. Their friends took the bell as a sign to walk into my classroom and start conversations with those taking exams. I was all…. "Do you have a reason to be in here?"  "No, Madame." "Then why are you here?" … silence… "Then leave." They thought I meant leave the room. Oh No. I made them move far from the room. Then teachers started sticking their heads in wanting to 'get to know me – the not Jameela' oh jeez, it was a very long exam.

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It made me think about the lack of resources the private school had which lead me on to the thoughts of what the regular school had... As I said, only about 1/4 of those taking the exam had the right equipment, what would that be like in a regular school? Is that hindering their thirst for education? Their chances at getting the grades to go on to higher education? And I ask myself is that fair? I know the answer. No. But that is how life is here and they just get on with it. and its that spirit - and their strong belife in God - which gets them success in life and I respect. In the UK we just abuse the easy access we have for stuff. I mean I used to just take excercise books from school JUST TO DRAW IN. In my spanish lessons i would get a new writing book every lesson, FOR WHAT? Just to have and just to waste time in genral! Even in the crappiest school in the UK, there is still more resources for the child that probably doesn't even care. I went to a private school and attend a grammar - in my old school (the private one) every classroom had an interatcitve whiteboard, every teacher had a laptop as well as every student in 6th Form. In my Grammar school now they ,. have interactive whitboards in some of the classrooms - most have just simple whiteboards. Less money than the private buts still a hell of a lot more that the private school here. When I frrist went to Jamee's school and she told me it was private, i had to double take. I was like "Woah!" I wasn't expecting top of the range or anything, but it wasn't that. When you entre the building and look straight ahead (and slightly to the left) there is a building that seems to crumble. The boarding houses are cramped. The toilets are not nice (although that may be my European views coming through, I admit, I am a Toilet snob. I mean I've been to drop holes in China with crap all around the hole and some of them were in better condition that some of the loos I have been to (not used as i said i am a snob)) They were still using chalk... I haven't seen chalk in a school since i was in - I'm thinking like Yr 2 but that can't be right! How can they be so far behind us? How - WHY - have the rest of the world let this happen!! Where is the justice in that? Why should the children suffer educationally? What's the point of the charities when they can't even provide basic stuff. It's upsetting.

No Matter Where You Are, School is School

Today was the first day of big school and I was very nervous. It was like the first day I started Blackheath, or Townley. But better because I was in charge :P I spent the day invigilating exams. I invigilated Science, French, ICT and Social Studies. It was boring because it was just sitting there watching people write but it was fun because when stuff such as talking or in one case actually moving seats accross the room, I got to be a bit mean... not very, I didn't cane or anything like that but i was just harsh. It was cool. Yeah, I can't really tell you much because I haven't done anything yet. but i will keep you updated.

 

We left at 3 and got back for about 3.30 and I went for a swim - something i hated but now rather enjoy... okay it's not like i actually swim, its more sitting / standing in the water.... then we ate and i spent the rest of the evening blogging and updating my blog and editing my blog and trying to find pictures for my blog (I didn't find many btw) and because i feel to put one up, here is a picture of the group when we went on that walk on Saturday in Cape Coast :D

Today I Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything (The Lazy Song)

Today was cool. We rose early and had breakfast then proceeded to go and clean our room – partly because it was a bit messy, partly because of Mo's threats to take pictures and put them on the site. And boy did we clean that room. It was swept by us and everything! We even hung the clothes in the wardrobe instead of leaving them in the case.

Then Michael came to lunch and we had a meeting that really asked a lot of questions about you and really made me think about stuff….

Then I discovered I wasn't going to the National Theatre anymore as I wasn't benefiting from it and me only being there and hour and a half on a good day wouldn't be able to give back to them.  

Anyway so I'm not going to the national theatre anymore and instead am going to school with Jameela. However i am not to teach the youngers like i did in Madagascar, instead a challenge has been set and i have to work with the older children. This is a scary thought so I am apprehensive about work tomorrow.... :/ 

A Day to Cape Coast

On Saturday we left early (6am) to journey down to Cape Coast to see the castles where slaves were kept before they were transported to the West. To prepare us for the trip, Andrew had been showing us TV shows such as Roots and documentaries such as 500 years later which helped with the experience.

First we stopped off in this petrol station and met our Cape Coast Guide, a very lovely lady, it was a pity about her son, who initially behaved as all children should (seen and not heard), then mysteries of all mysteries, he started talking… why??? I am still asking myself the very question. Anyway after we did that we hiked up this semi-mountain to these bridges that were basically ladders, suspended in the air (40m up) tied to some trees…. We had to cross 7 of them and it was really scary. This boy who is with us starts screaming saying he is too young to meet God…. We were all terrified but its like, dude.

After the walk we went to Hans Hotel – a hotel that has random crocodiles wandering about. It was way cool, almost everybody in the group got a picture with the tame croc, Sanjay… that's not actually its name but I like it. Then we went to the castles. Frist off was Elmina (or St. Georges) which was very informative. I learnt a lot about what parts of the buildings the Dutch, British and Portuguese built and sort of about the slaves – not so much their conditions, more just where they stayed. It was in Cape Coast Castle where I truly found out what the Slaves went through. There was the room which the guide took us too that had white lines going up all around the walls about 60ishcm up, where some people had excavated the room. Turns out that was how deep the vomit, blood, poo and urine was. What made it worse was they had to eat off that…. That is disgust, how people could treat other people like that truly boggles my mind… I just don't understand. We then found out they had only excavated one room. That meant that we were walking on our forefathers' blood, sweat, vomit etc…. In Cape Coast Castle, the guide also showed us the room where soldiers would keep the women who refused to be raped. It was a small room with only a hole in the ground for a loo; they didn't get food or water either. Those women were locked in that room for 8-10 days and then let out. They did that so that the next time soldiers wanted to rape them they would oblige.

After the castle tours we ventured to a beach, taking in the beautiful surroundings. That's when it hit me; I was in Ghana, on a beach, watching the sun set….. It was cool. And do you know what ruined that for me? That blasted kid, freaking out about some crab that someone threw at him. He jumped up, slipped and as he slipped, grabbed my shirt and was screaming. I am against child abuse, but in that moment I wanted to hit that kid!! Why did he grab me???? It really frustrated me but other than that it was actually a really god, informative day :D

Food and Other Musical Things

I am learning to play the flute (I now 3 songs now) and I am also learning some traditional African songs. I am really enjoying myself at the theatre but I do have a slight dilemma, I only get about 1-2 hours out if it… so I'm beginning to wonder whether or not it's worth travelling the distance. Travelling more than working wasn't really what I planned on doing whilst I was in Ghana, I mean I expected travel because we have to get around, but it's the traffic that gets to me, it's just too long.

On a brighter note, the lunch at the theatre is actually divine. I have plain rice with chicken, and that is some of the best chicken I've have in Ghana, bar the chicken I got from the restaurant yesterday (the one just down the road from the hotel) that is some seriously good fried chicken. Speaking of which, yesterday Jameela decided that she wanted roasted corn, so me, Alex and Jamee go to the lady selling it where we meet this guy who just downright creepy. He was like, "Oh my, you are twins! That is cool"… okay he didn't say cool, but you get my drift. Yeah and basically he was all, where you staying, how long you here, what are your names, what are your ages, how do you see Ghana. And then he said he wanted to marry me….. I left very quickly after that….. yes, creepy indeed.

Finally a Placement I've Enjoyed....

Today was a good day to begin with. I set out early with Drew and Patience towards the centre of Accra to the National theatre. It was a long journey and I slept for most of it. The national theatre was actually really fun – then again, anything is more fun that sitting doing nothing. I joined in with the singing  and learnt two new songs which was fun and after lunch which was only c4 btw, we sat down and had this discussion about ourselves with the rest of the group it was cool – however it took too long. Yes, it was important for us to be there but it ended up taking us 4 hours-ish to get back to the hotel and just frankly couldn't be bothered. I mean I got back 15 minutes before dinner. Idk, it was just a long day I guess and far too hot! But it was sort of worth it because ei had a lot of fun today :D

I'll post a video of my day tomorrow :D

3 Days in 1

I haven't blogged in a while so… apologies as this is a long one. Are you sitting comfortably? Right then, let's begin:

On Friday I went to work with Alex at the hospital. It was very interesting to identify the differences between how things run in Ghana and how they run back home. It's not that much different except back home everything is white and here it is not. I don't know – it wasn't like I expected Lewisham hospital but it was still a shock to the system I guess. I personally didn't do much other than observe but Alex did stuff which was cool to watch and I did learn about things, for example, something about pH and that means something cool – okay I didn't take it in but I did learn it… that doesn't make sense…

Anyhow, we had a lunch of biscuits and coke then went back to work then we were picked up from work by the people who work at the refugee camp, then went back to the hotel and went for a swim. I actually went swimming twice that day, once in the afternoon and the second in the evening. It was very refreshing. I think it was a nice way to spend my first Friday in Ghana.

School with Jameela is Always Fun!

Yesterday I went to school with Jameela and had the best time of my life! I loved it there! Everybody was so friendly. When we entered the school  entrance the senior class started screaming (as I have mentioned Twins are considered good in Ghana) I felt like a celebrity – a bigger one than Bianca as she doesn't have people screaming at her :P. Anyway all the students seemed really pleased to see me and Jameela together. In London our Twin-ness isn't appreciated like it is here.

Then Jamee's supervisor took us around to show me the school. We went to see the pre-schoolers first and when I say they are cute I mean like solo adorable!! There was this one kid who held my hand the whole time I was in there. What was uber cool was that the teacher instantly knew who was who. She knew that I hadn't been there before (and not because of the glasses because she didn't even notice I was wearing them) It was cool because my mother who has known me for 17 years still gets us confused .

PINK FM (+Associated School)

Yesterday was the first day of proper work and because my placement supervisor isn't in Ghana yet, I accompanied Bianca to Pink FM. She got to work in reception and in a movie; whereas I was in Admin watching them work there and occasionally doing shown documents and told what they were talking about and what they are doing – IDK I guess I'm n really feeling it because it's not really my placement. So for a full day I sat and did nothing. After lunch, nothing. Nothing really happened after lunch, people just appeared to not do as much as they did in the morning… so for me it was  just a day of sitting but IDK I'm not going to complain, it'. It's only till Friday. So I returned to the hotel in a terrible mood but well hydrated as on the walk to Kasoa, Mo and Andrew bought some bagged water which was good – except I drink water slowly and I had no means of sealing the bag. Anyway we got back to the hotel and those who were back played cards – as is becoming a custom. Then after a few drinks (all soft) and some one on one meetings with our pastoral career (mine is Andrew), myself, Aaron, Jamee and Andrew and later Bianca played Frisbee. I wasn't very good. Then Drew stepped up the game by adding punishments if you dropped it or threw it badly, such as cartwheels and handstands. I ended up doing a lot of cartwheels.

Then Aaron and Drew decided that they wanted to go swimming so me and Jamee joined them, quite content with just our feet in the pool. Then I am not sure what happened but the next thing I know I was in – fully dressed (I didn't bring a costume because I don't really swim…) It was really refreshing. I didn't think this through. My spontaneous swim meant I didn't bring my towel pool side which lead to our bathroom being drenched! It was insadness!! (A word formed by the words insane and madness meaning epic!)

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Anyhow back to today: Today I woke up late, was late for breakfast (and was still the 2^nd person there) and an hour late for work!! But today was better than yesterday because at least I got something to read. I read the Daily Graphic – the best selling newspaper in Ghana since 1950! And another paper but I forget the name. That and I interacted more with the staff – who kept laughing at me… At about 12 we left for lunch at a restaurant near our placement then had to meet the community with the guy from the school – well he called it meeting the community, I called it handing out flyers Bianca called it international marketing. I just wasn't feeling it. It was far too hot and I just wasn't bothered, but I cheered up when I heard 'He lives in you' from the Lion King playing in the background then I saw baby goats so I felt better ;)

Soul-Daddy and Me

'Soul-Daddy'

Today we went to town and i learnt that Twins are good luck in Ghana (compared to in Madagascar where they thought we were sort of demon things....). Today I also met my 'Soul-Daddy', the self-titled 'Best Artist in Ghana'. Granted his work was very good but I mean really, Modest much. Despite that there was this one painting of his that myself and my twin really wanted. It was of a sunset and a fisherman. what made it really stand out (bar the bright yellow background) was the reflection of the boat and the trees in He river he painted. It truly was remarkable.
 He wanted to give it to us for free but Mo said no because he has to make a living and giving his 'spul-chjildren' free things wouldn'#t really allow him to support his flesh and blood children (twins aged 1.5 years old.) I probably should explain the 'Soul-Dad' thing. This guy had twins and me and jameela were twins there for in some level he was our father......... i don't really get it either but it was nice to be in the presence of family, real or soul.

Day 1 of 30

People usually write blogs to say interesting things is a witty way and make their lives sound a wee but more exciting than it really is... I am not quite sure what I am supposed to be writing here and I don't really say things in an interesting way so I am just going top write down what I know, and that is what happens in my day. So here goes nothing and I hope you enjoy.

After the very long goodbyes we gave in Deptford we finally departed and made our way to the airport. Now I admit, leaving my Mum, Dad, and Grammy there was kind of upsetting but really and truly I have done it before so I didn't get too upset. We arrived at Heathrow at 6-something in the evening meeting Bianca's Nan who was waiting for us. It was very useful having her there because she had located everywhere we needed to be so checking in was rather easy and before we knew it, it was 21:05 and we were making our way to Gate 28 to board the plane. I fell asleep about 45 minutes after take off, but you can;t really blame me as 1) it was waaaay past the time I usually go off to bed and 2) I was sat between Alex and Jameela who were both rather giggly to begin with and that drained my energy. I was woken up at 00:30 ish because the plane food had arrived. Who in God's name serves food after midnight! and why did they wake me up! It was plane food and wasn't very nice. All I ate was the sweetcorn, two bites of bread, and drank a very mini Pepsi and fell back asleep.

So finally we arrived in Ghana and the first thing you feel is the intense heat. It was so humid and i was in jeans and it just wasn't very nice to be out in at first but you got used to it quickly. Unfortunately we didn't know the address of the hotel we were staying at so we had to wait at the passport control bit for ages before we could get through. Eventually we did and we flew by baggage checking and made our way to bus which would be taking us to our hotel. We were of course harassed by people who wanted to help us with our bags and earn some extra money but Mo put them straight saying "We didn't ask you to help."

We arrived at the hotel at 6 or so in the morning or probably later than that (it's been a long day) and we went into our rooms. The rooms themselves were very nice. I was sharing with Jameela and we had this massive bed, and a ceiling fan -- which btw will be in constant motion because it is reeeeally hot here (like I have mentioned). I was okay with the hotel I mean we later found out the we had this weired substance in the bathtub and the ceiling fan was not actually safe the have in constant motion, but the room had a bed and that is really what a person would want in a room, but Mo wasn't very happy. So we are moving hotels tomorrow... to one with a POOL! So I can't really complain.

I am now going top write about dinner as food is also very important to me. It was.... all right. I had bread and butter (the bread was to die for! So tasty) and half a cup of Milo (Jameela had the other half).

So what do I think of Ghana so far in my very tired state?? Humid.

I love to travel

 
I'm currently in school doing my A Levels (English Lit, Geography, Psychology and PE)
I'm not sure what I want to be doing in the future. So hopefully this trip will help me decide or at least give me a hint about the choices that are open for me.
I decided to do international volunteering because I love to travel and learn about new cultures and that is something you can't learn from reading about it, you got to experience it. Also last year I volunteered in Madagascar. I really enjoyed meeting the local people and teaching the children English and learning about their culture and trying new things. It also looks great on University applications ;-)
I hope to become a better person by helping people who will really appreciate and benefit from my experience.
I hope to come back as a better person, having a greater appreciation for my current situation in life and be more confident.