Guests From Afar – Part 1

We have been neglecting this diary of late due to a hectic schedule both in and out of work. The KG buildings are coming along nicely despite the rain which has become steadily incessant, and we’ve been blessed with some special guests....

It’s been a great couple of months as Joe’s folks (Roger and Beatrice) and then some friends from the UK (Rebecca and Beatrice) and Singapore (Sri) came to visit, bearing gifts not only for us (cheese and chocolate!!) but for the community and schools too. It has been an amazing journey and almost indescribable with words, so here we present collages which will hopefully convey the colours and scenes that peppered their visits.

Part 1 Roger and Beatrice 15^th March – 6^th April

Joe’s parents arrived in Accra with heavy bags laden with donations from themselves and some very kind people back in Wales. Roger and Beatrice had requested for a list of things to bring for the community and school we live in, so we sent them a long email. Although initially stumped as to how they could afford it all, Roger decided to ask for small donations to be made so the list of materials could be bought. Beatrice and he succeeded in not only getting donations but also discounts and free things from stores that they bought the resources from.

Each of the following was received at the presentation with a huge roar, cheers, chanting and dancing : – 

·         3 Tyre Levers for the Muslim Chief
·         A suitcase full of library books for KG, Primary, JHS and SHS levels
·         Board Games
·         2 Laptops for the ICT lessons which are solely conducted on the chalkboard
·         Sports Kit with Tops, Bottoms and Socks for 15 boys and 15 girls
·         2 Wales Footballs
·         7 Wales Sharpeners and Pencils + various other stationary
·         Wales Flag

We thank them, their friends and anyone else indirectly responsible for enabling this mission. It was successful and very warmly received.  

They spent a week around Ayensudo, meeting the community, visiting the local Sabre projects, towns, markets and old slave castles.  Then we travelled for a week along the south west coast, staying in a camp in the middle of Ankasa rainforest, visiting a stilted village in the middle of a lake, staying in the most beautiful beach resort in Ghana for my birthday, and travelling to an eco-lodge at the southernmost tip of Ghana where the rainforest meets the ocean.  The last week we returned to old friends in Ayensudo to exchange gifts, relax by the beach, and say farewells.  Roger had never left Europe before, and Beatrice had never been to Africa, but they were naturals and we really enjoyed sharing our lifestyle with them.

1.       Roger and Beatrice arrive in Accra and have a taste of city life from atop a roof bar
2.       Roger shows my little neighbours how to keep our surroundings clean
3.       R & B’s first taste of a school sports day in Brenu where they cheer for Ayensudo!
4.       R & B present the Muslim Chief with tyre levers for his work as a vulcanizer (tyre replacer)
5.       On a boat heading to Nzulezo Stilt Village, Beyin
6.       Beatrice with Eke, Paddy’s son
7.       Dinner cooked by teacher Paddy and his wife for all of us (Red Red - Bean Stew and Fried Plantain)
8.       Beatrice bravely crossing the stream at Ankasa Rainforest Reserve
9.       View from the inside of a stilt house
10.   R & B having a lavish breakfast at Lou Moon, Axim
11.   R & B attempting to eat/ drink an orange like the locals
12.   R & B walking into the sun by a beach at Cape Three Points, Ghana’s most southerly point
13.   Beatrice posing by a bean shop at Cape Coast wet market
14.   R & B presenting their gifts that hail all the way from Wales!
15.   Two students happily model the sports kit brought over for them by R & B
16.   The whole team with teacher Paddy, Prosper and R & B
17.   Everyone’s happy as they celebrate R & B and friends’ gifts to them
18.   A family photo of sorts
19.   The chief hands over some tailored clothes made for R & B as presents for their donations

Here are some photos from the Ayensudo site. Please view by SET.