5.30am... we wake up to go to the orphanage.... we don't even shower... we all climb out of bed, throw on yesterday's clothes, rub our eyes and head out the door.... the walk to the orphanage involves mastering sleep walking over rocks, holes in the ground, dodging chickens, ducks and goats (including lots of baby animals) and even some lizards, hugging the neighbours kids as the bolt out of the garden towards us, waving to every local we pass and saying good morning and then waking up completely as we walk through the doors to the orphanage... the kids come running.. usually naked or half dressed with snotty noses... some are happy to see us others want us to rescue them from having a wash..... we then say good morning to them all and help with their washes, brushing their teeth, finding their clothes and dressing them, finding shoes, wiping never ending runny noses (although Ma Margaret is particularly good at doing this without tissues.. i will try and explain further in another post!) and then dishing out their breakfast (which is usually some kind of porridge which looks like gruel and a slice of mouldy bread)... we then have the difficult task of trying to get them all out the door to school which is about a 7 minute walk away....there are usually tantrums... some kid saying they don't want to go, they have tummy ache, they have lost their uniform and a whole heap of other excuses and we eventually manage to get them all to school (some usually kicking and screaming). We then go home to shower and eat breakfast and spend the morning doing our laundry, going online, going shopping for bits for the orphanage etc.... after lunch at 1pm we head back to the orphanage for around 2.30pm to meet with the kids coming home from school.... we then spend the afternoon playing with them and taking care of them.....my time on the internet is running out and the others are waiting to leave so I will have to end this post here. I've not been able to get photos up yet but I am hoping to soon. I will try and come back for longer soon and fill you in some more... I can't extend my time online today as it's busy and there is a queue waiting.must be because it's thanksgiving today.. lots of oberoni's waiting to talk to home...
Talk to you all again soon :)
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Day 3 - Meet and greet
So i wake up early still feeling sick with nerves and the travelling..... we are given a break of eggy bread and peanut butter (which is melted and watery but tastes ok). In the morning Eddie sits us all down to go through orientation... that last a couple of hours and he teaches us about the culture, the programs were on, and also some of the local language. We also use this opportunity to ask any questions etc.... then we set off!
It takes over an hour or so to get to the pink program (we were dropped off first)..... on the journey we all chat and get to know each other and then look out the windows of the van at our surroundings.... Africa is hot... hotter than I ever imagined..... hotter than I have ever been in my life.....we were melting the whole way... out the window we saw all these little 'shops' which are really just shacks with someone selling something or other.... they try and sell you stuff through the windows of the van too.... all the women and some of the men carry stuff on their heads... the biggest thing I saw was a man carrying a stack of suitcases on his head... i was hoping they were not full.. I can't imagine he'd ever be able to carry mine on his head but i'll never know!
After we had all melted and become a puddle in the back of the van we finally arrived at the volunteer house in Dodowa. We were introduced to the volunteers already staying there, Lindsay (USA), Azar (UK), Crystal (Canada) and Sara (Sweden). Mattison (Matt) and I were dropped off with our luggage and then taken to Worcsa orphanage which is a 3 minute walk away from the house we are staying in. On the way to the orphanage some neighbouring kids ran out and jumped up us for a hug... (this happens every morning since we arrived too)..... When we reached the orphanage a bunch of kids (and I mean alot!) all came running towards us and climbed all over us shouting 'oberoni oberoni' which means foreigner (it's what everyone calls us here). They all wanted hugs and to hold out hands... it was all a bit overwhelming at first... we didn't know what to do or say and the kids were all so excited... We were shown around the orphanage, the 'bathroom', the bedrooms and the place in the middle where the meals are cooked (outside!).... the conditions are shocking especially when you first arrive....you get used to it after awhile though.... the kids all had coughs and colds and are covered in bites, cuts and scrapes.... but the one thing that really stands out is despite all the suffering and hardship and poor conditions... the kids seemed happy... they were smiley and loving and really care about each other.. the older ones look after the younger ones. They are all like brothers and sisters but so caring towards each other (with the usual sibling rivalry thrown in).
That first day we spent some time with the kids trying to learn their names and get to know things and then we went back to the volunteer house for dinner and to talk with the other volunteers. It was a pleasant evening but an exhausting and emotionally overwhelming day and I was ready for my bed!
The volunteer house has running water albeit sometimes rather smelly (a plumber did come and fix it abit so not as bad now but you never really feel clean even afters showering). Its mostly in the dark with lights just in the toilet and bedrooms. There are powercuts often and we are often using our torches in the evenings to find our way to bed. We sleep in bunk beds. I share a room with the girls and sleep on the bottom bunk and the boys sleep next door.... they have a wardrobe but we have nothing in our room except 3 bunk beds... the rooms are small, the beds sparse and uncomfortable.... but we have guests ever night in the form of bed bugs!!! Nice!! But after a busy tiring day a bed is and bed and you are grateful for it.. we have more than a lot of the orphans have and after what I saw yesterday coming from an orphans bed, I'm grateful I just have bed bugs in mine! (will write more about that later)... my mosquito net is difficult to use in a bunk bed but and i got a few bites that first night when i woke up with it all tangled at the bottom of the bed but i've got it worked out now and am find since. Some of the other volunteers that have been here longer though have some nasty bits which have got infected and gooey.... i have been playing nurse to them and the children!
It takes over an hour or so to get to the pink program (we were dropped off first)..... on the journey we all chat and get to know each other and then look out the windows of the van at our surroundings.... Africa is hot... hotter than I ever imagined..... hotter than I have ever been in my life.....we were melting the whole way... out the window we saw all these little 'shops' which are really just shacks with someone selling something or other.... they try and sell you stuff through the windows of the van too.... all the women and some of the men carry stuff on their heads... the biggest thing I saw was a man carrying a stack of suitcases on his head... i was hoping they were not full.. I can't imagine he'd ever be able to carry mine on his head but i'll never know!
After we had all melted and become a puddle in the back of the van we finally arrived at the volunteer house in Dodowa. We were introduced to the volunteers already staying there, Lindsay (USA), Azar (UK), Crystal (Canada) and Sara (Sweden). Mattison (Matt) and I were dropped off with our luggage and then taken to Worcsa orphanage which is a 3 minute walk away from the house we are staying in. On the way to the orphanage some neighbouring kids ran out and jumped up us for a hug... (this happens every morning since we arrived too)..... When we reached the orphanage a bunch of kids (and I mean alot!) all came running towards us and climbed all over us shouting 'oberoni oberoni' which means foreigner (it's what everyone calls us here). They all wanted hugs and to hold out hands... it was all a bit overwhelming at first... we didn't know what to do or say and the kids were all so excited... We were shown around the orphanage, the 'bathroom', the bedrooms and the place in the middle where the meals are cooked (outside!).... the conditions are shocking especially when you first arrive....you get used to it after awhile though.... the kids all had coughs and colds and are covered in bites, cuts and scrapes.... but the one thing that really stands out is despite all the suffering and hardship and poor conditions... the kids seemed happy... they were smiley and loving and really care about each other.. the older ones look after the younger ones. They are all like brothers and sisters but so caring towards each other (with the usual sibling rivalry thrown in).
That first day we spent some time with the kids trying to learn their names and get to know things and then we went back to the volunteer house for dinner and to talk with the other volunteers. It was a pleasant evening but an exhausting and emotionally overwhelming day and I was ready for my bed!
The volunteer house has running water albeit sometimes rather smelly (a plumber did come and fix it abit so not as bad now but you never really feel clean even afters showering). Its mostly in the dark with lights just in the toilet and bedrooms. There are powercuts often and we are often using our torches in the evenings to find our way to bed. We sleep in bunk beds. I share a room with the girls and sleep on the bottom bunk and the boys sleep next door.... they have a wardrobe but we have nothing in our room except 3 bunk beds... the rooms are small, the beds sparse and uncomfortable.... but we have guests ever night in the form of bed bugs!!! Nice!! But after a busy tiring day a bed is and bed and you are grateful for it.. we have more than a lot of the orphans have and after what I saw yesterday coming from an orphans bed, I'm grateful I just have bed bugs in mine! (will write more about that later)... my mosquito net is difficult to use in a bunk bed but and i got a few bites that first night when i woke up with it all tangled at the bottom of the bed but i've got it worked out now and am find since. Some of the other volunteers that have been here longer though have some nasty bits which have got infected and gooey.... i have been playing nurse to them and the children!
Day 1 & 2 - The Journey!
Hey
So I've finally managed to get to a decent internet cafe here in Ghana and managed to log in to my email and this blog at last... will update what I can today but I will probably get back here again before I leave too.
So the journey to Ghana went well. I woke at 3am after going to bed around 1am, and left for the airport. There were no hiccups along the way and everything went smoothly. I was able to take a third bag of donations with me as someone donated the euros I needed to pay for the extra bag... thankfully they did... i would never have fitted it all in otherwise.... I had a lot of stuff to bring!!
The flights were ok and went quite quickly... there was some turbulance but nothing too bad. I even managed to get about an hours sleep! The guy sitting next to me on the plane was originally from Ghana but had lived in Canada for 20 years. He is a nurse in a remote part of canada and we had some long conversations about nursing and the hospitals we've worked in etc. He was really nice and once we got to Ghana he helped me with my bags and getting through immigration etc. I had no trouble although my bags were last out and took ages to arrive.
When I got off the plane I was in my travel clothes (jeans, t-shirt and a hooded jumper). The heat just hit me and I was melting even though it was late at night.... i had so many bags I couldn't take my jumper off and was unbelievably hot..... Peter (the nurse) helped me find my driver and once inside the IVHQ van I was fine. Ivans and Jonathan picked me up from the airport and drove me to the volunteer house in Accra where I would be staying for the weekend. They were both really nice and told me all about Ghana and the kids I'd be working with etc. Ivans even lent me his spare sim card so I didn't have to buy one.
On arrival at the volunteer house I was sooo tired and wanted my bed but i stayed up a little while and met with Brenda, from Canada, who was just starting at the blue program, David from the states also starting the blue program and Lucy from NY who had finished from the brown program. I was put on the pink program. I also met Eddie and some of the others who work here. The facilities at the volunteer program are ok but you can't flush paper down the toilet, you have to use the bin (trash can) next to it which was interesting! Other than that it was fine and there is a cook who makes your meals.
The next morning I woke early and ivans took me to exchange my money, The exchange rate here is great for GBP. I got 2.20 Ghana cedis to the pound!! After lunch myself and the other volunteers went to the beach for the afternoon to relax before we started our programs. We had a lovely day at the beach and saw all the buskers etc. On our return to the house Kathryn had arrived from New Zealand (shes on the blue program) and later that night Mattison, Matteo and Dean all arrived. Dean and Matteo were from the UK and were on the purple program whilst Mattison is from the states and was on the pink program with me.
I was still tired and went to bed early that night too ready for an early start in the morning at the orphanage.. this is when the nerves kicked in and I was wondering what to expect......
So I've finally managed to get to a decent internet cafe here in Ghana and managed to log in to my email and this blog at last... will update what I can today but I will probably get back here again before I leave too.
So the journey to Ghana went well. I woke at 3am after going to bed around 1am, and left for the airport. There were no hiccups along the way and everything went smoothly. I was able to take a third bag of donations with me as someone donated the euros I needed to pay for the extra bag... thankfully they did... i would never have fitted it all in otherwise.... I had a lot of stuff to bring!!
The flights were ok and went quite quickly... there was some turbulance but nothing too bad. I even managed to get about an hours sleep! The guy sitting next to me on the plane was originally from Ghana but had lived in Canada for 20 years. He is a nurse in a remote part of canada and we had some long conversations about nursing and the hospitals we've worked in etc. He was really nice and once we got to Ghana he helped me with my bags and getting through immigration etc. I had no trouble although my bags were last out and took ages to arrive.
When I got off the plane I was in my travel clothes (jeans, t-shirt and a hooded jumper). The heat just hit me and I was melting even though it was late at night.... i had so many bags I couldn't take my jumper off and was unbelievably hot..... Peter (the nurse) helped me find my driver and once inside the IVHQ van I was fine. Ivans and Jonathan picked me up from the airport and drove me to the volunteer house in Accra where I would be staying for the weekend. They were both really nice and told me all about Ghana and the kids I'd be working with etc. Ivans even lent me his spare sim card so I didn't have to buy one.
On arrival at the volunteer house I was sooo tired and wanted my bed but i stayed up a little while and met with Brenda, from Canada, who was just starting at the blue program, David from the states also starting the blue program and Lucy from NY who had finished from the brown program. I was put on the pink program. I also met Eddie and some of the others who work here. The facilities at the volunteer program are ok but you can't flush paper down the toilet, you have to use the bin (trash can) next to it which was interesting! Other than that it was fine and there is a cook who makes your meals.
The next morning I woke early and ivans took me to exchange my money, The exchange rate here is great for GBP. I got 2.20 Ghana cedis to the pound!! After lunch myself and the other volunteers went to the beach for the afternoon to relax before we started our programs. We had a lovely day at the beach and saw all the buskers etc. On our return to the house Kathryn had arrived from New Zealand (shes on the blue program) and later that night Mattison, Matteo and Dean all arrived. Dean and Matteo were from the UK and were on the purple program whilst Mattison is from the states and was on the pink program with me.
I was still tired and went to bed early that night too ready for an early start in the morning at the orphanage.. this is when the nerves kicked in and I was wondering what to expect......
Friday, 12 November 2010
18 days.... 13 hours....:D
18 days until I turn 30... but only 13 hours until I begin my trip to Ghana. Boy has it come around fast!!!! I am leaving my house around 4am tomorrow to get to the airport where I will take a plane to Amsterdam, wait there for around 4 hours and then fly on to Ghana. I shall be arriving in Ghana sometime around 8pm tomorrow night (7pm here I think!). I will spend the night at the volunteer house in Accra then spend Sunday getting used to climate and my new surroundings and meeting other volunteers before being driven to my placement on Monday.
I'm very excited now but also quite nervous. I have been chatting to a few volunteers who will be starting at the same time as me, some at the same orphanage and others at different ones. I'm going to be placed at WORSCA orphanage in Dodowa, unless it gets changed at orientation on Monday. I've also been chatting to afew volunteers who are out there already so I will be able to get on to the internet at some point during my stay and update you all on my progress. Apparently the computers are very old and internet connection poor but I will do what I can. I have been learning the stories of some of the kids out there too and it's heartbreaking what these young children go through. I know this trip will be emotional and I'm sure I won't want to come back!
I have just finished packing my bag. It weighs a ton. My mum is on her way over with another suitcase for me as the one I planned to take has a dodgy zipper (I'm allowed 2 but I have so much stuff to take over that I may end up paying for another bag! we shall see) and scales used to weigh suitcases. We shall see how heavy it all is and work out if I can take everything. I've accumulated so much stuff from all the donations and all the things I've bought to take over. I didn't realise just how much until I tried to pack it all. Thanks so much to everyone that has donated both money and items for me to take. I really appreciate it.
I've not been feeling too well this week. Justin was ill earlier in the week and I've felt run down and sick the last few days. Feeling quite sick today but I am hoping its more excitement and nerves then any real sickness. I shall be topping up with vitamin C today and hopefully off out for a goodbye dinner with Justin tonight!
The next time I update this will be from Ghana. Thanks again to all those who have helped make this possible and given so much for the kids. I really am very grateful.
Talk to you all soon!
Corrie
I'm very excited now but also quite nervous. I have been chatting to a few volunteers who will be starting at the same time as me, some at the same orphanage and others at different ones. I'm going to be placed at WORSCA orphanage in Dodowa, unless it gets changed at orientation on Monday. I've also been chatting to afew volunteers who are out there already so I will be able to get on to the internet at some point during my stay and update you all on my progress. Apparently the computers are very old and internet connection poor but I will do what I can. I have been learning the stories of some of the kids out there too and it's heartbreaking what these young children go through. I know this trip will be emotional and I'm sure I won't want to come back!
I have just finished packing my bag. It weighs a ton. My mum is on her way over with another suitcase for me as the one I planned to take has a dodgy zipper (I'm allowed 2 but I have so much stuff to take over that I may end up paying for another bag! we shall see) and scales used to weigh suitcases. We shall see how heavy it all is and work out if I can take everything. I've accumulated so much stuff from all the donations and all the things I've bought to take over. I didn't realise just how much until I tried to pack it all. Thanks so much to everyone that has donated both money and items for me to take. I really appreciate it.
I've not been feeling too well this week. Justin was ill earlier in the week and I've felt run down and sick the last few days. Feeling quite sick today but I am hoping its more excitement and nerves then any real sickness. I shall be topping up with vitamin C today and hopefully off out for a goodbye dinner with Justin tonight!
The next time I update this will be from Ghana. Thanks again to all those who have helped make this possible and given so much for the kids. I really am very grateful.
Talk to you all soon!
Corrie
Thursday, 4 November 2010
26 days......
26 days until I turn 30.....9 days until I fly out to Ghana to start my placement. Received my placement details today. I am being placed at WORSCA orphanage in Dodowa which is about 45 minutes outside of Accra. I have heard from other volunteers that they haven't had any volunteers for awhile and ran out of food. The kids are in desperate need of food among other things. I can't wait to get out there now and do what I can to help. I think the money I've raised will go on buying food and any other essentials needed once I am out there. Please please keep donations coming in and help me to make a difference in these kids lives.
Had some more donations of shoes and clothing to take with me. Luggage is probably at it's limit now but please keep donations coming in. I can always pass things on to other volunteers heading out there too and cash donations will be a HUGE help in buying food and clean water for the kids.
I really really appreciate all your help and can't wait to show you where your money went.
Thanks to all of you that have donated and those still wishing to donate, please do!!
Corrie
Had some more donations of shoes and clothing to take with me. Luggage is probably at it's limit now but please keep donations coming in. I can always pass things on to other volunteers heading out there too and cash donations will be a HUGE help in buying food and clean water for the kids.
I really really appreciate all your help and can't wait to show you where your money went.
Thanks to all of you that have donated and those still wishing to donate, please do!!
Corrie
Sunday, 24 October 2010
37 days......
37 days until I turn 30... old age here I come!!....
I have just TWENTY days until I fly to Ghana... time has travelled really fast. I can't believe it's nearly here already!!! I am mostly ready though. I now have my visa, which I had no trouble getting other than long waits at the High Commission. I also have got most of the bits and pieces I need to take personally. Just need to pack it all. I've had another £75 of donations since my last post and a HUGE amount of clothes, books, toys etc donated for the kids. I definitely have enough to fill my suitcase and am hoping to get money towards taking an extra bag so if anyone fancies donating 200 euros, that's how much KLM are going to charge me for an extra bag. I tried to get them to allow it for free because it's for the orphanage but alas, they were not feeling charitable that day.
I was given some items which were not suitable to take over to Ghana so I have sold some of those on Ebay and raised another £25 which is great. I have so many books now and a limited luggage weight allowance so I will be selling some of the unsuitable books at my upcoming jewellery & massage party. All the support I have been recieving is amazing and I really appreciate it. I can't wait to get out there now and meet the children. Please please keep donations coming in and help me to make a difference.
I am holding a jewellery and massage party next weekend (31st October 2010) in Letchworth Garden City (The Guide Hall, Icknield Way, Letchworth) from 1.30-6pm. I will be selling jewellery from my shop (www.corriekay.com) and offering 15 minute mini massages in order to raise more funds for Ghana. As it's on Halloween there will also be face painting for kids so bring them along before going trick or treating!
I am getting very excited about the trip now and can't believe how fast it has come around. I have been in touch with several other volunteers, both past and future, and feel I have prepared myself. I am looking forward to meeting the other volunteers out there but most of all I can't wait to meet the children and do what I can to help their situation.
Thank you all for your time and donations. I really appreciate it. Keep checking back for updates and stories from Ghana and please share this blog and ask friends to donate. I'd really appreciate it.
Many thanks
Corrie
I have just TWENTY days until I fly to Ghana... time has travelled really fast. I can't believe it's nearly here already!!! I am mostly ready though. I now have my visa, which I had no trouble getting other than long waits at the High Commission. I also have got most of the bits and pieces I need to take personally. Just need to pack it all. I've had another £75 of donations since my last post and a HUGE amount of clothes, books, toys etc donated for the kids. I definitely have enough to fill my suitcase and am hoping to get money towards taking an extra bag so if anyone fancies donating 200 euros, that's how much KLM are going to charge me for an extra bag. I tried to get them to allow it for free because it's for the orphanage but alas, they were not feeling charitable that day.
I was given some items which were not suitable to take over to Ghana so I have sold some of those on Ebay and raised another £25 which is great. I have so many books now and a limited luggage weight allowance so I will be selling some of the unsuitable books at my upcoming jewellery & massage party. All the support I have been recieving is amazing and I really appreciate it. I can't wait to get out there now and meet the children. Please please keep donations coming in and help me to make a difference.
I am holding a jewellery and massage party next weekend (31st October 2010) in Letchworth Garden City (The Guide Hall, Icknield Way, Letchworth) from 1.30-6pm. I will be selling jewellery from my shop (www.corriekay.com) and offering 15 minute mini massages in order to raise more funds for Ghana. As it's on Halloween there will also be face painting for kids so bring them along before going trick or treating!
I am getting very excited about the trip now and can't believe how fast it has come around. I have been in touch with several other volunteers, both past and future, and feel I have prepared myself. I am looking forward to meeting the other volunteers out there but most of all I can't wait to meet the children and do what I can to help their situation.
Thank you all for your time and donations. I really appreciate it. Keep checking back for updates and stories from Ghana and please share this blog and ask friends to donate. I'd really appreciate it.
Many thanks
Corrie
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
49 days.....no turning back now!
So there are now 49 days until my 30th and just 32 days until I fly out to Ghana. I am now much more organised. I have had my injections, sorted out clothing and malaria tablets and just have my visa left to get in the next week or two. Feeling much better about it all now I'm organised.
I had another £60 of donations since my last email appeal and then the tins at work raised another £50. I also had a very large donation of brightly coloured wool which I will use to entertain the kids and teach them to make bracelets or crochet. Another appeal email sent today with a list of items needed so hoping that will bring in even more! :)
I had another £60 of donations since my last email appeal and then the tins at work raised another £50. I also had a very large donation of brightly coloured wool which I will use to entertain the kids and teach them to make bracelets or crochet. Another appeal email sent today with a list of items needed so hoping that will bring in even more! :)
If you would like to help but are unable to donate money then there are things that other volunteers and the agency have suggested I bring so feel free to donate these items and post them to me at Corrie Buckland (Ghana), c/o Claybury International, The Pixmore Centre, Pixmore Ave, Letchworth, SG6 1JG.
Items needed are:
- Children’s underwear & clothes
- Nappies, wipes and baby supplies
- Vitamins/ Calcium tablets (ones like sweets are good as kids think it’s sweets)
- Antibiotics/Antiseptics / alcohol, wipes
- First Aid / medical supplies
- Plasters (band aids)
- Medical Family guides
- Any books on health care relevant to Africa
- Hankies
- Electric/battery Razor for cutting kids hair
Items for entertaining/teaching/ treating children
- Balloons
- Toys
- Books
- Bubble Solution
- Face paint
- Stickers/Stamps
- Games (bingo, snakes & ladders etc)
- Pens/Pencils/ Paper/ Crayons
- Chalk / pavement chalk
- Sweets
Anything you are able to help with is very much appreciated. I can’t wait to get out there now and meet the children. I’ve been watching videos and talking to previous volunteers and I am ready to get out there and do what I can to help.
Thanks for all your help and I look forward to sharing the experience with you.
Corrie :)
