I have so much to tell and have had so many experiences since I've been here in Ghana. The one thing I can honestly say is...when I thought that intially the people were not friendly...I was dead wrong...those were people from London on the plane with us.
The people in Ghana everywhere that we have gone are so nice and helpful. Some are being nice to get you to buy there stuff. But even when you say no they don't get an attitude and still smile and wave at you. The average wage here for most people is less than $100 a month. Can you imagine living on that. Well if you lived here you probalby could..but certainly not in conditions that I'm sure you would relish. There are some very rich people here and it's a shame that they don't do more for the people that are poor. I guess we face that same thing in the states though.
The conditions at the orphanage we visited were deplorable to say the least. The children ate off of the filthy floors wearing filthy clothes and wanting attention like you wouldn't believe. The orphange we visited is government run and have probably 6 staff members for over 100 babies and children. The matresses on the beds are horrible the bathrooms, a disgusting site that would cause you to gag. Some of the people here have gotten money together to purchase mattresses and pay people in the community where we built the houses to clean the orphanage. I think the beds are a good idea but the cleaning will only last a short while. More needs to be done as the government only supplies the staff with their small pay and does not pay for medical expenses for the children. Many badly need it. Even this child with Cerebral Palsy was felt joy just to be touched. His smile is so wide and he crawls around the floor to get close to you. He has no idea of the care he could have in the states so he smiles because someone notices him and touches him. I spent a lot of time with him just to make him as if someone cared. I don't know if that was a good or bad thing because he probably won't receive attention like that again in a long time.Other than that the experience has been overwhelmingly wonderful!
6 comments:
WOW D! THAT SOUNDS great and disturbing simultaneously. I know it had to be an awarding experience. Well I'm sure you made an impact on those children. Perhaps not as much as you liked but nonetheless providing insight for the rest of us in the states who can take action. What cities did you visit?
Hey not fair. You're almost making me start to cry.
It always upsets me when people in the US or the western world complain about how bad it is where they live, which it really it is for a few people; but for the majority of us, we live like royalty compared to the rest of the world.
reading this let's me know that I couldn't do what you because there is only so much despair I can take...
You are becoming a better person every day that you are out there.
Though I definitely see the despair in your story, I am touched by the underlying message of your post, which seems to be that a little bit of love and attention goes a long way even in the darkest situations.
Man I commend you on the wonderful work you are doing, it is so important to help those that have some difficulties helping themselves. Thank you for being the humanitarian you have become.
WHILE READING THIS A BROTHA FOUND TEARS RUNNING DOWN HIS FACE.
Man I know this experience has changed u forever. Glad you got to share with us. God Bless. :)
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