Date: 4/2/2010
Time: 16:40
Location: Accra, Ghana
I have been losing myself in what I am trying to say. I just can’t find the words. Today was one of the most productive days I have had so far, and I am blown away. Not only did I 1. Go ahead on work for once. But I was able to see the special needs school I will be helping out at three times a week, and then I had an afternoon trip into Jamestown.
Jamestown is one of the poorest places within Accra. It is a place where “Obrunies” really are not that welcome; unless you are with someone from the area it can be toured. I have hardly any pictures as it is a place where taking pictures is completely frowned upon. Although at first I was annoyed at the idea of not being able to take photos of what I came here to see, I completely respect the wish. How would you like if England, Germany, or USA were underdeveloped countries and the other countries only ever see the slums and the poor conditions and never any of the developed areas? For these reasons it is very hard to capture these poor areas in pictures and I would recommend just coming yourself and storing forever a mental picture. It is something like I have not seen before. I have been fortunate to see a lot of places in my life with the move to Japan, but I was young, and I will be the first to say- ignorant. I went to El Salvador this past May and that was the first country I had seen in my “adulthood” life where I felt I could fully understand the nature of how and why they were living like so, and just understand the pain the country went through. Now having gone to Jamestown I have seen more of the “Africa” that is always shown.
While I am staying here in Accra, I am living in the richest part of Ghana- Labone. I appreciate all that I have, but it was time for me to get out and see more of the surroundings. Jamestown like Baltimore (which is depicted as a crime city and nothing more) has an inner beauty. We bargained our way from a 10 cedi taxi ride to a 6 cedi ride from Labone to Jamestown. As we got there we headed straight to the lighthouse. Here the locals saw us and thought, “Obrunies” and knew they could try and con us into a higher price. But we negotiated our way to a great price. We climbed the windey stairs, at the top went up some very what looked to be unstable stairs and crawled through a hole. Here our eyes were opened to a whole new world. One side you had all the fishing boats and the fishing community, to other you had open sand and water, the next side a strip of houses and even the boxing area, and in front the vast amount of Jamestown houses and shops. A view of “shacks” and palm trees, and even mountains in the background. I hate using the word shacks for someone’s house and to the people that live in them it is not, but to everyone I have ever known in my life that is the nearest thing that would compare to what we all know. The lighthouse literally was a lighthouse. It shined its light on the aspects of life that I could not even begin to imagine. The beautiful thing is that no child has anything to compare it too, and is hopefully grateful for the roof over their heads, and the friends and family they still have. Such beauty to see the simple life that they all lead no technology or everyday western distractions to take them away from playing football, or running about in the sun. I will say it is disheartening to get asked by a child for some money because they are hungry or are thirsty.
Heading across the street to Jamestown fort (across from the Jamestown king’s house) the idea of standing in prison cells where the slaves were kept and shipped and bought was disturbing. I have been learning in-depth about the slave trade in Pan-Afracanism and it was great to be standing in a cell that was first hand evidence of history and the many lives that passed through. In 1 cell that really was probably the size of Loyola Kitchen in Campion (not including the eating area) there would be some 30 odd people and in some even 70. People are messed up. To think of enslaving another human being is crazy (never use crazy here as it literally means Insane and it is another very disrespectful thing to say) to me- but I guess a lot of things in history have been incredibly disturbing.
Now we shall take a trip down to the fishing boats. Place where kids ran up and greeted us and a lot of older people were not happy to see us. We were not sure if Emmanuel (our tour guide that we met in Jamestown) should take us any further, but he said it was okay his family lives in here. The boats reminded me of the big Viking rowboats you always learn about in school, but the air was defiantly fishy. The fishermen were welcoming and even wanted to take us out on the boat- but we unfortunately ended up not getting on one. The small community was as if were those little boys running through the streets in slumdog millionaire; but a bit more spaced out. Clothes out on the clothes line, woman cooking up whatever they were cooking up, children running around everywhere, houses with a few people in them. I can’t even properly give a description as Emmanuel was rushing us through because he knew we were unwelcome. Emmanuel definitely earned his “Dash” though as he then afterwards took us over to the boxing arena. It was called, “House of Pain”. Here, the complex around looked as if it was falling down, but the boxing guys were happily playing a competitive game of football. I think that is what I love most. Even in a place that may not look as nice as our million dollar houses (or whatever they may cost) they are still able to enjoy life and see life for what it is. The only thing they may complain for is food and water, but no kids have said, “Daddy, this isn’t what I wanted, I wanted a blackberry!” Life is not materialistic but more real. Yes I used real as honestly materialistic things are not something you hold on to for life, whereas family, friends, and your everyday basic needs are part of what life all started with.
Today was a good day. I can’t wait to start at New Horizon a school for kids with disabilities, and I was finally able to get out of Labone. I will leave on quiet a funny remark. The taxi driver we had on the way to Jamestown says, “You from Obama land. You have money!” Liza, Doug, and myself, “No, we are students we don’t have money.” Driver, “Everyone in America has money. So you have money. Obama has jobs so there is money” Doug, “umm… there is only hope!” Liza, “Obama does not give us money. I only wish he did!”
I will say that was an amusing taxi ride.
Alright good evening to all,
-KR x
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