We have much to report today to catch you up on our last week. Life here in Ghana continues to be a great learning experience – each week gives us the opportunity to learn more about life in Cape Three Points and have the chance to explore other points of interest within striking distance.
After last weekend we had the opportunity to try out surfing with Black Star Surf Shop at Busua Beach on Sunday morning. Almost everyone gave it a try and those who did really loved it! The waves were perfect for learning and those of us who stayed on the beach enjoyed the show. After the weekend we headed back to Cape Three Points for our third week of work. It’s amazing to see the progress after so many hands have been involved in the building project during our time here. On the construction site we have finished laying all of the cement block for the three rooms that we are set to complete for the Chief’s Palace. Students worked with the masons and also tried their hands at carpentry learning how to plane wood cut from the forest.
While not on the work site, other students split up to spend time at the primary school and also at the junior high school. A few students designed and painted the name of the primary school on the outside of the school. It looks fantastic and got us excited about painting a mural on the Chief’s Palace this upcoming week. Our students also helped out in classes at the junior high school as there are exams next week.
Dance and drum classes have continued throughout the week as well with many of the local kids joining us to help us get the rhythms. On Thursday we were measured and fitted by the local seamstress for performance outfits which we will wear for our goodbye party (which is just around the corner). Putney students have chosen whether they will perform drum or dance during our celebration and are working hard to get ready!
On Geoffrey’s birthday we presented him with some classic Ghanaian gifts including a pair of goatskin sandals and a small guitar-like instrument that has already accompanied many songs about the group experience. We decorated Trinity Yard with ribbons and balloons, enjoyed a chocolate cake with buttercream icing, and spent the evening at the beach sitting by the bonfire of driftwood we had picked up while cleaning the beach during our first week. Speaking of birthdays, we have another coming up this week….Julian Stahler will turn 16 on Tuesday. We’ll be sure to celebrate in style.
This weekend we took three days to make our longest visit yet to Cape Coast and Kakum National Park. On Friday we departed Trinity Yard in the morning and headed to Takoradi where we stopped at the tailors with our Ghanaian cloth in hand to be measured and fitted for dresses, skirts, pants, etc. We will pick them up on our final eastbound journey from Cape Three Points to Accra for our departure. After a quick visit there we headed to Cape Coast Castle where we visited the dungeons where African slaves were kept during the slave trade. It was a visit to remember and certainly made the facts in our history books come to life.
On Saturday morning after a breakfast of eggs, toast, fruit, and hot cocoa we headed to a batik workshop led by Eli and Emma with Women In Progress/Global Mamas (www.womeninprogress.com) held at their workshop right next to the castle on the beach. Each student chose a design and a color for their cloth. There were giraffes and flowers, Egyptian silhouettes and tribal patterns. Many choices! Each student learned how to place the wax covered design block on their fabrics to make designs. A few hours later we returned to see our beautiful cloths drying in the sun dyed brilliant reds, blues, and purples. It was fantastic!
Afterwards we headed to Hans Cottage Hotel where we spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool, feeding the crocodiles in the river around the hotel, and enjoying time together. This morning (Sunday) we woke up early for a sunrise canopy walk through Kakum National Park. Although we were not able to see any monkeys, we all enjoyed the incredible views through the rainforest and overcoming our fears of heights by walking the rope walkways 120 feet up in the trees. Everyone agreed that it was a fantastic way to start the day.
In the afternoon we will head back to Cape Three Points for our final week. If we’re lucky we will be back in time to watch and participate in a local soccer game. Tomorrow we have organized a scavenger hunt through town and students will begin work on their independent projects. Just one week to go before we make our journey home.
Enjoy the photos!
Big hugs,
Kelsey & Dakota
