Today is Ghana’s independence day. Ghana’s history is
obviously much longer than 55 years, but today is the day that they marked
their independence from British rule. I have to say it felt much like our 4th
of July. The weather during the parade definitely felt like 4th of
July! The parade was much much longer than our parades. Also, there was no
candy. The military schools marched around the stadium grounds and then the
schools of Kpando marched around the grounds. Everything takes longer to get
started here so I think it was around 4 hours total.
Isaac has a volunteer at his school right now named Linda.
She is from the US. She has been helping with the construction of the
dormitory. She is staying with the people who run Hardt Haven, one of the
children’s home in Kpando. I was wrong to call it an Orphanage. Hardt Haven is
very unique in that it is a home for children affected by HIV/AIDs. The
children either have the virus themselves or have parents with the virus who
cannot take care of them, or their parents died from AIDs.
AIDs is still very stigmatized in Ghana. If you have it
people treat you like a 2nd class citizen out of fear that they will
get the virus themselves if they come in contact with you. AIDs is a very scary
disease; however, it is not easy to contract the virus. It is transmitted
through blood or sexual encounters. You cannot get AIDs from someone by sharing
food, sitting on the same toilet as them, holding hands with them, etc. This is
not common knowledge for Ghanaians; thus, they fear anyone that has AIDs. Many
hospital workers refuse to treat people who have AIDs.
The cofounder of Hardt Haven is named Edom (I hope I spelled
it right). He is a Ghanaian, but amazingly through his education has not
developed the typical Ghanaian attitude towards the disease. The people of
Kpando do not know Hardt Haven takes in children with AIDs. Edom doesn’t
withhold the information from them. It is available on the website; however, he
doesn’t voice it either. The children intermingle with other children in the
community. Edom eventually plans to better inform the people of Kpando and
Ghana of his organization to show them that AIDs is not transmitted through
casual everyday contact.
Anyways, I spent the afternoon at the home with Linda. We
played with the children and I learned more about how the organization runs. I
wish I could have learned about this organization earlier. It’s such a good
thing. If anyone wishes to help
sponsor a child let me know. I will direct you towards their website. They need
3 more children to be sponsored so they can have food and medical care for the
year.
There are other orphanages and children’s homes in Kpando,
but this one really tugged at my heartstrings. It is helping change the
attitude towards AIDs in Ghana along with helping children receive medical
care, food, shelter, love, and an education!
It was so nice to spend time with Americans. I know I wish I
could have spent more time with them the past month since I’ve been sort of
lonely. At the same time, I think it was good that I didn’t meet them until
now. I know I would have latched onto the American volunteers for the
friendship/company instead of experiencing the Ghanaian home culture. I’ve
become so close with my Ghanaian family. I think it is one of the experiences
many volunteers do not really get to have since they all live together in a
volunteer house connected to their particular project. Everyone needs to
experience their trip in the way that works best for their personality. As much
as I complained the other day, I know how good it was for me to be alone and
spend time getting to know my African family.
Happy 4th of July! Kidding! Happy March 6th!
I wish Ghana many many more years of peace and prosperity!
Love, Kari
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