Introduction to my trip

So I've always had this desire to see the world and travel, especially to Africa.  I've spent numerous hours researching study abroad programs, with a small bit of hope that it would become a reality.  Well, it has become a reality.  I found a wonderful program that focuses on service and volunteering.  I paired that with an education at the University of Cape Coast and here I am!  In Cape Coast, Ghana.  I will be here for 19 weeks and am excited for the adventure!

Here I am at the airport!  Me coming to Africa didn't even seem real at this point!!!  It was hard to leave my parents, but I know they are just a phone call away!  Thank you Mom and Dad for being so supportive of me with this trip!  I couldn't have and wouldn't wanted to do this without you!  I love you guys!

So after a 10-15 hour flight (I don't even really know how long it was...it was just long!) I finally arrived in Accra, Ghana!!!  This is a picture of the airport.  It was very hot, but I was very calm and excited to meet up with my program director Kirsty!

Once all the volunteers were there (4 of us), we hopped in a van and drove about 3 hours to Cape Coast!  It was such an incredible drive!  So much green (trees & brush) and brown (roads)!  We passed by many small towns and villages.  It was quite shocking because everything looked so different!  Then when we got to Cape Coast, we passed this sweet sign with Obama on it!!!  Akwaaba means welcome.

The first picture of me in Africa!!!

They took us to the Castle Restaurant the first night which was right on the ocean - so breathtakingly gorgeous!  Seriously I think there were the biggest waves I have ever seen!  And I saw crabs!!!  These are the other volunteers and ProGhana staff.  From left to right: Michaela (staff), Lawrence (staff), Abbey (volunteer), Cory (volunteer), Kofi (staff), and Lucy (volunteer).  These are some pretty awesome people!

So then I met my host family!  I absolutely adore them!  The mother's name is Elizabeth, 3 sisters-Augustina, Abena, and Asabea, and one brother Emmanuel.  They are all adult age.  Augustina also has two kids-Yaa (girl, 2yo) and Kofi (boy, 4yo).  They are just visiting for the month of August.  They are all so wonderful, welcoming, and nice.  I do feel very at home with them!  Below is the house I am staying at.  It is very nice, clean, spacious, and again, very welcoming!

This is the road that leads to my house.

These are the two little kids!  They are always running around laughing or crying!  They are so adorable!  Kofi has the sweetest smile and Yaa has the most adorable laugh.  Here, she just got a new baby doll and is carrying the baby on her back as the women here do!  Too precious!

This is my very own room!  It is just perfect!  Lots of windows, a bed, a desk, and an armoire for all my things.  There is a fan too which is totally a life savor considering I basically sweat through anything I wear here!

Here is one picture of the "town."  People call it downtown area because it is where the big market is.  It's also called Kotokraba.  It is very busy...lots of people and taxis and lots to look at!  People sell EVERYTHING here from funeral caskets to bras to sinks & toilets to TV's to freshly killed fish to tons of beautiful fabrics.  I will post more picture of the town later and explain more about it then too!

Here is the ProGhana building.  They are on the top left.  This is where we meet for Fante lessons or we come here to hang out and use our computers.

Here is one of the entrances to the University of Cape Coast (UCC).  It is a HUGE campus!  It even has an entire hospital, primary school, junior high school, senior high school, dental clinic, 6 dormitories, post office, etc.  It is so big!  I start school on Monday...I think...but I still don't know what classes I am for sure signed up for or when for sure they are or what buildings they are in.  These uncertainties are common in Ghana and I have been learning to just go with the flow!

While I am here, I will also be working alot with a health organization called HEPENS (Health Protection and Environmental Sanitation).  They are a non-governmental organization that reaches out to specific populations and educates them on important health issues.  Here is a group of teenagers learning about STI's and mental health conditions.  Next week I am hoping to teach them!  I'm very excited!  Once schools start here, we will also be going to them teaching kids about sanitation, proper hand washing, dental hygiene, etc.  

So that's an introduction to my trip to Africa!  I am very happy to be here and looking forward to all Ghana has in store for me!