Global issues assignment (others are welcome to participate)

Follow the directions on handout on Thursday, post here and respond thoughtfully to any blog. You will need to search the internet.

1.  Find the latitude and longitude of Accra.
2.  Find the latitude and longitude of Takoradi.
3.  What is the distance east to west at its widest point?
4.  What is the distance north to south at its longest point?
5.  Who is the current president of Ghana?
6.  What is the motto (in English or in Latin) of Archbishop Porter Girls Secondary School in Accra.

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

 Imagine the scene:  1600+ girls assembled in columns at 7:00am in the morning for assembly.  Well, you don't have to imagine, just look below for how every Monday starts at Archbishop Porter.

We were on the veranda with the headmistress looking down.  I kind of felt like the Pope.  Don't worry, even though he speaks Latin, I'm not ready to convert.  The asembly immediately began with prayer and some instructions in English (quite versus quiet) so that they should stand in line quietly and straighten their rows.  Then some character development:  girls of character walk briskly and with  sense of purpose.  The domestic headmistress (Mama Abs) scolded the girls for smuggling corn flakes into the dining hall instead of eating the provided kenkay ( a maize product) or eating in tbe dorms or classrooms  Tbe penalty:  first offense suspension, second offense counseling and expulsion from the dorm.  Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) not two hours later a girl was called into the headmistress for eating in class.  Sound familiar any of my poor   listeners?

The assembly continuec with 1600 girls singing What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Same words, slightly different but beautiful melody.  Many were amazed I could sing it without a hymnal. How awesome to reiterate through song that the same Jesus is the friend to an about to be grandmother (still waiting), from a small Lutheran high school in Saginaw, Mi and a fifteen year old Ghanaian girl hundreds of miles away from home at a"public" Catholic boarding school in Takoradi, Ghana West Africa.

Girls are girls all over the world.  Hamming it up for the camera in Form 1 mathematics class witb a male teacher who sings little ditties when he calls on his students.

Yes, I really am in Ghana with my Form 3 friends.  Had a chance to interact with this class of girls during a study period preparing for their future as they study for their final examination.

More on interactions with students following tomorrow's actual teaching.

please post comments

Please try posting a comment or two on any blog.  I need to test out the system for student use.  Thank you for all your support and prayers.

Kakum, Here we come!

I did it!!!  I survived the canopy walk in the Kakum National Forest.  There were six or seven different aerial bridges on the long walk "miles" above (ok feet) the rainforest floor.  The view was breathtaking and the walk quite rickety but very safe.  It's a good thing I'm not acrophobic (look it up, it'sGreek).

The  beginning of my journey

A rainforest panaroma

Above the canopy

For me this was the most interesting and challenging trip yet in Ghana.  High above, in the treetops of Kukum, are a series of rope bridges allowing one to traverse the canopy.  A bit disappointing, since the crowds and heat make seeing any animals difficult, majestic nevertheless.  It was hard work climbing it up the slope to the ropes, making the rope bridges themselves the easiest part of the trip. Being one with the trees allowed me to further appreciate the majesty of creation and the bridges the marvels of modern engineering.

Tomorrow off to the classroom.

Walking on Water

We know Jesus did it and Peter, until his faith floundered, and I had to explain to some girls at Archbishop Porter how we can walk on water and go ice fishing (fortunately, I had pictures to prove it).  In Ghana there is a village called Nzuleza (don't ask me go pronounce it) that lives on the water.  Not on an island but on stilts. 

Pictures are allowed on or near the village so I'll describe the adventure for us.  The people , centuries ago followed the snail to its final resting place and settled here.

http://www.greenbugadventures.com/ghana/ghana-travel-directory/nzulezu-stilt-village-ghana

Check the link above for the full story.

Here's a better look with some " borrowed" pictures. Which, of course, I would cite if I weren't doing my blog on my phone.

The roads to the land connection makeveven the worst potholes  in Michigan seem like newly paved roads.  In fact, ourbhost Christian now needs to geet a new miffler.  He reallyntried to avoid the worst but sometimes there was no road left on which to drive.  Theybare "in process" to make a new highwat to the Ivory Coadt, but with an infrastructure like Ghana's(or lack of one) who knows how long it will take.  Drivinh home on tnis "highway" was no picnic.

On to the village.  It took a bus ride through fields, a short walk through a swampnd a 30 minute canoevride over a peaceful lake to reach the village of 450 inhabitants.  Its like stepping back in time except for electricty  and internet.  Few people ever leave the village or they return after secondary school to a life of fishing and tourism.  The children swim like fish and know how to work the tourists.  The village is bigger than first impresdion and we held "counsel" with the assistant chief.  

It's hard to describe, but the people seem content.  I can't imagine visitofs to my home every day who really are there only to gawk.  Of course, I'd never be patient enough for that nor woud Sassy.  By the way, I do miss Sassy, and saw a dog who lookec like her yesterday wandering among the goats.

Now on to the rainforest.

A New Understanding of "Public" Education

Since we've been in Ghana we've had the opportunity to observe a few schools of various types.  There are "basic"  schools PK-9th and these can either be public or private.  Then there are the private and public secondary schools as well--Forms 1-3 (10-12).  Below are some of the schools of today's visit
                      GSTS a public day school.

St Johns Methodist all boys public boarding

Archbishop Porter Girls Secondary 

My school.  An endowed Catholic Mission public School

Liberty American School, Accra.  Private Christian where Dr Brandt's brother works.

In Ghana, most schools were started as Mission schools by Catholics, Methodists, or Presbyterian to teach people to read.  To make a very long story short, these are now govt schools even though may be religious.

There is a national curriculum for all public schools and exit testing at the end of Form 3 (and you think exams are hard).  Scores on these exams determine your college opportunities.  But wait.... there is so much more behind the scenes before you even get to secondary school.  The"basic" schools are not very good in many places because many are rural and teachers are diploma teachers.  Parents will work very hard to send their children to private school to have a better start.  Some of these are even boarding schools for as young as 9.  Watch out MLS! It is interesting that tuition is more expensive k-8 than for secondary school.  No, Dr Brandt I'm not suggesting anything.

Because public secondary schools are competitive and very good, private schools frequently lower tuition yo try to retain students.  Students are placed in secondary schools based in part on a computer lottery system and one might end up 100s of miles from home, hopefully at a boarding school, but that isn't always the case.  You might have to contract out with someone for your 14 year old daughter to stay.  Kind of s scary thought.  The public schools we visited have religious instruction, mealtime prayer and mandatory chapel on Sunday at boarding school.

The schools are big 1700 students or so and class size is between 50-60.  Students stay in the room with the same group of students and the teachers move.  No worry about tar dies, Steve.  Think how much roomier the halls would be and easier access to lockers if they had either.

Worked hard today, need to take a break.  I know the suspense will be killing you, but To Be Continued

Akwaaba, Welcome, Welcome!

Just remember, blogging on my phone is not fun.
Arrived in Takoradi after a very pleasant three and a half hour trip from Accra.  Joe was a wonderful driver as well as tourist guide.  There was so much to see, didnt even have time to read or crochet.  We passed through police checkpoints since we are close to the border, saw the ocean along the way with very poor housing all around.  Gives a new name to beach front property.  We even saw a few Liberian refugee camps from the time of Charles Taylor. (That's another story for another time).
After arriving in town, Christian checked us into Sammar Lodge, a very spacious room, and it was off to school.  It is very important to Ghanaians that we felt welcome and the "akwabaas" were warmly flowing from everyone we met.  The appropriate response is "media base".  Now you know almost as much Fante as I.  We met Mary, the headmistress, Theodora, an assistant headmistress, and "big mama" or "mma abs" the domestic headmistress.  We were immediately warmly embraced literally and figuratively.  It was over 95 degrees and see were on the third floor.
 I don't have time or space to mention everyone, I just hope I can remember even dome.  We were served delicious stew by the delightful girls below.

After lunch we had a great opportunity to interact.  I was explaining US geography and drew a very accurate detailed map, OK maybe I didn't.  They laughed and said their teacher would give me a very bad grade.

The girls were cute when they couldn't agree on which part of Ghana was the best because they come from different ones among Ghana's ten regions.  Can't wait for more such interaction.

Christian took us shopping for necessities such as bottled water and snacks, dinner then home to unpack and relax.  He kept reiterating how excited he is for us to be here and wants everything to be perfect and it is.  Well, except for my computer.....

Mema Wo Adwe (good night) until tomorrow.