Kpando
After enjoying relative relaxation in Accra since last Saturday, it was time to hit the road again. We travelled to Kpando in the Volta region to find out about youth projects being run in the city and its surrounding area.
The bus journey took up most of our day, so it was relieving to finally step outside into a pleasant evening breeze. Kwame’s colleague Edem picked us up in a small white car from the centre of town and took us to his place for dinner.
It was nice not being the only person who can’t understand a language for once: in this area of Ghana there is a different local tongue, so Kwame joined me in cluelessness at what people were saying. Actually I quite like this element of being in foreign countries. Sometimes it’s great not to hear every random conversation going on, like finding out details of what this man is making for dinner tonight or how that woman’s day at work got messed up by the next scoundrel in the office.
Anyway, the rest of our evening was spent first relaxing in our accommodation at a small lodge, then visiting a local bar to meet up with a crew of American volunteers working at the local hospital. They love what they do to help people in need – I could easily detect that from how gruesome medical stories were shared with relentless enthusiasm – and it’s clear they are making a real difference at the same time. Many were saying how important it is for med students to see the ways their profession works in other parts of the world and I think that applies to many trades and occupations – just like youth activism.
One of the guys had a grim tale to tell. The previous week he’d been infected with malaria. Thankfully he was feeling better now and had the right medication to stay well, but it’s sadly ironic for someone visiting a country to help improve the health of its people to be struck by such a malady. It’s also a timely reminder that you have to be careful. Obsessively careful. I’ve been on medication since before leaving and will continue taking daily pills for a few weeks after getting back. At night it’s also very important to use spray repellents and sleep under a protective mosquito net treated with anti-insect chemicals.
Tomorrow has a very busy schedule. We’re going to film projects at three different locations before heading back to Accra in the evening. I can’t wait to learn more about the youth activities in this area; tonight was hopefully just the beginning of another awesome experience.
The bus journey took up most of our day, so it was relieving to finally step outside into a pleasant evening breeze. Kwame’s colleague Edem picked us up in a small white car from the centre of town and took us to his place for dinner.
It was nice not being the only person who can’t understand a language for once: in this area of Ghana there is a different local tongue, so Kwame joined me in cluelessness at what people were saying. Actually I quite like this element of being in foreign countries. Sometimes it’s great not to hear every random conversation going on, like finding out details of what this man is making for dinner tonight or how that woman’s day at work got messed up by the next scoundrel in the office.
Anyway, the rest of our evening was spent first relaxing in our accommodation at a small lodge, then visiting a local bar to meet up with a crew of American volunteers working at the local hospital. They love what they do to help people in need – I could easily detect that from how gruesome medical stories were shared with relentless enthusiasm – and it’s clear they are making a real difference at the same time. Many were saying how important it is for med students to see the ways their profession works in other parts of the world and I think that applies to many trades and occupations – just like youth activism.
One of the guys had a grim tale to tell. The previous week he’d been infected with malaria. Thankfully he was feeling better now and had the right medication to stay well, but it’s sadly ironic for someone visiting a country to help improve the health of its people to be struck by such a malady. It’s also a timely reminder that you have to be careful. Obsessively careful. I’ve been on medication since before leaving and will continue taking daily pills for a few weeks after getting back. At night it’s also very important to use spray repellents and sleep under a protective mosquito net treated with anti-insect chemicals.
Tomorrow has a very busy schedule. We’re going to film projects at three different locations before heading back to Accra in the evening. I can’t wait to learn more about the youth activities in this area; tonight was hopefully just the beginning of another awesome experience.
posted by Frederick at 03:30
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