Blog (via cell phone)

Subject line: Update for Marcia’s blog

Well it has been one week since you last heard from me. Internet connections have been scarce and we did not have cell phone coverage for some time.

We arrived in Hohoe Sunday afternoon. The hotel was run by a friendly woman named Hilda and her family. We were made to feel most welcome. The regional representative of the credit union met with us to welcome us, which is their tradition. We introduced ourselves, there were some small speeches and we shared a meal. This was explained as Ghanaian hospitality and over the next week we would have the pleasure of experiencing this many times.

Next is Monday Feb 5th. to Wednesday Feb 7th.

The first credit union we were at was Stazatan Teachers’ Co-op Credit Union. The premises were small and used well by the four young members who worked there. The chairman of the board looked after us very well. When we were not working we had meals in his home at his home compound. There were power blackouts daily and everyone, including Larry and I, learned to take them in stride.

While we were working board members would stop by to meet us. They would tell us what they teach and invite us to their school. We did not get to visit any class rooms, but we did get to take part in a meeting with a group of teachers. We were also invited to the home of the school principle, the chairman’s boss, to be formally introduced to him.

We have been so fortunate this trip, to be invited to the homes of people we meet. When our work at Stazatan Credit Union was over, we presented our report to the board. Many people were present, including the principal of the school who is not a board member but is a member of the credit union.

The meeting began with formal introductions, and then the rain began. We spoke louder and then it rained harder. The building we were in had a metal roof, so you can imagine how loud it was. We finished our report as the rain stopped. The credit union presented Larry and I with gifts of kenta cloth from the Volta region. They told us that when gifts of cloth are give they should be worn, so, two women board members helped me with mine and the men helped Larry with his. Mine had a headdress, Larry’s did not. I was to be like the queen mother and Larry was to be the king. There is a trick to getting the headdress just right, so I will have to practice.

On to the next Credit Union.

Thursday Feb 8th to Friday Feb 9th

Cajabi Teachers Co-op Credit Union is a smaller credit union. The woman who is the board treasurer is named Madam Stella. When this credit union began Madam Stella did everything in the office and worked as a teacher as well. The credit union position was voluntary. Cajabi Credit Union now has three office employees.

I felt that the staff were nervous with us at first, but soon they were asking us many questions.
I have never felt such hospitality as I did here. We were able to help them with issues, based on our previous experience. We were fed very well, too well at times.

The meeting we had with them at the end of it all was less formal in the way that it was at the credit union, and all members of the staff were present. There were only four board members, so it was easier to talk and answer questions. And it did rain but not as much.

Saturday Feb 10th

Today we visited Asato, a local village that is home to a mountain that has a cave that is full of ancient artifacts from the 1600s. We climbed the mountain, climbed into the cave, and were able to see the wonderful items the ancestors had left. On our adventure we were accompanied by the village elders and a local drum band. It was amazing.

Sunday Feb 11th

On Sunday we arrived at Cando Kpando, and we are in our hotel now. This morning we went to visit Lake Volta to see the largest man-made lake in the world, and we were also taken to Lady of xxxxxxx (signal drop out) which has life size … larger-than-life Stations of the Cross. There was a church service happening at the time, and we were able to listen to the music.

Larry and I have just gone for a big walk around the town and we have seen many telephones, so we should be able to update the blog more regularly for the next couple of days.

I will finish for now.

Marcia