Even though the color of our skin is different we are still the same on the inside.

This is our group.. The Spoons!


On Monday when we went to the school for the mentally challenged most of the kids had been picked up by their parents. The ones that were left wanted to just draw and color. A lot of them love writing out the letters and numbers. It was sad seeing them go and I wish we had more time there, but I would love to come back to see them again. My last day at the school was Wednesday and I was so sad to be leaving them already. They already had a special place in my heart. I just wish there was more that I could do to help them. Rachelle and I bought some of their bookmarks that they weaved themselves. We asked one of the teachers what he teaches them and all he could say was that he takes them on walks. We kept asking what he does academically, and he would dodge the question. If the teachers took the time to actually teach the kids and see where they are individually they would be excelling. The kids there are so smart and just need someone to believe in them. The vocational teacher, Michael, has such an amazing vision for the kids. He wants to help them so much and wants them to do good. He loves those kids so much, and I wish all the teachers there would be like that.



On Wednesday we did go to the school for the deaf because we will be cleaning their classrooms. I loved it there sooooo much too! Thankfully I got to put some of my sign language to use and could communicate some. Also since I am done at the school for the mentally challenged I have been moved to a pre-school outside of town at Christ School. My kids are 1 and 2 years old. At first when we arrived the kids were scared of us since they have never seen a white person. Some cried and some just kept staring and would not get near us. The teachers were teaching them how to add, count, and say the alphabet. They were also making them sing the same 4 songs over and over, which eventually the kids got so bored really fast. I then pulled out some crayons and paper for them to color on and they loved it so much! All of their faces lit up when they figured out that they could color, and they kept tapping us to show us their drawing. There are two down syndrome kids in the class and they were the most excited! Ah they were sooooo cute!! It was nice to see that they were allowed in a regular classroom. The teachers just kept saying to us that they didn't speak, but I did not care.

On Tuesday we climbed the tallest mountain in Ghana which took about an hour to do. The trail was very very steep and you had to climb rocks. Lets just say I had to take several breaks. It was worth it though once you got to the top. The view was incredible! On the way down it was tricky since the rocks were loose and leaves everywhere making it slippery. I did fall quite a bit haha and scratched my leg up. It was intense coming down! Our tour guide though just ran up it and down it... in FLIP FLOPS!!!!!!!

I have been trying some different foods as well. The other day we had grass cutter and it was interesting. With the rice and sauce it actually wasn't bad. Also have had sugar cane, Buflo (its like a donut and a sweet roll together), Ghana popcorn (almost like kettle corn), these egg sandwiches that are only made at night on the streets, and fan ice (ice cream). Next week its goat!!! I am excited! haha there are tons of goats roaming around here. We also did go to a gas station restaurant and had chicken pizza which was delicious!!!!

This weekend we are going to some caves where we get to crawl and rock climb in. Then its off to Lake Volta on Saturday night!! I am excited!!

There are two kinds of Poeple in this World: Big Spoons and Little Spoons!

These are the kids at the Volta School for the Mentally Challenged.



Sorry I haven't updated much the internet has been down (surprise) and I was away this weekend.

Last week at placement started going very well and I have fallen in love with the kids. I am teaching the older class and I have about 10 kids. The boys are usually doing vocational work, which they are so good at. When they aren't working they love doing math. Salese is still on very simple math but everyday he is getting more and more. God's way is on simple math to but catches on quickly. Edem has moved on the double digit math of addition and subtraction. She underestimates herself in that she can't do it, but actually is really smart. There is another girl in a different class Juliet, who has cp, and should be in a regular school because she is so bright and intelligent. There is this super cute boy Eva, who has down syndrome, who doesn't speak but loves following us everywhere and holding our hands. There are so many kids I have fallen in love with. The thing that is hard is that the teachers don't seem to care and have left, because school is ending this friday. They have left all teaching up to us 3 volunteers. Its hard to take care of 100 mentally challenged kids, but some are very well behaved. We have seen things that are disturbing, but you keep going.



On Wednesday we hiked up to Wli waterfall. It was so pretty and incredible. It was basically the best bath I have gotten since being here haha. We got to swim in it and went all the way to the back of it with the water pounding down on us. After that we shopped at some places on the way... I got this wooden bowl and mask that the guy made.

Friday we were only at placement for an hour and half and then headed down south to Cape Coast. Our whole group went which consist of 18 people. The ride there took 9 hours and it was soooo bumpy. The roads here are paved but they have like 5 set of 3 speed bumps in a town... so basically you hit them every five mins. It gets quite annoying to say the least. Our hotel was bungalows on the beach so it was really neat. Once there we went to the hotel bar since it closes at 11. The beer that we get that is made in Ghana is Star. Its HUGE!! The next morning we woke up early to go on a canopy walk, which I loved. It was basically ropes and you walked on ladders that had a piece of wood on top of it. They were very wobbly and creaky... kind of scary not going to lie. After that we went and ate at the Castle Restaurant and had a Ghana dish called Red Red, which was super spicy. We then proceeded to the slave castle and had a tour of it. It had such a sad feeling there and the dungeons were just so small where they would have 150 people in and no laying down at all. Above the dungeons was the church... so disturbing. After that we had a fun night getting to know each other. That Sunday we got up and got to swim in the ocean and lay out on the beach so relaxing there!! Then it was back to HoHoe.

Well I will tell you about my group which consist of 18 people. They are all sooo amazing! Its incredible that we all get along. I have gotten the nickname Giggles because for some reason I am laughing so hard a lot. But I have this partner in crime that does it with me too, Michelle! Kelsie, is the girl I talked to a lot on the community website for CCS, is really cool and we get a long pretty well. Ilana is hilarious!!! We sometimes wonder why she even came here because she thought there would a McDonalds plus she trips a lot. I get along with my roommates Rachelle and Laure so well, but they are leaving me soon :(. They both crack me up and remind me of my friends back home. Anna is my personal walking zombie but she says some funny things but as well as really nice and chill. The 3 men we have are Luis, Chris, and Greg. Greg is a little nervous about getting stuck with Michelle and I on our trip to Mole (which is 15 hours away), Luis is here with his daughter and is sooo nice.. he looks out for us, and Chris is mysterious. The Debbies (there are two) are crazy fun!! I will do shout outs to others later!

This town though is so incredibly nice and loving. They are very welcoming and love seeing us. The kids are always yelling out Yevu (meaning white person) and waving. I love it here so much!!

Laura V

Finally here!

Well I am finally in Ghana!! We arrived at 7:40 am on Saturday and the plane ride wasn't that bad actually. It took us 4 hours to get to HoHoe from Accra which was an insane ride! Its all dirt roads everywhere and huge holes. Its just crazyness everywhere. We got the home base and they took us around town. At night we went to a bar called Obama Gardens. Apparently they are obsessed with our president...which I don't know why.

On Sunday we got to sleep in so I slept soooooo long. We do have bunk beds and mosquito nets over them. I have 3 other roommates, another Laura,Rachelle, and Debbie (From Britain). It is pretty hot in there to but its actually not to bad to be honest. The food is really good too. We have chicken every day for lunch and dinner. On Sunday we just had orientation and we learned about our placements and everything else.

Monday we started our placement and WOW it is so sad to see what I saw. I arrived and the teacher just left me to teach the kids, who really don't know english. It was just so heartbreaking. A lot of the kids have autism and down syndrome. The children are running around everywhere with horrible clothes and no shoes. It is just so different than what you see in the US. I will talk about it more later. I only have a certain amount of time I can be on! I miss you all!!

Laura V.

Pre-Butterflies

The time is almost here that I will finally embark on this awesome journey! I board my plane to JFK at 8:05 am, and still haven't made it to bed haha! Then at JFK I have a 3 hour lay over, which will be fine... I will be able to get to know some of the other volunteers. My plane then takes off at 3:30 (2:30) our time, which will take about 11.5 hours. I will then arrive in Ghana at 7:40 am (on Saturday) , which is 2:40 am Texas time! I definitely will be sleeping a lot on Saturday, but then orientation and a tour of the town, HoHoe, on Sunday. Then Monday I finally start teaching the children, which I am super excited!!

Usually my days are going to consist of volunteering in the mornings, then they immerse you in the culture in the afternoons. They might take us on excursions, go see dances, and teach us the language Ewe... even though most do speak English! I probably won't be able to make contact or anything till maybe Monday.

I am going to miss my family, alllll my friends, and Alpha Gams!!! I love you all! :)

Placement in Ghana

When I signed up to volunteer in Ghana with Cross Cultural Solutions I was hoping that I would be working with kids. With the program you fill out a survey as to what your interest are when working over there. You get to choose your top three, which all my included in some way working with children. I have been waiting 7 months to find out what I was chosen to do! I gave everything to God and trusted in Him to figure out what would be best for me.

A couple of days ago I FINALLY received my placement for what they have me doing in Ghana. I am going to be working at the Volta School for the Mentally Challenged. I am really excited/ nervous about this. Not quite sure where to start as in preparing for something like this. I have been e-mailing other people who in the past have worked in the same school. I am making a small scrapbook with pictures of where I live, my family, my friends, and anything else. I know I will teaching them some English, but I will also be doing arts and crafts with them as well! I hope it goes well!

I leave in 6 days and am packed and ready to go! Ahh I can't believe the time is finally here! I will keep everyone updated as to what I am doing.

Laura