Cape Coast
Trip Start
Mar 15, 2007
1
16
17
Trip End
May 15, 2007
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Cape Coast,
Ghana
Monday, May 7, 2007
The placement is a real challenge, but one that I'm thoroughly enjoying. I've only got myself to blame for making it difficult- I could just copy the teacher and lie across the desks napping all day. I entirely agree with her statement that the 2year olds in the creche where I'm placed are too young to teach, they're just babies really and have no interest or need for ABCs. However, they're expected instead to sit in silence with their heads on the desk and are provided with no stimulation whatsoever.
I have to use all my creative skills to come up with activities to stimulate and entertain the 20-strong class on a limited budget. I did manage to find some poster paints, and was planning on doing a version of potato printing (using plantain!) with small groups at a time. Despite my requeast, the whole class was filed out into the yard and told to sit in regimented rows, waiting their turn to be called.
It was obvious that those not painting would not sit quietly with nothing to do and they were predictably disruptive, crowding in to watch the fun. The teachers didnt seem to understand the problem, but were under the impression that the only point of the exercise was to fill paper.
Angela, PK and I
Whereas I wanted to allow the children to experiment and encourage them to be creative, they were instead ordered to paint mechanically, as if they were on a production line. The teacher would grab their hand, choose the colour and bark 'there, there, hurry up!', indicating where to print. I have had successes too however: the whole class can now 'E-I-E-I-O' to Old McDonald, and water play always goes down a treat. I've been scavenging plastic bottles and improvised boats all over Cape Coast!
The leg's looking much better, and hopefully it'll be cleared up by the time I'm home. Millicent (my host mother) is so sweet, asking how it is every morning and saying 'I dont want you to go home with that'- I think she's worried it'll reflect badly on her/Ghana! There's only one pretty dippy member of staff here, but other volunteers are really supportive and have offered to hold my hand at the hospital if need be. I was SO relieved not to go to A and E because they don't believe in anasthetics and would have literally cut the whole wound out apparently. Instead the dr next door gave me instructions and I did it myself (in sterile conditions!) so I could take a breather when it was too much rather than have some stranger scraping away.
I have finally started to get excited about my return now it's imminent, but I'd still stay longer if I could. I'm compiling a list of things to look forward to, although I've kind of forgotten things. The other day I was scrubbing my laundry and suddenly remembered about that invention called the washing machine! Hope my parents are ready to greet a big pile of dirty clothes as well as me.
