I'm here in Ghana!! And it feels oh so good. Most important things first, we got our site placements this week, and I couldn't be happier! Well, with the limited amount of information I have at least, and here it is:
I'll be in the Upper East Region (borders Burkina Faso and Togo) and I will work with the Ghanaian NGO, Sirigu Ecological Initiative for Sustainable Development (SEISUD). I will have electricity (yay!), but no running water. It is the least urbanized area in the country and since it is on the way to the Sahara, can get up to 125 degrees. I have yet to see about internet. I really can't explain how excited I am about my job and site! The assistant country director here (who also served in the Upper East) said it is the peace corps experience that is most romanticized. I'll be about 30 minutes from Bolgatanga, the capital city of the Upper Eastern Region, and learning Gurune. I am the only one of all the volunteers learning this language, so I don't foresee using it in the future. There are a few volunteers nearby, but they are learning different dialects.
Here is the job description:
1. Identification and establishment of Tree nurseries.
2. Training of farmers groups in; Group dynamics, record keeping, Tree nursery management and ICT.
3. Support SEISUD to write proposals and look for funding to expand programs.
4. Promote the establishment of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) - combination cultivation of trees (fruits/lumber) or other appropriate plants (legumes etc) and regular crops using leader farmers of identified groups.
I really can't wait to get started! I found someone's dissertation that interviewed my counterpart and supervisor, so it's an established NGO.
I will have a better blog post next time- I'll have to write it beforehand and post it. But generally, things are going well here. The Peace Corps really does have it together. My nerves betrayed me for the first few days, but now I'm adjusting. I'm living with a homestay family for the next couple of months. Well water, limited electricity, no fan, and only some english. I'm not learning Twi either, so the communication thing won't change. But I have a phone and will try to get internet again soon!
Thanks for the blog Sonia. Glad to hear you are ok and you are enjoying you adventure! Cant wait to see pictures.
ReplyDeletehello sonia, it was great to talk to you today. the calling card worked and i was excited about using it. i will have to look into calling you on skype. i have tried before but didn't get through but i will try again in a few days. today is 9/21/11 LOVE MOM p.s. let me know if you see this when you email me.
ReplyDeleteSonia, your Mom sent of copy your 19th Sept blog--very interesting.I haven't been able to get anything lately from you--but will check my blog at Gmail---joan123@gmail.com--to see if anything comes.
ReplyDeleteFall is fabulous--leaves all turned, snow on the peaks--(Wolf Creek was 1st to open in US--36"base!)Take care,we keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Grandm ps quite a few African priests in Co.Hard to understand, but very friendly--always smiling!