Greetings from Africa

Sorry for the infrequent posts but I will try and update you on the happenings here in West Africa. I cannot remember what I talked about last so I will start with a cool hike that we did abut three weeks ago at the Bouyem Bat Caves which is located in a rainforest like area that was very beutiful. It was probably one of the cooler hikes that I have done and was basically what you would thinks hiking in Africa would be like. We went through three different caves and had to hike through really narrow pathways where hundreds of bats were flying all around. there were also spots where you could climb up vines of trees through an opening that went to the outside. It was probably one of the better experiences of training so far.

The previous week was spent travelling in our different sectors to various parts of Ghana. The business group travelled to the eastern region in Koforidua (Emanuel's Gift-movie) which has been my favorite part of Ghana so far. Koforidua is known for it's bead making villages and we met with a volunteer who is working with eco tourism developing the tourist market in a bead making village. We also met with a women's micro finance group that worked in making palm oil and well as visiting a cocoa manufacturing plant. From there we went to Adanwomase which is a Kente Cloth Weaving village. It's amazing to see how they make this cloth and it is really beutiful material. The volunteer that is posted there has also done alot of incredible things and it was good to get his input on his experience. Then we went to Kumasi and stayed at the Peace Corps Kumasi sub office and returned this last wed.

On Sunday we played a local Ghanaian soccer team that were pretty good but we only lost 2-1 so we were proud of ourselves and had alot of fun playing although most of us were out of shape and were struggling. There were about 2-3 hundred people watching us which is crazy since it was in a smaller town. Other than that I am looking forward to getting to my site and starting work. In two weeks we will be doing our site visits so that will be really cool and help us to prepare for service. I want to congratulate boy Adam on getting hired finally-I wish I was there celebrate with you guys. The next time that I update this will probably be after my site visit but feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Peace,

Jason

Akwaaba

When I last wrote I was on my vision quest which was an experience. It was a reality check for my expectations about what I will be doing and what I will accomplish. While some volunteers achieve alot of success others are put into a situation where projects do not always go as you want them and failure can be a common theme before you achieve any success. However I still feel that your experience is what you make of it, and whether you have the best or worst time in the PC is all about you outlook on the situation.

When we were done with out vision quest we travelled from Busua to the Kumasi sub office and then the next day to Techiman where I am now. I am now living with my host family which is great. There is thirteen people in the family including a set of triplets who are two months old. There is electricity half the time and no running water. Not having running water really isn't bad at all. I have been really busy with training so I haven't had much time to do anything but it is still great to be here doing this.

Yesterday we found out our placement and I will be in Sandema in the Upper East working in business advising, NGOs, and micro-finance...I am really excited about it and look forward to starting. I will be learning Twi along with Buli. Anyways I have to be going.

Madaase,

Jason

Akwaaba

When I last wrote I was on my vision quest which was an experience. It was a reality check for my expectations about what I will be doing and what I will accomplish. While some volunteers achieve alot of success others are put into a situation where projects do not always go as you want them and failure can be a common theme before you achieve any success. However I still feel that your experience is what you make of it, and whether you have the best or worst time in the PC is all about you outlook on the situation.

When we were done with out vision quest we travelled from Busua to the Kumasi sub office and then the next day to Techiman where I am now. I am now living with my host family which is great. There is thirteen people in the family including a set of triplets who are two months old. There is electricity half the time and no running water. Not having running water really isn't bad at all. I have been really busy with training so I haven't had much time to do anything but it is still great to be here doing this.

Yesterday we found out our placement and I will be in Sandema in the Upper East working in business advising, NGOs, and micro-finance...I am really excited about it and look forward to starting. I will be learning Twi along with Buli. Anyways I have to be going.

Madaase,

Jason