I've nearly completed my first week as a teaching assistant at the American Cooperative International School (ACIS). Here's a sketchy outline of my days so far:
4:30 My host family wakes up, blares the radio and gets ready for the day.
5:00 I groggily get out of bed.
6:00 I board a clunky old school bus with Thomas, the driver, for the morning rounds.
8:00 I arrive back at the school under a massive pile of schoolchildren.
8:15-3:00 I shadow teachers during different sessions to get a feel for how to teach.
3:30 I walk into town to run errands and/or visit the internet cafe.
5:30 I take supper that my host mom, Madam Hega, has prepared.
6:00 I play with my five host sisters, the oldest of whom is 11, the youngest is less than 1.
8:00 I bathe and retreat to my room where I try to stop sweating before going to bed.
9:30 Bedtime.
So obviously this whole experience is different from anything I've done before. I like the routine of it but the children keep everything interesting. They have names like Shadrach, Augusta, Anastasia and Samuella. And they find different ways to act out in class which can be both nightmarish and endearing.
The teachers have been super gracious and hospitable so far. I'm trying my best to be friendly and outgoing but apparently I'm still too introverted. They keep asking why I'm so quiet. Um .. maybe because I have no idea what I'm doing?! I talked to Mr. Alex, the man who started the school, and he is asking that I help with the English curriculum. Not a problem. I was an English major after all and I've tutored reading for years.
But he also asked that I teach 'American' things. This is the American Cooperative School after all. Suddenly, I am an expert on all things American and I have to be able to teach 500 students at the same time. A teacher asked me to sing the national anthem ... and I couldn't! I would venture to say that the average American does not know all the lyrics of the Star-Spangled Banner.
So that's what I've been doing at the internet cafe today. I googled the lyrics to our national anthem and America the Beautiful. And now I'm re-learning our pledge of allegiance.
This'll be interesting.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
My new home.
After a four-hour bus ride from Accra, I have finally arrived at my host project. It's in a city called Effiduasi, which is about 60km from Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region in Ghana. I also now have the 411 on what my situation will be for the next six months. (Btw - I can't even use the word 'situation' without thinking of Jersey Shore. Thanks MTV. Thanks a lot.)
First things first. Here's my contact information for those who want it.
Mobile: +233 05467 03716
Mailing Address:
Katrina Liu
American Cooperative Int'l School
P.O. Box 143
Effiduasi, Ashanti
Ghana
Effiduasi 411:
The city has all the amenities including a bank, post office, supermarket and two internet cafes. From what I can tell, the weather is a bit cooler too. At this time in Accra, I would be drenched in sweat. But currently in Effiduasi, my skin is only slightly clammy. Since it was Saturday, everyone was outside, lounging and hanging out. White people (obroni) do not come to Effiduasi so I got a ton of attention. Nevermind the fact that I'm not actually white, as long as I'm not black. Kids would follow me, calling, "Obroni! Obroni!" The girls couldn't believe that my hair could be so soft and real (i.e. no weave) at the same time.
Living 411:
My host family is the school director, Sekyere Boateng, and his family of five girls. I can't help but think of the Bennett sisters. Their home (and mine) is in a building right on the school premises so I have a short commute. I have my own room, complete with a full-size bed and mosquito net. My host mom cooks my meals. Yesterday I had fufu, a popular local dish. It's a spicy stew with different meats, accompanied by a sticky dough ball. It's good, but I'm still uncomfortable eating with my hands. Another teacher, Michael, was the one showing me around and I made him leave the room while I ate, haha.
But the best part is that I have running water in the house! This means there's a flushing toilet and working showerhead. No more lugging water back and forth in buckets. I am probably making my fellow volunteers in Accra jealous. (Hello Kath and Sal if you're reading this!)
Teaching 411:
The school is called The American Cooperative International School and is Kindergarten through Grade 5. It is the initiative of Alex Kamoa, a Ghanaian-American (or American-Ghanaian, not sure which), but he is currently in the States. The school follows an American syllabus with courses in math, reading and science. There's even a little computer lab, which is a big deal here. There are roughly 500 students with a student-teacher ratio of 50:1. It's obvious, then, why they need teaching assistants.
Retraction: Before coming, I thought this was an orphanage but it turns out my project description was incorrect. The students are indeed disadvantaged, but most have homes to go to. I also said there's a farm. There is, but women traditionally do not do manual labor so I probably won't be working in that capacity. Too bad, since I was kind of looking forward to building up my ploughing muscles.
Note: I have pictures to accompany this post but somehow the connection here isn't letting me upload them. I'll add them at a later time so stay posted.
First things first. Here's my contact information for those who want it.
Mobile: +233 05467 03716
Mailing Address:
Katrina Liu
American Cooperative Int'l School
P.O. Box 143
Effiduasi, Ashanti
Ghana
Effiduasi 411:
The city has all the amenities including a bank, post office, supermarket and two internet cafes. From what I can tell, the weather is a bit cooler too. At this time in Accra, I would be drenched in sweat. But currently in Effiduasi, my skin is only slightly clammy. Since it was Saturday, everyone was outside, lounging and hanging out. White people (obroni) do not come to Effiduasi so I got a ton of attention. Nevermind the fact that I'm not actually white, as long as I'm not black. Kids would follow me, calling, "Obroni! Obroni!" The girls couldn't believe that my hair could be so soft and real (i.e. no weave) at the same time.
Living 411:
My host family is the school director, Sekyere Boateng, and his family of five girls. I can't help but think of the Bennett sisters. Their home (and mine) is in a building right on the school premises so I have a short commute. I have my own room, complete with a full-size bed and mosquito net. My host mom cooks my meals. Yesterday I had fufu, a popular local dish. It's a spicy stew with different meats, accompanied by a sticky dough ball. It's good, but I'm still uncomfortable eating with my hands. Another teacher, Michael, was the one showing me around and I made him leave the room while I ate, haha.
But the best part is that I have running water in the house! This means there's a flushing toilet and working showerhead. No more lugging water back and forth in buckets. I am probably making my fellow volunteers in Accra jealous. (Hello Kath and Sal if you're reading this!)
Teaching 411:
The school is called The American Cooperative International School and is Kindergarten through Grade 5. It is the initiative of Alex Kamoa, a Ghanaian-American (or American-Ghanaian, not sure which), but he is currently in the States. The school follows an American syllabus with courses in math, reading and science. There's even a little computer lab, which is a big deal here. There are roughly 500 students with a student-teacher ratio of 50:1. It's obvious, then, why they need teaching assistants.
Retraction: Before coming, I thought this was an orphanage but it turns out my project description was incorrect. The students are indeed disadvantaged, but most have homes to go to. I also said there's a farm. There is, but women traditionally do not do manual labor so I probably won't be working in that capacity. Too bad, since I was kind of looking forward to building up my ploughing muscles.
Note: I have pictures to accompany this post but somehow the connection here isn't letting me upload them. I'll add them at a later time so stay posted.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Embassy Escapade.
Of course one of the first things on my To Do list was to go to the US Embassy to register myself. I don’t really know how it works, but I imagine that if Ghana suffered a major catastrophe and the jungle was burning down, an official US black hawk helicopter would swoop into Effiduasi and rescue me in epic glory. You know, because I’m registered and all.
So yesterday after lunch, I went to the US Embassy with my ICYE escort, Annie. We took one bus (trotro) and a group taxi and walked several blocks to get to the Embassy gate. The guard politely but unapologetically informed us that the Consular Office was closed for the day and I have to return the next morning.
Strike 1.
This morning started with Twi language lessons with our teacher Morgan. After class, I jetted out, hoping to make it to the Embassy before noon. This time I went by myself, which was both nerve-wracking and empowering. I took two trotros and walked the rest of the way. Dripping sweat, I arrived at the Consular Office where the attendant told me that all registrations are done through the internet. I couldn’t register in person if I wanted to.
Strike 2.
The trip wasn’t an epic fail, however. At one of the bus stops, a woman approached me and we started talking. She knew a few Chinese words and I wondered how. It turns out that she knew some people from Ghana Textiles, a company that employed many Chinese workers including, at one time, my grandfather.
Hit.
After the lady left, a young man came to the bus stop. He was well dressed and heck, I’ll admit it, kind of cute. He said hi and asked where I was going. ‘Police Hospital,’ I said. He was going to the passport office, which is further out so instead of taking the trotro, he needed a taxi. One pulled up and he chatted with the driver for a bit. Before getting in, he turned to me and said, ‘I’ll give you a lift.’ I jumped in the backseat and scored a free ride.
Home run!
(Attention men! Take notes. I’ve never wanted to give my number to a guy. Ever. That is, until this well-dressed-passport-getting-Ghanaian-man let me mooch a free taxi ride.)
(Attention Daddy! Don’t worry, I didn’t actually give him my number. I know better than to hang out with strange men.)
Tomorrow I will leave Accra to go to Kumasi. From there, I’ll meet an ICYE volunteer who will take me to Effiduasi where my host project is. It’s a small village a little ways out of Kumasi. There, I’ll finally be meeting my host family and seeing where I’ll be living for the next six months. I can’t wait.
As promised, below are some pictures from my first days in Ghana. I’m not too camera-happy because I don’t want to be rude. The advice I’ve received is to live in a place for a bit, figure out its comings and goings and then take the camera out.
Welcome at the airport.
So yesterday after lunch, I went to the US Embassy with my ICYE escort, Annie. We took one bus (trotro) and a group taxi and walked several blocks to get to the Embassy gate. The guard politely but unapologetically informed us that the Consular Office was closed for the day and I have to return the next morning.
Strike 1.
This morning started with Twi language lessons with our teacher Morgan. After class, I jetted out, hoping to make it to the Embassy before noon. This time I went by myself, which was both nerve-wracking and empowering. I took two trotros and walked the rest of the way. Dripping sweat, I arrived at the Consular Office where the attendant told me that all registrations are done through the internet. I couldn’t register in person if I wanted to.
Strike 2.
The trip wasn’t an epic fail, however. At one of the bus stops, a woman approached me and we started talking. She knew a few Chinese words and I wondered how. It turns out that she knew some people from Ghana Textiles, a company that employed many Chinese workers including, at one time, my grandfather.
Hit.
After the lady left, a young man came to the bus stop. He was well dressed and heck, I’ll admit it, kind of cute. He said hi and asked where I was going. ‘Police Hospital,’ I said. He was going to the passport office, which is further out so instead of taking the trotro, he needed a taxi. One pulled up and he chatted with the driver for a bit. Before getting in, he turned to me and said, ‘I’ll give you a lift.’ I jumped in the backseat and scored a free ride.
Home run!
(Attention men! Take notes. I’ve never wanted to give my number to a guy. Ever. That is, until this well-dressed-passport-getting-Ghanaian-man let me mooch a free taxi ride.)
(Attention Daddy! Don’t worry, I didn’t actually give him my number. I know better than to hang out with strange men.)
Tomorrow I will leave Accra to go to Kumasi. From there, I’ll meet an ICYE volunteer who will take me to Effiduasi where my host project is. It’s a small village a little ways out of Kumasi. There, I’ll finally be meeting my host family and seeing where I’ll be living for the next six months. I can’t wait.
As promised, below are some pictures from my first days in Ghana. I’m not too camera-happy because I don’t want to be rude. The advice I’ve received is to live in a place for a bit, figure out its comings and goings and then take the camera out.
Welcome at the airport.
The street outside the volunteer house in Accra.
The shore.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
I'm in Africa. For real.
I only have a few minutes, but I wanted to say, "Oh my goodness. I'm in Africa."
I landed in Accra early Tuesday morning where I was greeted with an obscene amount of heat and humidity. I was picked up by an ICYE worker and taken to the volunteer house where I'll be staying until Saturday. During my few days in Accra, I'll be going through orientation. It's a helpful but small step to understanding the vast differences between the US and Ghana.
Here are just a few of my first thoughts in Ghana:
1. I am obroni. Meaning 'white person'. I am also from the United States. Meaning 'money'.
2. Life here is slower. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the life.
3. The language here is unlike anything I've heard before. I'm learning a few key phrases which really helps to break the ice. Usually people just stare at me.
4. Running water and electricity are amazing blessings that no one should ever take for granted. I am slowly but surely learning to bathe from a bucket.
5. This is awesome.
Pictures will come, as soon as I figure out the logistics of getting them onto a computer that's not my own (i.e. a computer with internet).
I landed in Accra early Tuesday morning where I was greeted with an obscene amount of heat and humidity. I was picked up by an ICYE worker and taken to the volunteer house where I'll be staying until Saturday. During my few days in Accra, I'll be going through orientation. It's a helpful but small step to understanding the vast differences between the US and Ghana.
Here are just a few of my first thoughts in Ghana:
1. I am obroni. Meaning 'white person'. I am also from the United States. Meaning 'money'.
2. Life here is slower. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the life.
3. The language here is unlike anything I've heard before. I'm learning a few key phrases which really helps to break the ice. Usually people just stare at me.
4. Running water and electricity are amazing blessings that no one should ever take for granted. I am slowly but surely learning to bathe from a bucket.
5. This is awesome.
Pictures will come, as soon as I figure out the logistics of getting them onto a computer that's not my own (i.e. a computer with internet).
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Arsenal.
I've been packing all day so I thought I'd take a break and blog. Half my bag is underwear and medications. The other half is my insect repelling arsenal:
1 mosquito net
1 pair insect-repelling pants/shorts (the kind with zip-off legs)
1 insect-repelling short sleeve shirt
1 insect-repelling long sleeve shirt
2 4oz. bottles Ben's repellent (30% deet)
4 1.25oz. bottles Ben's repellent (98% deet)
2 2oz. Ultrathon repellent cream (34% deet)
1 tube Odomos repellent cream
24 Moskigo adhesive patches with Citronella scent
1 bottle B-1 vitamins
1 tub Vicks Vaporub
1 2oz. tube Cortaid Intensive Therapy
1 1oz. tube Benadryl Itch-Stopping Cream
I will use all of this at once if I have to. Those mosquitoes won't know what hit 'em.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Lists are good for keeping thoughts straight.
Six days and I'm off. I'm so overwhelmed with emotions, plans, excitement and fears that I can't keep my thoughts straight. I hope this is normal.
Things I'm trying not to freak out over:
1. Loneliness and culture shock. It's inevitable so I'm building my stockpile of coping mechanisms now. Music, books, etc. And I need to overcome my introversion.
2. Language barrier. English is the national language but most people, especially older generations, speak local dialects.
3. My living space. I can handle no electricity and no running water. But if I can't find privacy and space, I'll go nuts.
4. My health. Even stuff that should keep me healthy, like my malaria medicine, could make me sick. Its side effects include hallucinations and vivid dreams. It doesn't help that I just listened to a This American Life podcast about a guy who lost his memory while using the same medicine.
Reasons why Ghana will be awesome:
1. New people! I can't wait to meet my fellow teachers at the school. I don't know if there will be any other volunteers there, but it would also be nice to meet other international workers.
2. Kids! Working with kids is good at revealing what's really important.
3. Warm Weather! Philadelphia is getting two feet of snow tomorrow. The high in Ghana today is 82 degrees.
4. Escape! Sometimes it helps to take a step away from normality in order to understand it. I'm looking forward to what I will learn about myself.
Aside: To all those who have supported me with well wishes and funding, I owe you a HUGE HUGE THANK YOU! It is both humbling and motivating to know that you all care about me that much. Many thanks.
Things I'm trying not to freak out over:
1. Loneliness and culture shock. It's inevitable so I'm building my stockpile of coping mechanisms now. Music, books, etc. And I need to overcome my introversion.
2. Language barrier. English is the national language but most people, especially older generations, speak local dialects.
3. My living space. I can handle no electricity and no running water. But if I can't find privacy and space, I'll go nuts.
4. My health. Even stuff that should keep me healthy, like my malaria medicine, could make me sick. Its side effects include hallucinations and vivid dreams. It doesn't help that I just listened to a This American Life podcast about a guy who lost his memory while using the same medicine.
Reasons why Ghana will be awesome:
1. New people! I can't wait to meet my fellow teachers at the school. I don't know if there will be any other volunteers there, but it would also be nice to meet other international workers.
2. Kids! Working with kids is good at revealing what's really important.
3. Warm Weather! Philadelphia is getting two feet of snow tomorrow. The high in Ghana today is 82 degrees.
4. Escape! Sometimes it helps to take a step away from normality in order to understand it. I'm looking forward to what I will learn about myself.
Aside: To all those who have supported me with well wishes and funding, I owe you a HUGE HUGE THANK YOU! It is both humbling and motivating to know that you all care about me that much. Many thanks.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Now a nerd, always a nerd.
I had the most pleasant surprise this weekend. Charlene and Aaron came to Philadelphia (pleasant, but not a surprise) and we had a blast. Lots of eating and drinking - Resurrection Ale House, Vietnamese and Korean food - with splashes of dancing and karaoke. But the best part was receiving the Nook as a present from not one, not two, but thirteen of my friends! Surprise!I love to read. There's no getting around it. I'm a super-nerd. And when I think about my time in Ghana, I'm afraid that I will run out of things to read (God forbid). For obvious reasons, I can't lug around all the books I will consume over the next six months. So I decided that I would step it up, enter the new century, and buy an electronic book reader.
But I didn't have to. Because my friends are amazing and they bought one for me. I was so touched, I cried when I opened it. Icing on the cake: it already came with Pride & Prejudice on it. Thank you friends! Every time I turn it on, I will think of you and all your support. I'm one lucky duck.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Betwixt and between.
Do you ever have a string of days when an insignificant but specific thing keeps popping up again and again? For example, on Saturday, I was in Brooklyn with a friend where we decided to have a movie night. By a pseudo-democratic method, we decided to watch Empire Records and Donnie Darko. Coincidentally, a character gets accepted to Harvard in both movies.
The most recent novel I read was The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. I did not know that The Jungle Book is actually a collection with more than just the tale of Mowgli and Baloo. (This is yet more evidence of how Disney monopolized my formative childhood years. I was very excited to see 'normal' animation in The Princess & The Frog.) In one of these smaller stories, an elephant is described as 'betwixt and between' because he knows more than the average jungle creature but less than humans. I had never heard that phrase before.
The book I'm reading now is The New Kings of Non-Fiction edited by Ira Glass. It is a collection of interesting, in-depth and insightful articles by reporters including Malcolm Gladwell and Susan Orlean. I'm reading, reading, reading. And what phrase do I find? Betwixt and between.
Seeing that phrase chase me around gave me pause and I realized that that's exactly where I am: betwixt and between. The dust is now settling after a flurry of leaving work, moving to Philly, holidaying in Los Angeles and celebrating the New Year. My trip to Ghana is still over five weeks away. My only job now is to wait. And I'm not very good at it.
I have a few things to do before heading to Africa. I need to finalize my enrollment to law school (and possibly business school) at Temple but that's about it. I've been diligent about keeping my apartment clean and running errands promptly. Heck, I'm even blogging.
I know I will long for this time in the near future. A time of rest and autonomy. But I'm ready to move on. I'm ready for some stress in my life. I'm ready for Ghana. Get me out of the betwixt and between.
(Postscript - I got Apple gift cards for Christmas! Does this mean someone is actually reading this blog? It's quite validating. Thanks!)
The most recent novel I read was The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. I did not know that The Jungle Book is actually a collection with more than just the tale of Mowgli and Baloo. (This is yet more evidence of how Disney monopolized my formative childhood years. I was very excited to see 'normal' animation in The Princess & The Frog.) In one of these smaller stories, an elephant is described as 'betwixt and between' because he knows more than the average jungle creature but less than humans. I had never heard that phrase before.
The book I'm reading now is The New Kings of Non-Fiction edited by Ira Glass. It is a collection of interesting, in-depth and insightful articles by reporters including Malcolm Gladwell and Susan Orlean. I'm reading, reading, reading. And what phrase do I find? Betwixt and between.
Seeing that phrase chase me around gave me pause and I realized that that's exactly where I am: betwixt and between. The dust is now settling after a flurry of leaving work, moving to Philly, holidaying in Los Angeles and celebrating the New Year. My trip to Ghana is still over five weeks away. My only job now is to wait. And I'm not very good at it.
I have a few things to do before heading to Africa. I need to finalize my enrollment to law school (and possibly business school) at Temple but that's about it. I've been diligent about keeping my apartment clean and running errands promptly. Heck, I'm even blogging.
I know I will long for this time in the near future. A time of rest and autonomy. But I'm ready to move on. I'm ready for some stress in my life. I'm ready for Ghana. Get me out of the betwixt and between.
(Postscript - I got Apple gift cards for Christmas! Does this mean someone is actually reading this blog? It's quite validating. Thanks!)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Raising funds.
As I share my plans, people have come out of the woodwork and offered to support me financially. This has both surprised and humbled me. Thank you to all those who are considering supporting me in this way.
United Planet has helped me set up some fundraising avenues for anyone who is interested in sponsoring me.
You may donate by doing one of the following:
1. Donate by check (preferred). Please write a check out to 'United Planet' and send it to my home address. E-mail me at katrina.t.liu@gmail.com and I will provide you with the address.
United Planet has helped me set up some fundraising avenues for anyone who is interested in sponsoring me.
You may donate by doing one of the following:
1. Donate by check (preferred). Please write a check out to 'United Planet' and send it to my home address. E-mail me at katrina.t.liu@gmail.com and I will provide you with the address.
2. Donate by credit card using my fundraising page. Please note that Firstgiving pockets 7.5% of any donations made via credit card.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you friends and family. This trip is really important to me and it's encouraging to know I have supporters behind me.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fingers crossed.
Someone told me that we're not supposed to smile in passport pictures. It distorts our likeness, I guess. Is this true?I sent in my visa application along with my passport last week. It is currently en route to the Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C. Here's hoping that I get my passport back with an approved visa, stamped and ready to go.
On to an unrelated, personal note:
My computer went haywire last week and wouldn't boot up. I got a flashing '?' every time I powered on. It's like my computer was asking ME what to do. Um, not good. So today I took it to the Apple Store to see what the Genius Bar could do.
Diagnosis:
My hard drive - and everything on it - is kaput.
Disadvantages:
My hard drive - and everything on it - is kaput.
Advantages:
1. I don't really have a life right now so it didn't matter that I didn't have a computer for a while.
2. During the week that my computer was down, I finally taught myself how to use my iTouch and all its functions. It only took me four months (when did I get that Best Buy gift card?), but I did it. And I love it, of course.
3. Liam, the tech at the Apple Store (who may indeed be a genius), wasn't able to remedy my hard drive but he could replace it. This is not covered by my expired warranty. But somehow Liam replaced it for free. I don't know how he did it, but I know enough not to ask any questions.
4. Apparently Apple doesn't have 60GB hard drives anymore, which is what my current computer has. The closest I could get was a 160GB one. Um, yes. That will do quite nicely.
5. The tech also replaced my top panel (for free, again!) so I no longer have stains on the keyboard. It looks like a whole new computer!
And finally, to anyone who is thinking of getting me a Christmas present (i.e. my parents), I'm on the hunt for Apple gift cards. I need a new battery which will all but guarantee that my newly-refurbished comp will last through Ghana with me.(Yes, that was a bit of shameless propaganda. For Apple and my Christmas wish list. Thanks for bearing with me.)
Peace.
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