Okay, I think it's about time I made my mark on this blog. I'm sitting in the internet cafe at the top of our road with Pnina on one side and Jo and Aron on the other, all of us typing away on our blog entries!
I am working for PROWACID, Programme for Women and Children in Development. It is a very small NGO which is only four years old. Funding is a big problem for the organisation so up till now I've been trying to help them with application forms, despite no experience in charity or development work!
They deal primarily with women's rights in the villages of Northern Ghana. Since joining PROWACID I've discovered exactly how difficult it is to be a woman in these small communities. The men feel that they have paid a substantial dowry for their wives so there's no need to treat them as equals. There is also the issue of HIV and STIs which are prevalent in the communities through lack of education or the stigma attached to them. So far I have just been studying their work from their office based in Tamale. Next weekend I am off to Bole with PROWACID! I am really eager now to see for myself what the NGO does and the villages themselves.
Olivia has taken me in as her daughter, Ghanaian style. She is one of the founders of PROWACID and looks after me, maybe a bit too much! (The other day she wouldn't let me walk home but insisted her driver took me! I just wanted the exercise!) However she did save my life when a truck was backing into me as we were saying goodbye to her huuuuuge family at the crowded bus station. In a few weekends we'll go to church together and her seamstress will make a Ghanaian outfit for the occasion! Not sure if i have the African figure for it but we'll see...
It is difficult to adapt to some aspects of life here, for example the emphasis on hospitality, if someone invites you round, you go! Eating out is almost impossible if you're a vegetarian, when you say you don't eat meat they give you meat stock instead so my Jalouf rice has been a bit suspicious. Yesterday we met Veida who Ali told us about. She knows how to cook western food so its pizza and apple crumble tomorrow! YUM!
Despite all this I feel at home here. Our house isn't exactly traditional with the electricity, toilets etc... There is also such a great atmosphere where every young child you pass says 'Hello!' to you! Though haven't been called a silly minger yet, not to my face anyway! Last night we all went out to eat and had drinks after. Was a pretty memorable night and hopefully the first of many!
I'm sure there is more to say but this is enough for now!
Abi
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