Mary.

Thursday, August 14th, 2008
(FYI--I apologize if my blog entries are a little disordered, but between unreliable, and at-times slow internet, and my handwritten journal, I have to string the stories and pictures together just the best I can...)

Today was such a beautiful and relaxing day. I am still SO blown away by how friendly the people are here-and by people, I mean both the Ghanaian/locals AND the students here at the International Hostel. It's like we're all one big international family, here at ISH II (abbreviated for International Hostel II).

Some "people highlights" of the day-Perpetual and Joan--meeting them at the night market at "My Redeemer Beauty Salon" (yes, every name and brand is taken from the Bible). They were so beautiful and sweet and said "God Bless" as we parted. Also, Comfort and Grace-the two women that work at Afronet, the Internet cafe we go to here on campus. As I was leaving the cafe today, they asked me, "What's your name? We want to call you by your first name every time you come in." How personable. As far as International students go, "Austrian Anne" is just fabulous. And Becca...from California-Irvine--she is so artsy and creative (the two of us might try to study under an African artisan here in Ghana, doing ceramics or batik making, if we can. How cool would that be?). Side note: Gosh, I have such a strong passion for art and photography! I would LOVE to teach it somewhere, some day. But as far as the most beautiful and incredible people of the day...Mary.

A few times per week, "Miss Jane", as we call her, visits our hostel, comes to take measurements for custom dresses, purses, clothing, etc. Each time she comes, a little girl about 12 years old follows her up the stairs, carries a heavy fabric bag, and sits in the room while Miss Jane takes our orders. I noticed today that the little girl, Mary, was wearing the exact same dress she wore for the past two times, and I found that slightly ironic, seeing as how Miss Jane makes dresses.

Today, Mary motioned to me to help her carry the heavy fabric bag up the stairs and, of course, I was happy to help. She is extremely shy and soft-spoken, but I tried making conversation, asking her her name. (Her name is Mary.)

When we reached the common room where Miss Jane spreads out all of the clothing and fabric, I quickly reached for my Polaroid camera and asked Mary to pose for a photo (just thinking that she might not have any photos and she sure as heck has probably never seen a Polaroid camera). Her quiet, shy face was quickly transformed with laughter and joy. She was contagious with excitement and her eyes and smile just beamed so beautifully.

The night proceeded with the usual chaos and hustle and bustle of guys and girls buying clothes from Miss Jane. I continued to spend time with Mary, just giving her love and attention.

After everyone cleared out and finished with their purchases, I asked Mary if she knew how to sew, she didn't. I asked her if she worked otherwise, she doesn't. So, I asked her if she went to school, and she sort of buried her head in her arms. She halfway shook her head no/yes. I wasn't sure what that meant (and am still trying to figure out Ghanaian norms and more about the school system). Miss Jane looked at me and whispered, "Her parents don't have money, so she can't go to school." I couldn't believe money would stand in the way of this little girl's education.

So, I asked Miss Jane how much it would cost to send her to school for the year. Miss Jane said, "Hmmm...about 30-40 Ghana cedis for the school year (which equates to less than $30-40/year)." I was shocked. When she said it was because of money, I figured it must be a couple hundred dollars at least. That's like 6 American meals, or 10 lattes from Starbucks, or 6 smoothies from Jamba Juice. That's like 15 3-packs of cinnamon Orbit gum from Target or 2 DVDs, or 4 movie tickets, or 8 boxes of cereal. That's less than a one-month cell phone bill and almost equivalent to one pedicure. I saw Jesus' face in Mary.

I asked Miss Jane if I could pay for Mary's schooling for the year (Miss Jane is her aunt, thus Mary is her niece). Jane's face was dramatically transformed, taken aback, shocked and thankful, yet she could hardly understand why a stranger would want to do such a thing. I told her that in America, we are all so blessed to have an "equal opportunity for education", and that she deserved the same. Mary, Joanna (their cousin who was also there), and Miss Jane all squeezed me and hugged me. I could see both the sadness and joy in their eyes, and their gigantic white smiles touched my heart in a way words cannot do justice. Mary pulled on my shorts and wrapped her arms around me. She couldn't believe she would now be going to school next month.

Miss Jane and Mary will soon look for the proper school for Mary and will tell me what they decide and exactly how much the tuition is. To assure that the money goes straight toward Mary's school fees and uniform, Jane is going to bring me with them to register Mary when the time comes. She also said that I would be able to visit Mary at school when it started in September.

Jane looked at me and said, "You are a dear friend. No, you are not a friend, you are now our sister. God Bless you." Those words will stay with me for a long, long time. Jane then invited me to her home for lunch on Sunday evening and suggested that I bring friends.

Even when I left the room, I could hear their laughs and giggles of excitement through the screen windows. Their excitement was indubitably contagious and I was so excited too. I cannot wait to see Mry in that uniform. Oh, the power of an education. We take so much for granted.