On the Streets

Yesterday was the first time we saw street children/beggars and it was also the first time we saw the homeless in Ghana. (Above is the little girl that was clinging onto/begging from Andrew. She was adorable.)

Our mission was "Shoprite"--a store similar to a tiny Wal-Mart, or drugtore. I first noticed one little boy clinging to the car window of a passing "obruni", or whiteman, and thought it was a little strange at first. But then, I realized he was begging for money. Our group passed through the same intersection, headed to Shoprite, when 4 boys about 7-9 years old, just clinged to our arms. They rubbed their heads on our arms, kissed our arms, clinged to our legs, looking at us with the most pitiful, beautiful eyes. Their skin was dirty and dusty and their hair matted. Of course, we had to keep looking forward, trying to ignore their sweet faces, clinging our bags tightly.

On the way back from Shoprite, it was a little more difficult, as we held this time both our purses and shopping bags tightly against our chests. We thought we had made it past all of the street children, until a little girl started walking beside us and rubbed her sweet braided head against Andrew's (the only guy in our group-who goes to NC State) arm. It was the most precious, but sad sight to see. She was one of the most gorgeous children I had ever seen in my life and she held her hands out (with her fingers crossed, in almost a deformed shape), hoping we would give her something. I wish I could have.

Yesterday was a day of many firsts. Our group took its first tro-tro ride. Tro-tros are the cheapest means of transportation around Ghana. They are essentially beat-up painter's vans, that attempt to cram as many people as possible inside. Just to give you an idea, an average tro-tro price is 30-50 cents for a distance as short as a few miles, to a ride up to a few hours (again, this is all determined by the time of day and traffic---which is crazier and more crowded than NYC, on roads that are more worn and bumpy). Thomas said that we (Americans) eat, and talk, and drive. I told him, that you Ghanaians--"Shop and ride." As the tro-tro weaves in and out of traffic, countless Ghanaians come up to the tro-tro van, tapping on the windows, and shout prices or the name of the goods they're selling, hoping you will buy (water satchels, chocolate bars, plantain chips, cloths, toilet paper, binoculars, jumper cables, whatever it is that they have). Thomas bought a bar of Ghanaian chocolate for our group to share and let's just say...it WASN'T Rocky Mountain (the chocolate factory that I love and work at Southpoint in Chapel Hill). But, hey, it was chocolate.

Please keep in touch. Keep sending the emails, messages, etc. I love and miss you all, but feel so blessed to have this opportunity and to be in this place. There is no place like Africa.