New Town

I get a lot of days off. There are ‘sports days’ and holidays and mid-term break days and sports days and school events and did I mention sports days? Anyway, I’ve resolved to go with the flow, but those of you who know me know that I need to be busy. (I take after my father :) ) So, I'm finding things both in and outside of school to do. I’ve been working with teachers on the computer and the graphing calculator. I’ve started the ‘Women in Mathematics’ club (more on that at another time) and I’m working with a fellow math teacher to set up an on-campus internet cafe. Outside of school I’ve been meeting people and going on outings, doing some things with the embassy, traveling a bit and volunteering my time.

Lily is Samuel’s cousin. She is the founder of ‘Share Foundation’. Basically what this organization does is that it selects bright junior high school students who are from poor families, gives them tuition, school supplies and educational support with the hopes of getting them into high school (remember you must test into high school-it’s not a given). I contacted Lily early on and told her I was available to help. A little while ago, Lily asked if I would go twice a month on Saturdays and help the students prepare for the Math portion of the high school entrance exams that will be given in the spring.

Lily is an assertive and determined woman with a good heart and plan who happens to be in a wheel chair in a country that couldn’t be less handicapped friendly…how could I say no?

The school where I meet the students is in Tema but on the outskirts of town in a place called ‘Tema New Town’. Historical interlude: Tema is one of the largest cities in Ghana. A true middle class community(and birthplace of Freddy Adu), it was ‘created’ in 1960 a few years after the man-made harbor which is now the biggest/most active harbor in Ghana. Cocoa exports, huge fishing hub and the oil refineries are among its claim to fame. In the 50s and 60s, in order to have the land for the ports, etc the people in those areas were relocated to Tema New Town…. And apparently forgotten.

When my taxi passed the harbors and refineries and entered into Tema New Town I felt as if I’d entered another world. I’ve seen poor areas in Ghana during my volunteering days but what struck me about this area was that it was 10 minutes from where I lived. Lean-tos and palm frond roofs were the norm for housing, kids were barefoot, dirty, underdressed and probably unhealthy and the overpowering smells of fish (lots being sold in roadside markets) and filth permeated the air. And I think that description underestimates what I saw. There was the striking contradiction of the slum-like town sitting on the shores of the beautiful sea.


So on the bright side-because there always is one, right? I had 10 kids the first week and 30 the second. I imagine when I go back in January there will be more…The kids were smart, they were motivated, and they were so appreciative of any help I could give them. I think they all realize that their ticket out of this place is getting into a good high school.

Of course the school I taught in was dark and shabby and the black(no black to be found) board was plywood and virtually unreadable, but we made do.


While waiting for the friend of Lily’s to come and get me after teaching I was surrounded by kids around 3-5th grade age. They sat with me, asked me questions, touched my skin and hair to see what it felt like. Next time I’ll bring some books to read while I’m waiting.

Which leads me to my final part of this story.

This metal trailer thingy is what Lily has purchased to become a local children’s library. It sits on a lot adjacent to the school. What she’ll do is cut doors in the side and add a corrugated metal awning. She’ll get some small chairs and tables that will sit under the awning. I told her when it’s finished I’ll help her fill it.

Lots of you keep asking what to send now or give me when I’m home in December. I don’t really need anything… yet…but when this library thing is done, let’s fill it with books, OK?

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Turkey courtesy of brother Don and sis-in law Gail!