Rachel Drollinger - Spring 2013

This past week we wrapped up classes in Akwadum, Wekpeti, and Ekorso!  Due to a large number of applicants and small amount of funds, we wanted to ensure that we had time to spend with each student one on one prior to the character interviews we will be completing this week.  This was very helpful in realizing each students needs individually and clarifying their ability to contribute funds and the assistance they needed from SEED.

Akwadum Class (Karson and Chelsea)

Wekpeti Class (Dustin, Ashley, and Rachel)

Ekorso Class (Dustin, Ashley, Rachel, and Douglas)

 I am teaching with Dustin and Ashley in Wekpeti and Ekorso.  In Wekpeti, there are primarily cocoa farmers but also about four women that have various businesses.  As next month is the time that all of the cocoa farmers use fertilizer for the year we are finding it especially important to fund these farmers in the Spring opposed to any other time of the year. In Ekorso, this is all of the students second time in the class.  These students have a wide variety of businesses ranging from fish selling to salons to school supplies.  We are now ready for a week of due diligence and character interviews starting tomorrow before making the final decisions of who to fund. 

While we have been here in Abomosu we have had the opportunity to do a lot of service whether it be at the primary school, high school in Kwabene, health clinic, or others.  At the primary school we are each assigned to a level (grade) to assist the teacher or help teach.  The teachers have begged us to come often because having a white man at the school encourages the children to all come.  I teach in level 4 and it is always fun to see the children smiling when we come and to see them outside of school as well.  Being that most parents do not speak English, read or write any language, the English the children are speaking at school is only at school.  It makes it hard for the students to actually progress in learning.  However, it is my hope that with each generation the literacy and especially that of English will improve little by little even “out in the bush”.

We are looking forward to another week here in Ghana, as well as the water and power coming back!