First Week in Ghana

After an almost 24 hour flight (including layovers) I have landed safely in Ghana. Arriving in Accra was somewhat a breeze. I met up with my IFESH buddies in Amsterdam and we all arrived together. Coming back after just a year was.... special. On the plane, I kept looking at the window, marveling at the fact that I am thousands of miles away from home and I ain't going backing anytime soon.... I almost psyched myself out at the thought of it. I'm going to freaking live here. Great.

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be here and I'm excited at the experience before me but my emotions have changed from excitement to anxiety to disbelief. I'm here! I'm really doing this...

Whenever I would visit Ghana, I would never venture out. I would stay on the veranda and watch people. I wouldn't do anything without a friend or family's assistance/guidance (which is suggested anyway). Even for little things like going across the street to buy a coconut. I wouldn't do it. I was afraid. Afraid for my voice to admit what was already obvious: I'm not from here. I know you may think, "what do you expect Mabel? You're not a true Ghanaian!" I know, I know. But the stares, the inability to effectively communicate or know my surroundings was just so overwhelming to me that I would avoid it if possible. So coming back, alone, has done some things to me. It's forced me to do things that I just have to do... Like, cross the street to buy the darn coconut. Or hail a taxi to my hotel. Or order my food in Twi. Hmm. If ya'll were to hear me, ya'll would just laugh; I'm even learning to laugh at myself. However, practicing my Twi kind of works out in my favor because everyone else I'm with doesn't speak a lick of it. The little I know makes me feel like a true ohemaa... but I got a long way to go.

With every effort to move outside my comfort zone, I feel absolutely liberated from my mental blocks and grateful to God that these baby steps are causing me to trust myself a little bit more.

I better.

To Sunlight Radio

I just wrapped up my last radio show at Sunlight Radio yesterday. It has been an amazingly quick and exciting 5 months at Sunlight; I am terribly sad to have said goodbye after such a short stint.

Speak Up! Youth Talk:)

Sunlight Radio is an online radio station that promote the Ghanaian community in the States. It is a part of Media Afrika LLC, which also presents the popular monthly cycle of The New Ghanaian newspaper. I used to write for TNG when I was high school. I ran out of things to write about so I stopped. So when I got the offer to host at the radio show, I was excited because talking comes easier to me anyway. "Speak Up: Youth Talk" was a show geared to young Africans in the community to encourage to "speak up" and share their opinions and perspectives of various things going on around them. We had numerous topics that included education, relationships, spirituality, and goal setting. It was a great show for me because I was able to turn my random thoughts into full blown discussions with folks around the world. Once people started calling in, they weren't random thoughts anymore but topics of worthy interest.

Emmanuel Gamor was my mentor at the studio, showing me the ropes and handling the bigger business behind the switchboard. He has been a friend, partner, and shining example to me during my time there. Throughout it all, I do not think I would have enjoyed it or looked forward to it without his presence. Adoma Adae is the show's new host, taking up from where I left off with even MUCH more to bring to the microphone. I am positive she will take it to new heights and have as much fun as I did.

Shout out to Sunlight Radio for giving me a chance to share my thoughts. Thank you if ever you listened and cared about what I had to say for an hour.

I'm honored.

What I was thinking

I joke seriously with friends and family that as a youth, I had my whole life planned out up until age 21. I knew I was going to college, going to enjoy college, going to become a teacher. I did all of that, with few flaws. When I graduated from college and met my last goal (get teacher's license), I didn’t know what the hell I was going to do next. I may sound overly anxious but I just like order. I know it’s impractical to think life is going to work out according to planned but I like to imagine that it will follow suit anyway. So once I received my teaching license and my own classroom, I began to plan for the next phase of my life. I have this 1, 5, 10 plan in my journal. It's quite detailed. And ambitious. It gives me anxiety attacks sometimes, lol.

***

I love learning. I love everything that entails education; from the petty stuff like dry erase markers to the big thangs like, curriculum development. When people say, "it takes a special kind of person to teach, especially middle school", I wholeheartedly agree. Heck yeah! I'm even more special because I freaking love teaching at a middle school. High school still intimidates me; I can never teach there... :)

But I love Africa too. African studies was a topic deduced to two paragraphs in my 9th grade world history textbook. They were able to stuff the Songhai, Mali, and Ghana empires into 15 measly sentences and move on to something else. I found myself to have memorized the whole Africa section by the end of the semester. So going to college was a big deal to me because I had the opportunity to learn more about this vast and mysterious continent and connect on the level in which I desired.

Coupling these two passions only occurred to me last year. I traveled to Ghana for a vacation and just wanted to come back. Vacating in Ghana was fun but I wanted to return to something more fulfilling than relaxing at Labadi Beach. I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and take time to learn my mother tongue. I never studied abroad in college due to financial and time restraints. Teaching abroad was an option I heavily considered upon graduation but couldn't figure where or when to begin. So last fall, I started at: Google.com. I searched for teaching opportunities in Africa and found my dream program.

But where was I to fit that in life's current events? I just got a new job, it comes with a pretty good health care plan. I just got my own place with great-quality furniture. Oh, yeah, I just got ENGAGED!

I fought and fought with the idea of teaching abroad but thought if not now, when Mabel? Would I take the opportunity and time to teach in another country if I was married woman with a mortgage and baby on the way? Even though I am not all that woman yet, I still struggled mentally. I was so caught up in the moment of doing things right, doing things in order, that I didn't think about what God wanted for me. My passion for teaching is not an accident. My obsession with Africa is not a ploy. I just hope putting the two together will allow me to clearly figure out what it is is that I want to bring to this world and how I'm going to bring it.

So as I type this, I wonder, what is my elevator speech? If someone was to stop me and ask me about my program, about my goals, my next step, what would I say? I would say, I'm still figuring it out. I just know, I'm going to go with God's flow. Because even with all my planning, I didn't know that this was what God intended for me. Leaving my job, family, and fiance does seem random and as if I am running away to join the Ringley Brothers.... what am I thinking?

What I'm thinking is that I've got a little vision in the back of my mind. To see it come true is going to take some action and sacrifice. So, I've got to get moving....

This is some great elevator music though....

Arizonaaaaaa!

I have never been out West and was super thrilled to get the chance to go to Arizona! The desert land! The land of valleys and hills! And heat! I arrived last week for my weeklong orientation for IFESH. Aside from being super psyched to be away from Virginia, I was even more excited to meet my new colleagues. IFESH headquarters is located in Phoenix, where we had our Pre-Departure Orientation.

IFESH stands for International Foundation for Education and Self-Help. What kind of rock solid name is that? And it is quite self-explanatory. IFESH’s mission is toto support African nations in their efforts to eradicate poverty, disease and inequity through self-help partnership programs. They do this by sending volunteer educators to Africa to operate education projects at teacher training colleges. IFESH has sent over half a million teachers since the inauguration of their organization 20 years ago. Rev. Leon H. Sullivan had a vision for Africa: everyone can reach their full potential through quality education, health, and good governance. The education program is one of many programs that supports his mission to provide strategies for economic and social reform in Africa. I am fortunate to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime-serious-but-amazing experience with 50 other teachers. I am among dedicated and brilliant men and women who want to give the best they can offer through a wonderful act of service. I feel too blessed and am humbled by it all.

Orientation was lengthy, interesting, at times draining, but overall inspiring. IFESH did a great job in giving us as much information as they could and it was great to meet my “Ghana Crew”. For so long, I felt as if I was the only one who loved teaching and wanted to experience Africa in a different way besides a vacation. Coming to orientation was like coming into my own: EVERYONE here loves to teach and is super in love with Africa. We all joked about the different options we were planning to take if IFESH didn’t work: Peace Corps (we all started but never finished the application); or Fulbright. But we all share the same feeling: being a part of IFESH is truly an honor.

If interested, check out the website, ifesh.org. This is not open to just teachers. It is for those who desire to serve those who are less likely to get quality education. If ever you thought about Africa in this way, give it a shot.

Below are pics of my trip:

The “Ghana Crew” Sandra, Tiffany, Amy S., Gayla (not going to Ghana but welcome to join our pic!, Mr. Kwesi Dzidzienyo (our Country Rep. for Ghana), ME! And Amy T..

Rose is brilliant and beautiful. #thatisall

Ms. Joetta Brown is brilliant and beautiful as well:) She was at Sefwi-Wiawso for two years with IFESH. Her expertise has sent her to Liberia this year; how I wish I had the opportunity to work with her privately!

Somehow, black girls always stay together, smh (in a good way!)
Rose D, Sonia, Asta (my big mommy!) Me (with that ddarn name tag), and Agatha

Tiffany, CR for IFESH Nigeria- Nafisa, Me, Mariama (love her!) 

View from my hotel balcony, Arizona during sunrise. Bliss 

It was a wonderful orientation. I feel very oriented:) with the program and all that it expects of me. I have so much I want to give to IFESH so it's about time to get started! I can't believe I'm doing this!

Ms. Mabel "Potter"

I must admit that I have the best friends in the world. They vary in size, height, background, but they all carry the same trait: bestJ. My girlfriends from college, Nana & Zainab, are just an amazing bunch. We have shared a number of interesting, intimate, and unforgettable moments together, many without trying. Recently, our lives have taken such an “adult” turn that we often struggle to find time to spend together. But when we do unite, it’s like old times and it’s those times I treasure the most. This summer, I demanded that we each plan a “Girls Girls” day. What happens is that one of the girlfriends will organize a day of events that we must not do something typical (movies, dinner, someone’s house) and should not spend more than $40. It was my idea but even I couldn’t organize my day! This summer has been unfairly busy with work and prepping for Ghana but one of the girls came through and planned us a date with pottery.

 Clay Café is located in Chantilly,VA and is a place for one to paint the pottery of their choice. What would make Clay Café even cooler was if you were able to make your own pottery! But considering the time it took to even paint the pottery, I think it’s a good idea that the items came premade.

We all got to work; it was amazing how intense we were working on our creations. It was like being in elementary school again. It’s terrible how we take such things for granted. The quiet, the colors, the comfort of friends was entirely rewarding.

Nana chose a bowl, along with Zainab. I chose a plate. A portion plate I call it (hehehe). "Happy Yourself" is a self-explanatory inside joke.

Overall, it was a unique and fulfiling way to spend the day as girls (literally). I enjoyed the peaceful opportunity to paint, although I didn't finish my plate. If ever you want to relive those Monday Art Days from primary school, check out Clay Cafe.

Cheers to your choice Nana.

Africa's Newborn

I have a bff I have known since the 9^th grade, Akuender. She’s tall, rich black, sarcastic, loving-kind, and South Sudanese. I have been aware of her country’s struggle since I could remember and it has, in a sense, been my struggle as well. Akuender’s father passed away working relentlessly for the freedom of their land. I have met numerous members of her family (she has plenty, Lord…) and chatted with them about Sudan and their hopes for their country. Her family has endured grave hardship and met unheard of blessings in regards to her country’s power struggle. She left Sudan a young girl and found refuge with her family and close friends in Virginia. Since I have known them, her family has quietly and proudly waited for the day of redemption. On July 9, 2011, the sun rose on South Sudan. A nation birthed from a hard labor; Africa’s newborn. Seeing this day has been but a dream for the new Sudanese and I was proud to celebrate with Akuender and her family. I noticed Africans are really prideful of their country and some seldom get involved with understanding the problems of the countries surrounding them. Befriending Akuender and knowing her family allowed me to get out of my “Ghana-bubble” from time to time and witness a different culture, a different language, and a different story. In the end, as cliché as it may seem, we are truly one people. Their joy should be our joy. Their sorrow, our sorrow. Their revival, our awakening. Arise South Sudan, we welcome you.

Akuender and her cousin, Susanna

This boy kept his arm erect with the flag the whole night (Akuender's sister in the corner:)

 My girl, her country flag

May we encounter more things to celebrate!

We do it for the Mamas

I have had the pleasure of teaching middle school for a couple of years now and never has it been a dull moment. But it really has tested me to see if this is what I want to do with my life. I love teaching middle school but I'm sure I'll branch off to another field of education later on. I duly believe in the potential of quality education. I seek to be a master in my field and aim to mold every child's life with the appreciation of English language and literature. I've been spoiled though. I've been teaching at a predominantly white, middle-class public school. Those kids never gave me a problem. I think it's mostly because they don't want to make the black lady teacher angry. Fine with me.


But in the summer, I like to challenge myself and participate in programs that reach out to underserved youth. The program I'm doing is geared towards shaping the character and academic skills of school aged African American inner city girls. It's not mandatory summer school, it's just a summer camp with some academic classes on the side. I did it two years ago and loved it (once I stopped gritting my teeth the first three weeks). I'm doing it now and it's... not the same. I mean, two years ago the girls were a little rough on the edges but now, this new group is harder to soften up. These girls are bitter at such a young age, and make sure to let you know it. How can you blame them? School is barely out and they have to go back for more learning. Talk about insubordination at its height: they drag their feet, complain, lie, whine, scam, and bicker. I just about gave up on them by week two. But last night, teachers had a back to school night with parents and it really motivated me again.


Parents came out to hear what their daughters were learning and share their concerns with the teachers. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why the girls are in the program and why we as teachers should work to uphold the responsibility of assisting their needs. These kids need it. And when you look in the puppy eyes of the parents, you just about give in. They paid for their girls to join the program for a reason and they really want the best for their daughters. They believe we are going to do our best to help bring their daughters up. And I must remember that, no matter how cranky and annoying those girls are, they are still somebody's child. And they deserve patience and dedication as my students in VA get. I am not going to be so forgiving to the parents though; they need to work harder at training these young ladies to be polite, ladylike, and respectful. And I wasn't afraid to let them know that.


Being a teacher is one of those careers that includes being a mother, father, babysitter, counselor, and coach all in one. It's okay for the most part but sometimes it's downright draining...  It's sad and disheartening when a teacher is pushed to a point where they feel like they are just working for a paycheck. Honestly, at one point, that was how I felt these past few weeks. But I hope now as I stand in front of the classroom and try to excite them about a lesson on test taking strategies, they will reach down in their tiny souls and appreciate the moment to learn. Not just for their sake, but for their mama's too.