Well, at work things have been moving along pretty quickly. I've been working closely with Lauren and Auntie Renee to draft the training manual for the GSB program. The whole training initiative seems to be on fire with excitement and vitality.... as we say in Ga, "wo bag b3 am3" (we will kill them!)
The training manual document continues to evolve. At this point in time it is thirteen pages, and still going! Every day we sit in the seminar room with the document up on the projector so the three of us can go over edits together and brainstorm new content.
Today I continued working on the visuals for the document, which is my area of responsibility. I've been compiling a great deal of photos of the trainees and their activities, and even taken a few videos. The document is going to be very long and packed with ideas and information, so I want to be able to include LOTS of images. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words eh? I am also going to put the videos together into a video presentation. I'm waiting to start that because I know I will be recording a lot of new content soon. Another part of the visual presentation of the training are some charts and diagrams explaining the structure of the training as well as the philosophy of it and its evolution. It's really inspiring to work on.
In the afternoons we often go across the street to the Design Center for discussions and workshops with the trainees. We've begun a program where each of the trainees has an opportunity to teach something to the group. So far Talata has taught us how to make our own earrings, Commey told us a story from traditional culture (his grandfather was the chief of Kokrobitey village when he was alive), and Mr. Morrison told us another story that sparked a heated debate on whether or not cleverness is a good characteristic of a peacemaker. It is really amazing to see the intelligence of these young people and their capacity for abstract thinking. We have some better discussions here than I do in some of my college courses!
I have been able to contribute to the workshop series by teaching the trainees how to draw. I began by teaching them simple one point perspective, and we spent a few lessons practicing and learning how to apply the concept by drawing a road and houses in perspective. Today was the trainees' first lesson in two point perspective. They picked it up so quickly! I am beginning to be so proud of them. I've never had the opportunity to teach like this, and I am absolutely loving it.... I'm learning just as much as I'm teaching! We seem to have a really great learning environment going.
I've been learning the Ga language as well. There are several different tribal languages spoken in Ghana, but the two languages spoken in the Greater Accra region other than English are Twi and Ga. Twi is actually more common, but since most obrunis (white people/foreigners) choose to learn Twi, I've decided to go against the flow and learn Ga. I am thoroughly enjoying it, and am beginning to pick up on what people are saying. Its a long process, but slowly I'm getting there! Everyone seems to have new words for me and I am learning from everyone.
Well, thats all I have for now, I will have more posts coming on other topics, like social life, food, new friends, etc. If I wrote it all down now I'd probably have a novel! I will attach some photos below of the training. Also, here is a list of the participants in the program:
Me
Lauren
Akrofi
Larteh
Mr. Morrison
Akos
Maame Esi
Maame Yaa
Maame Adjoa
Commey
Teteley
Talata
Kor Kor
Dzifa
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| The Design Center- where the sewing machines are |
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| Maame Esi helping another trainee on the sewing machine |
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| Talata's jewelry workshop, left to right: Maame Yaa, Talata, Kor Kor, Dzifa, Commey |
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| Cleaning recycled inner tube for use in designing bags and jewelry, left to right: Dzifa, Kor Kor, Elorm, Teteley |
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