My journey in Ghana started great. Abigail, who at that time received me, was a nice hostess. Even through complications she does a great job for an 18 year old. So be patient, we are experiencing a different culture. The tro-tro ride though was an interesting experience, one that in time I got used to.
Now for my stay in Kpando! Mama Esi at Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage, Kple (&) Mawusi and Baby at Missahoe Children’s Home, where great in making me feel at home. The kids in both orphanages where/are really optimistic even in place of having a tough past. I truly commend these kids and will always pray and hope that these children will do the best for Ghana and society in whole!
Aside from being at the orphanage I also taught at Delta Preparatory School grades 4-6 English and Math. This for me was a great learning experience that added to my cultural engagement, simply because there were children that had the younger years of their childhood grown up in different regions of Ghana. This to me gave a round cultural outlook on Ghana life because, unfortunately, I was unable to travel up north or to the western regions.
Now as for my cultural experience, I found that buying and playing Hi-Life music on my laptop and actually dancing according to how locals are dancing, buying a drum and learning a few patterns of beats, being open minded to the different foods even if they don’t look appealing, then attending church and actually engaging in the dancing at times will help.
Asking questions about one’s life experience in Ghana most definitely helped me in acceptance of local poverty and culture that is present in Ghana, which I had a hard time to accept at first. I learned that through poverty people are stronger mentally and physically and spirited because there is no great materialism that people are dying to have, like me and cable TV/ specific foods. Though I have accepted the situation in whole, I left feeling that I have done my part to place a piece of a bright future for those I have come in contact with. Vise versa. They also have given me great memories and an excellent taste of Ghana life.
So finally embrace the culture and have a different paradigm of thought. Because coming in thinking like an American, Australian or whomever, the experience won’t be the same as putting your own self in Ghanaian shoes! Embrace the present time rather than future or past and have fun!
Jorge Mendoza
National City, CA – USA
Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage, Kpando – Ghana
April 2008