Home Sweet Home-Based (Day 4)

Bri Anna
Bri Anna
Aug 22, 2017 · 3 min read

Home-Based was so great! I was not expecting something so nice, compared to the pictures they had online and the terrible hotel we stayed at, this was definitely an upgrade. Nancy cleans the house every day and Joe constantly has meals ready for us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everyone welcomes you with open arms and literally says welcome frequently. I recall on my first day in Ghana, people greeted me and said “Welcome, welcome sista. You have returned to your motherland”; this was after they realized I was American. Many people asked me if I was Ghanaian or Nigerian. They are very shocked when I inform them that my nationality is American.

The day got started a little later than usual because I was tired and overslept. We ate breakfast (more pineapples and a kind-bar, I have snacks in my luggage) and I had orientation. Lucy explained the dos and donts of the house. She warned me that since I am American, pretty, and single that many men will show interest and ask to marry me or stalk me (interesting!).

She also said I look like the locals even though I have fair toned skin and that I should blend in fine. Lucy said, at least you are not white because you would get harassed more because they are the odd ones out. Never in my life has white not been right and that an entire country reflected my own appearance. I LOVE IT!

Today was the first day of my placement and Simone’s new placement. We went to the Social Welfare building and met a few social workers. The work days here are very short and everything is very slow paced. The locals warned us that there is “Ghana Time”, basically no one is ever on time and their business hours are whatever they please.

We saw two clients today, I wish the conversation was in English but we had to observe body language and get the summary of what happened in the middle and end. Here’s their story: the man does not want to marry the woman even though they have been together for six years. He wants her behavior to change and for her to stop drinking. The woman has two children and the man has one from different parties. One of her children is in the home and his is as well. The man physically and emotionally abuses the woman but she still wants to marry him. The man also drinks but does not want to stop. The woman feels as if his child should stay with them on the holiday because she has raised her since she was two and she needs to help around the house instead of going to another family members house. The woman is contemplating on whether or not she should move back in with her family since she cannot get a commitment.

The social workers main concern was keeping them together and working things out. They understood the couple needed assistance and should continue counseling together for an extended period of time.

Listen, sis should not want to be with somebody who does not want to be with her nor somebody who is beating her ass! But hey, I am not her social worker and this is not my culture. To each his own!

We went back to the house for lunch and then we explored the market and did a city tour. I also bought 4 things of fabric, I can’t wait to see my new outfits! I had a lesson in the Ewe language and discovered my name is Afi (female born on Friday). Dinner was chicken stir fry and fries (yum)….

The highlight of my day…the seamstress came. We discussed designs and she took my measurements. I felt all special, a girl could get used to having an entire staff waiting on my beck and call!

Everything here is literally so slow paced…we were done with dinner and the day by 6:30 p.m. and did not know what to with our lives! So like the workaholic American I am (money must be made!), I did some work and had a skype call with my boss…Oh, I never mentioned, it’s pretty much pitch dark at 6:30 p.m. here and it is technically “winter” despite the hotness and humidity. The hotness has caused me to develop heat bumps around my eyes and forehead (ugh)!

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