Ghana to West Africa: Liberian Refugee Camp

We had the opportunity to go to a small, 60 student NGO school in Buduburam this week. It is located in a Liberian Refugee Camp about 1 hour West of Accra and was started in the 1990's when Liberians fled to Ghana during the Civil Wars.

This cute little guy attached himself to Chuck.

We went with the intent to share some children's books and a

"story time" with them since it isn't something they do here.

The fact that they were more interested in the books than the strange white faces among them is all the assessment we needed.

The school was started by Matthew Davis, a member who came from Monrovia, Liberia. Matthew wanted us to come see his "internet cafe" that he started in order to help pay school expenses, at this point, teacher's wages.

With Becky Rogers, a member from Utah who is living here with her family and doing humanitarian work, and told us about the school, (that's the short story), we set off through the streets.

An internet cafe here? Seriously!!!

The charge is 1 cd an hour, equivalent to 25 cents.

There were 5 people in the two small rooms using internet.

He has a foundation that he named the "Matthew Cares Foundation." https://www.givingway.com/organization/matthew-cares-foundation He explained that "Matthew" means "gifts from God," and that is how he feels about the school.

This is the sign on the wall outside the "internet cafe."

Matthew said that they charge the students 1 CD a day to attend school which covers their food.

It has evolved since they started when they didn't provide food. The children were often too tired to be alert in school because they were hungry. So they started providing a late morning meal.

Cooked by a couple of the parents. This school was remarkable in the fact that there were so many community members/parents and volunteers who were there helping out.

The food is also an incentive that keeps the kids coming to school, because they know they will get fed.

If a parent can't pay the 1 CD (25 cents), they are not turned away.

The Rogers built these nice shelves for a library and are working on getting books.

They seem to manage to stay afloat, despite setbacks such as the collapse of the toilet room during the last rain storm.

Some of the parents/community plan to start clearing the rubble this week-end so they can build another one. They aren't waiting for someone to come and do it for them.

Until then, the boys go down the road to a public toilet and the girls use this make shift space with a bucket.

Of the schools we have visited, this is the poorest, but we were most impressed with the happiness of the kids, the teacher's acceptance of innovative ideas from volunteers and the support of the parents. It's like the perfect example of PTA!

They are speaking English. You just need to train your ear to the accent. They are saying, "There is something you should know, red means stop, yellow means stop? and green means go, go, go." Next is "Baa, baa black sheep" You need to listen to how they say "wool." I can listen over and over again!

They put on a performance for the visitors at the church next door.

They like to see us try to dance. We won't subject you to that.

One of the volunteers with the Rogers is a dance instructor who came to volunteer for a few weeks. The kids picked right up on the "American Way."

We can't fail to mention that they also have an Adult Literacy Class at the school in the evenings for parents and community with 25 current students.

Matthew also introduced us to Bishop Korboi and after showing him the new manuals he is VERY excited and asked us to come give them a jump start with their Gospel Literacy class in a couple weeks. He said he will have a teacher called by then. We've been trying to get a Stake Training going in this Stake for a while, but Bishop Korboi is going to talk with the Stake President and encourage things along. Woohoo!!

Back at the library, JoAnna got us set up with more children's books. It's clear that this can be a small but fun part of our efforts here.

Our children were warned that Christmas would be slim for the clan this coming year. We just hadn't quite found the right way to implement this until now. We want them and our precious grandchildren to know that their Christmas will be books for the children here and hope they can see this as a worthwhile sacrifice on their part. We will think of them with love each time we share a "story time" and give them away. Please remind our grandchildren the Lord said "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these..., ye have done it unto me."

Sunday we visited two classes, one with beginners and a young woman who had never held a pencil.

It quickly became obvious that the student on the right would be a great "Assistant Teacher." She was thrilled when we asked her if she would take that assignment. A natural nurturer!

Lovely glasses from America. They leave the prescription strength tags on for weeks. :-) Three of them needed reading glasses.

The second class had more advanced learners who were reading and discussing from the simplified scripture manuals. Amazing teacher!!! The man in the grey suit told us what a difference literacy and reading the scriptures has made in his life. Yes!!

These students are ready for the more advanced manuals that will be coming soon.

We had two gatherings with various of the other Sr. Missionaries this week. One at our apartment for Mexican Food as we "broke our fast." (First Sunday of the month when we skip two meals and donate the funds to a "Fast Offering" that goes to humanitarian efforts.)

We love getting into lively discussions about issues we face serving in a third world country. Combine that with Mexican food which is hard to find here and it was a great evening with friends!!

Offices were closed July 2nd, a Ghanaian holiday, "Republic Day" so we celebrated with a BBQ at the Area Compound for 4th of July.