Friday, February 25, 2011

Farming

This morning I got up at 5:15 to go work on the farm. It is too hot during the day to work so most of the work is done in the early morning or in the evening. Last year when I was here, I walked to the farm a few times but there was nothing planted. It was just an overgrown field. I went to the farm with Nana who is the orphanage secretary. The farm is about 1 acre and the orphanage rents the land. They have cabbage, and yams planted. The cabbage are almost ready to be harvested, and should be ready by the middle of next month. They will sell all the cabbage at market to make extra money for the orphanage. The yams will hopefully be ready in August and those will be used to feed the orphanage. Right now, the orphanage buys yams at market but they are very expensive. I weeded the cabbage that is almost ready to be picked for about an hour and was still back in the orphanage for bath time. I never knew that weeding could be so therapeutic, but it was so quiet and peaceful and no one else was around, except for lots of flies, and a few frogs. One was hiding under a cabbage leave, which surprised me a little. Next time I go to the farm, I will try to take some picture to include in the next blog post.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Back in Bawjiase

So I have arrived back in Bawjiase safe and sound! It is so great to be back here and I missed the kids sooo much. So much has changed around here since my last trip. For starters, we have a new volunteer house. It is a little bit farther away from the orphanage, but it is really nice. It is a lot bigger than our other house, and it has a bathroom inside, and ceiling fans were are AMAZING!! Still no running water, but I forgot how much I enjoyed taking a bucket bath. At the orphanage, the children have grown up so much. There is a lot more structure at the orphanage and the older kids are encouraged to be independent and take care of themselves, because they have to learn how to have these skills when they leave the orphanage.
There are 2 new children at the orphanage, Joe and Felix. They both came around Christmas time. Felix is older and he is really great with the younger kids. Joe is one of the younger boys and he is so sweet, but very quiet.
Yesterday we went to the new orphanage site. It is AMAZING!! They are in the process of constructing a roof and digging the well. The new building is so much bigger than the current orphanage. There are 3 rooms for boys and 3 rooms for girls, each with their own bathroom and shower area. There is a dining area, a staff room, a study room, a storage room, and Pastor's room. The kids are so excited to move it. They were also able to purchase the land behind the orphanage for sustainable projects such as raising goats and chickens for food for the orphanage. Hopefully this week I will take a walk out to see the farm and I want to see if I can work there a few days.
I am so glad to be back inBawjiase with all the children!!!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Return to Bawjiase

This Blog is going to follow my 4 month return to Bawjiase, Ghana. I was at the orphanage for 3 weeks last summer and spend that time getting to know some of the greatest people. The children of the orphanage touched my heart in so many ways. These children need all the help they can get. They are strong, beautiful children who deserve the world.

Please donate to help with the building of the new orphanage,