Living in another country and a much different environment will without a doubt take its effects on one’s body. For example, the only time I have tanned more deeply than now in Ghana is the time I spent three weeks in Corsica in the scorching 110 degree sun each day on the beach. I think… Continue reading Tougher Hands, Rougher Knees
Nigeria: An Unexpected Weekend Getaway
It isn’t a secret in Africa that Nigerians have the worst reputation. Most of us have probably heard of the infamous ‘Nigerian email scams’ and if you have been to West Africa you probably have not escaped someone saying that the country was much safer until they started getting Nigerian immigrants. But my weekend trip… Continue reading Nigeria: An Unexpected Weekend Getaway
For 23: A Look Back and a Look Forward
Twenty-two was certainly a year of change. It was the age at which most of my friends and myself were birthed into the “real-world” from the safe and secure wombs of our mother colleges. Feeling naked and more than a little wide-eyed, I have been testing my walking legs ever since. A week before my… Continue reading For 23: A Look Back and a Look Forward
Helping Yourself in Order to Help Others
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others. – Audrey Hepburn Towards the end of last week, I started feeling ill. It started with a fever one night that ibuprofen was able to break, but then the next day it was back… Continue reading Helping Yourself in Order to Help Others
Some Promised Photos
Several posts ago I promised to post a few photos from the wedding in the mountain region that I went to. And although I no longer have a camera still, I wanted to be true to my promise. I have plans to go to a wedding in Nigeria two weekends from now, and will be… Continue reading Some Promised Photos
The Principle Behind Taking a Deep Breath
My good friend Sara Willis knows exactly how to handle me when I come to her in a lightning blur of gchats or Skype messages about my life—things I am worried about, overly excited about, or confused about. Her first reaction is always to tell me to first stop whatever I am doing and take… Continue reading The Principle Behind Taking a Deep Breath
Some Days are Harder Than Others–Thank God for Ice Cream
About a week or so ago I was chatting with my close friend and old college roommate Aley about life here in Ghana. I was telling her about the adjustments in life and everything going on. Then we got to talking about transitions in life in general and maintaining relationships and balance in our lives.… Continue reading Some Days are Harder Than Others–Thank God for Ice Cream
Peace Does Not Simply Mean the Absence of Conflict
While writing the program manual for my project over the last several weeks, I have been wrestling with the question of what exactly does peace—more specifically living in peace and peaceful societies—mean to me. What would it mean for the children I am here to work with to grow up in peace? Peace, I have… Continue reading Peace Does Not Simply Mean the Absence of Conflict
Africa, Humanity, and a Fount of Hope
Even in London or New York or Paris, Africans do not easily lose the habit of catching your eye as you pass. Raise an eyebrow in greeting and a flicker of a smile starts in their eyes. A small thing? No. It is the prize that Africa offers the rest of the world: humanity…Amid Africa’s… Continue reading Africa, Humanity, and a Fount of Hope
Togo and Benin: The Story of a Blessing
My trip to Togo and Benin this past weekend with my friend Mette was filled with the kind of crazy adventures that places such as West Africa alone can give. We raced down wet sand paths on the back of motorbikes after getting caught in torrential rainfall, we shared taxis fixed for four people with… Continue reading Togo and Benin: The Story of a Blessing
Odelia Younge 