a few random observations

Ghana has some TERRIBLE drivers on the road.  Scratch that, most are terrible.  passing when they shouldnt, etc.  However, there is ZERO road rage.  maybe it has something to do with the fact that everyone is late to everything so no one seems to be in a hurry to get anywhere (although I guess that conflicts with the speeding).  The roads are terrible, full of potholes, paved roads randomly turn to dirt.

People also freely litter here.  The sides of the road are lined with plastic, trash, etc.  Another reminder of how nice it is to live in the U.S.

Funerals here in Ghana are a 2 day celebration.  Entire towns turn out for a funeral, everyone dressed in red and/or black, streets are blocked with pedestrian processions, causing more traffic.

Everyone waves here.  Maybe its the rarity of seeing a couple of white guys (yeyvu) but every town we passed we were greeted with lots of waves and smiles.

In the little towns we passed, all of which are poverty stricken, the buildings and edifices are half built, no roofs, many made of brick (otherwise cinderblock).

As expected, lots of street vendors of food, stuff like snails, plastic bags of water (seems only the tourists drink bottles of water...the locals bite off a corner of the bag and drink it), maize dough, wierd turkey meat.  And pretty much everything is carried on their heads.

Lighter day (emotionally)

Today was a much lighter day on the emotions...Dave (the founder of Crossover) has a 17 year old daughter (Sonia) that goes to a private girls high school in the city of Ho.  They have visiting hours on the first Saturday of each month so we went to visit her.  Sonia is also the penpal of Jim's 11 year old daughter, Mia, so it was a very special visit for him (pictured below, left to right is Juliette, Sonia's best friend, Jim, Sonia and Dave).

After we visited Sonia, we drove about an hour to a Monkey Reserve...pretty cool video here posted to youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWj6GC6lCPs

and a pic...

After the Monkey Reserve, we had a long drive back to the hotel, but stopped at tthe 2nd highest point in Ghana for a quick break

Day 2 at Crossover

So Jim & I decided to take a boat to Crossover today instead of a car.  We left from Akosombo where we are staying and it took about an hour by boat...click on this video to see our welcome party, another unbelievable welcome!

After arriving, we went back to the "classroom" because I had a few more things to give out:  the rest of the tshirts that Eddy & EI-LO donated, 2 lacrosse sticks, and a suitcase full of food I brought from Costco: Cheez-its, Famous Amos cookies, Nutella, Boysenberry Jam and a few other treats.  When we got there, Jim & I bought 50 loaves of fresh bread from the adjacent town (called Djemini).  Each kid got a cookie and a slice of bread with either jam or nutella on it.  WOW.  most of the kids had never had a cookie and the look on their faces when they took that first bite was priceless!

After the kids ate, Jim & I took individual pictures of each kid...when we create our 501c charitable organization we will create a website and post each picture along with their names and a little blurb that they will write about themselves.  Should be pretty neat.  Here is a pic of lacrosse making it to Africa

Jim & I also met with a contractor/builder today, which was interesting.  Just doing some diligence on costs involved in building a structure for the kids to sleep in as well as a classroom(s).

The rest of the day was spent just hanging out, which was really nice.  We played basketball, lacrosse, etc.  It's funny, the little ones just followed us around, we would walk to grab a water, about 15 little ones are in tow, just wanting to be with you.  They thrive on human contact, just touching a shoulder or holding a hand, they look up at you w those eyes that just kills you!  I don't think they get much nuturing or human contact.
The last thing we did before returning ot the hotel was watch a soccer match.  The kids were all in their new jerseys.  Notice the dirt/rocky field and note that about half of the kids played barefoot.  Perspective

This last pic is the kids watching a video of themselves on Jim's iPad.  They thought it was HILARIOUS!!  

a few more pics

First visit to Crossover...perspective

Wow, what an emotional day today was.  The picture above was our welcome to Crossover.  The truck met us in the town adjacent to Crossover and they paraded us thru town, singing, drums, etc.  You cannot see it, but the sign at the front of the truck said "Welcome Jim & Chad to Crossover International Academy".  The kids were in constant song, jumping up and down.  It was really an unbelievable welcome.  When we followed the truck into Crossover and got out of the car, Jim & I were immediately surrounded by about 50 kids, hugging us, jumping up and down, huge smiles on their faces.  It was really an overwhelming, emotional experience.

The "classroom", is a thatched hut, about 40' long by 20' wide, dirt floor.  It also doubles as the boys sleeping area.  No walls.  We hung out in the classroom for about an hour, where we gave out the booty.  You've never seen 250 kids so happy about sharing 8  waterguns!  What keeps striking me is how happy and smiling these kids always are.  It just puts things into perspective.

These are the kids lining up for lunch.  a bowl of rice with some stew, which consists of some canned tomatoes, peppers and a few other things.
The school, which I found out is also an orphanage (watch out Jenny!) generates their income from catching fish on Lake Volta.  They average about 2 buckets of fish/day, which generates $160 Ghanian Cedi/day, about $80USD.
There are 253 kids at Crossover, 8 teachers and a night watchman.  You can do the math, they are barely existing.  And yet, they are all so happy at being given a second chance at life instead of being a slave on a fishing boat on Lake Volta.  After being shown the "campus" (which is not much) while the kids ate, we blew up 2 basketballs that Jim brought, nailed a makeshift rim to a pole, and taught the kids basketball.  Dribbling drills, layup drills, passing drills, etc.  It was so fun and neat to watch the kids, 253 of them, share 2 balls and having so much fun.

Pictured here are 4 Crossover boys wearing tshirts donated by EI-LO, a tshirt company run by my friend, Eddy Chavez.  Thank you Eddy, the kids LOVED the tshirts.  
It's hard to get over the poverty here, not just at Crossover, but really the entire country.  We are all so lucky to have been born in the U.S., and to live the way we live.  So much we take for granted, so much to be thanful for.

arrived

Jim and I popped 2 ambien each when we got on the flight...next thing we know, we are one hour outside of Ghana!  I love flights like that.  Not much to say about the airport, the transfer, baggage claim and customs were all very smooth.  We were met by Dave, the founder of Crossover.  Dave is a great guy, very humble and happy.  If there is one thing I noticed in the short time I have been here is that everyone seems to be very happy.  Always big smiles everywhere you look.  We drove about 3 hours to a town called Akosombo.  This is where the Akosombo Dam is on Lake Volta.  You can see the Dam from our motel room.  As we unpacked our bags and showed Dave our "loot", he couldnt stop smiling.  We were a bit concerned about how we were going to split up the booty, not the easiest task given the 250 kids who are anxiously awaiting our arrival.  Dave's response "We are like a family, what you brought us is for everyone to use and share."  So cool!  

Dave left us at the hotel to go back to the school and promised to come get us at 8am tomorrow (Thurs) morning.  Right now, Jim & I are having a beer at the hotel, overlooking the Dam, catching up on emails and recording our journey.

thoughts en route...

On my way to Ghana right now and I'm trying to pinpoint how I feel.  Am I excited?  Nervous?  Anxious is probably the right word.  I want this to be such a positive experience, for me, the children at Crossover, the founder David Yayravi and Jim Conti.  Part of the anxiety is the fact that there is no set schedule or agenda.  Jim & I are just kind of showing up.  We are bringing a lot of stuff for the children, which is great, and I know the children will appreciate.  But what are we really going to be doing each day, each hour?  And more importantly, how are we going to figure out a way and a path to making a real difference in these kids lives.

The other thing that is a bit nerve-racking is the fact that Ghana is a third world country.  Will I be safe?  How much weight will I lose (I am pretty sure the food will be tough on me).  What will the sleeping conditions be like at Hotel Volta.  I hear its a very nice hotel, but I hear its "nice for Ghana standards".  I hope I don't get sick.  I hope I don't find myself on the floor at 3am dry heaving from  eating or drinking something I shouldnt have.  And I hope I don't get homesick.  I hope I am able to stay busy enough to not want to go home early.  While I love doing what I am doing, I also am going to miss terribly my beautiful wife and awesome children.

So what are my goals for this trip?  Note, some of the goals are Crossover related, but some are personal:

1.  To get a firm of understanding of Crossover the school, including existing assets, needed assets, budget, etc. 

2.  To find out what the different internet connectivity options there are and pricing

3.  To find builders/contractors who can build a dorm and what the costs would be.

4.  To get to know as many of the children as possible, and ask as many questions as possible.

5.  To share my life, my experiences with the children, in hopes of helping them define whatthey want to accomplish in life

6.  To learn about Ghana and its people

7.  Fishing:  I brought a rod & reel, and would love to catch a tiger fish, a cat fish, and  a few other interesting African species.

8.  Explore:  I'm not exactly sure how much free time I will have, but I'd like to be able to explore some parts of Ghana while I am there.