ProGhana Journal Entry #8

            This was a pretty quick workday.  The students were pretty attentative and the second class we worked with was really interested in the alcohol and tobacco material.  I even got a picture of one of the girls reading the posters after we had left! J  She seemed to be very interested and wanted to further understand the information.

            Tomorrow is our last day educating in the schools because they begin to sit for exams next week and the following week and we are not allowed to interrupt their studies, rightfully so.  After work, the Mizzou undergrads and I came back to Abasi and purchased more trashcans and recycling bins because we added two more schools to tomorrows schedule.  It was great to get done early.  I even had time to play some soccer (football) as everyone calls it here.

            Arthur, Olivia and I walked up to the pitch that’s really close to my house and played with about 14 other kids who were already there.  As soon as we showed up they were very excited that we wanted to play with them, especially because we had a really football.  It’s interesting because I don’t thinks it’s customary to say please here in Ghana, so to someone from the US it always sounds like people are demanding things from you.  It’s a little annoying, but I am starting to get used to it.  I am also encouraging them to say please.  The little kids definitely wanted my ball and made it very obvious.  They were really antsy the whole time Arthur and I were stretching.

            Once we started playing I was really impressed.  I haven’t been very good at guessing ages, but I would say most of the kids were only 10-12 years old, some were probably 15 and 16, but they were out of control.  They were very good at settling the ball and making good passes, even though the field is lumpy dirt with trenches in portions of it.  I had a really great time, plus I got a goal, which is always a good feeling.  Hopefully I have shown them that we aren’t too bad at soccer J Once we finished, they really wanted to have a PK shootout, so we made sure to let them have their fun and then went home.  It’s great because all of the kids want to have an Obruni as their friend and followed us home.  They also really want us to play again.  I’m going to try to make it back tomorrow, but I’m pretty wiped out tonight so we’ll see if I can handle it again.

            It was really great to finally get some exercise and hang out with the locals.  Ghana is such a fun and loving society and I am really glad I chose to come here.  I’ll keep it short today, but I’ll definitely let you know how the weekend goes as soon as possible.

Have a great night!

Lucas!