UPDATE ON SUCTION PUMP

 Support has been received and 2 suction pumps can be acquired. A very large thank you from me but more importantly from the parents of the newborns who will benefit from the machines. 

                                                             Blessings to supporters!!!

BENEDICTA AND DANIEL'S WEDDING

 Getting married is a series of events here in Ghana

The Engagement at 730 am

This is the tradition of the two familied get together to discuss the couple and them wanting to get married. In begone days this would be when the dowry was given to the bride's family, today is seems like it is gifts from the groom's family for the couple to assist them to get started as a family. There is some play acting about whether is should happen but ending with all agreed. This took place at Bishopscourt  Reception area.

The bride arrives

Then the actually asking of the bride to marry

Then there were prayers and announcing that the wedding will be in 2 hours at the cathedral.

so home for a rest and then on to the cathedral.

The bride arrives

the wedding begins, the vows are made and then pronounced  husband and wife. There is a canopy set with stately chairs for them to sit on to the side.

The service ends with the signing.

There is foods given to all and folks leave.

Next morning the Benedicta & Daniel are in church to be blessed and say thank everyone's for support.

               BLESSINGS AND PROSPERITY AND GRACE TO BENEDICTA AND DANIEL !!!!

Traditional Dress Friday

 This is my favourite fabric that Daniel designed, I love the colours and the pattern. William is washing the last of the curtains today so next week onto washing shelves. 

Not a bad pic for a selfie. 

Tomorrow is Benedicta's (secretary to the bishop) wedding at the cathedral, all the priests and two bishop should add to its auspicious nature.  So days off really do not exist here, no weekends off, no days off in the week as Saturdays are traditionally reserved for funerals and weddings. The importance of the extended family means that everyone is expected at all family funerals resulting that everyone attends many funerals each year.

SUCTION MACHINE

 As I said yesterday this suction machine will be of great benefit in the delivery room with the newborns. One has been found, it cost 1500 G Cedis = Canadian it is $333.00. All support towards buying this will be gratefully accepted. .

A SAD, SCARY INCIDENT, a lacking clinic and a very determined little boy

 A clinic that I visited last time was robbed with  the threatening included the thieves waving and shooting with machine guns. The security guard was the only one hurt; money, personal phones and a few pieces of equipment were taken. The staff involved were given a months leave to return to their homes. The staff who are working now are afraid that it will happen again. The clinic has reduced its services so it is not open in the evenings any more. I was talking with the staff today and mentioned PTSD which will more than likely play a role in their future. I wondered out loud if monthly meetings might be a help to talk about their fear to give it a voice. I hope that this happens. I am asking for prayers for the staff.

                                                                     TODAY'S STAFF

Next I visited the Bishop Aglionby Health Clinic. This centre is the major facility within its community. The staff described their services as an Out Patient Clinic/Emergency Department and a Maternity Centre. They have upwards of 500 to 600 visits /month along with 50 - 60 deliveries. The facility has minimal resources. Actually it remind me of Street Health in the last 80's when we were serving Third World medical care to the homeless on the streets of Toronto, The big difference is that if we were 'out of our depths' we could take the patient to an emergency department of the local hospital and the patient would receive First World health care. They told me today that the facility they refer to,  have refused their patient if they were full or busy.   'Talk about being between a rock and a hard place'. 

I also heard that they do not have a suction machine in the delivery room to assist to \clear the airway of the newborn. If they can not clear the airway they send the baby to the local hospital and depending on how long it takes, determines the outcome for the newborn. I am wondering out loud about raising the few hundred dollars to purchase a suction machine for them. If you would like to contribute let me know and will give the way I can receive the support.

I end this with a tale about a very determined little boy

One of the nurses had her son with her as he was ill. He was having nothing to do with this Oburoni (white person) so here he is with his arms crossed in refusal to even say hello to me. He did wave good bye enthusiastically. So I know where I stand with him.

THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF OWOAHENE ADWOA AHYIAH

This woman is the mother of  a Chief who had died March1, 2020 and her Celebration of Life was from Thursday to Sunday. November 21, 2021.  Her son's position  adds to the importance of respecting her and her family. The friend of the son was the Vice president of the country, Mahamudu Bawumia, who was in attendance with his security very visible. The body was laid out on a brass bed in what was the living room. The house is quite lovely and there was a cathedral ceiling in this room with a balcony on all 4 sides. Each group in attendance was led around the bed to pay their respect. Bishop Ackah led prayers with all clergy at that time.

On Saturday November 20 at the palace Bishop Ackah led the Funeral service with the local Anglican Church of St. John the Baptist choir and clergy from the local denominations present. The service was completed with the committal and the body will be interred after dark in accordance with the custom for the Royal Family. (It is a birth right to be part of a royal family)

This is the front canopy of the house where the dignitaries were seated. 

There were armed security on the second floor balcony

Before the funeral service the Women's Fellowship stood guard.

When the service was completed we drove to the church for a take away lunch (this is the same for every event. a foam clam container with rice, salad and a piece of meat or fish, and sometimes a drink, no drink in this one) Then, we went looking to buy water on our way back home.

These were the greeters when picking up lunch.

 

Out in the community

 Michael who I share the office with is part of an organization called Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization, ADDRO. an organization that is empowering and liberating communities.  They established microfinance groups that collect savings and distribute loans to the group members. This is needed as poor individuals would difficulty to get a loan at a bank and there are no fees when borrowing from the group. Membership is required to use this system and you are expected to deposit money at each meeting to form the kitty from which loans can be given. Yesterday a woman trader in the market borrowed 500 Ghana Cedis (just over $100.00 Canadian) The interest is 5% and it must be paid back in 3 months. The pay back rate is 100%. This is influenced by the fact that all the members are neighbours and how to do you face your neighbour knowing they know you did not pay back. This is a system that works well to empower communities and enable individuals to establish a business. I tagged along as he met with 2 community groups.

Michael having a conversation with a member.

Road in is like a dirt 'cow path' that has deep ruts formed by rain runoff.

Group in session

You will notice more women than men and children runaround waiting for their Mom.

Across the road from the meeting place was a grove of cocoa trees (Chocolate in the raw)

            Pod ripe and ready to pick

Cocoa bean, white are fresh from the pod and the                                                                                        brown ones had the outer covering removed