ABAN

Yesterday morning we visited ABAN, a local organization in Achimota that runs a women's empowerment program for those who are pregnant or have recently had children. They girls were beautiful and impressive. We held a few one-on-one interviews, took a tour of the facilities, and held some babies! It was great to see the work they do first-hand (www.aban.org).



We left early afternoon for a long taxi ride to Street Stream Remedial College, which didn't work out exactly as planned. The school was eerie and in a poor neighborhood and the students were nowhere to be found. The school's director wouldn't allow us to take any video recording and then told us that he didn't trust our motives (and thought maybe we were there to steal of all his business ideas). Needless to say, we did not get a tour. It was a quick way to feel grounded again in the culture of business in Ghana.

Left for the artisan market to look at art and jewelry and then to an International Film Festival. There were free food/drinks everywhere, and as we walked in, we were sure we must have accidentally snuck into the wrong event. Then a fashion show, with models showing off a line of clothes made 100% of recycled material, followed by 6 short independent environmental films. What an amazing night.

This morning we met Tina Oh (from Partners Worldwide) for lunch and are now waiting, waiting, waiting for the Grand Valley State service learning team to arrive-- a group of 18 students and 3 faculty members here to work/study in Ghana for 7 weeks. As it is custom in Ghana.... we are patient and wait. Thank God for internet cafes.