This morning marked our first official "work" day. We met Emmanuel, an amazing 28 year old motivational speaker who survived the Buruli ulcer after 10 surgeries and a great deal of personal hardship, including being shunned on public transit as he traveled to the clinic for treatment. He faces continued surgery to increase the range of motion of his elbow.
Along with Emmanuel, we went to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research - this facility is named after a Japanese medical doctor who worked on yellow fever and died of yellow fever in 1928 in Accra. The Japanese continue to fund several construction and scientific endeavors in Ghana.
Meet Charles Quaye and Charles Yeboah, the two gentlemen on the left.
At Noguchi, we met with Charles Quaye and Charles Yeboah, two talented, young scientists (30 and 28) who are working to find the cause of and further the treatment of "BU." The meetings with our new friends have been easy and enjoyable thanks to the established relationships between Mollie and Ryan and the Ghana team. We enjoyed planning for tomorrow's field day in the shade and breeze of an open courtyard at the Institute.
Strategizing for upcoming field work; meeting at Noguchi
We enjoyed lunch in an outdoor cantine on the University grounds. The Americans played it safe by eating spiced rice and either chicken or beef. Our dining companions enjoyed fufu (pounded plantain and casava formed into a dumpling and accompanied by a stew of various fish and meat). One of the meat choices in the stew was grasscutter, a member of the guinea pig family. Monica tried the dumpling - it was very chewy; she was advised that chewing it was not appropriate - it was meant to simply slide down one's throat. Also, this stew is eaten with one's fingers - a bowl of water and dish detergent are brought to the table ahead of time so one can clean his hands first.
Preparing 200 water filters for tomorrow's field day; we're tired!!!Our hotel hosts are delightful and the hotel is comfortable.
We are attempting (without success so far) to post photos - we will keep trying.
More tomorrow, hopefully with photos.
Deyea o! (Good night in Akan or Twi).
Thanks for the update. I have made a copy of your message and I am taking it to your mom and dad. I don't think I will try the grasscutter. Not into chewy! It sounds like Emmanuel is everything we had hoped for - it is going to be wonderful working with him. Enjoy the pond and take pictures. This is something I need to see.
ReplyDeleteOMG - you ate bushmeat??? So brave, Monica!
ReplyDelete"Grass cutter" is a fancy word for that animal - Paul and I were never game for trying it when we were in Ghana. they were always being hawked roadside, freshly roasted, splayed out on a cross stick. Maybe it was the presentation.
Everything sounds like it's going great - so glad to hear. Ghana is a welcoming, gentle country. Lovely people as you have found.
Claudia: Ava, Ben and Nneka were over today and we all worked on Ava's painting. Nneka is so great with the kids. I call her "the enforcer" but she's such a nice enforcer. Draws the line and then says "thank you" when it is complied (it always is.)
Ben started his own painting - putting his name with five other elements as symbols for his family. Ava has symbols in her painting of her family - she chose hearts (so much easier than painting actual people!)
When I asked Ben what he wanted for symbols of his family in his painting - he thought for a half a second and said: Cookies! Totally appropriate as he does have such a sweet family! Max was at a friends or he would have certainly joined the art camp.
Tomorrow, we'll continue on our creative journey - adding more paint to Ava's piece and Ben is excited to add the chocolate chips (with brown paint) to his golden cookies.
Claudia, the kids are doing well. Your mom did say she is spending the night since Ava likes it that way - they sleep in the big bed together.
While I am on here, Darlene, bless you for doing such an incredible job in getting this undertaking into manifestation and sharing your talents with the world. Claudia, Monica, and Mollie and Ryan - it's so wonderful what you are doing....!
love from Julie Olson
Looking forward to hearing about tomorrow's experiences in the field, as well as more of your interesting "culinary adventures". Fufu sounds like it might be tasty...grasscutter, not so much. Cheers to you for giving it a try!
ReplyDeletegreat to hear from you all. Keep Monica out of trouble and have fun on your first field adventure. Everything is great in KC...I miss Monnie's little voice on the phone every day..have fun you two!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Sounds like you are eating well!!! :) Please keep all the photos coming! They are great!
ReplyDeletexxxooo
bobby
Hey Monica. Looks like you are having a great time. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI love the gloves. What a fashion statement. Let us know what you are eating. Were the bananas good? Don't forget the hot chocolate even if it is hot outside.
ReplyDeleteMonica-
ReplyDeleteYou are probably the only one on the whole continent that has a PRESSED white shirt! :)
Bobbyj, You should visit that continent to see for yourself that the people there are not animals. They are even neater that most people on your own continent. They bath regularly!!! and do not smell!!!
ReplyDelete