Project GROW

okay, another post:) it was that kind of day! If you haven't read the ones below, enjoy them too There are photos and a description of our first meeting with the participants:)

Today we went to meet a number of key people in the region, decision makers who have an interest in Project GROW. We began with the District Chief Executive who makes decisions around such issues as getting electricity out to the village where we are working. She is a wonderful person who supports this project and has great respect for Vida. We had a very productive meeting, discussed our dream for a community centre that would host adult learning classes for the villages in her area as well as many other things. The best moment in that meeting was when I pulled out the laptop. She became so excited, especially when I told her that if we do this, the school where Project GROW is located would be the FIRST in Ghana to be part of that program. She saw the potential right away and is anxious to see this part of GROW get off the ground as quickly as possible.

We then went to meet the District Director of Education for the same region. When he told us about his frustration that students trying for the high school entrance exam were expected to understand how a computer works when they have never seen one, or used one, we pulled the XO laptop out. He was very excited because he knew of them, but had no idea that there might be the possibility of getting this program running in his region. I left the laptop with him so he could play around with it and will forward him electronic copies of the manual as well. Again, he was delighted with the idea, happy to try and pilot it and anxious to get going.

We finished the day with a visit to the adult education program. This meeting was also productive in that we were able to find out what is happening in this area. I will let Jan's blog tomorrow fill you in on the Adult Education initiatives...So, lots going on with education, and the laptop has led to a great deal of excitement and interest.

We have been at meetings or travelling virtually since we got to Ghana but tomorrow is a day off from bumping along dirt roads in a taxi. It may sound simple; a meeting here, a meeting there, but in reality, think of our roughest logging roads in BC after a major rainstorm creates potholes, and drive in an aging taxi, under a hot sun, where everything is spread out far and wide and you soon become very tired I am sure our nursing students and staff can attest to. So, once in a while it is nice just to be still, to absorb all of this information, and plan the next steps. Our crew is out buying goats, today and tomorrow, and then we go back to the village to interview the adult learners as to their needs and desires.

Signing off until next time, lots of pics on the earlier blogs today for those who are interested...