Delivery day at Sakote - meet Yenongya and Yenintombi

Well, and we thought yesterday was special~

Today we took the first delivery to Sakote, the new village involved in Project GROW. It was a wonderful and moving day. We arrived at the village and the women's group came out to meet us, singing and clapping their welcome. No matter how many times I have been greeted this way, it is still a little bit overwhelming to be surrounded by 100 singing women who will pull you into a dance at the drop of a hat. This singing continued on for quite some time, under a shady tree. It was a warm welcome, but eventually even the shade could not compensate for the press of people and we started to gently move everyone toward the village. We had speeches, though not as many as yesterday which was good, because the presentation was a major one.

It is quite overwhelming to see everything that has been donated all in one place. This project is Asset Based Community Development at its best. The women decide on the assets that would best move them forward. The list is pretty familiar, although we do not yet have a school lunch program because we are just beginning the project here. However, 31 goats, 4 donkeys 4 carts, 250 mosquito nets, 8 water drums and 3 ploughs is a pretty impressive sight when it is all placed together. The people were very excited and although we began the ceremony with plenty of space, by the time the delivery was made, the crowd was much tighter so they could all see the gifts and take part in the excitedment. I was a bit overwhelmed by the assembled gifts myself actually.

The women formed a circle and danced around the items, and it was just about the happiest thing I have ever witnessed. The village of Nyobok has had this program in place now for 4 years, and they are moving into a new dimension with an education focus because there has been so much progress. This is not to say they were blase by any means, but they have been moving forward and were in this same excited place 4 years ago; the excitement in Nyobok was for different things and focused more on long term planning.

However in Sakote, where we can see the poverty up close, today was pretty wonderful. To see all of the villagers gathered to celebrate and share in the moment was amazing and for them, it was entertainment that will be talked about for decades. Each family got a net, the goats went to the first 31 recipients and all watched and celebratedas if they had received one themselves. They know that their name is on the list and as long as Project GROW continues, the goats will too. The 4 donkeys and carts will make a major difference to everyone in the village as the donkeys are just so important. Finally, handing over 3 ploughs during planting season was a timely and much valued donation that all can benefit from. It was a good moment.

But the fun wasn't over. The space cleared again, and two chairs were set in the middle of the gathering area. I looked at those chairs with suspicion since Jan and I were the two guests of honor. Sure enough, we were beckoned by Josbert to come and sit in the chairs and with all of the community watching, we were inducted into the village through a ceremony called Enskinment and we became 'kin'. Friends, this was so moving. The chief had a ceremonial robe in his hand, asked me to stand and tapped me on the forehead with the robe 3 times. They he put the robe over my head, put shoes on my feet and handed me a leather purse. I ws given the village name of Yenongya, 'God Loves" and was made Queen Mother. Jan went through the same ceremony with one of the elders, and her name is now Yenintombi, 'God has done it' and then the chief took me by the arm, and the elder took Jan, and they danced us back to our seat, smiling all the way. It was such an amazing and touching moment. I can't wait to post the pictures and tell you more tomorrow. We are now part of the village community and have the most incredible robes to mark our belonging.

Difficult as it was to come back to earth, we did so and watched the rest of the presentation. I am very proud to represent Project GROW here, and this was an incredible honor.

However, as always, just when things are going great, Ghana makes you humble. We came back to a celebratory dinner with Vida's family, said our sad goodbyes as we leave in the morning for Tamale. Back at the hotel, the power is now out, the room is hot, and my battery is dying on the computer. (I forgot to plug it in, so have 22 minutes!) I will do a much longer more detailed blog tomorrow because there are many great moments to share.

On the bus to Tamale at 5:30, a m...should be another interesting experience. Till then