One Morning, One Month. My New Life in Jerigu.
It’s 4 a.m. in the morning and I wake to the sound of the mosque calling my community members of Jerigu to their morning prayers.
I slowly lean up out of bed and rest my body against the cool cement wall directly behind my bed. My mind is instantly filled with thoughts about the day to come as the sounds of the mosque continue to wail in the background.
Moments later, I hear knocking at my door and my good friend and host brother, Mohammed (“Nzo” good friend in Dagbani) calling out my name emphatically, “Chandalar! Chandalar! Chandalar!
I stumble out of bed, tripping over my mosquito net as I proceed to grab my instant coffee mix, water, coffee mug and bible as I head outside to greet Mohammed. Mohammed and I exchange smiles and a simple conversation in broken Dagbani/English before he runs off to go pray.
Finding myself alone again, I begin my morning ritual of making coffee and studying my bible to start each day. My morning prayers consist of asking God for the direction and wisdom to guide me in a way He deems necessary.
October 4th marked my first month living alongside my family and community of Jerigu. Below are some pictures sharing some of the few adventures and new friends I have met during my first month.
September 4th. My welcoming committee in Jerigu standing in front of my new home. :)
Learning some Dagbani with Mugari (left) and Osman (right).
Everyday from 4:45-6:00 we play football right behind the school and everyday I get laughed at because, well, football is hard.
There is nothing like a sunset in Jerigu, Ghana. Feel free to come and visit and I'm confident you'll agree!
Osman and I heading back to Jerigu from the farm ("puni") in Dagbani. This was the morning after we had a torrential downpour and the river that runs through Jerigu had flooded the pathway to the farms outside of the community.
A neighboring compound drying Maize after their first harvest.
One of my first days teaching English and "Agric" or agriculture/integrated sciences at Jerigu Junior High School.
Learning about farming systems with Form 2!
Who said learning can't be fun? Trying to introduce new games and learning methods always makes for a fun and adventurous time.
Mohammed chowing down on some "Dacanda" or sugar cane for a late night snack. He is the best :)
Dezet (baby), Mohammed and Nejat having some rice for lunch after school on a hot afternoon. These are three of my six host siblings and they make any bad day instantly the best by hearing them laugh or having them follow me around the compound. I'm still working on Dezet not crying every time she sees me...hopefully that will change soon!
One of my newfound farmer friends, Dawuda who has a partnership with with USAID growing a new rice variety called "Agra." He is one proud farmer!
Learning how to graft mangoes alongside farmer Dawuda, Faisal (right) and Zazu (left).
Farmers from all over my community of Jerigu coming to hear from the Director of Governance at USAID discussing the implementation of the "PICS" (Purdue Improved Crops Storage) project that will begin over the next 2 weeks in Jerigu to help with prolonged storage of crops with a select number of farmers in my community.
The new and improved Jerigu Junior High School 4-H Club held it's first meeting of the year this past week. I am excited and hopeful to see where this year takes these young leaders!
The 4-H Officers of the Jerigu 4-H Club! We are ready to "Learn, Earn and Go Green!"
Meet Noah. One of the JHS teachers at Jerigu. He, like all the teachers live in Tamale (45 minutes away) but has been an immense help in making me feel welcomed and at home in Jerigu. Noah is a man of God with a heart of service filled love for those around him. I am very thankful for this newfound friendship and someone to have intellectual conversations with (in English) when I am in my community. He recently celebrated his 28th birthday and he is on a pathway to such great accomplishments that will be glorified through God. I can't wait to continue sharpening one another through our shared faith in Christ.
Members of the Jerigu VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) begin to gather for their weekly meeting, every Friday at 3:30. This association has only been around since this past February but has already allowed majority of the women in my community to grow their businesses into small, roadside stands, seamstress shops and much more. I am excited to shadow this association and work with them this coming year.
Enjoying a cool snack with Mohammed after a long day teaching at school.
Exploring the communities outside of Jerigu this past weekend on a 5.2 mile run and found some beautiful, expansive rice fields.
No matter where I go, I always have someone following me. This time it was a crew of four boys who wanted to come "jogging" with me and of course, they wanted to take my "snap."
Life is not always a fun, exciting adventure in Jerigu. By all means, this has been the hardest and most challenging thing I have ever done. Yet, I know at the end of each day that I am a "tool," being used by God to work in the lives of students, farmers and my fellow community members as an AgriCorps Fellow.
At the end of my 11 months in Ghana, I hope to say that I have been patient, consistent and trusting during this process of constant change. As you can see, I love my "new life" in Jerigu and I am ready for the next month of adventures and challenges that come my way.