So far I’ve talked a lot about the negative sides of Africa. But there are many great things about the continent. Proud people, great traditions, beautiful scenery, lots of natural resources, and much much more. While both of my trips to Africa were service learning, I was allowed to have some fun!
In South Africa we tried to take 2 days each week to do something as a team that was enjoyable and outside the routine. We went on a Safari, did some hiking, lounged around, and spent some time in the city of Johannesburg. We did all of these activities as a group and had some fun adventures!
Ghana was a little different as I was living in the village for 8 weeks. Most of my weekends were spent relaxing and trying to read a book. As the only “Obruni” or white guy in the village I was a novel attraction. So every time I would sit in the little Gazebo someone would come talk to me. It was a little annoying sometimes but it also produced some great conversations and I was really able to learn more about the people and culture. I also took a couple of trips around the country – seeing some of the coast line and some of the major heritage sites of the Ashante people (most of Ghana was originally part of the Ashante Kingdom – before colonial rule).
The accompanying picture is from Kakum National Park. This bridge is about 100 feet in the air and is suspended between trees. There is a whole Canopy Walk which is really pretty cool and on a good day you can see lots of animals (we didn’t see any) in the canopy. The rope bridges do sway back and forth while you walk and if I remember correctly, only one person is allowed on a bridge at any given time.
This is one of many great historical and natural wonders that dot the countryside throughout the continent. It may seem a little silly to talk about natural beauty while children are starving, however I want to make sure I present a realistic picture of what I saw. Great beauty, great wealth – next to great poverty. There is a balance and World Vision is one organization that is working to help create the balanced picture. Please consider supporting me in my quest of running my first marathon by donating to World Vision today.
Team World Vision
Team World Vision is a fund raising arm of the organization which uses ordinary people like me, to get ordinary people like you involved in ending poverty and injustice across the world. I have decided to commit the 26.2 miles of my first marathon to the memory of and in honor of the children I have met during my international travels. I can’t remember all of their names, but I have many pictures and stories.
On the right side of my blog there is a widget that will allow you to support me during this race or you can visit this secure page. I have set a goal of raising $2,000 which will help children have a chance at living to become adults across Africa.
[tags] World Vision, Team World Vision, Africa, Ghana, Kakum [/tags]
that Africa would forever be a part of who I am. It was amazing to see the conditions that people lived in and through, but more importantly to also see the great hope that many of them had. For example, the house pictured at left was inhabited by a family of I think 8 kids, the oldest of which was 18. There entire family had been wiped out by HIV/AIDS, but the young pre-teen we met that day was very excited to show us her house and was proud of it even. She was full of hope and pride that many of us lack in our 3 story houses and nice cars.