Experiences: Ejura

A sneak preview of the goodbye notes left by past volunteers in the guest book at Ejura:

30 April -31 July 2004
So, Scott and I have been here for almost three months and just now, after cleaning Selin's (and Katie Jo’s) room with her I find this book. I enjoyed reading everyone's entries so I figured I would make my own.

While preparing to come here, I read so much about Ghana but I would never have known how welcoming and generous the Dadas (and Murari and Tarak) and the kids at the school and the neighboring children would be - or how funny. Being able to step outside of our room to a bunch of giggling children was awesome for me. The constant audience outside the door, not so much.

I taught KG everyday and for maybe the first month, I also taught older classes. For me the KGs have been easiest to communicate with, although it took a while to get used to them beating each other and to all of the “madam, madam, change (crayon/pencil)". 'Sir' helped us get used to everything and is a great person and teacher.I learned more patience every day and to just let children be children. KG was fun. For me next year is teachers college (for KG-P6 ) and I’ve never been so sure I’ll love to teach everyday, thanks to the Neo-Humanist school children. So cute!

Scott and I would go to Kumasi some weekends to pick something up or for a change and we’d always find ourselves missing Ejura soon after we left. Dada Haranath’s way of putting things and putting a smile on the children’s faces, the Simone-Maxwell-Kwame-Christopher family and their politeness and friendship, Alahgie's mischievousness, Mahamadou and Mayoulay's gigglings, and of course Dada Shivesh's stories.

Scott and Jenna When we go back to Canada, we’ll definitely miss everyone at the house, the Baba Nam Kevalam and the goats and dabo,dabo’s – and Mariama’s special mind. Thanks everyone, it was an amazing experience. We’d love to come back again!!!

Jenna Smith and Scott Tiffin.
Canada

3 March - 15 August 2004
Life in Ejura is like when you stare up at the sky: it seems like it is standing still and not moving at all. But when you go about your daily tasks, before you realize it, the sky has changed and the sun is already setting and the moon is rising. Such is my time here. I have been here for five months now, and it feels like I’ve been here for a lifetime, but it also feels like I have just arrived.

My heart is overflowing with gratitude to:

Dada Shivesh. I love all his stories. I shared experiences from India and abroad. It was a joy volunteering for his project. I wish I could stay and help in its continued growth.
Dada Haranath for his bright, smiling, glowing eyes. I wander into the kitchen for our tastebuds’ pleasure.
Murari, you are like my brother. You keep the house here functioning for the volunteers. Thank you for all that you have given to us all.
Tarak, you are the best doctor a sick girl could have. Thank you for helping me when I was feeling overwhelmed with African illness. You are a wonderful headmaster at the school and a good teacher. Continue the good work.
Mahadev and Kwaku: my junior brothers. I will miss you dearly.

In Ejura I have found a family, friends and a strong loving community. Here I’m no longer, “obruni,” but Sister Kate. To the KG class I’m “Madam Kate.” I love each and every student. You have been wonderful teachers, showing me more about myself and teaching me patience and compassion in new found way.Thank you to all the volunteers who have shared Ejura with me. It still amazes me that we all come from different places and backgrounds but have converged here in Ghana in an attempt to serve humanity.

I encourage all those who read this to open your hearts to Ghana and to all workings of the universe. Life works in amazing and mysterious ways. It has brought you this far and it will not fail you now. Yes, malaria, diarrhea, and the heat will eventually pass. The “twi” will get easier to speak and understand. The children will always want to come and play, even when you don’t. Some of the Ghanaian people will sometimes ask you for money, toffee (candy), biscuits (cookies), or to be taken to your home country, but they will also be willing to offer the food they are eating and will always want to talk to you and learn more about you.I give my thanks to all those who have given to me, that I may partake in this experience.

Katie-Jo
Austin ,Texas, USA.

10 - 28 April 2004
After spending some time in the busy place of Accra, I found Ejura to be a breath of fresh air. The people here are wonderful, especially the children. I wish my time in Ejura could have been longer, for I don’t think I have gotten enough time walking in the bush, collecting mangoes, or getting to know the people.I have heard the word “obruni” enough to last me a lifetime though. Thank you to all the people in the "Namaskar house," especially Dada Haranath and Katie Jo. They were especially wonderful for they introduced me to many of Ejura's treasures. I was fortunate to travel with a good friend, and I thank her for leading me to this experience. Hopefully I will come back someday.

Jessie Howes.
USA.

Febuary 9, 2004
I don’t want to go home!!! I love it here; it’s paradise. The weather, the food, the hospitality is up there with the best resorts in the world. Except here you get the amazing benefit of great company and a volunteer experience. It’s going to be weird not seeing goats in my front yard back in Canada. The time flew by so fast that I found myself rushing to accomplish all that I had planned, and I have been here for a whole month. The progress I have seen in the school is amazing, especially in the KG room. Dada, Murari, Tapan, Abe Gesprecht and Mahadev have been so welcoming and helpful to me that I don’t know how I will survive without them. All the things that bothered me in Ejura (roosters in the morning, children screaming “obruni give me money”, and mosquitoes) pale in comparison to all the things and people I love in this amazing little town!

Abe Giesbert (Kwabena)
Canada.

6 January - 15 February, 2004
Abe and I returned back from Ghana on Monday. We were only there for 6 weeks and we grew so close to everyone and everything that we were very sad to leave. Ejura felt like home to me.

In Ejura I taught Kindergarten for four weeks. On my first day, I walked into the room where there were 25 children from ages 3-8 whom didn't speak a word of English. It was a cement room with an old blackboard and a few benches. I was so overwhelmed. I just didn’t know what to do with them. I tried singing songs and playing games, which worked for a little bit. The rest of the time, I just let the children play outside because I didn't know what to do with them. The 3 year olds just want to play all the time and the 8 year olds really want to learn, so I was completely lost.

I spent the whole first week buying materials for the class, painting on the walls, and trying to figure out what the children should be learning about. I made a dramatic play center, a reading corner, puzzle and cards center, block center, and a creative and writing corner. The first week there were many fights over the materials which was a little difficult considering I don't know their language and in my Early Childhood Education course, I was taught to solve conflicts by figuring out the problem and talking it through. To solve conflicts, I would draw lots of pictures to explain things, act out a lot of things, or if I really needed to, I would get a grade 6 student to come to translate. By the fourth week everything was running so smoothly. When I get some pictures back, I would be more then happy to share them with you.

For those of you going to Ejura, have fun and don't be afraid of anything. I felt safer in this town then I do in my home city in Canada. A very special thank you to Emma for helping me in the classroom, painting the tables and learning all the children's songs. Katie Stortz And to Abe for helping me out with all the very active little boys. Also to Camile for making the room look so beautiful with the painting on the wall. I really hope to return to Ejura some day. It was an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget and I recommend everyone to do it.

Katie Stortz,
Canada

December 12, 2003
Well, where to begin… I came to Ejura to escape the hectic lifestyle of Accra. I had no idea that in the short time I would fall in love with the people and culture of Ejura. Coming to Ejura has given me a whole new meaning to Ghana. Even though at times I was overwhelmed, I will deeply miss the crowd of children following my every move. The cries of “Kootoko” echoing around every tree, bush, and plant will forever be printed in my mind. The rhythmic pounding of fufu will be a healthy reminder of times past. And, oh, who can forget the entertainment from Deeper Life Bible Church! I also greatly appreciate Dada for opening up his home and letting me in on fun and exciting stories. My experience would not have been the same without the love and care from Murari, Tapan, and Mahadev. I will never forget our beautiful walks to the “master unit” and our hours of trying to communicate with one another through extreme language barriers. The beautiful children, the curious kittens, the hard working women, the goats and the sheep have all become important aspects of my life here. The children screaming when observing the "bruni" scaling the mango tree - oh the delicious mangos! The look on Isaka’s face when he received a new t-shirt, Maxwell’s beautiful smile, and Mommi’s intense eyes. The day of the sticker disaster, football games, dancing nights. I could go on forever but I will end here.

Emily (Kootoko) Dayton,
Ashland, Oregon, USA.

November 29 – December 5 2003
Coming to Ejura I had high hopes for exciting experiences. The journey here is long but exciting. The change in the air was immediately noticeable upon leaving Accra and the fresh air in Ejura was refreshing. Upon my arrival I was disappointed to discover that the school was essentially over and we would only have a chance to supervise exams. Still I was anxious to get involved. Within a week of settling in here, I got malaria. That sure put a bit of a downer on things, but I still had fun running out to the cashew farms, sitting among the mango trees, playing with the goats, and of course the kids in the yard.

Although my time here was short, it was valuable and I feel that I have learned a lot. Thank you to all the people here in Ejura, especially the other volunteers, Dada, Murari, Mahadev, and Tapan; I appreciate your kindness, hospitality, and generosity.

Alison, Ontario,
Canada.

September 3 – January 14 2004
Three and a half months ago, under the guidance of Mahadev’s flashlight, I made my way from Dada’a shop in town to this house that I would soon come to call home. That first night, hidden by the darkness, was a path I would come to know well, faces I would recognize better in daylight, and voices I would never hear the end of, yelling "bruni (white person)" and welcoming me here. What a welcome it was that first night, and such an experience it has been since. As with anything, there was my share of good and not-so-good moments during my stay here. Although to be certain, the good far outnumber the not-so-good. While teaching KG (a trial in itself), I learnt so much about the kids, life in an African town, school in Ghana, and more about myself than I ever thought would be possible.

Living in this house, I was treated like a queen and I can’t even begin to thank everyone, especially Murari, enough for all the hospitality I received. I’m here now after travelling for some time and moving to Accra for my remaining months, yet, here is where I feel at home. Although my life in Accra is calling me back quickly, I’ll visit my home away from home as often as I can. Those who come after me will no doubt experience the same warmth and friendliness as I have here and I wish everyone the best of luck with KG!!

Emma Smith
Nova Scotia, Canada.

November 21, 2003.
Coming to Ejura I did not know what to expect. The people here simply cultivate a loving kindness for one another and for me as well. That is something you don’t find everyday. In the US, I was struggling for simplicity, my health, and a whole new peace of mind. By living here I have found all those things.I have come to love everything here. However, it’s the small things I’ll miss the most. Simple things, like Satya’s constant cry for food and attention, the "fan-ice" lady's big smile, the numerous times when those little girls pass the house with massive amounts of water on their heads, stopping and waving to me and then the water buckets come tumbling off their heads, or the lone boy who comes when nobody else is around simply to sit next to you and smile. These things and more I will miss.

I hope those who come in the future will experience these priceless moments.I want to express my deepest thanks to Dada Shivesh, Murari, Tapan, and Mahadev, as they have made this place my “home away from home.” I will miss you all. With an everlasting peace and love,

Daniel Isner
Washington DC,USA.

November 6, 2003.
When I first arrived, culture shock hit me, but I quickly adopted the ways here. I have found Ejura to be such a friendly and hospitable community. The warmth, despite all the marriage proposals I received, was incredible. I think being a vegetarian has made me a healthier person and I feel much more energetic because of it. Many thanks to Murari and Dada for keeping me fed and for Dada’s generous spirit. Although KG proved to be a daunting task, I feel we made progress in the end. I’ll miss the cheeky smiles in the classroom, the simplicity of life here that I have learnt to appreciate, and of course, the beautiful weather. Thanks for the wonderful experience, which has been so valuable to me. I’ll be sure to send copies of my photographs so you see will my experience through my eyes. Thank you so much.

Camille Beinart.
UK

2nd September,2003
Diffcult to believe I have come to feel so at home here in just a few short weeks. There is a profound peace here rarely found – even when the roosters are crowing, goats bleating, children crying, and pots clanging whilst the sun is still rising, there is peace.I write this on the eve of my departure, to the sound of only crickets, and I’m sorry to be leaving. A thousand thank yous to Dada Shivesh, Tapan, Rakesh, Mahadev, Ababiv, and Abongo for making me feel so welcome and treating me like a princess. I hope those who follow will find the same warmth, friendship, and humour from the neighbours here who have made my time here so wonderful.My only regret is having missed the mango season- I’ll just have to come back again I guess! With love and warmth to you all,

Ananda Hall
London, England.

Arriving in Ghana was an overwhelming experience despite Didi's kind help and assistance in picking us up and showing us around. Although Martin had travelled to West Africa previously, it was my first time in Africa and I was assaulted by the sights and smells of Accra - little did I know what was in store further on! Read more....
- Kate Happell (Australia) and Martin Dunton (UK)
Volunteers at Ejura Primary School from 3 July to 27 August 2003 -

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