Saturday May 10, 2014

Saturday May 10^th, 2014

We were up early for our clinic in Larabanga.  Excited to go, we all hopped into the bus and headed out.  A few minutes into our drive we started hearing weird sounds, then the bus started turning a little bit sideways, followed by a burnt-melting type of smell.  So we pulled over and found out that the rear axle had bent (I think….) and the rear tire was rubbing against the bus.  So we called for reinforcements and were able to have a little motorcycle pick a few of us up and take us into town. 

While waiting for the second load we were able to stop a large flat bed truck and he loaded us all up with all of our donations and drove us into the clinic.  It was quite fun!

We got set up for the clinic and it was really, really busy.  Then it died just as quickly.  We were able to care for about 120 patients, so it was successful.  We had three patients ages 100, 99, and 97 years old.  That is incredible.  I got thinking about all the life and changes they have seen within their community.  I am sure their stories are incredible.  That is such a feat to live that long. 

We went into Larabanga to finish our tour of the town.  Our friends from last night performed a song for us and gave us all shay butter to take home.  We toured their homes and learned how they build their mud heads.  By this time we were all hot, sweaty, and really tired.  Our bus still wasn’t fixed so we had to take turns riding back on a 3-wheeled motorcycle that had a bed.  While waiting we were able to hang out with all the kids, Sing songs, play the hokie-pokie and they taught me some of their little hand clapping games.  I was trying to persuade a few of these kids to get into my suitcase.  They were really cute. 

While waiting we were witnesses to some of the construction going on.  They are widening the road through Larabanga and brining it up to Mole as well as asphalting the whole thing.  We watched a giant plow dig trenches and slowly demolish the things in its path.  We watched as a tree—in a few quick hits—was torn down because it was in the path.  I wasn’t able to stay further but I am sure and old mud hut was going to be taken out as well. 

At the clinic we worked at was major construction as well. There were many buildings around going up including a very large clinic that will be done next year.  In Mole we saw many buildings on a hillside going in and were informed it is an American investor building a hotel complete with man-made watering holes for the elephants. 

All of these things will be great additions to the communities nearby, to additional tourism, and to the building up of the people.  But it is also quite sad.  The small community is being industrialized.  It is getting modern touches.  It is turning into a modern town.  I am not sure if I liked it.  Larabanga and its rich culture will be different next year and the years following.  I kept thinking of the elders we met with today and wondering how they feel about the changes.  Technology is coming and changing the way things are. 

I hope that it doesn’t change the community.  They are so close.  They have their culture and it is beautiful and from what I can tell it is undisturbed.  A little bit of the “tourism” side has filtered in but I want it to stay pristine and sweet.  Cut off from all the modern influences.  I want it to stay the little village that it is.