Saturday May 17, 2014

Saturday May 17, 2014

Today was a long, hot day but very rewarding.  We were able to open up the cargo container.  Two years of work, and specifically about 9 months of fundraising and stress for me and the others I worked with culminated in this moment. 

For a week now, the Korle Bu hospital has been chomping at the bit to get the doors open and we have put them off until we returned to Accra.  Today, however very few individuals from the hospital showed up. 

We cut the locks and were able to get in and see all the donations.  Some media was there doing interviews. They interviewed Lisa, some of the students and myself.  It felt really good to talk about all the great and hard work that has been done to benefit and support the people of Ghana. 

The first container was removed relatively smoothly, but the consecutive ones, not so much.  We had an inept forklift driver at the helm.  I kid you not; he spent 2 hours trying to remove the second container.  In his defense, the power steering was out…..but still.  We became so exhausted standing in the sun, watching this man struggle that it became entirely too comical.  People were screaming at each other and nothing was getting done.  Finally, the driver relented and got out of the seat.  The new driver removed the boxes quickly without issue. 

The donations were numerous.  Eric, Richards brother whom also runs the Ercom School of Excellence was there today to pick up a crate specifically for his school.  He was so excited and grateful and shocked at how large the crate was that we had for him.  It is really good to know where all the supplies are going and how they will benefit the people. 

We worked hard to unload the crate.  There were a lot of loose items but once we got a train of people lined up, it was unloaded very quickly.  It was very fulfilling to see this get done.  It is the reason I have worked so hard this past year, harassing everybody I know about Charity Beyond Borders and it is the reason why I came back a second time to Ghana.  One container is not going to change the face of this country, but one container is a start.  It feels good to know that I have been a part of something bigger than me, something outside of me.  I have contributed my efforts to something that can go help thousands of people seeking health care in Ghana. 

The sun was baking us all day today and I got a major forehead burn but I couldn’t even think about it.  The day was too great to fret over something so little.  I am excited for the donations to make their way into the hospital and start getting used.  It is amazing. 

We went to the craft market today.  Beat and exhausted, we braved hundreds of vendors to get gifts and souvenirs from our trip.  It was fun helping the group barter and get their treasures.  I really enjoyed talking with some of the people too.  They are interested about “Obamaland.” 

We all came home exhausted.  I went with Karen and Lisa out to the market near our guesthouse and we happened upon a bakery-type store.  They had just finished baking bread.  We bought two loves that were still piping hot.  It was the most delicious bread.  Then we had an American dinner of fajitas! My stomach really appreciates the comfort food. 

Ghana is amazing.  This experience once again, is amazing.  I am glad I kept my promise to Richard that I wouldn’t forget his brothers and sisters.  It has been such a treat to be back and it means so much to me to have been enable to be apart of the container.  I still can’t believe it traveled from Ogden, Utah to Accra, Ghana in Africa.  Amazing.