Posted for Lord Wandsworth 2011

Just Another Egyei-Sunday!

Just Another Egyei-Sunday!

4.13 am and the nearest rooster announces his presence to the slumbering team and hopes to have a conversation with his near neighbours. To be honest, he has not been as effective for the last few days, ever since the funeral and the relentless music that pounded through the night to mark the occasion – he could not compete and has lost credibility amongst his peers ever since. The rooster was followed by the first clang of a church ‘bell’, followed by many more from different bells. Then the bass of a sound-system kicked in, followed by a vibrant dawn chorus, a wailing child and the gutteral rumble of a lorry or two. No wonder that by 6.30, a number of the team were sitting reading on the verandah. This was in time for the tannoyed celebration from one church, a male wailing which brought a fond tear to the eye of Mrs Hicks as it reminded her of the shower-singing Sinatra impression vocalised by her dear husband.

Today is a beach day, and as I type, the team is en route to the beach. Actually this is the third beach session in the last five as we have just about finished the project, working hard and thoroughly to complete more than I thought was possible. The restored classroom is now in use, the library floor was painted on Friday – all that remains for us to do is organise the library and decorate the computer room and then we are done; consequently the pace is far slower than it was at the start of last week. But we will leave confident in the knowledge that we have improved facilities and motivated a school – Revision Week becam Concrete Laying Week for many and Idle Week for others.

And so we start our last few days in Ghana. On Wednesday we head for Kacum and the canopy walk, then back to Elmina and Stumble Inn for the last night, for the sort out and for the long haul to Accra and the longer Friday-haul through Accra for the flgith home. You will find us tired and weary, with different experiences to tell. Some have thrown themselves fully into this project , into the work, the camp routine, the cultural opportunities that have been made available, and will return enriched. All have coped with the challenge but are looking forward to the comforts of home, taken so much for granted as they are. Advise mega-money food corporations to stock up on supplies, for the team crave junk-fast food. Make no mention of pasta, rice, tomato sauce or tuna sandwiches until mid-August. And please, dear reader, do not open their bags unless you are in a good breeze in the middle of the garden.

I look forward to reflecting on the whole experience and hearing reflections on the whole experience, not just in the next few days and weeks but after a few months when more might have sunk in.

The beach calls, the taxi awaits – see you on Saturday.

dave