Hello from Wiaga (Friday Day 1)

Hello all. I apologize  for taking some time to update this blog. The internet connection is very poor and it’s rare I can get a decent signal.

Anyway after spending a wonderful evening at Thomas’s Bolga home, we departed for the hour trek to his home village of Wiaga. Upon arrival at his nice home, I noticed how spacious the town is. Homes are spread everywhere, from the modern cement brick home with satellite tv and running well water, to the more traditional Ghanaian homes made of mid. Thomas told me the northern part of the country, including Wiaga, is the poorest. And, this is the start of the rainy season where their crops should be grown to almost full bloom. Sadly, we are nearing the end of June and not much rain at all. Thomas is saying they are headed into a drought which will be tough as many villagers rely on their own crops and food dependencies.

Anyway, everyone in Wiaga is so polite and friendly. They welcome me with big smiles on their faces and saying Good Morning in their native language, Buli. They also say welcome and I’m to respond back to them in Buli. Luckily I had Thomas there to tell me what to say although I had skewed the pronunciation.

Thomas showed me around the village on the way to St Thomas Aquinas Prep School. As I arrived. I received the warmest kind hearted reception from the students. They marched out singing a welcome song and officially welcoming me to Ghana. I thought that was it. The kids had smiles on their faces and I meet the head school master, Benjamin and the teachers, many of them young in their 20s.  We walked into the office and I was greeted by two young children who gave me a ceremonial drink of water inside a gourd. I had to rely Jiem Jiem (typing uncertain) meaning thank you. I was told to pretend to take the sip as the water was well water.

I took many photos and had photos taken with me from the teachers, the two students who welcomed me. Even Thomas and the teachers were taking photos.  I got to go into each class room and learned that the school runs from a nursery up to Grade 3 as of now. They are in the process of building another building which will enable to school to go up to High School.
Many of the kids were shy at first. They thought I had a funny accent when they asked me questions. I’d ask them questions too about what they were learning. Of course there were some kids who were the class clowns. The 1st graders even showed me how they were learning phonics.
I got to tour the grounds to see all that was because of my parents and my Aunt Carolyn’s influence. Everyone at St Thomas Aquinas was so happy and grateful for generosity and compassion.  I know how I’d love to get others involved, including my own school. The teachers loved the gifts of school supplies I brought them. They could always use school supplies, books, library books, and their dream os to have a computer lab with decent laptops.
The students are so excited I will spend Monday with them and interact with them in classes. Tuesday is an even bigger day as they are doing the official building dedication and have a surprise for me as i have for them.

I must say how humbling and heartwarming this experience is.  I see the simplicity in their  hour is lives as many lack running water and basic items we take for granted.  Later in the evening I got to meet the local pastor who came over for a drink, Fr. George who is a character. I told him every hour is happy hour in Ghana as he was embedded in watching the African Cup. I know the trip will only get more amazing.

Attached are only a few of the photos of my days adventure. Only the tip of the iceberg as I have much more