Junior High Science Room Coming Soon!

It started with a suggestion from Sarfo Hayford, Science Curriculum manager for the Ghana Education Service, Axim-Nzema East District. "Why not build one really good science room for hands-on science education for junior high students from several schools?" He explained that there was no way that individual schools would be able to afford even modest science rooms now or in the foreseeable future. Well, why not, we thought?? Good idea!!

That was January 2010. We all went to work. In Axim, the Western Heritage Home Board offered a large room in their centrally-located facility. They painted the room, and arranged for carpenters to build tables and shelving.

The Axim District Assembly agreed to help with utility costs. American friends were their typically generous "donor" selves, bless them.

Jerome Chandler, Ghana Together's Science Project Manager, with his sidekick Rich Ward, acquired or built an unbelievable amount of materials, wrote experiments, and prepared teacher instructions. The Ghana Education Service found Eric, a local enthusiastic teacher, who will be the full-time Science Room Supervisor. And they are arranging the "timetable" for the classes.

Ghana Together has shipped 18 boxes of materials not easily procurable in Ghana, with 200 lbs more in suitcases, and with Sarfo purchasing some items there. All efforts are aimed at providing a practicum experience, based on the GES JHS Science curriculum, to enhance and complete the classroom theoretical training provided in their regular classrooms.

In September, Jerome will travel to Axim to work with Eric to set up the room, train the teachers, and meet some of the students. The science room will open September, 2011, in the Western Heritage Home facility for students from Axim's five government-funded junior high schools and their teachers.

We can't wait to see the photos! YES!!!

 Stay tuned....

Hosting Paramount Chief Awulae Attibrukusu

Photo courtesy Rosemary Rawcliffe

Ghana Together had the pleasure of welcoming Lower Axim Traditional Area Paramount Chief Awulae Attibrukusu III to Northwest Washington, June 29-July 2. Awulae had spent the previous six weeks in California, participating in an intensive training program in Business Administration. His visit gave us a rare chance to visit informally with this dedicated African leader and return in small part the hospitality he always extends to us when we visit Axim.

While in the Puget Sound area, he met with Lawrence Tolliver, Sales Director for Boeing in Africa, South America, and Caribbean. He visited the Swinomish Indian Reservation in LaConner, WA, as a guest of Chairman Brian Cladoosby. He met with the Economic Development Association of Skagit County. Staff of the Mount Vernon Public Library gave him an overview of their children’s programs, since one of his interests is improving children’s services in the modest public library in Axim. He met many friends of Ghana Together at an informal Open House.

Awulae and Brian Cladoosby, Chairman Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

He toured the new Northwest Career & Technical Academy in Mount Vernon, which is funded by several school districts. Since Ghana Together is working with Awulae, Western Heritage Home, and the Axim School District to create a science room that will serve as a central resource for several schools, the Academy, based on a similar model, was of particular interest.
Awulae is the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Council. He is called “King” by his people in the Nzema Traditional Area. It is a hereditary position. Although Ghana is a democracy, it retains its chieftaincy system. Awulae is the Paramount Chief for over more than 40 villages, each having a chief who is under his authority. He also manages many hectares of traditional land on behalf of his people.

Awulae leads his people in all cultural traditions, presiding over the local “Kundum Festival” which has been celebrated by the Nzema people every September for centuries, with drumming, reconciliation, parades, and feasts.

Among Awulae’s recent community achievements is leading the 2009 establishment of a new all-girls high school in Axim, the second in the Western Region of some 2 million people. He has served as a founding member on the Board of Western Heritage Home since its inception in 2005 (the Ghanaian community-based non-profit we’ve worked with for about five years now).

He is President of the Western Region House of Chiefs, and currently serves as Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, advising the President of Ghana on traditional matters and development of resources on traditional lands.

He is active in managing the ramifications of the recent discovery of oil off-shore (Atlantic Ocean) in his area of Ghana (Nzema Lands, Cape Three Points). He serves on the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Board. He recently was part of a government-sponsored entourage which visited Trinidad-Tobago to work out business plans for establishing natural gas facilities in the Nzema area. He is involved in overseeing the development by an Australian company of gold mining on traditional lands in the area. He serves on the Board of Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited.

Most importantly, he is a true champion of his Nzema people---he sees himself as “representing his people”, as he said many times. We loved hosting him and he enjoyed meeting us and thanking the many folks who support our mutual projects in Axim.

With Ghana Together Board Members Tom Castor (Vice President) and Louise Wilkinson

 

With a few Ghana Together friends at Open House

Wow! Look At All Those Books!!

Mercy Ackah, Axim Librarian, unpacking the treasure trove of books for young children

Regina Lawler, Michigan Librarian, with books and learning materials she brought to Axim in 2010

Gaddiel E, Library Assistant, looking out from his library on top floor of the Community Center

Finally, thanks to a long chain of absolutely wonderful people---a dedicated church group led by a public service librarian with an energetic engineer husband, a gifted and generous young opera singer, a library assistant in Accra, a native Aximite now living in the US, a friend of a friend of a friend with a Ford Van, and a gifted librarian in Axim---there are approximately enough books in the Axim Library for one for each child from the “pre-school to first grade” age level. We don't know exactly how many children that is, but we're hoping we hit it about right.
Here’s the story! It’s a little long, but we think you’ll enjoy it!

In February 2010, Michigan librarian Regina Lawler visited Axim, along with her friend Maryanne Ward, also a librarian, and current President of Ghana Together. They visited the Axim Public Library and noticed how much improved it was, but also how incredibly few books there were for very young children---those just being introduced to reading—crucial in Axim where literacy is a top community goal.

The Axim Public Library has recently been moved into the upper floors of the Axim Community Center, thanks to major efforts of Axim’s District Assembly to repair the roof, set up shelving, clean and repair, etc. Also, the Ghana Library Board has staffed the Axim Library with a professionally trained librarian and two assistants. This dedication of local and national leaders to library services impressed us.

Regina was visiting Axim to see for herself the pre-school she, her husband Barry, and her church, St. Philip’s Episcopal in Rochester, MI had successfully completed. St. Philip’s worked with St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Axim to convert an old, unfinished storage shed into two lovely classrooms with plans for a third (now completed). But, although Regina and her team had also contributed books and learning materials to the Anglican pre-school, it became immediately apparent to her that, when told there are probably between 1200 and 1500 or so children in Axim in the pre-school to first grade levels, there was an acute shortage of reading materials for these children. We don’t know whether that estimate is true, but 1500 made a great target!

When she returned to Michigan, she and her church decided to fill the “reading material gap” in our favorite Ghanaian town! They turned to music, working with friends Sian and Mark Davis. Sian is a young lyric soprano on operatic and oratorio stages, having performed with the Chicago Opera Theatre, Santa Fe Opera, the Roma Festival Orchestra, Michigan State Opera, and many universities. Luckily, Sian has family ties to St. Philip’s church. Wow! What a concert she put on for family and friends at St. Philips! She called it “Songs for Stories” and treated her audience to songs from traditional Welsh to American Musicals and Italian opera. (Sian, are you reading this? Thanks a whole heap!!)

So, more folks donated funds. Books were acquired and shipped, and now at long last, have arrived in Axim! Arrangements have been made with Mercy Ackah, the professional librarian assigned by the Ghana Library Board to manage the public library in Axim. The Library will offer a “Story Hour” program, and also will provide a service to the local schools so that the children will be able to access the books at their schools. Access to books at that age is such a novelty that the library and schools will be teaching the children how to turn pages and handle the books including the children washing their hands before touching the books. Regina’s husband Barry has prepared temporary library cards so the books can be used immediately, while the more formal cataloging is done by the Ghana Library Board.

At the end of November, Isaac Bentil, the Western Heritage Home manager, traveled to the Osu Children’s Library in Accra and purchased, on St. Philip’s behalf, 150 books featuring Ghanaian children and stories. The goal was to buy multiple copies of every children's book we could find with a Ghanaian setting. Many more special books were bought from Rochester, MI merchants. Visits to book sales, second hand stores, and donations from personal libraries completed the project. All were carefully chosen by librarians or teachers of young children. They are culturally sensitive, new or almost new, and most are in English, with a few in French and Arabic. Ebby Mienza, a Ghanaian-American born and raised in Axim and who as a boy actually used the Axim Public Library himself, arranged the shipping. Ebby’s friend Ishmael met the container at the port in Tema, and a third friend—also from Axim but now living in Accra—generously hauled the books to Axim via his Ford van.

This project continues St Philip’s support of the Millennium Development Goal to address extreme poverty. The educational opportunities these books provide will make a significant long term impact on the lives of these children, especially girls, by enabling them to overcome their handicaps from impoverished uneducated homes, take advantage of the limited educational opportunities and break the cycle of poverty by providing better opportunities for their children. Regardless of their own educational background, parents in Axim are dedicated to educating their children, with the Ghana Education Board joining in by targeting 2015 as the year every Ghanaian child will be attending primary school.

Ghana Together, a US 501c3,  works with our Ghanaian counterparts in Axim---Western Heritage Home--- to coordinate projects like this. We know the town well, assess the needs, connect US organizations to the appropriate partners in Axim, and in general leverage our own skills and resources with links to other organizations. Contact us for more information.

Internet Orientation Day at WHH

Students and teachers from Nsein High School, and from Manye Academy and Augustina Junior High recently visited the WHH facility for their first taste of the internet (and of computers)! We love the concentration on their faces! These students have heard about email, social networking, and internet research. They want with all their young hearts to join their peers around the world.

The students are using One Laptop Per Child computers donated by North Americans who participated in the Give One/Get One program. Ghana Together receives them, does a "clean build", and repairs if needed.

These computers will be used for regular Junior High ICT (information/computing technology) classes beginning May 2011, the third term of the school year. Several of the junior high schools will use the WHH OLPC/ICT learning room. It is vital, because the students must pass ICT exams to qualify for Senior High.

The OLPCs are great for this purpose. Not only do the students learn basic computing "facts", such as keyboards, back spaces, screens, and what a computer actually is, but the machines have about two dozen "activities" loaded on them. The students learn math, writing, measurement, research--and yes internet use--- and so much more while using these machines. These "Activities" are the real strength of these computers---creative uses are endless!

Ghana Together's OLPC efforts fall in the "community program" category. Around the world, OLPCs are purchased by government education departments. We are pleased that we've introduced OLPCs to the Axim community. One school in Axim recently acquired about 30 OLPCs from their own Ghana Education Service, and we were delighted to provide that teacher with various guides, manuals, websites, etc. to help him use them to the maximum benefit.

A very special thank you goes to all the wonderful folks who donated OLPCs. You've made the day for a lot of youngsters!
            

Love Those Letters!

Isaac and Ernestina read their new penpal letters!

Our Ghana Together penpal project helps the children of the WHH Children's Home make friends with us North Americans, and vice versa. Before long, it'll probably all be "globalized" with email, Facebook, and who knows what social media! But for now, the good old-fashioned letter works perfectly and receiving them is a highlight for the children. Children in Axim generally see few people from outside their Nzema East area. Thanks to Chief Awulae, the Children's Home does have a small TV, tuned to the Ghanaian "PBS" equivalent. But, the world is changing rapidly, and the letters help the children to connect to the rest of the world in a safe and friendly way. Thank you, North Americans, for your participation!!

Thank You Axim Community!!

It takes a whole village (municipality) to support a community organization! Western Heritage Home, our partner NGO that coordinates multiple projects in the Axim area, enjoys the positive regard of the Axim community. Recently, Barbara Davis, the Home Mother, Isaac Bentil, the Managing Director of WHH and James Kainyiah, Chairman of the Board, tallied up the gifts received by the Children’s Home in the last few months from local churches, mosques, businesses, and individuals. Ghana Together is grateful for the mostly financial donations from Americans---simple to wire, easy in terms of customs regulations, and supports local Axim businesses. However, it’s really great to know that local folks are pitching in, as well.

We thought you might like to see the list! And oh, the frisbees are a gift from kind Americans---an exciting new sport for the children.

2 sachet of fresh taste, 1 bag of Rice, 1 tin tomato, 3bottles of oil, 1 box of biscuit, clothes, 2 fresh sachet of fresh taste, and 1 box of biscuits
Cloths (towels)
Pencils, drawing sheets, crayons, and calculators Toys, story books, dresses, panties, sandals, necklaces, color pencils etc
T-shirts and trousers
1 bag of rice, 1 box of soap, 2 packets of t-rolls
1 carton of milk, 2 bags of fresh taste
1 gallon of oil, 2 packs of toffees, 5 bags of water
Toothbrushes/Tooth pastes
18 shorts, underwear’s for both for both boys and girls
1 bag of 50kg rice, 2 gallons of cooking oil, 6 pieces of clothes for girls and 2 crates of eggs
2 bags of rice, 2 gallons of vegetable oil and 1 big tin tomato
1 bag of rice
19 eating bowls
1 deep freezer (for freezing fish)
Clothing
22 Books
Clothing and food stuffs
Food stuffs
1 carton of Chicken, Perfume rice, 1 gallon of oil
Rice, gari, Tomatoes, Groundnut paste
2nd-hand cloth
Rice, Biscuits, 2 cartons of drinks
Rice, carton of tin tomatoes
Water, bread, rice, biscuits, provisions, oil, soaps, etc.
30 Ghana cedis Cash
Gari, tomatoes, used cloths
Used clothes and shoes
Used clothes
Clothes, cocktail drinks (non-alcohol!! :)
Cloths
Shoes and used cloths
Crate of soft drinks/ used clothes
Soft drinks
Used clothes
500 Ghana cedis Cash (about $360 US)

New Desks For Anglican "A" Primary School

Students from Axim's Anglican "A" Primary School help carry into their school 50 new student desks. Western Heritage Home (WHH), with funding assistance from Ghana Together, presented the desks, two teachers' desks and two teachers' chairs. The school is running split shifts, due to overcrowding.  However, two of the usable classrooms, with good roofs, could not be used because there were no desks for the children. Now at least 80 more children will be able to attend school all day, thanks to generous friends.

The desks were built by Mr. Francis Amokwaw, a local Axim carpenter with a shop near the school, at a cost of about $1400 US. Francis used native Ghana hardwood for long-lasting durability. In a note to Ghana Together, Mrs. Cecilia Nokoe, Headmistress, and the Rev. F.B. Dickson, Parish Priest, extended their thanks from the entire school and church. Isaac Bentil oversaw the project on behalf of WHH. Nana Adjow Sika II, Queen Mother of Upper Axim Traditional Council, lay leader in the Anglican Church, and WHH Board Member, assisted in the dedication of the desks.

The Anglican School in Axim is a "government school"---what we in the US would call a "public school." However, Anglican missionaries built the school early in the 20th century, and while the St. Mary's Anglican Church still owns the building, the Axim Education Dept runs the programs, provides teachers, and pays per capita amounts for each student enrolled. The "Methodist" and "Catholic" schools in Axim are managed under the same arrangement.

Ghana Together is delighted to be able to help WHH, a Ghanaian-registered NGO managed by Mr. James Kainyiah, Board Chair, and Mr. Isaac Bentil, Managing Director. WHH is a community-based charity NGO focused mostly on children and health.

Axim Muslim Community Celebrates End of Ramadan With Gifts

The WHH Children's Home was delighted to receive 200 lbs of rice and two gallons of cooking oil, along with tomato paste and other food items, from the local Muslim community youth in celebration of the end of Ramadan. With both WHH scholars and staff as well as Muslim community members looking on, Mr. Isaac Bentil, Managing Director of Western Heritage Home, accepts these generous gifts from the Imam of the Axim Muslim community.

The WHH Children's Home is a community-based Home. It accepts children from all faiths, if it is determined that there is no reasonable "family alternative." We of Ghana Together, a US-based 501c3 non-profit, provide most of the funding for the daily operation of the Children's Home and other Axim projects helping children. We are so grateful for these gifts from the local Axim community and proud that the Children's Home merits the support of local folks. If you would like to join in this circle of friendship, from Ghana you can contact Western Heritage Home staff in Axim directly, or go to http:/ghanatogether.org for more information. Thank you!

Cooking at the WHH Children's Home: Gas Ring versus Coal Pot

This past month, Western Heritage Home purchased a "gas ring" cooker to supplement or even replace the "coal pot" technology. Shown here is the new propane gas cooker and a traditional coal pot. The gas ring is a big improvement because it burns cleanly, eliminating the smoke inhalation that plagues cooks in Ghana. It also eliminates the need for charcoal, which is a big problem in countries like Ghana where forests are being depleted. The gas cooker itself cost about $50 US. There is a challenge because the propane to fill the gas cylinder is not always available in Axim. The staff will keep the coal pot and have charcoal on hand for those times when propane runs out and none can be purchased. The photo above shows the cooking process: large "head pan" for cleaning the fish or vegetables, coal cooker and small pot, and large "soup pot". The cooks typically sit on the low stools. The older WHH girls have all learned to cook; girls are allowed to help from the youngest age---in this case, helping to peel the shallots.

WHH Internet Cafe/Computer Lab Gets Air Conditioning

Mr. Isaac Bentil, Managing Director of Western Heritage Home in Axim, Ghana, oversees "Emma", the technican from Zain Corporation, as he installs an air conditioning unit in the WHH Community Learning Center's Internet Cafe/Computer Learning Laboratory. WHH staff entered the "Zain's Touching Lives" content, winning a complete computer lab, with ten desktops, software, peripherals, and the all important high-speed internet service. The AC will be operated only on an as-needed basis, to conserve energy.

The lab is up and running, with customers coming to use the internet and students taking advantage of beginning computer classes as they prepare for the ICT sections of their final exams.

WHH will also install a few webcams and headsets, so families can "talk" to each other long distance via internet. The internet cafe will be a new and needed link for Nzema families as they stay in touch with extended family members living in other parts of the world. Ex-pats who may be reading this might wish to remind their families in the Nzema area about this new service. Staff at WHH stand ready to help folks set up emails, learn the ropes, and get launched! There is a reasonable fee for the service.Any profits will go to buying food and school costs for the children who reside at WHH's Children's Home.

Ghana Together helped with technical advice and some equipment and software not readily available in Ghana. We're proud that the facility we helped build is being put to such good use by our friends in Axim.

We Lose Our Friend Leif

In the early evening of June 12, 2010, Ghana Together and Western Heritage Home lost our dear friend Leif Pederson. In spite of doctors’ best effort, his life could not be saved. And so we must say goodbye to our brother who has been part of our Ghana Together team since its inception, first as a delegate on our first journey under the sponsorship of Global Citizen Journey, and for three years as a Ghana Together Board member, serving as Vice President of Technology and Planning. Leif also served as Advisory Member of the Western Heritage Home Board, our partner NGO working with us in Axim, Ghana. We thank God for Leif’s life, and ask comfort for his family and friends across the globe. For those reading this who may wish to send their condolences to Leif’s family and close circle of friends, we invite emails addressed to info@ghanatogether.org.

Leif K. PEDERSON Born Chicago, IL September 18, 1957; Died Seattle, WA June 12, 2010. Dearly beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and member of both local and global communities.

Leif passed away peacefully at Harborview Hospital after suffering sudden, unexpected complications from surgery six weeks prior.

Leif attended the University of Illinois (Bachelor's degree Computer Engineering, 1979) and the University of California-Berkeley (Master's degree Electri cal Engineering, 1981). Highlights of Leif's professional life include 6 years at AT&T in Boulder, Colorado and 15 years as a high level manager at Microsoft. He has two US patents in his name.

Since retiring from Microsoft in 2003, Leif contributed to many global humanitarian causes, and was a founding member of Ghana Together, a non-pro fit organization that built an orphanage in Axim, Ghana and which helps the local community with educational and social needs.

Leif was an avid photogra pher, drummer, boater, music aficionado and radio enthusiast, and an aspiring physicist. He loved to travel, living in Sweden for a year and visiting dozens of other countries. He made lasting friendships all over the world.

Leif is survived by his wife Sue Pederson and stepchildren Anna and Kevin Kaminski of Bainbridge Island, WA; two daughters, Kristin Pederson currently living in South Korea and Kelly Pederson of Woodinville, WA; father, Earl K. Pederson of Batavia, IL; brother Glenn E. and Mrs. Barbara J. Pederson and nephew Eric D. Pederson all of Sussex, WI.

Services will be held Friday, June 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm, at the Seabold United Methodist Church (of which he was a member), 6894 NE Seabold Church Rd, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206-842-3622). Dona tions in Leif's name may be sent to Ghana Together, 808 Addison Place, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 (GhanaTogether.org).

WHH Academy Opens New Internet Cafe - Sometimes MIRACLES Happen!

Ariana Amarh Trying It Out!

Back in 2009, the Zain Communication Network advertised their "Zain Touching Lives" contest. Aspirants were invited to submit their "dream" with hopes of becoming the lucky winner. Ariana Amarh, WHH Business Manager, had a dream---yes she did! She submitted her “dream” essay on behalf of Western Heritage Home to Zain. And -- miracles of miracles -- she won the contest! And so, in late March, Zain representatives delivered the Touching Life program’s winning package to the WHH.


WHH received 10 computers and monitors, plus software and other peripherals necessary to provide broadband internet access. In addition, the Zain package included a bread baking oven, baking sheets, cake sheets, and necessary gas cylinders, plus flour and other ingredients.

Delivery day was a celebration! In the words of Barbara Davis, WHH Secretary: "We invited the prominent people in Axim, Nananom/Awulaemo (chief and elders from the two Traditional Areas) Students from Senior High Schools in Axim and Community Development Training Institute, Assembly Members from all the electoral areas, Media men/News men, Municipal Chief Executive, Information Service Department and the Board of Directors of W.H.H to grace the function of Zain donating package to the home.”

“Sky power FM Radio from Takoradi and Ankobra FM were present. They interviewed Mr. Isaac Bentil, Mr. James Kainyiah, and Winifred, a staffer from Zain who is in charge of package delivery. They were so happy to see the children in a very nice condition and healthy atmosphere. We also made mention of the internet cafe that we will start to operate very soon and the remedial class which was in progress.”

So, wonder of wonders! The Western Heritage Home Academy now has a modern high-speed internet café---Axim’s first! A bonus is that internet is also now available to the One Laptop Per Child computers used by the WHH children living in the Children's Home.

The Internet Cafe opened to the public on April 1. WHH will use the Zain oven to start a bread-baking business in their large storage building. They plan to sell bread on Sundays. The Café, Bakery, and Secondary Remedial Program provide needed services to the Axim community and revenue from them will be used by WHH Board to help support WHH’s children’s programs.

Ghana Together congratulates Ariana for her success! Maxwell Quarm, WHH computer instructor/technician, is working with Leif Pederson, Ghana Together Board member, to install Internet Café management software, and ensure correct setup of all the computers. Ariana herself, and Mr. Isaac Bentil, Managing Director, are making sure the business side of the program is running smoothly and securely.

Western Heritage Home Board Hires Managing Director

As their programs expand and more of their mission objectives are being realized, the Western Heritage Home Board has recognized the need for an experienced locally-based leader. Mr. Isaac Bentil fills that need. Mr. Bentil has served on the WHH Board since its inception, In fact, he and James Kainyiah were first to recognize the need in the Axim community for a broad-based Ghanaian-managed non-profit (NGO), and together laid the foundation for what they dreamed would be a Children's Home.

Mr. Bentil will direct all WHH activities, including the Children's Home, Academy, Women's Economic Development, and Internet Cafe, and new programs that are developed as WHH pursues its mission.

Mr. Bentil has long been active in the Axim community. Known simply as "Bentil", he is the owner of Ben-Ben Enterprise, a printing business located in the heart of Axim Town, right across from the Castle. He is a leading layman in the Axim Methodist Church, and also in Methodist activities in the Western Region. He annually organizes the Kundum Festival, which traditionally celebrates Nzema culture through ceremony, dancing, and drumming, and which calls folks back to their family homes in Axim from far and near.

Mr. Bentil's oldest son has joined him in his business, leaving him time for his first love---working for the betterment of children, especially, and the economic, educational, and social development of the Axim community.

Ghana Together folks are very familiar with Bentil, because he was a Global Citizen Journey delegate during our first visit to Axim. As a WHH Board member, he has worked closely with our Ghana Together Board since our inception. We are delighted not only to welcome him to the new job, but also to congratulate the WHH Board on its successful three years of operation and steady success in realizing their mission.

Board members shown left to right in photo above are: Maryanne Ward, President Ghana Together Board and advisory member of the WHH Board; Father Paul Awuah (Axim Catholic Church); Miss Frances Polley (retired math teacher); Mr. James Kainyiah (Nana Kaku Bullu II, Chair and Founder of WHH NGO, owner of JamKay enterprises and Development Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Council), Isaac Bentil, Ariana Amarh (WHH Business Mgr), and Mad. Hajara Yakubu (Dir. Community Development Vocational Institute).

WE HAVE WATER!!

Leif Pederson, GT Board member, and two plumbers from Breakthrough Plumbing (Axim business) discuss the in's and out's of how to get water into the polytank. At the recommendation of the Engineers Without Borders-Northwest team that worked in Axim late 2009, the plumbers installed the necessary pipes and materials to fill the tank with Axim city water. When the city water fails, due to rationing of water or power outages when the pumps stop running, the Children's Home now has a reserve supply to tide them over (with careful use).

The plumbing materials were supplied by the Koo-ooo-Koo business in Axim. Wilson Kwadam, Ghana Water Company manager in Axim, generously offered expert advice gratis. Patrick Kwofie, WHH staff member responsible for the WHH facility, shows proof that there really is water in the tank! The tank itself and stand were funded by a grant from the Mercer Island, Washington Rotary Foundation. Tom Castor, Mercer Island Rotarian and GT Board member, kept us all on track.

Long-range plans call for a rainwater roof runoff system. Meanwhile, the 21 children, WHH staff, Secondary School remedial students using the facility, and others will have at least minimal drinking/cooking/bath water during the dry season and frequent power outages. It took a long time, but by working together step-by-step, we got it done! Thanks to all.

SSNIT Donates Foodstuffs to WHH Children's Home

Local members of the SSNIT office in Axim made a surprise visit to the Children's Home on January 24, bringing with them much welcome gifts of rice, oil, flour, and other foodstuffs. The manager of the office presented the gifts to Ariana Amarh, Business Manager of the Western Heritage Home NGO, who thanked him on behalf of the entire staff and children. The SSNIT is a state-sponsored pension system, similar to the Social Security system in the US. Ghana Together thanks them too, and welcomes their support in this unique partnership between Americans and Ghanaians.

We Host John Abugri, Axim-based Ghanaian Health Officer

Ghana Together (GT) and Engineers Without Borders–Northwest Washington Professionals Chapter (EWB-NW) had the pleasure of hosting Mr. John Abugri, a Disease Control Officer from Axim, Ghana. John arrived in Bellingham, Washington on November 18, 2009. He financed his own travel expenses and we in turn welcomed him into our homes and shared our meals and our ordinary lives with him. W arranged meetings and experiences for him to learn all he could, focusing on the EWB’s ongoing water and sanitation project in Axim and on public health and sanitation practices here in our area. While here, John served as a consultant to the local EWB-NW team, which had recently returned from their fact finding mission to Ghana in September 2009.

John’s first “event” was a joyous social reunion with most of the EWB-NW and Ghana Together team members. John is well-known to all of us from our former journeys to Ghana. In fact, it was John who first requested and has been our partner for our Ghana Together “veronica bucket” project, which has placed 64 hand-washing stations in Axim schools. And, most importantly for his visit to the US, John had served as a vital resource to EWB-NW team while they were in Axim.

Since it was Thanksgiving week here in the US, work was put aside and John was treated to the gifts of the Pacific Northwest—Pike Street Market in Seattle, the Space Needle Restaurant, and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with Jeanie Birchall’s family. Jerome Chandler took him to St James Cathedral in Seattle, and a visit to the Ballard Locks. Other enthusiastic friends took him to play in the snow on Mt Baker twice—the one big wish besides the EWB work for this son of tropical Africa!

Having been properly introduced to our Northwest culture and environment, on Monday, November 30, the serious work began. Ravyn Whitewolf, EWB-NW Axim Project Manager and civil engineer with Bellingham’s Public Works Dept and John met in her office, followed by a long work session with the entire EWB-NW team.

Together they reviewed their findings from the recent EWB project assessment in Axim, Ghana in September, 2009, in which John had participated. They laid out a plan for the next steps with the project. John agreed to be a communications conduit between the EWB-NW team and its counterparts in Axim. He was supplied with many maps and documents to deliver to the partners on the ground in Ghana.

Since part of John’s job is teaching disease control and sanitation in the Axim schools, and because he was formerly a primary teacher, he felt a visit to a typical American primary school would be helpful. GT Board member Barbara Gilday arranged for presentations in second and fifth grade classes in a Bellingham public school. In the 5th grade class, he was captivated with the thoughtfulness of the questions—particularly the one asked by a boy about why someone has not yet developed a vaccine against malaria. As a Disease Control Specialist in tropical West Africa, John battles the causes and effects of malaria daily, but he was surprised that an American boy was so knowledgeable and concerned about it.

In the second grade class, he played with the children and teased them, including inviting himself to breakfast with one boy, who quickly wrote his telephone number down for John to call his mother. The children loved him and we think maybe he loved them back!

On December 7, John met with the local Whatcom County Public Health Department. Ravyn Whitewolf presented a slideshow highlighting background information about health challenges in Axim, Ghana. This was followed by many questions and answers regarding health issues in both Bellingham and Axim. Later that day, accompanied one of the staff members, John observed field inspections. This was his other big wish besides the EWB work.

We are inspired by John---his determination to make life better for ordinary folks in Axim, his humble nature and eagerness to learn, his gentle ways. We know this visit was one of the highlights of his life and will inspire his work in every way. We have been privileged to have him in our midst.

First Student Completes Extensive ICT Course in WHH Computer Learning Laboratory in Axim, Ghana

Ivy, seen here with her WHH ICT teacher Maxwell Quarm, is a very special lady! She is the first bona fide student to complete the Academy's newly launched Information, Computing & Technology (ICT) program. Ivy is a graduate of Badu-Bonso Senior High School in Agona (about 25 miles from Axim). It was her Father who urged her to register for the courses. He wants her to be computer literate and suitable for the job market, he says, and has been fully supportive of Ivy's determination. She will finish the course Friday this week!

WHH provided Ivy accommodations in the Women's Hostel on the 2nd floor of their facility, near the Computing Laboratory. Ivy prepared her own meals in the WHH facility's kitchen (thank you Kirkland Rotary for funding the kitchen!).Without this assistance, this computer training would have been beyond the reach of Ivy and her family. We congratulate Ivy on her major accomplishment and also Maxwell who has been with her every step of the way.

Starting with a small set of used laptops donated by Claudine and Mark Rubin of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Inc. (bless you!),  the Western Heritage Home Academy has launched a Vocational Computer Learning Laboratory on the 2nd floor of its facility in Axim. The Lab is aimed especially at young adults who have finished school or at working folks needing ICT skills as Ghana's economy modernizes. Starting from humble beginnings with just two students, the Academy is now actively registering students and will be fully operational in January 2010.

Leif Pederson, Ghana Together's VP for Planning and Technology, has actively mentored this new program. Frank Cudjoe, a Ghanaian friend from Axim who works professionally in IT in Accra, has helped out during trips back to his family home in Axim Town. Pat and Bill Gick provided coordination and logistical support. Maxwell Quarm, an experienced ICT teacher, joined WHH in early Fall 2009. Maxwell has prepared a curriculum, and joins with Ariana Amarh, WHH Manager, in marketing the program to the greater Axim community. Maxwell also mentors the WHH Scholars and neighborhood friends with the One Laptop Per Child computers, aimed at the "little guys" (and bless you, all your OLPC'ers out there!).

WHH's dream is to create a center of excellence for computer learning in the Axim area. From these humble beginnings, their dream is becoming reality!

FIZIKS IS PHUN!! JEROME IS BACK

Jerome Chander, retired Skagit Valley College instructor, conducted three week-long science workshops for Axim junior high science teachers.  The classes were held in the conference room at the Western Heritage Home Community Learning Center. In spite of challenges---heat, humidity, overheated overhead projector, transportation difficulties---more than 30 young science teachers participated. The closing ceremony featured young women dancers, residents of the Children's Home, who had been practicing their traditional dances, complete with drummers. An unforgettable experience for all involved.

Jerome has put together a website with more photos and stories at
http://www.jeromechandler.blogspot.com/

Joana Goes to School

Joana, the next to newest child to join the Western Heritage Home family, started school two weeks ago! This photo, taken on her very first day, obviously shows how much she loves going with all her "siblings" down the path to the Manye Academy where she is enrolled in the nursery class. Barbara Davis, the Home Mother, reports that she especially loves her new blue uniform---so proud to be just like all other children!

Joana was brought to the Home by her very elderly grannie some months ago, when her family situation became untenable. She has joined the Home at the request of the Nzema East District Social Welfare Department. Suffice it to say that we of Ghana Together feel a great deal of satisfaction that, thanks to the WHH Children's Home, dedicated staff, and support of friends, this precious little girl has a chance at life!

Western Heritage Home Hires New Manager

WHH has hired Ariana Amerley Amarh as Manager. Ariana is a graduate of University of Ghana-Legon with degrees in sociology and history. Her prior experience includes work in sales and teaching, She did her national service in the Department of Social Welfare, Sekondi, as an Assistant Hospital Welfare Worker. Welcome Ariana!!

In the photo, Peter proudly shows off his One Laptop Per Child computer to Ariana while Barbara Davis, WHH Home Mother, works on the office computer in the background, with help from Eric. Twenty-two children currently are part of the WHH family. WHH also runs programs in senior secondary tutorial and exam preparation, vocational computing, and supports health and sanitation projects in the town of Axim, Ghana. Ghana Together partners with WHH and supports their work. For more about WHH, please see:
http://ghanatogether.org/HTML/About%20Us/About%20Us%20-%20Partners.html

Axim Welcomes Science Workshop

Our last post was about Jerome and Paul going to Axim, Ghana. This photo of the welcoming banner says it all! Meanwhile the Engineers Without Borders team arrived safely home yesterday. Soon we'll post a few photos of their work on Axim water resources.

Science Workshops in Axim

Jerome Chandler, Professor Emeritus, Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA will conduct three week-long workshops for 66 JHS science teachers in the Axim, Ghana School District. With the generous assistance of many friends, Jerome has assembled an impressive set of low-cost materials, mostly built out of ordinary household materials, to demonstrate the principles of physics. He is basing his workshop content on the Ghanaian Dept of Education JHS Science Curriculum.

For example, shown here is a portable tripod, used to support a pendulum, which he says "perfectly demonstrates the scientific methodologies of observation, measurement, and repeatability." Another innovation is the use of two ordinary "slinkies" at about $1.50 each, sewn together with copper wire, with which he can demonstrate all kinds of compression, and wave action, including surfs, tides, currents, etc. (Axim being on the Atlantic Ocean, this is very down-to-earth). He made a simple jigsaw puzzle to show continental plate tectonics, and has various other simple devices to show electrical currents, ultraviolet light, and other natural phenomena. Jerome found a good used overhead projector and assembled dozens of visual materials---creating them himself or through the generosity of Skagit Valley College Science Department. On each overhead transparency he indicates the exact spot in the Ghanaian Science Curriculum that contains the concept he is conveying. All of the materials will be left with the Nsein Senior High in Axim to be available to teachers throughout the district.

The workshops are an outgrowth of conversations between Ghana Together visitors to Axim, and the science curriculum leader there, Mr. Sarfo Hayford. The teachers asked us to find a creative teacher to help them figure out how to teach their curriculum with simple local materials they can afford---not a simple request in a severely strapped community, where the basic teaching materials are blackboard, chalk, and exercise book!

Jerome is accompanied by his son Paul Chandler, who will assist him and also work with the children at WHH Children's Home on One Laptop Per Child Computers and teach them how to play harmonicas!

The workshops are sponsored jointly by Western Heritage Home (Ghanaian NGO), and Ghana Together in conjunction with the Nzema East Education District-Axim.

Engineers Without Borders-NW Washington Chapter Heads to Axim

Two years of planning...countless meetings...numerous phone calls to Ghana (not easy given the erratic phone service and the unfamiliar accents!)...FINALLY, the Bellingham-based Engineers Without Borders Team is heading to Axim, Ghana.

Led by Ravyn Whitewolf, whose daytime job is working as a lead in the Bellingham City Engineering Department, the team includes 5 civil engineers, plus a professional surveyor. They are heading to Axim to work with the Ghana Water Company. Their mission? To work with Wilson Kwadam, Axim Water Company Manager and his engineers to assess the inadequate water supply now available to the city of Axim and formulate a plan for increasing it.

Ravyn also is a Ghana Together Board member. We are thrilled that we, together with Western Heritage Home, our partner NGO in Axim, are able to help with communication, lodging, transportation, and other logistical aspects for the EWB team.

The team has created a blog to forward news while they are in Axim. To learn more about their project and follow their progress, please click on:http://ewb-nwprofessionals-ghana.blogspot.com/

Ghana Together News: Daily Life at WHH Children's Home

Ghana Together News: Daily Life at WHH Children's Home