Team iam1ru Ghana - some "memory points" from our trip

Our 10 days in Ghana FLEW by...and yet each day was packed full of unique experiences that have created memories for us to look back on and stories to tell.

This is a summary of our trip (and several of our "inside jokes/memory points") to help us remember...

Almost "Ghana"...tomorrow is our last day

It's hard to believe that we leave tomorrow night.  The time here has flown by. We've been busy this week doing and seeing all kinds of things - giving us a rounded experience of Ghana.  We have made some new friends, and will miss them and all the wonderful children we've had the chance to hug and hold. 

Some thoughts from the team...

I asked the team members to each share something about their experience here in Ghana so far....

Day 4 & 5 - A bit of the culture...and then the STREET PARTY!

On Tuesday, we visited the Osu area as they were preparing for a big festival.  We watched as they prepared several traditional dishes and got to try using a mortar and pestle to crush cornmeal.  In the afternoon, we went to a local market and bought a few souvenirs.

Wednesday was a BUSY day as we prepared for the big street party!!!!

Day 3 - Painting at the children's home

We feel like we've been here for a week already cause we have traveled so much and been so busy.  Today we met the children and workers at the Assurance of Hope Children's Home in Teshie.  In the past several months, we have posted and fulfilled a few dreams for these kids - a pizza party at Christmas, new bunk beds (to replace sleeping on the floor) and we fixed the screens and louvres on the windows.

Day 2 - A visit to the Leprosarium

After our big shopping day yesterday (we picked up all the children when it was still dark...and didn't get them home until dark - long day!!), we went to visit them and their families at the leprosarium today. Because of a great currency exchange rate AND some great bartering at the market....we had some money leftover from the "dream day" sponsorships and were able to purchase some food staples for the leprosarium.

Our first Dream Project DONE...shopping with 66 children

We had posted a dream project on the website to take 110 children out for a "Dream Day" that consisted of shopping in the market (for the first time ever) and choosing their own clothing and shoes (instead of just 'hand-me-downs')...and then a pizza lunch at a nearby restaurant. Amazingly, our team of 7 along with a group of 14 fantastic volunteers from here in Ghana, managed to maneuver a busy market and buy 2 outfits, shoes and underclothing for the first 66 children!!! (the others will get their turn this Friday)

Waiting in Boston...

We are taking advantage of the free wifi to give updates. We are demonstrating our team spirit by sporting our iam1ru temporary tattoos. We brought several hundred to give out to the children (along with toys, stickers, pencils etc)

We are at the airport...

We've cleared customs and security (whew). Now just waiting I board the flight for the first leg of our big journey. Toronto to Boston. (then Boston to NYC and NYC to Accra, Ghana) We are excited! We will try to update as much as possible!