I missed Eliana’s first call on Sunday morning as I was off running on the Iron-Horse trail. Her message let me know that she had landed safely and was in Accra, Ghana.
When I connected with her on Monday morning she sounded great! As I started to talk with her, I understood the reason for the child-like excitement in her voice: There was a group of about 20 kids playing soccer outside on a dirt field and she was going to go and join them! I was lucky I could hold her on the phone for a couple minutes with a soccer game in progress. She let me know that she had gotten in safely into Accra, and was staying in a small town of about 4,000 called Ofakoor, about 2 hours from Accra (the capital city). She drove there on a main highway busy with cars and vendors alongside it.
There are 9 other volunteers staying there (from Germany, France, England, etc). and there are 2 orphanages nearby. They were all quite surprised when she told them she was going to stay for 3 months, as they are on 2-4 week volunteer trips.
When I connected with her on Monday morning she sounded great! As I started to talk with her, I understood the reason for the child-like excitement in her voice: There was a group of about 20 kids playing soccer outside on a dirt field and she was going to go and join them! I was lucky I could hold her on the phone for a couple minutes with a soccer game in progress. She let me know that she had gotten in safely into Accra, and was staying in a small town of about 4,000 called Ofakoor, about 2 hours from Accra (the capital city). She drove there on a main highway busy with cars and vendors alongside it.
There are 9 other volunteers staying there (from Germany, France, England, etc). and there are 2 orphanages nearby. They were all quite surprised when she told them she was going to stay for 3 months, as they are on 2-4 week volunteer trips.
She was given some of the ‘scoop’ from the other volunteers, hearing that sometimes electricity goes out for 1-3 days at a time, and sometimes you need to use a bucket of water to help flush the toilet when it isn’t working. No problem! She said that I would be proud of her as she had successfully set-up her mosquito netting around her bed in the room that she shares with the volunteers. She also laughed saying that she sleeps on the top bunk-bed, and it creaks and wakes everyone up every time she moves.
She commented that the temperature in Ghana is very hot and the town is similar to her small town of Brazil (in size) but poorer. The people are very nice and the kids are adorable. Eliana laughed saying that they love to pose for pictures (20 at a time even!) and then each one has to come and see the picture afterwards on her camera. In her soccer debut game all the kids wanted to be the African star, Eto, while Eliana claimed that she was Ronahldinho. It turns out that Brazil is still on top, as she scored 2 of her teams 3 goals in their 3-0 win. Yesss! She has set the bar very high for herself from day 1, as the little kids now think she is a soccer superstar.
All appears to be working out great for Eliana. She will be training for the first week and then she'll be teaching in the orphanage.
She commented that the temperature in Ghana is very hot and the town is similar to her small town of Brazil (in size) but poorer. The people are very nice and the kids are adorable. Eliana laughed saying that they love to pose for pictures (20 at a time even!) and then each one has to come and see the picture afterwards on her camera. In her soccer debut game all the kids wanted to be the African star, Eto, while Eliana claimed that she was Ronahldinho. It turns out that Brazil is still on top, as she scored 2 of her teams 3 goals in their 3-0 win. Yesss! She has set the bar very high for herself from day 1, as the little kids now think she is a soccer superstar.
All appears to be working out great for Eliana. She will be training for the first week and then she'll be teaching in the orphanage.
Aside from a few obstacles with my calling card: my phone card said I had 55 minuets when I bought it online, it then told me I had 25 minutes when I started to use it, and then it only gave me about 10 minutes before cutting me off! Haha, I’ll have to get used to that, as will Eliana getting used to the smashed vegetable dish that she wasn’t a fan of today.
Until next time..
She is tough and will spread lots of love to everyone she meets. Ben, you are a loving and supportive man. We are all blessed to know both you and Eliana. Peace to both of you.
ReplyDeleteYay! Good to hear she's made it safe and is doing well thus far :)
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