“How little we know, how eager to learn”

Being a foreigner in the continent of Africa brings along many questions regarding your motives for being here, not necessarily just from locals but from other foreigners. Many of the historical and present day conflicts and problems are effects of foreign interference. These vary all the way from the transatlantic slave trade to border creations to the Bretton Woods system. Nowadays the different philosophies of NGOs and independent volunteers in Africa seems to be a matter unto itself.

One question that arises about international involvement of course pertains to the issue of money. The question being "Will money solve Africa's developmental problems?"
The topic of development seems to be the dominating theme in the social and political sectors of Ghana. Most of what you read or see on the news has some aspect of it. I would go so far as to say it is almost an obsession. Therefore I see this question appear in most of my classes.

The following website contains a commentary directly answering:
"Will money solve Africa's Developmental problems?"

.......................................................................................................
Kwamoso Habitat Build

I had an AMAZING day today. Without a doubt one of the best times I have had here in Ghana so far. Under the direction of a handful of local men, our group aided in the construction of a house for the village of Kwamoso. Tasks included making mortar, carrying bricks(on your head of course), laying brick, making clay mixture for bricks, and molding bricks. I tried a little bit of everything but spent a majority of my time mixing the clay for the bricks. Picture the grape stomping, wine making I Love Lucy episode. Well now imagine the stomping of wet clay in a big hole in the ground. Heaven. Mushy, wholesome, dirty work heaven.

We took a short break for lunch under the trees and then headed back to work. We were greeted with fast approaching rain clouds. Well what we got was rain, as Forest Gump would say, "Big ol fat rain." They were the biggest rain drops I had ever seen or felt. It was too bad that work was cut short but it was a wonderful reprieve from the heat and a refreshing natural shower to wash away the clay and dust from our bodies. I sure did enjoy being surrounded by the lush environment of the eastern region of Ghana and a great group of people who were just appreciating every moment that came our way. I am very thankful for today.