Hurry to Wait...

Wow! What an event filled few days. We've been so crazy we even forgot to mention the best part of yesterday - the partners who met with us handed out holiday pencils, gift packages of crayons (donated by a precious friend) and candy canes (donated by a volunteer who came). The kids were so excited to get an early Christmas gift. For most, it is all the tangible items they will receive. Most children exchange food for Christmas, no gifts.

Today we spent most of the day in the car! We rush to get somewhere, only to have to wait. Waiting is much of what Ghanaians seem to do. Things are quite inefficient in comparison to what we're used to. We spent a few hours at the West African Exam Council, the company that does our version of the "exit" exam for junior high and high school, waiting for Kern's sister, Ama, who is also currently heading up one of the schools we work with. There had been problems with one of the schools that we work with's registration as well as the test scores from spring term had not yet been released. Graduated students were trying to figure out what to "do with their lives" based on how well they tested, and yet did not have the results yet. It took about 2 hours sitting in an administrator's office, refusing to leave before they worked everything out.

Then, we had to go to the bank for a version of our money order (you can't get the money order w/out the Exam Council's stamp on the paperwork. Getting the money order only took 1.5 hours! While waiting, it was crazy to see a Jaguar, MANY new VWs, Mercedes, BMWs and brand new trucks driving in. Ghanaians have to pay cash for cars, so it's difficult to comprehend how some have enough money to buy such nice cars outright (and they cost more in their currency than they do in the US!) and yet most people have nothing. Then we went back to the Council to drop it all off. This time, only 1/2 hour. Phew - that's done. The results from spring term were released and the students did very well and improved from last year.

We then headed back to the car for another 1.5 hour drive (only about 20 miles, tho), where we headed to another school where we fund school lunches. This school is in a very impoverished and somewhat remote area. They have about 250 students. It was great to take a tour of the school and meet the wonderfulheadmaster and his wife. The headmaster asked for any guidance we could help him out with educationally, as the school is struggling because the students do not have the school fees to pay. This school only costs $40 per term or $120 the entire school year. Only $10 per month! We are going to look at what else AEI can do for this school.

We were priviliged while at the school to learn of a young man in the junior high (about 8th grade), who is a student and a boxer. His name is Jugunda. He actually gets paid to box. He then takes his earnings home to his grandma (with whom he lives). Grandma uses the money for food and things she needs and does not leave him any for school. Jugunda even missed the term's exams (which puts him behind) because he was boxing for money to live. Please pray with us for this young man who has the potential to continue on into high school, if given adequate resources.

I can't express to you how awesomely overwhelmed we are with the needs of the people here. Although we "know" it and have seen it before, it's always so stark when it's right in front of you. We have been coming up with all sorts of ideas for AEI to work on to help the education struggles here. We are so excited for the future!

Still working on pics...hopefully soon!