Cheeky reference

As blogs go, this one would be considered photo intensive. We tell our story more through the medium of pixels than print, and in a country as vivid as Ghana we're comfortable with that.

However, a US volunteer currently over here for a month is far more adept with the written language and has written a superb blog which brings to life the sites, sounds and smells of this wonderful country.

Two extracts to tempt you:
"Behind these shops I caught occasional glimpses of the kind of African city that's probably easy for you to imagine. One- and two-story shacks, brightly colored and probably dirt-floored. Curtains for doorways, chickens running everywhere, kids screaming, cars stalling, and taxis honking as they drive by. It didn't feel impoverished though. It felt like life. I'm sure I'll continue to reflect on what I saw that first night, and what I'll see throughout the month."

Separate story:
"Am I flattered? ... Not really. It just feels like a race/gender thing. It's exhausting to be who I am physically. I want to take a break from being white and female. All the attention makes me wonder—do I have a sign on my head that says “Come and get it!” or “I'm woman, I'm yours!” ??? And I find myself longing for a way to cover up all my features, so as not to be noticed. I think to myself, hijab would be ideal; I feel like I understand why some women choose to veil themselves—you could be more free to go about without fending of man after man. Other times I think, “Get me outta here! Get ME to a nunnery!” "

...the link... http://unmamainghana.blogspot.com/

It's not a site to be missed if you're interested in Africa.

And speaking of sites not to be missed, this 2ft long lass made her way up onto our beach during the full moon last night and dropped of her eggs in the sand. Some careful burial from the white folks around should keep those eggs safe for the next month, after-which we may be in for a real treat as the young make their way down to the water.

Tim and Lyd xxx

Disaster

Having successfully launched the operation on Monday and Tuesday last week we woke up on Wednesday full of pride and looking forward to our first day off in a month.

This was the view from our window:

A fire set by the side of our land to keep out snakes burned out of control, leaped up a tree and took out the batiking building, 6 chairs, the high pressure hose for our gas burner, and shorted out power.

Lydia and I stood in awe and watched while the caretaker, feeling pretty guilty at this point, chucked our remaining water supply on the nearby two buildings two ensure they didn't ignite.

Half an hour later:

At least we saved the batik table! And on a more serious note no-one was hurt, and this wasn't the main building, on which we've spent the past month's working.

Needless to say our day of relaxing was short lived. We'll be rebuilding the roof over the coming month or so.

Just another day in Ghana.

Tim and Lyd x

Open for business

We’re a little late posting this week, but with good reason… We’re producing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Work started yesterday, we couldn’t resist a Western style Agenda and ‘Values’ discussion...

And after that it was up up and away,

•   cutting stamps and stamping

• Cutting and sewing

This industrial quality sewing machine was purchased for us by James and Alex, a fantastic donation which will allow to recruit one more seamstress into the operation

• Fixing the sewing machines (I should have built them properly in the first place)…

Now what’s wrong with this photo?

Yep, I spotted it too, the thread tension’s shot. Look at the bobbin thread puckering through the seam. Shocking.

• Dying and hanging

    

    

   

• Looking good

• And finishing our first item!!!

By the end of the day, 6 baskets finished and 4 yards batiked with another 4 well under way.

Left to right, Lyd, Be, Charity, Eunice, Christie, Tim

In truth, we couldn’t be more proud.

 Tim and Lydia xxx