Homestay @CHIRAA in Sunyani

Good afternoon, everyone.

I’m Shoko Mori, who joins JOCV and is going to work for Forest Service Division in Sunyani, in the middle land of Ghana, as a rural community developer in order to improve the livelihood of local people who live around forest reserve area.

I gave a presentation as a final report of assignment. So, I’d like to talk about my home stay program in Chiraa. First is the aim of this home stay program. Second is my host family, the third is my assigned place, Chiraa and Easter Holiday, which is the biggest event during the homestay program. The last is Sunyani, where my office is located.
(But I'm sorry that I couldn't put my slideshow I used in my presentaion.)

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I stayed with local family for 2 weeks from 4th to 18th April 2009.

This program aims to learn local language and local culture. Moreover Volunteers are required to build relationships between recipient agency and local people who live in their assigned place.

I spent peaceful & moderate time with my host family. There 5 people & 1 dog. Host mother’s name is Madam POKUAA. When I introduced myself, I always said “ Me te aunte POKUAA Fie.” That means ‘ I live in Madam POKUAA house.’ She & her daughter manage a small boutique, so everybody know her name.

I spent a lot time with Sister JULIET. She does all housework by herself. She taught me not only TWI language (local language I’m going to use) but also the reality of African women.

Her little brother ADAMS is 29 years old, but he’s not working and always sitting on a bench in the garden, though he can speak English fluently. Actually, he is quite mysterious person for me.

PAPAYAO is a son of Juliet who doesn’t have a husband, and he is honesty and charming senior high student. And Watch dag BADDY is our important family member, he became attached me at last.

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CHIRAA is small town, it takes 30 minutes by taki from Sunyani where is capital city in Brong Afafo region and 9 hours by bus from Accra, capital of Ghana.

All of the people in Chiraa are so kind & heartwarming.

When I waked alone, I met a boy, Richmond. He guided me to Roman Church, Presbyterian Church, Mosques, markets and so on. This picture was taken with his family. Behind POKUAA house, there are Methodist schools, such as kindergarten, primary school, and junior high school. Next to the kindergarten, Mad POKUAA’s boutique is located.

And my host family goes to this Methodist Church every Sunday, as well as Easter Holiday.
I went there with my host family on Easter Sunday. Everybody wore formal dress, sang hymn and danced. I attend with Ghanian clothes with Naomi, who is my colleague and roommate. I was surprised to see many religious people and really enjoyed the sacred event.

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The last is about SUNYANI, one of the biggest city in Ghana and my office is located in.

I went to Sunyani sometimes because there are big markets in center of Sunyani. And my new house is located besides Highway from Chiraa to Sunyani. Plenty forest lies along the highway.

To preserve these forests with local community people, JICA implemented the technical project for 5 years. Now I’m joining to them to improve Income Generation Activities. I’m looking forward to working with them.

So in this home stay program, I learned TWI language and Ghanian culture through my host family.

And I’d like to enjoy my 2 years in Chiraa.
Thank you for reading.