Study Trip to Ghana with 5 Family Members

SHOKOLA's Japanese Family came all the way to Ghana last October. Mother, two young brothers, aunt and cousin!! It was quite tough to manage our schedule considering their requests and Ghanaian sightseeing circumustances. But that was sooooo precious and marvelous moment and I can not appreciate enough that they went out of their way to Africa!!

SHOKOLA's mother presented her study trip in a ceremony and her comment were inserted in our news letter. I also translated her article to introduce her survival adventure in Africa, led by her daughtor!!

After 22 hours of transited flights from Japan, we landed at the airport in Accra with much excitement. My daughter welcomed us with all sunburnt smiles and braiding hair, seemed to enjoy local fashion as well.


She brought perfect and colourful study trip plan for us! It might be a hard work to please us five family members including her two junior brothers, her aunt and cousin. The hotel in Cape Coast which we stayed two nights was aesthetic and satisfied us with the flaming sunset beyond the horizon and beautiful daybreak in the following morning. We could not help feel much grief at slavery history in Cape Coast Castle. After 6 hours of transportation to Sunyani, where my daughter lives and works, we greeted her host family in Chiraa. People were surprised to see sudden appearance of OBRUNI group and welcomed heartily. We will never forget chopping FUFU with BUSHMEAT by hand, which neighbours served up in a hurry.
It does not matter without water and electricity power. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I do not have enough words to describe how wonderful the starry sky expanded above us during the lights-off. The milky ways were flowing, the falling stars were pouring, so you could see the real planetarium there.The next day, we participated in the class of JHS, which my daughter have once a week, and went the recipient agency, Forest Service Division Sunyani District Office, to interview with some officers. My daughter negotiated and quarrelled toughly with a good command of English and Twi. We accepted Ghanaian time that we took for 2 hours to eat since we had ordered at the restaurant!

Half a year passed since her assignment, looking for what she can do now, she endeavours to implement environmental activity involved with stakeholders in the area. I believe that she will find something through living with local people.

I was deeply impressed with lively smiles and shining eyes of other JOCV we met in Ghana during this study-trip, and encouraged by their close relationships like Sisters and Brothers. I also heaved a sigh of relief and appreciated JICA stuff for their good care about our children as if they are family.

My daughter leads me a whole new world which I can not experience me alone. This study-trip was highly survival and touching, which motivate me to cooperate with her activity as much as possible, in the rest of her period, half and a year. Medaase paa!!