Love and Support from Ghana to Japan

Hi dears again.
Thanks for your kind supports in this diary.
Each of your comments deeply impress me and really energize to tell the message to the world.
So I would like to introduce you one love letter from Ghana,
to my motherland Japan,  where is suffering by disasters.

We actually hear heartbeats of earth everyday.

Sometimes the epicenter is the Northeast, where the worst quake attacked last month.

Sometimes it is around Tokyo bay, near my hometown, 

sometimes middle part, the South and so on.

We really feel its strong pulse, cant help think earth is living.

One priest said its like on the back of dragon who swim on magma of the Pacific Ocean Plate. 

In this evening, at 5pm on 11th April 2011 in Japan time, there were quite large earthquakes in the east of Japan. Of course here the greater Tokyo area too, all the buildings were shaking but people were so calm, it may be these levels of quakes are becoming normal (M3-4). But the aftermath of epicenter was severe, we had three times of M6 level earthquakes in just ten minutes in the epicenter. It has been just past one month after the worst one, M9.

Since this evening, power has been down again near the focus area and people are suffering in the place which they has evacuated. Worse, it has been rained tonight.

So in this freezing night, I would like to message one love letter from tropical Ghana to suffering Northeast of Japan.

Ghana is located in West Africa, well known as cocoa farming, gold mining, timber industry and so on. People are quite friendly and full of hospitality, (though some so some not as usual you know!) living peacefully among traditional identity and modern culture.

Japanese who are resident in Ghana organized charity event in Accra Mall, the biggest shopping mall in Ghana. (In fact, there were colorful events on that day in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, so I like to write about it later*;)) Some Japanese children made beads accessories to raise fund for the victims of the earthquake. Some Japanese performed music for people in Accra Mall, and Ghanaian people signed encouraging messages on the Japanese flag. I had known about this charity event through internet. But what was most impressed me was the pictures uploaded on Twitter, by my Ghanaian friend, Diva Yasmeen. Her beautiful voice moves all human beings but her action for caring others is also awesome, actually she is concerned in environmental issue and promote recycling and reusing.

Japanese residents in Accra took a initiative and held the event, then Ghanaian friends attended it to support. A live twittering let me know how it rose up.

It is not only rich developed countries,
who expect in return when Japan rebuild after the big earthquake.

But even from another world, like Ghana from Africa, developing countries,
Friends are really worried about us and take action to send their love and support.

We appreciate any support,
but Love from Ghana was different from others.

I just wanna tell my story.
Between Ghana and Japan.
When I found those pictures on the internet,
the flag filled by Ghanaian message,
the beads sold by Japanese children,
cello and piano peformed by Japanese in Accra Mall,
I was really moved.
Just wanna share my emotion.

That's all.

Christmas Carols Concert 2010 in Akim Swedru

  Christmas Carols Concert was held on 14^th Dec 2010 in Akim Swedru, Eastern Region, Ghana. My Japanese volunteering colleague in youth activity, Afia Ayu (go to Akim Swedru! all obruni are called 'Afia' or 'Ayoo' because of her!) have commuted schools and taught music and creative arts. On that day, we played Christmas songs medley. Ghanaian teachers organized the program, and children in Methodist KG, PD and JSS performed Christmas songs. We were completely guest performers.

   Last year, we performed in Presby School in the afternoon and Methodist Church in the evening. Presby's was successful, but failed in church's because furnished keyboard was out of work. We fell into chaos and the performance was really misery. (was one of the biggest tragedy in my music life!!!)

   This year, we only played in Methodist in the afternoon. Attendees were all school kids and it was not like the atmosphere of church service at night. We never used that keyboard again, and finally finaly done well papapa!!!!! (yayadie! nyame sirawo wai!) During and after the performance, we could not speak a word because our playing sounded by full of chorus of children from upstairs to downstairs. When we looked up the ceiling, there were innumerable smiles of children like stars. We were embraced by harmony of angel’s voice. I played keyboard, Ayu played saxophone, Tomo-chan who is Ayu’s friend from Japan played percussion, and another volunteer Korkor (local name!) played keyboard harmonica (pianica). 

   We did not rehearsal so much but our combination of especially keyboard and saxophone fitted perfectly. We have played this medley again and again for children in Ghana since last year 2009. Sometimes it was in a classroom, sometimes it was a field ground of school, orphanage, hospital, church… they were all for children. We have gone round rural towns in Ghana, to play music for children, to meet more smiles of children in Ghana.

   I have not known how exciting to harmonize with other instrument and how pleased to play for others until I came Ghana. My music experience in Ghana took me completely to a whole new world. This moment in the church of Akim Swedru, really touched me, with a perfect harmony of children’s chorus.

CHILDREN FESTIVAL~life enriched with sentiment!~

   We celebrated Universal Children’s Day in an orphanage, CILIA (Compassion In Love Is Action) in Yawhema, rural town near Sunyani, capital city of Brong Ahafo region, agricultural beld of Ghana.

   JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) around Sunyani came together, concerned people there took initiative, then whole their wishes were packed in one place and it was realized.

   20^th November is a Universal Children’s Day as the United Nation proclaimed in General Assembly. As it is mentioned in Preamble of The Convention of the Child Rights, the discipline is accorded with the Charter of the United Nations. The day was established to celebrate childhood, to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, to act initiative to benefit and promote the welfare of world’s children.

   Whole the story has been happened by Mr.Akoto saying, “I want children in CILIA to make nursery, plant trees in bare playground and be aware of environmental issues. Can you help me?”. He lives in Yawhima, where the orphanage is located, and is the headmaster of Chiraa S.D.A. J.H.S. by occupation, where Naomi Ishida JOCV has given a workshop to provide headmasters in Chiraa with growing seedlings raised by the Football club team based on Chiraa. 

   Samuel Akurugu was also invited and observed this workshop, who is representative of NGO, Action for Green Life (AGL) which commits grassroots development in both ways of income generation and public health to approach environmental issues. 

   Our Japanese brothers Yawmenu and Akwasi Achamgpong were going to contribute one football donated by SONY as a part of its CSR project attached with FIFA World Cup 2010. 

   I, Yaa Shoko have commuted CILIA since I started activity in Yawhima S.D.A. J.H.S. in 2009 and got along well with people in Yawhima, including Madam Chalotte, a founder of CILIA, queenmother, chiefs, elders and educators there.

   All these friends in Sunyani were stuck together by the concept of Children’s Festival that some JOCV have thought of during these several months. It was an idea that children celebrated childhood, promote mutual understand, empower personality through the process to learn performing arts on the stage, rather advocate adults about the children’s day. We had planned children and educators to assemble from rural area at once to share how children in Ghana are wonderful and talented, and to enlighten mutually about child rights.

   But unfortunately it was not realized on the Universal Day, 20^th November and postponed. So that I wondered why we did not make it happen here in Sunyani with what we had and what we could, as Volunteer Coordinator advised me? Then I thought of what Mr.Akoto called me and consulted about nursery project in CILIA and what Yawmenu (my Japanese colleague! typical Ghanaian name!) was going to provide the football there. Why could not we unit to the coming event here? 

   I also reminded children in CILIA love to perform traditional dance and drum, becuase I often saw they performed there since X'mas concert in last year.  And our friend Mr.Akurugu... we can use our soap made in community duiring his workshop to practice hygiene.  We can also give environmental workshop to children as we, Afia Naomi (too typical local name too! but my Japanese colleague again!) and I (Yaa Shoko♥) did in schools. I thank God my luck that all the volunteers, Mr.Akoto, and Mama Chalotte were cooperative and never lavish with help. Finally I added this subtitle, ~Life Enriched With Sentiment!~ because these programs (environment, arts, health and hygiene) are important as a part of education to develop one’s personality though they were not evaluated in current school system.

   Lastly I attached the timetable on the day. We made it 21^st November because Mr.Akoto and some chiefs went funeral party to Dormaa, where their higher chieftaincy existed. Whole the programs were successfully done. All the presenter mentioned about the importance of Universal Children’s Day, as I motivated them at first that the day is for children and it is essential for adults to be aware and take action to celebrate childhood.  And this was a consequence of my works in community development. All the programs were what I involved in this 2 years in Ghana, and all the cooperators were who I have worked in this 2 years in Ghana. Rather some brought me their issues, which turned me into significant opportunity. One small saying or one small action might be piled somehow beyond your expectation, and  will transform into wonderful results. That was one of what I experienced in my community works in 2010. (Smile!! God is always ready to give you some miracles! just be aware and ready!)

   I leave Ghana next year in March 2011. I wish all the attendees, I mean children, adults, educators, influential elders and chiefs, remind how children are wonderful and the day is important and celebrate every year.

ATTACHMENT – PROGRAM

  CHILDREN’S DAY

~Life Enriched with Sentiment!!~

Time: 14:00~17:00 (Sunday) 21^st Nov 2010

Place: Compassion In Love Is Action (CILIA) in Yawhima, Sunyani

Purpose

To enrich childhood through sentimental education with stakeholders in community

Program

1. Welcome address / by Mama Chalotte (CILIA)

2. Speech by Guest of Honor / by Mr. Akoto (Yawhima Ohene & Chiraa SDA Headmaster)

3. Introduction of Universal Children’s Day / by Yaa Shoko 

4. Artstic Performance / by children (CILIA)

5. Donation of Football / by Akwasi Achampong & Yaw Menu

6. Speech of physical education / by Gallant (teacher in Yawhima S.D.A J.H.S)

7. Personal Hygiene & sanitation / by Madam Lydia (Action for Green Life, environmental NGO)

8. Environmental Education / by Afia Naomi

9. Nursery Plantation / by Yaw Menu

10. Closing Remarks & Closing Prayer / by M.C. Samuel Akurugu (Action for Green Life, environmental NGO)

AMONKYE SOAP-the gift of Forests-

AMONKYE

traditional soap in the south of Ghana, 

is handmade purely from palm oil & ash of cocoa.

You know what, 

PALM OIL is native to West Africa!! 

Nowadays most of them are manufactured in Southeast Asia.

COCOA is one of the major cash crops in Ghana. 

COCOA PODS which were removed the seeds 
are firstly burned to be ashes. 

Then, the ashes processed with water

are to be simmered with boiled palm oil then... 

OMG!! You’ve made foamy natural soap★

Strong washing and rich moisture of AMONKYE 

have a good effect on almost all the skin disease! 

such as pimples, rash, scar, boil, wounds and so on.

To buy this soap is to help 

improve 

income generation

of women groups 

in forest fringe communities 

(Kofitumgrom, Adantia, and more)

in Sunyani, Ghana.

It is wrapped by recycled drinking water sachets 
in a view of 

environmental issue.

You can buy these 100% natural handmade soap in ;

 Eusbett Hotel 

Sunyani, Brong Ahafo region in Ghana

 JICA Ghana Office

2nd Floor, Elizabeth, No.68A, Senchi Link,

Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana

(P.O.Box. 6402, Accra-North, Ghana)

Their activities are aided by Samuel Akurugu,

*Environmental NGO: AGL (Action for Green Life) 

*Contact: +233207772762 / akurugusam@yahoo.com

and JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers)
in rural community development, 

Naomi Ishida & Shoko Mori (20-4) 

from Forest Service Division in Sunyani, B/A.

AFRUS GIRLS-soap making women group in Afrasu, Sunyani Ghana-

 Afrasu Women Group has evolved new stage this month. We have done the 5^th production of Moringa soap and packaged with water sachets. Then, we repaired the tools in Chiraa and purchased chemicals in Sunyani.

   We produced Moringa soap on 8^th Mon and packaged with water sachets on 10^th Wed. But this time I just observed part of production and packaging, because they managed by themselves almost all the processes. When I reached to Afrasu, they almost finished all the work of producing soap because they prefered to do it early in the morning. But packaging is most difficult but eager work for them, so they used to work it with me and I gave some advices for good appearance. 

   This time, when we produced soap, I told them that they collect pure water sachets in Chiraa, nearest town, because they did not have enough stock and they did not consume in their community. On the other day to package, it was rather amazing that they had already wrapped soap with the rest of water sachets they had! And I added some sachets and we continued. Then one boy, a son of a group member, came back from school in Chiraa with plenty of water sachets. I was deeply impressed their initiative and challenging mind.

   The next day, I took wooden box (frames to set soap) to carpenter in Chiraa to copy some so that we can produce plenty soap at one time. There was a choice to let them go and do by themselves, but I undertook their request because they had always accepted my requests and thought seriously how they expand production in many ways.

   On 30^th Tuesday Nov, two women of the group came dawn to Chiraa to buy sundry goods in Chiraa Tuesday Market and chemicals for soap in Sunyani Old Market. When I reached in Chiraa, they were sitting in small boutique, which my host sister Juliet manages, sells moringa soap they produce, and provides purewater sachets for them in reasonable price. I found there was wooden cutting board beside them!, which they complained for a long time that the strings have been spoiled so that they couldn’t cut soap properly. 

   We ordered carpenters in Chiraa to repair, which is introduced by Juliet and went ahead to Sunyani.

    First, we went to Eusbett Hotel to see how the soap is sold in the shop. We greeted shop manager and he told us to stock more, which seemed to encourage them. Next, we met NGO man, Mr.Akurugu who transports the soap to JICA craft shop every month. And he took us another carpenter in Sunyani, which made the cutting board, which we left in carpenter of Chiraa, in Project days and the owner gave us the strings we needed. I appreciated Ghanaian hospitality. 

   Then we went his office.He explained about his environmental NGO and how it will collaborate with community. Finally, we went to Sunyani Old Market and bought some chemicals. One woman bought them personally for the individual soap making. We came back to Chiraa and they prepared almost all the sundry goods such as seasonings, foods, cigarettes, clothes, and so on. Finally we visited the carpenter and they repaired the cutting board with the strings we got.

   5^th production and a sequence of soap making activity proved that they practiced the work with much initiative and resource they have, and also showed their ownership for expansion of production. 

they process moringa leaves into powder in Afrasu

AJARA, a leader of Afrasu soap making group
with her last son BABA KETWUA
she is from Upper East, the same age with my MAMY in Japan
she is such a kind and affectionate person...
why can she understand my everything I want to tell them?
though she never understand English...its a miracle

with her husband NANA
first settler, a chief of Afrasu
generous and respectable person 

FOR SMILES IN THE WORLD...

  October 2010, I started to distribute the balls and equipment to the recipient schools, which were donated by Japanese supporters through JICA’s program, called SEKAI NO EGAO NO TAMENI, means for smiles in the world in Japanese language. In this month, I had reception ceremonies in each place, namely Yaohima, Kobedi, Kwatire schools in Sunyani District and Buoku schools in Wench District in Btong Ahafo region. I am going to provide them in Adantia and Ahyiaem schools as well in next month.

   Purpose to apply this program and provide sports equipments is to help promote Physical Education in schools of Ghana and to link together people in developing countries who need assistance and Japanese who are willing to join international cooperation. Initial prompt was my mother in Japan. She is a chairman of Mothers’ Volleyball Association of the local district. Volleyball is her lifework and she plays twice a week and judges games every Sunday. I have thought of that volleyball would be potential to unit people between Ghana and Japan if volleyball were popular in Ghana. I started to go round school in order to introduce school environment to my family since they would come to Ghana, actually they came in October 2010. 

   One day, teachers in Ahyiaem invited me to sports event in Ntoromeso, at Wench District. I went there and finally found that they played volleyball as well as football, netball, handball and field athletic. Rather I encountered wonderful teacher who demonstrated and taught volleyball very well! He worked in Buoku. Then, it convinced me that he would definitely utilize the donation from Japan. I applied and they came. I would like to express my deep appreciation to my family, mothers who donated twenty volleyballs and a net, and CANON CUP JUNIOR SUCCER OFFICE, who donated us fifteen footballs.

   I provided volleyballs in six communities’ schools, including Buoku JHS though it was not my area but because of the reason I mentioned above, and footballs in five communities’ schools in my assigned area. In every schools, I consulted with headmasters and headmistresses and we held a ceremony involved whole the stakeholders in the community. I agreed that all the head teachers insisted the gifts to school were the benefits for the community, so that it should be appealed to everybody. Headmaster in Kwatire rather called media people from FM radio to share the joy and let people in the community known. He also invited Assembly Man, a politician in the community, to the ceremony.

Assembly Man in Kwatire
Young and passionate

Headmaster in Kwatire School

our buddy, Mr.Boama
a leader in our Green Belt Activity
a chairman of PTA, SMC, and UC (Unit Committee)
key person there and very kind papa

   The unexpected outcome was brought through the process to realize the ceremonies. As I mentioned above in what we had in Zion Week, I wanted to invite parents to the school so as to promote their involvement into school management and their interests in formal education for children. School issue is not my core objective, but again, children are our future generation. 

   Protection of forest resource?...my Green Belt Activity, including plantation of fruit trees on the boundary of the forest reserve and establishment of nursery for the fruit seedlings… 

   Alternative livelihood?... my Income Generation Activity for soap making groups, Moringa soap in Afrasu and Amonkye soap in Adantia… 

   To preserve environment is to inherit our property for next generation. And to develop higher living standard and get larger income for house-economics is to give our children good nutrition, health care, education and hygiene. All my activities is going ahead one-direction, linking together at one point… for community development. I believe all the grass roots projects in community development program are to be mutually functioned. (That is called synergetic effect or somethingm, though most of the development program fail in the field unfortunately) This was happened in front of me. The balls led the chance to put everything together in one place. It was a chemical. All the stakeholders who I have built relationship with in this one and half years worked together for community wealth. The distribution has not finished yet, so I still observe what we have and occur in my next communities.

A.M.E. ZION WEEK in Kobedi Schools

A.M.E. Zion Schools in Kobedi had a special week to celebrate Christianity on 20^th to 23^rd Oct 2010. Mr.Oppong, a teacher in Kobedi Primary School, gave me a call in advance and invited me to the program. Who can believe this chance that all the programs are related to my activity? Teachers and I discussed and readied for the program.

   We gave a class of environmental education to pupils in Upper Primary in the previous day in order that the program of the first day 20^th was for environmental issue. I would like to state the details in the following. It was most successful and wonderful class I have ever had in Ghana!

   The first day was for exercises of environmental program. Unfortunately it was rainy so hard in the morning so that the program had delayed and we could not make the town cleaning efficiently. We just swept the schoolyard of Primary School and Kindergarten. Mr.Oppong chose some students and we moved to the field in J.H.S to make nursery. We made nursery bed, sowed seeds in soil, and covered top with leaves of palm tree. Before sowing, I gathered pupils together and reviewed what we learnt yesterday. Mr.Oppong who invited me and got started, helped me and translated and explained in local language very well.

   The second day, we had health program. All the pupils from KG to JHS carried the sets of desk and chairs from classrooms to a schoolyard of PS (Primary). One lady, a kindergarten teacher, gave a lecture to all the pupils. She mainly talked about personal hygiene. ‘Did you bath in this morning? Put your hand to your pit! And smell it! Raise your hand if it smells something bad!’ she explained and gestured to let even kindergarten kids understand it. ‘Wash your body everyday! Especially your private part after urinate or toilet! Like this!’ Pupils were laughing all the time and seemed to enjoy listening. ‘Wash your clothes and underwear with OMO (a cleaner), ok? And dry them in the sun like this. You can buy OMO in 20psw in a shop. Ask your mother! Tell her that teacher told you to do so in the school!’ I was very impressed. She taught wisdom of life, and sent messages to their parents. Education in school was structured to home, a place of informal education. After her lecture, I btought the soap, which made in community by mothers who also have children like them. I donated some soap and Mr.Oppong helped to translate and explain. We told them to wash hands before and after eating. Then, we practiced at once after the meal, with the bowls filled by water, and brought soap… but suddenly a schoolyard was turned into chaos. Everybody wanted to wash his hands. But materials were not sufficient; they did not know how to make a line to wait… but here again, I was moved because JHS pupils took KG pupils’ hands and let them wash hands, though chaos never stopped.

   The third day, we had sports program. I represented the donation of volleyballs and footballs in reception ceremony. We invited chives, PTA (Parents and Teachers Association), SMC (School Management Committee) and other parents in Kobedi. Most of the Kobedi GB members have some roles in community management. After opening prayer, I gave a presentation. ‘I work together with your parents to protect the forest near Kobedi. That is why I am here. I hope you remember what we learnt yesterday. To protect forest is to keep our life!’ I wanted to introduce pupils what their parents contribute to environmental preservation. I wanted to share their achievements with children. They are our future generation. To involve all the stakeholders is most practical and sustainable way to develop community. ‘So if you are glad to have these balls from Japan, lets say thank you to your parents as well as Japanese supporters!’ Needless to say, family bond is stronger than Japan. But I wanted to invite parents to school and get them interested in education in school and school management. I wanted to express appreciation for parents to come to the school. I hope I could fill a role of it somewhat. Finally they went into main event. Pupils, teachers, everybody played balls! Kobedi schools had won in the last sports competition in the area, so they were awarded jerseys. Some wore them, some enjoyed with school uniforms, some played with sandals, some with bare foots. But those did not matter at all. They had just enjoyed what they had and what they were at that moment.