Day 22

Wednesday May 22^nd, 2013

I loved today.  We went to Agbobloshie or E-Waste which is basically a giant junk yard.  I kind of reminded me of dads business a little bit but way junkier.  Maybe old Boyce Equipment.  There was stuff everywhere you looked and it was a huge piece of land.  The men just come in and work.  They take things apart put things together and burn all sorts of waste.  Not only is it a junk yard but the land fill as well.  Some of the men work from 6 am to 6 pm everyday.  We toured around and saw everything.  I mean there were kids, little babies living here and I felt so bad for them.  The air is toxic.  They burn plastic air conditioners to get the copper out of it.  A river runs through the middle and is completely polluted.  We saw gets melt down aluminum and create giant pots out of the material.  We even saw guys get territorial and get into little spats.  For the most part, people were okay about us being there.  We set up shop in a little office shack, and the other groups taught outside under a lean-to.  The three groups taught outside, HIV taught inside and then we ushered them into the next room for vitals and their goods.  I really enjoyed myself at this clinic though.  Lisa kept saying it would be our most taxing yet and I was worried.  But I really liked it.  It was majority men that showed up.  We helped about 150 people.  They had to stop in on a break and they lost money during that time.  But we taught quickly and efficiently and they got assessed quickly.  Most were so engaged and really listened to what we had to say.  They asked such good questions and seemed genuinely concerned.  Our translator Abigail was amazing; I really appreciated her.  I am sad to say it was our last clinic.  I really like teaching.  I like teaching HIV and making a difference.  I am going to miss it.  I feel in my element when I am doing it.  I like feeling like I am making a contribution to the greater good.  One guy pulled me aside and kept saying he had something.  I could not understand what he was saying and he kept pointing to his junk.  Eventually I realized he was saying he had gonorrhea.  I asked if he had visited a physician and he said no.  I explained that if he doesn’t get it taken care of he can spread it to other partners to which he was totally surprised. I also told him the doctor can help with the pain and symptoms.  He was so appreciative.  I am so glad I get to help.  We left around one because it really died off.  So we went out to get machetes!! I got 4 for 9 cidi each.  So dang cool.  We got back here and I just worked on my homework and watched a movie.  I was rather bored and we couldn’t really leave.  Richard went with kevin and I to check on our clothes and my shorts are looking so legit! I am so excited!  We had dinner; tortilla soup and grilled cheese.  It was so good.  I worked more on my homework and then hung out with Tasha and Cait.  I really like those two.  I did not feel like hanging out with the others.  I need more spiritual stuff.  They were so fun to talk to and we really get along.  I had that I like them.  Blah.  It bothers me that the owners of Osda house are the way they are.  They immigrated to America so they know the American standards, prices, and such.  I feel like them come here and exploit visiting Americans and also Ghanaians as a whole.  If I lived in Ghana like I do in America I could never live with myself.  Literally outside the walls of this guest house are starving people.  People with shacks to call home and empty belly’s to call life.  Then you have Seth and the Osda house charging 5 CD per day per device for internet.  So ridiculous.  I could never drive around a range rover and see a starving kid.  It just isn’t right.  I am grateful for the most part that America has some sort of system to try and help.  I know people are still starving at home but I am grateful we have something.  This trip really has opened my eyes.  I mean I have seen poverty on my other travels but I haven’t been around it like I have in Ghana.  I haven’t met the people like I have here.  I am so grateful I got to see this.  I feel like a better person and I feel like I want to do better.  I want to help.  Make a difference.  Its so weird how this world can be so unfair and not make any sense.  I spent $300 on a pair of headphones that cancel noise.  That could feed a family for a year.  How pathetic am I? I am so spoiled.  But that is the hand I have been dealt and with it comes its own set of ‘first world problems.’  Everything is relative and I understand that.  But I can’t help but want to improve things.