Kumasi, Ghana

Posted by pertorkelson | Filed under Ghana

On Christmas Day the 25th of December SYDD celebrated together with the students at Edwenase Rehabilitation Centre. We had brought rice, chicken, oil, drinks and biscuits two days earlier and on the same day as the party took place we had made a provision for music (DJ), chairs and tents. We arrived around 11 am and some of the students were already dancing and enjoying the music. They were all served our drinks and biscuits after a couple of hours of dancing, when they started to sweat and became tired. Several of the students were very happy with our contributions and presence and they told me; “I’m very happy today! God bless you!”. After dancing together with the students, then we walked inside to have lunch together with everyone including the Regional Director of the Social Welfare Department. He was very happy that we had made this possible and we left the celebration party around 3 pm, when everybody was still enjoying.

On the same day, Christmas Day, Mumin turned 3 years old and because of that there was a birthday party held for him including music, dance and food. He only received a few couple of gifts, 2 or 3, so I’m very grateful and glad that my mother had sent him a book in English about Pippi Longstocking. I read it to him and he commented my reading and describing by agreeing “yes, yes, yes”. Mumin eats more than anyone I know, and I’m talking about all age groups. During his birthday party, wherever I saw him he was either having a drink or food in his mouth. Hehe. It was a nice birthday party with lots of chaos.

On Boxing Day, 26th of December, we received a call that GBC (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation) was going to talk about the NGO (Solidarity for Youth and Disabled Development) I’m working for in their 1 pm news (and at 8 pm). GBC covers the whole of Ghana (with a population of approximately 20 million people) and everyone throughout the nation can hear the same news. The news reporter talked about what we did at the Edwenase Rehabilitation Centre on Christmas Day and also the fields we are working in and the importance for other NGOs to focus on not just HIV, because there are other groups of people as well who are in great need of help and support. It was nice to hear my name on the radio too in the news; “Project Supervisor Mr Per Erik Torkelson”.

Today the Islamic holiday, Eid il Adel, has started and it will continue for 3-4 days. The Muslims celebrate it by sacrificing (killing) animals, e.g. cows and sheep, and then eating the meat.

Gott Nytt År!

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Permalink | December 30th, 2006

3 Responses to “Kumasi, Ghana”

  1. Anki Says:
    December 31st, 2006 at 1:46 pm

    My dear son,
    Another year has passed. Your year started well with full of spirits to study another semester, but after a few slow months you terminated your studies and decided that you wanted to start with your aid work - your concentration at the University in Stockholm. Now you are in Ghana, doing your volunteer work very serious and are surrounded with grateful people for whatever you do. I think it is not everybody who understand how much work and time you really are spending for helping the people. You must be very proud of all your efforts you are doing for the people around you. Understand it was great to hear your name was announced on the radio. You are really worth it and I know it helps you to go forward with your thoughts, ideas and aims when you are appreciated. You are such a good person and as you many times have told me: “Being alone makes you to be a strong person” This shows that you are living up to this diction.
    “What the world need - is people
    who have dreams
    and who lines new roads
    however curved they may be” (unknown author)

    You have now a few days holidays and I hope that you can rest these days, so you get new strenghts
    “When the sun is shining I can do anything,
    No mountains are too high
    No obstacles are impossible to get over” (Wilma Rudolp,born 1940)

    Wishing you a wonderful holiday with your friends, a good ending of this year and a lovely, happy and successful
    NEW YEAR 2007.
    “Continue searching for the light, clear sky
    Continue hoping that the sun will rise
    Continue singing when the whole world sighs
    and you will reach all the way the next morning”

    Hope that there are more people among your friends and relatives who are able to start a fund-raising at their works. Just as you say: “Please help!” You let us follow your life in Ghana. We sit here with tears when we read your stories, so there should be more people who can contribute.

    Besides I hope that you soon can move to your new apartment and that I soon will get the possibility visiting you. Think I bring an extra toothbrush, so I can even clean your apartment in Ghana.

    Take care, be strong and enjoy life!

    Lots of love and hugs,
    Puss och kram,
    Mamma

  2. mattis spansk Says:
    January 4th, 2007 at 3:49 pm

    hallo there!

    that imlamic holiday u´r talking about, me and erika witnessed during our visit in Egypt.
    we´ve never seen such slaughter before. cowheads boild and shine were hanging throug the streets of Cairo and Alexandria.

    take care perra! and keep up the great work u´r doing overthere.

    I agree with u´r mother who says that there are alot to comprehend to be able to understand the whole picture of the effort u´r putting in. one´s have to reflect over one thing and an other, to be able to do that.

    and that is a very well needed bell for all of us over the rich and fancy part´s of the world! therefore u also bring learnings for others then the one´s u teach in ghana.

    ciao
    erika and mattis

  3. Henrik Says:
    January 8th, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    Hi Per!

    I’m feeling proud of you up here in cold Sweden! I tell my friends of what you are doing in Ghana! At the same time I’m proud of you I’m very happy for you. It feels so good that you really like what you’re doing, and that your work is so successful. To see that you have found something you burn for makes me happy. Working was never really your thing, but by saying that I don’t mean that you aren’t helpful. You are always ambitious and always give out of yourself. Things that should be done, you get done!

    I want to agree in what Mattis says. You must know that you’re not only teaching and helping the people around you in Ghana, you’re helping us learn something about the world and our lives.

    Keep up the good work, you really make a difference!

    Forever your friend
    Henrik Hansen

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