Ghana Trip: March 15.

At 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Touch A Life team embarked on a 10-hour journey to Kete-Krachi (in the Lake Volta region). Try as they might, the Touch A Life team members struggled to get cozy in their 15-passenger van (which thankfully had air conditioning). Things got extremely uncomfortable when the driver hit the halfway point, in which the semi-paved roads turned completely to dirt. Needless to say, the rest of the drive was...eventful. For more traumatizing stories, contact me personally, as I'd like to spare the details for those with weak stomachs...

Truly, though, we were blessed with a driver who was able to get us from Gomoa-Fetteh to Kete-Krachi in one piece. Upon our arrival, we headed straight to George Achibra's house. George is the Ghanaian volunteer in charge of both the Village of Life program and the actual rescues themselves. He is an education official in Kete-Krachi and is incredibly well-known amongst the residents of his community, as well as in Ghana as a whole. It was amazing to get to spend time with an influential leader like George. We spent time partaking in the Ghanaian tradition of sitting under the mango tree, discussing where we all have been and where we all are going. 

The Achibra family had prepared breakfast for us, and we inhaled our food and our coffee. We headed over to the Village of Life. This program was designed for teenagers in the 14-18 age range who have been rescued off of Lake Volta. Because they are too old to enroll in school, they have tutors teach them to read, write and speak English. Additionally, they receive vocational training so that they can create income-generating programs for themselves and for their community. For example, they're currently learning basket-weaving and jewelry-making.

As we pulled up to the Village of Life, we all simultaneously noticed that the dormitory building had been given a name: Jantsen's House, dedicated to Pam and Randy's son who passed away in June of 1999. George and his family had decided to name the house in Jantsen's honor and wanted to surprise Pam upon her arrival. Needless to say, it was an emotional welcoming.

The Touch A Life team members spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know the teenagers at the Village of Life. The 10 kids who reside there are incredible. They are talented, gracious and smart. They all have incredible leadership potential. We taught them to make jewelry and how to play card games. I spent a majority of the afternoon interviewing them to obtain their biographies and to learn their stories. Like the rest of the children rescued by the Touch A Life Foundation, these teenagers have devastating backgrounds. In particular, the story of Doris, a 16-year-old girl, really struck me. She was impregnated by her master's son at the age of 14. While living in wretched conditions, she gave birth to a daughter. Doris's daughter didn't live past a few days. Stories like these are sadly common but regardless of the situation, these teenagers (and all of the children in Touch A Life's ministries) are kind, happy and content. Their circumstances don't determine their joy.

In the evening, the Touch A Life team members returned to George's for another home-cooked meal. The Ghanaian people are so hospitable. It was great to unwind with good food and great company. 

All of the team members went to bed slightly anxious, knowing that the next day would be the time to venture out onto Lake Volta. 

Rachel