As I am preparing to spend my last week in Ghana, I did not think it would be this difficult to say my good-byes and leave Jukwa. After all, I have been here for almost 2 ½ months. Who wouldn’t be ready to return to the place where they were born, reared and call home?
Ever since my arrival in our Motherland, I have been blogging and sharing my experiences on social media. Writing about those experiences became so easy because I was writing from my heart. Now, as I am preparing to leave Ghana, I am finding it most difficult to sit down at my computer without feeling an overwhelming sadness and a heavy heart. I have traveled throughout the United States and the Caribbean’s and no place that I have traveled, I didn’t look forward to returning to my birthplace until now.
It is Saturday morning, November 9th, and I am waking up to my rooster alarm clock. I am lying in bed as I am meditating, reflecting and thinking, “where did the time go so quickly?”.
Although it is Saturday, the Appiah-Kubi family is up before the crack of dawn going about their daily chores as usual, sweeping the yard, fetching bath water, washing clothes and cooking breakfast. I hear Cee-Cee outside sweeping the yard with her straw broom, and just beyond my bedroom door, Little Kofi is waking up and going down the hallway calling, “Grandpa, Grandpa”. Bro. George reply’s to Kofi’s call, “Yes, Kofi”. When Kofi hears his Grandpa’s voice, everything gets quiet. I know little Kofi is feeling safe and secure, knowing that Grandpa is within his sight. I hear Kwame moving about as he is preparing to go meet the Ince family to take them to the airport in Accra.
I am still trying to figure out where these people get all this energy. They work tirelessly from sun-up to sundown and never complain about too much work or being tired.
It is now approximately 7 a.m. and I hear kids out in the yard playing and making sounds as if it is a regular week day. Are you wondering what are the kids doing outside this early on a Saturday morning? Well, yes, it is Saturday morning and many of DKA kids come to school on Saturdays to learn. Several of the dedicated teachers volunteer and are available to teach those students who want to stay ahead in their school work or need extra help.
I am sitting at my computer trying to finish up my blog on the Ince family’s visit to Ghana this past week. Harriett is bringing my breakfast to me. During my entire stay, the Appiah-Kubi family have called me Queen and treated me royally. I am already hearing this voice saying to me, “Earth calling Gwen, Earth calling Gwen, come back to Earth, because when you land at Dulles Airport in DC, you are on your own, baby” [lol].
My Ghanaian name is Yaa Yaa, meaning that I am a Thursday born child. From this day forward, I am Queen Yaa Yaa and I will recognize all of my African Sista’s born in America as the Queens that we are rightfully born to be. Seeing myself now, unapologetically, as a Queen Mother, I will teach and educate our younger Sista’s who want to listen what it means to be a Queen in the African culture. Another powerful lesson that I have learned while in Ghana is, “the surest way to keep people down is to educate men and neglect the women. If you educate a man you simple educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation” (Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey. b.1875 – d. 1927).
As Queen Mothers, some of us dropped the ball after our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers passed on to the next world. It is now time for us to collectively put our crowns back on, take our rightful place and do what we were born to do – rise up a nation of young girls and boys to change this self-destructive pathway that many of our children are stumbling down. Remember, “it takes a village to raise a child”
It’s now 9:00 a.m., and Kwame is leaving out of the door to go to Elmina to pick up the Ince family. Well, for me, the remainder of the day is a day of relaxation and writing.
Today, Sunday, November 10, 2019 is another day that is close to my heart. Today would have been my mother, Alice Christian Brown’s 106th birthday. She was definitely a Queen Mother in our community. Although she had no biological children, she not only raised me and my sister as her very own, she also helped raise many of her nieces and nephews in some form or fashion. She was a powerful force in the lives of neighborhood children and families whom she also feed and clothed. She would always make chocolate cakes and throw birthday parties for kids in the community, and that was probably the only birthday party that many of them ever had. Oh my, I am now hearing these voices saying to me, “Now you know where you get your natural motherly instincts”. No, I am not schizophrenic, but I do hear the voices of my ancestors speaking loud and clear to my soul.
Medaase, Mom, for being that Queen Mother in our community by sharing your wisdom, providing us with a spiritual compass, shielding us and protecting us from a life that could have been shaped in a totally different way. Most importantly, thank you for your unconditional love and laying the foundation for my sister and I to become who we are today.
It’s now 12:00 p.m. and the sun is at its peak. However, that is not stopping the carpenters from showing up during the hottest time of the day to begin working on the completion of the classroom that has been sitting incomplete for three years. The funds from the FDKA provided enough funds to purchase the bamboo sticks, iron rods, and nails to complete the room.
As you may recall in my last post, Drs. Avery Ince and Radha Chaddah committed to providing 10 computers to DKA. So, we decided to complete this classroom and turn it into a Computer Center for the students and teachers. This room will be specifically designed with security measures in place, and wiring for an air conditioner to keep the computers cool.
Donations are still being accepted to assist with other items needed for the completion of this classroom, such as paint, blackboard, teacher’s desk, tiles for the floor, air conditioner etc. Remember, any amount that you contribute is so appreciated. One dollar in Ghana can go a long, long way in comparison to $1.00 in the US.
I am spending the remainder of the day writing and relaxing.
Monday, November 11, 2019 – First, and foremost, I wish to express my appreciation to all of our veterans for their contribution for our protection and safety in this world.
Today we are going to Cape Coast to go to the bank and to pick up the bracelets that I had ordered for my son and grandson.
I am waking up my usual time and going through my regular routine of meditating and reflecting. One week from today, I will be boarding South African Air heading back to the States. Sadly, to say, as I am watching MSNBC and hearing all of the news about the craziness in America, doesn’t give me much to look forward to except seeing my family and friends upon my arrival back in the States.
Well, it’s 7:00 a.m. and I am hearing the kid’s laughter and other’s crying as they arrive on the school grounds. I will really miss sounds of these little ones when I leave Jukwa. Little Kofi is knocking on my door. “Yes, Kofi, you can come in.” This little fellow snatch my heart as he comes in with his little cunning ways to show off his outfit for the day. He comes over to my bed, knowing I am expecting a big hug and kiss from him. Hilda is following behind him to also greet me with a beautiful good morning smile. I am doing all I can to contain the sadness in my heart and the tears from flowing.
Cee-Cee is bringing my breakfast to me. I am eating oatmeal, egg and toast this morning. Always very tasty.
It’s now time for Kwame and I to take our trip to Cape Coast. As we are heading out of the door, I am seeing a despondent look on Kwame’s face. I ask, “is anything wrong?” “No, I am fine,” he responds. “Oh, okay”. The social work in me is reading his non-verbal behavior differently from what he is verbally saying to me. Well, I will not ask any more questions at this time, and keep moving forward.
We are boarding the tro-tro and I am beginning to enjoy the familiarity of these ventures. I get so intrigued in watching the folks boarding the tro-tro, walking or standing on side of the roadway. Before we realize it, we are arriving in Cape Coast.
Upon our arrival, we are exiting the tro-tro and now catching a taxi to the bank. I am now at the ATM to withdraw some funds for the purchase of my bracelets and other items before my departure for the States. Kwame is still not his usual self. Maybe he is just tired after a busy week last week, or maybe like all of us, he is also going through mixed emotions about my leaving.
We are leaving the bank and beginning our walk down the street to the Bead Shop. Mama Martha is waiting on our arrival. She goes through her bags and pulls out the bracelets that she has meticulously designed for me. They ae absolutely beautiful. I really like them, I am hoping my folks will like them and enjoy wearing them, because each one was designed specifically for me with a specific meaning.
Upon leaving the Bead Shop, we are walking across the street to catch another taxi to the transportation depot before catching a taxi back to Jukwa. We are being dropped off in the market area where we are buying some juice and ginger biscuits (cookies, equivalent to ginger snaps) for our nightly snack.
We are stopping at a restaurant to get a quick bite to eat before we return to Jukwa. Poor choice! This is the worst food that I have eaten since I have been in Ghana. Won’t go there again or recommend it to anyone. We are now getting into our last taxi for our ride back to Jukwa. In less than thirty minutes, we are back in Jukwa and I am resuming my Blog write up for last week.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 – Today we are doing absolutely nothing but relax and enjoy the beautiful Ghanaian sunshine, peace and serenity. I am working on writing my Blogs and that’s it for the day.
Today is Wednesday, November 13, 2019 – and we have a busy day ahead of us.
Kwame and his father filed the paperwork for the development of their non-governmental organization – in the name of the Mimosa International Foundation (MIF) and it was approved and is now registered with the Ghana Registry of Companies. Mimosa International Foundation (MIF) Ghana is a non- profit, nongovernmental foundation formed in September 2019 to support Ghanaian women, children and families. The main purpose of MIF Ghana is to develop international partnerships to assist in the development and implementation of sustainable resources in the most undeserved areas of Jukwa Circuit in the Central Region of Ghana.
So, today we are going to Cape Coast to set up the banking account for the Mimosa International Foundation – Ghana. Stay tuned for further information on MIF Ghana and how we can support this organization.
Shortly after waking up this morning, Kwame knocks on my door and says, “Queen, can you come out for a moment, one of the parents is here to meet with you.” “Oh my, I am not dressed and I am looking horrible.” “Don’t worry, you are looking fine”. No use in trying to debate Kwame, that’s not going to work. Reluctantly, I am stepping into the hallway. There is a gentleman with three of his children who attend DKA.
Well, when I first arrived at DKA, I randomly took a picture of his two beautiful little girls. The older sister was so caring and attentive to her little sister. I was so impressed when I saw this, so I asked Kwame could I take a picture. He told me it was okay. One day the mother stopped by the school and I was introduced to her, we showed her the picture and she loved it. She went back home and told her husband about the beautiful picture of his little girls. This father works at the Cape Coast Castle where he is a master wood craftsman. He and his wife wanted to show their appreciation for the picture of their girls, so he made a picture frame for the picture that I have posted on Facebook of me and my son. For the Appiah-Kubi family, he also made another frame for the picture that I took with some of the DKA kids when I first arrived in Jukwa.
I am literally so shocked as I lay my eyes upon these beautiful gifts, I cannot hold back the crocodile tears of appreciation and for the love that they are showing me.
It’s about 8:00 a.m., and the carpenters just arrived to continue working on the classroom. They are consistent and somehow, they are able to work under the extremely hot sun with out missing a beat. What is so amazing is the fact that these men work with the very basic carpentry tools and have none of the high-tech drills, hammers, or any of the other tools that could make their work much easier. Can you imagine working on a building in the hot sun, bare-footed?
After getting myself together and eating breakfast, we are ready to take our trip to Cape Coast to take care of setting up the bank account for MIF-Ghana.
We are boarding the tro-tro and heading to Cape Coast, and again, I get to observe the beautiful African men, women and children going about their daily tasks.
We are arriving at the Zenith Bank on the University of Cape Coast campus. It is an absolutely beautiful campus and as I see the students moving across campus, they carry themselves very respectful and walk with pride and self-assurance. All the young women and men are dressed very appropriate for college students.
We enter the bank and I am sitting and waiting as Bro. George and Kwame take care of all the paperwork. Approximately 40-45 minutes pass and they are finishing up the banking transactions. Bro. George is going next door to go to another bank to take care of his personal banking affairs. As Kwame and I stand on campus, the breeze is blowing off of the Atlantic Ocean and the humidity is very low. Absolutely beautiful day. There was snow in Virginia on yesterday. I have to leave this Garden of Eden and next week this time, I will be in the coldness of the US.
Bro. George is finished taking care of his affairs and is joining us. In a matter of a few minutes, a taxi pull up an we are on board. We are stopping in Cape Coast to look for some bubble wrap to cover protect my portraits during my travel back to the states. After checking several places, we can’t find any bubble wrap. Hopefully, we will be able to find some in Accra over the weekend.
By now, we are really hungry. So, we are stopping at my favorite place, the Baobab Moringa Vegetarian Restaurant. After eating a delicious meal, we are flagging down a taxi for our journey back to Jukwa.
We are now arriving back home after successfully completing another important task.
Today is Thursday, November 14, 2019 – I woke up this morning hearing my rooster alarm for one of my last times. It is now 4:30 a.m. Kwame and I are walking this morning to the Abodo Village to pay my last tribute to my ancestors before I leave the Motherland. They walked with me, talked to me, guided and protected me during my entire stay in Ghana during this Year of Return.
It is 5:00 a.m. In absolute silence, Kwame and I meet in the hallway to begin our last walking journey to Abodo Village. We are walking out of the door in total darkness, however, as we continue to walk, we begin to see the sun rising in the far east. As we are walking, I am feeling the presence of our Creator and my ancestors leading me to the light that I will let seep deeply into my heart and soul, so I may be a shining light in the lives of others who crosses my path.
We climb the hills of the Abodo Village. At the top of the hills we stop, and Kwame begin praying in his language to our Creator and the gods of this universe. As the Word says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help”.
At the closure of our tribute to our Ancestors, we are descending the hills energized knowing that our work has just begun. We were literally guided from the low grounds of darkness in Sefwi Village to the hilltop in Adodo Village to see the light. I have seen the light, and I have been delivered out of darkness, and I have found the truths about our existence in this world. I must now share with those who also wish to see the light and seek the knowledge of truth.
Upon my return to the house, I begin packing my suitcases with sadness because the moment of peace and serenity that I have experienced for the past two months is coming to an end, but I know a change is going to come for the betterment of humankind around the world that will bring the ultimate peace and joy that we all seek and desire.
The carpenters are here to begin their work for the day. Kwame is their helper for the day.
Harriet is accompanying me to the Hans Cottage Gift Shop to do some last-minute shopping for some Ghanaian clothing items.
Hilda is spending lot of time in my room hanging out. She is telling me that she is really going to miss me and she was sad about my leaving, but she knows I am coming back. She is such a mature and smart young lady.
It’s now about 6:00 p.m. All of the family is gathering in my room to give me a send off blessing. Kwame is bringing everyone together and prays for me, and my safe travels back to the States. He is speaking in English and his prayer is so heartfelt. I know he is multi-talented, but I did not know he had the anointment of this praying gift.
We are laughing and joking as we reminisce about my 2 ½ months in their home. We all are so blessed to have had this valuable time together.
Time for bed … because I will be leaving in the morning to travel to Accra and await my departure on Monday.
Friday, November 15, 2019 – Waking up to hearing my rooster alarm clock. Some will really think I am a little strange now. I actually recorded my rooster crowing under my window this morning. When I began to miss Jukwa, I will be able to listen to my roosters and that will brighten my day [lol].
Well, it is 7:00 a.m. the taxi is here on time to take us to Accra to catch the van from Cape Coast. It is so sad to see Bro. George, Hilda and Little Kofi standing beside the car to say their good-byes. I think it was too emotional for Cee-Cee, because she did not come outside as I am getting packed and situated in the car. Harriet is also riding with us because she is going back to her place near Accra.
Our travel time to Accra is about 3 hours. It’s a long ride. So, I am able to get a short nap.
We are arriving in Accra, and staying until I leave on Monday. We will be going to the Market and the Shopping Mall on tomorrow as we try to locate some bubble wrap for my pictures.
Stay tuned for my next chapter upon my arrival back in the States……………