Appreciating the little things

What do you appreciate the most?

We left the bustling city of Accra after a couple of days into our Ghanaian adventure and headed up north to the hills....a village called Obo.

The taxi journey was certainly an eye opener into ghanaian way of life. I loved the fact you could do most of your weekly shopping through the car window and incredible to observe how the street vendors carried produce on their heads in 35 degree heat.

Our lodgings in Obo had basic facilities, made me immediately appreciate our home comforts. No running water just a bucket of water for showering and flushing the toilet. It really was back to basics.

The biggest shock was going to a nearby fishing village the next day, probably the poorest in the area. We were taken around the local school which had recently been built. It literally was a shell of a building with chairs for the children plus a blackboard, no other resources available. As we walked around the outside, children were running up to us shouting 'What's your name?'.... 'Please come and teach us'. Four classrooms were full of children but no teacher. It was heartbreaking!

It was an impromptu moment where Col and I had to think on our feet. No curriculum and no resources, the children were mixed up depending on their ability rather than their age. Really bright adorable children who just wanted to learn! What an unforgettable experience..... we were soon known as 'Madame Rebecca' and 'Mr Col'. It was wonderful to see Col's dream of teaching Maths come to fruition! He was brilliant, the children loved him.

One thing I noticed after a few days in this fascinating country, was how happy the people were, they are still ambitious but make the most out of what they have in the present. The family unit and community spirit is strong, children can play in the street at night and they have a positive attitude about the future.

I came away with an interesting insight to life in Africa, perhaps slightly different to what I went with. I appreciate everything in my life that little more after the experience.... my upbringing, my education, my family and friends, my home and knowing that I can end each day with a good meal and a hot bubble bath.

I feel grateful I could have this African adventure and be able to share it with someone special.