Two Blogs, One Trip

There is a blog for Ghana ACT that all of us volunteers have been invited to for all of to blog on. I didn't realize until I got here that I was supposed to do that so I will be copying my posts on that blog. Normally I have to go to the internet cafe to use a computer but I can use the internet at the house to blog. So I will be trying to blog a lot more :)

It's only been a day since I last posted so this will short. I will try to upload using the house computer because it seems easier to do.

Today - I had my first day at the eye care clinic! All of the volunteers were separated into different jobs: Nicole and Sae were taking the blood pressure and registration of patients, Anna and Deanna were managing the medication, and I assisted the Optometrist, Innocence (yes, that is his name). I learned so much today! Thankfully Innocence was patient with me as I was getting the hang of the patient form and the eye test. Once I was familiar with the test, Innocence showed me what the different eye ailments the Ghanaians were dealing with (like cataracts and glaucoma). Hopefully by the end of this month I will be able to unofficially diagnose some of the problems that we deal with at the clinic! I feel like a real doctor.

Some of the names of the Ghanaians here are really different. There are kids who live in the neighborhood that hang around the house all the time that have interesting names. Some examples are Precious, Princess, Livingston, Kingdom, and Perfect. Who would think that Perfect could be someones name? I wonder how people would react if she introduced herself in America, "Hi, I'm Perfect." Um, cool? People will think she's so modest...

This kids here are so great. They are all so nice. When I first arrived at the house one of the neighborhood kids just grabbed my hand and started talking to me, like I was already a part of the big Ghanaian family :) I love going to the schools and seeing so many happy faces. They treat us like celebrities, waving and smiling at us whenever we pass any kids on the street. It's bizarre but nice when we get to know them at the school. They are fascinated with cameras. I have a TON of pics of them.

I wake up around 6am every morning and go to bed around 10/9 pm. Its early but I don't mind here. Its really nice waking up in the morning cuz its colder than it is during the day. I ran the other morning at 5:45 before going to the school and it was really nice :)

I'm having a great time and am pumped to see what else this trip has in store!