Field trip
The first time I was in Ghana I was taken to the only natural lake in Ghana, Lake Bosomtwi. About six miles across and round from the meteor that landed there, it is a huge source of tilapia. Fishermen fish from log-like boats with nets. I wanted to take Maggie and Comfort away for a special day and all our plans were deemed too ambitious. Then I got the idea og going to the lake...with some of the bigger kids and our plan was born.
we got permission from Mabel and arranged for Joseph to drive us in the van. We wanted to take the four oldest kids along with us, Ama Sampson, Alice and the twins at a Kwasi and Ataa Kosua. We also lobbied for Iyiasha, a girl of six with sickle-cell who isn't allowed to go to school because she is " not a strong girl.". Well she's strong enough to get her way most of the time and it was a real treat for her. And then there was Basso, now the oldest boy in the day care set and an amazing little boy: funny, bright, inquisitive, impish. he,s just too much fun not to bring along! Joseph's two older daughters, Dura and Nanama came along as well as three older boys whose mothers work at TBH. All are named Nana-Yaw, an endearing name that means they are named for their grandfathers and all born on Thursday. I call them NanaYaw Bernard, Caleb, and Frank, their Christian names. Maggie's youngest daughter, Sara, came along too. Then was Maggie, Susan, Comfort and I. We filled up the van.
The kids were wearing the clothes I'd gotten them from the children's consignment shop across the street from my home and looked quite preppy. It was quite a bumpy ride, as all rides are in Ghana, through numerous villages. After an hour or so Joseph pulled over and everyone got out to "urinate," with boys going off in one direction and girls squatting by the van. Soon we could see the lake and the excitement built. We were there! Out we piled and had our picnic lunch on some benches by the lake. One of my "suitcases" had been a large cooler with wheels that I figured would come in useful for them. We had little plastic bags of cold water, spicy " Jollof" rice, and hard boiled eggs that Maggie had then fried. Maggie also bought some fried tilapia from the vendors which was crispy and delicious.
Next was our boat ride! We were quoted q reasonable price, which I know varies depending upon who it's made to. They walked the boat to the shore and in we climbed. The kids had never done anything like this before but were completely game. No life jackets in sight! The three boatmen rowed us out onto the lake. Joseph our driver was suddenly full of the Spirit, got up and started dancing and clapping until sweat was running down his face. Everyone knew the song and even the boatmen sang along. The kids clapped and laughed. We had loads of fun. Next day Ataa Akosua told Mabel that "she had seen the sea!" the biggest water she'd ever seen. It was a memorable day and no one even fell asleep on the way home.
