Happy Father's Day!

Sorry about the belatedness, pops, it only means that Father's day is a three day celebration for me. Thanks so much for supporting this journey, both financially and emotionally, you're the best dad in the world!

Onwards, Life in the the Tropic of Cancer has proved to push me towards new levels of productiveness. Apart from 6 hours of work/day at the orphanage, I've been spending 4 hours each morning (6-10am) making rounds and taking vitals at the ER in the local hospital. The Doctor is very willing to explain the cases I don't quite understand, and he has even asked me for opinions on different cases. I have been here for 3 weeks exactly, and I've read 5 books, as well as covered 200 pages of a chem textbook. It's been so fun, though, even through the sweat and stress of it all!

We recently hiked to Lipke Caves, which was such an amazing experince. It took about 4 hours, and we saw 6 caves. The climbing/hiking was wicked. I start out fairly mellow, with a lot of scenic overlooks and wide open meadows. After a break about halfway up, Another volunteer, myself, and our tour guide all bet a beer on a race to the top. We started out so fast, and I was grinning like a fool due to the sheer madness of it. The three of us were literally blitzing through the African Jungle to the top of a mountain on the Togo/Ghana border. Needless to say, I made America proud and beat the Ghanaian tour guide in his own backyard. His name was also Joseph, and when he got the the top, I told him it was payback for Ghana knocking the U.S. out of the World Cup last summer. (Don't worry mom, I never actually got a beer from either of the losers). It was at this point where we began climbing in the caves. It was quite common to be perched on a 4 cm ledge, 20 meters above the ground, with no ropes, rocks falling all around you due to the other volunteers climbing with us, with bats whipping all around your head. All of this in the near pitch black of a cave. I couldn't believe no one feel. But that's Ghana for you, absolutely no liability or full disclosure of what your about to get into. I swear on my grave that our guide said "small hike" about 3 times before we started. Filthy liar, bringing shame to the name of "Joseph's" all around the world. It was still such a great experience, and I got some great Kodak Moments out of the afternoon.

Well, time's up again, sorry about such a short blog! I'll get a longer/funnier one up soon. Be sure to hug your dad's, and someone hug Fran for me if you see him.

Take care

The Eugmot Foundation

. . . is the Orpphanage where I will be working through June. I spent my first week teaching class 2, primarily the subjects of mathematics and science (Big surprise?). School lasts from 8:15 to 2:15, and the children get a break for breakfast and lunch. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for my schooling. All six classes are taught outside (In 90+ degree weather) underneath 20'x70' tin roof. This means that not only am I required to keep the full attention of all the 10 year olds in my class, but I also must keep kids in different classes from distracting the children in my class. And, I have to speak loud enough for all the kids my class to hear, but not too loud, because I'd be talking over the teachers of the other classes. I have to keep all the kids' exercise books with me each night, because if we leave it with the kids, they will use it as toilet paper. To be quite honest, the conditions are a nightmare, but we're all doing the best we can. It ever rained last week, and we all had to squeeze inside the small orphanage building, where we all sat to wait out the storm in the dark (because the power also went out).

I worked with the kids for 2 days on the subtraction of 3 digit numbers, which they had been working on for quite some time, and they seemed to truly understand the exercises. We then moved on to multiplication, which none of the kids had ever practiced before. By friday, about 3/4 of the class could perform simple multiplication equations, so I already feel accomplished that when I leave, I will have done something worthwhile for these children. It's such a liberating feeling, actually DOING something in my life. In science, we spent the whole week covering the measurement of length, mass, volume, and time. I'm such a physics nerd, so I loved it! Towards the end of each class, I made up a game for the kids where we make animal noises (For instance, and monkey and a lion), then decide which one has more mass. It's so fun to watch!

Down time here is largely spent sweating. Sweating while running each morning, sweating during breakfast, sweating while studying organic chemistry and reading novels--you get the picture. But do get the opprotunity to travel on the weekends, as well as take off towards some afternoon adventure. Last thursday, the 5 of us drove and hour to Wli falls, where we got to hike a gnarly mountain and see/swim in Ghana's largest waterfall. Its almost 200 feet high! The beauty of it was just absolutely wicked. ACtually, the beauty of most of the country is incredible. I often look out the window from our taxi each morning on the way to work and swear that I'm in Hawaii--with the subtle yet steep mountains surrounding our village and the unnumbered shades of green staring back at me.

Hope all is well, I'll try and post again soon!

Accross the Pond

I have made it safely to Ghana, after many hours sleepless flights, non-airconditioned rooms, and an inordinate amount of time squished into 30 year old, 12-passenger vans with 17 people in them. And I must say, "It's bloody brilliant mate!" Africa is actually quite beautiful, due to the current spring season and the presence of subtle mountains surrounding our town. I am in a tiny village of HoHoe, which can be crossed in a mere 30 minute walk. I am currently working in the Eugemot Orphanage, spending time with 63 children, 7 fulltime employees, and 4 other volunteers. I came to work for the care project, which involves cleaning, feeding, and entertaining the children. However, upon my arrival, my supervisor told me I would observe the chiildren's classes on my first day of work, then teach for the rest of the month. I was very taken aback by this change of plans (I've never taught before!), but after watching the first class, the request became evident. Even though I am unqualified to teach math, grammar, and science, I am much more knowledgeable on all the subjects than the local, paid, Ghanian teachers. My stay has thus become a true test of resourcefulness, and I can only hope to succeed in this new task. I can say with fervor that we are truly lucky to have the live that we have, and I will share more about this as soon as possible, but my internet time is already about to run out! NExt post I will do my best to include pictures, but keep these children in your thoughts, and love the life you are given!

Miss you all!