Intramural Track & Field, Regional too

Right before I felt a little under the weather, I observed and cheered with the girls for their dormitory halls at the annual Intramural Track & Field event. It was such fun watching the girls compete amongst one another, and serve water to those in need of reviving. It was 90 or more degrees outside that day. The comedy - the all female ambulance squad equipped with gurney and ambulance smocks for easy identification. Those girls did more dancing than running to help their peers, but they always carried their cases to the nurse who sat at the bottom of the onlookers. I had a ball!

I was told the girls volunteer to run without any real formal training, some are real competitors in the sport. Those girls are the ones who had everybody on their feet as they flew to the finish line. I must say how surprised I was to see even more girls running barefoot in their heat. Upon asking about it, I was told if they make it to Regionals, they will be loaned running shoes owned by APGSS. I was pondering and shaking my head, "All those once worn, got a smudge on them, pairs of sneaker in the States..." The courage, simplicity, bravery, determination of the girls was astounding. Nevertheless, the girls who move on toward Regional competitions will receive training from the teachers in the physical education department.

The DJ was hyped, the speakers were jumping and the MC for the event, a male teacher, was all pumped. Now, my students know I am the Queen of MC's at Overbrook and often that day -- I wanted to take the mic and give them a little of what West Philly likes --

    

 when they hear my voice give 'dem rhyming sounds, grooving to the spirit of all those around --     swaying the crowd this way and that -- taking count of all da' claps, when at first glance those teens makes me quiver, but the shiver ceases when the first child takes a picture. 

And then we rock and we roll, all the Black ancestral soul

 enters the room while we take flight -- to do what we might 

raising the roof - the legacy of Panther Country. Ya' heard me

Oops upside my head, I forgot -- I'm here on the blog, not spittin' on the mic. Anyway, the girls who watched the action were cheering, dancing, singing and just having a good time. Not unlike our children, some of them knew all the lyrics to every track. My question, "What are the grades like when you know all that music?" Momma Albs, Senior Housemistress said I was on to something and to check those girls later. I shall see.

Hats off to the teaching staff who make all this possible.

May Day sets the month in Motion

The Parade on May Day

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the 1st of May, here in Takoradi. One of my drivers, Ebo, accompanied me to the festivities which were only 5 minutes away from the house. Lots of people were in attendance; the rain held off until everything was over and I was almost back home. 

Next up, we will be holding the first ever global read with students across the ocean and country - South High School in Minneapolis; Overbrook High School in Philadelphia and Archbishop Porter Girls Senior High School. This idea was spawned by the overwhelming joy the Ghanaian girls had when receiving books from America.  Not sure if you remember, it was the Overbrook High School students who first said, "Let's send them books for their library, Ms. Breese!" This was only after seeing the first set of photos from the APGSS campus. I must have been crazy to listen to those children.

Anyway, I diverted my thoughts, much to the surprise of the girls at APGSS, it was decided to read a Ghanaian authored title, Faceless by Ama Darko. Get your copy - it's a goodie! American schools have recently received there books, so more to come later! The APGSS community has been supplied the book for every girl on its campus. The former Headmistress Aggrey thought the title worthy of that purchase for her school as she approached her retirement.

Been such a long time...

Hello Everyone, Please excuse the absence of posts for this time. I completed my online graduate school coursework and am prepared to keep you updated on my goings and comings on the Motherland.

Ghana is still a vibrant, lively and warm place for me to hibernate over these 6 months. I am loving life and glad to be here. Despite not having a vehicle to drive, I'm okay. I have hosted Alahyo Young, here in Ghana and collaborated with  Samuel Bentum, we spread the wings of A Matter of Xpression (AMX) since the last time I wrote. AMX is the business I created back in the 90's, only having to do business with individuals when the need came to view. Now, AMX is alive and jumping. All those books my friends, colleagues, choir mates, family donated was over the top. Donations couldn't sustain the shipping costs, therefore making my business the avenue to make the venture a reality for schools here in Ghana. Ironically, APGSS couldn't house anymore books!! So, we took our show on the road to Eastern Region, Ghana in Koforidua.

We landed at Koforidua Secondary Technical Senior High School, and were greeted by the newly installed Headmaster Samuel Foli, who graciously accepted our donations of three barrels of books and sporting equipment for the 2500 student population of that group there are only approximately 167 girls from the local community attending the historically male school. Yes, Koforidua SecTech, as students and alumni fondly call the school, is a boarding school that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017.

We were so pleased to tell four of those girls how much we look forward to supporting them as they matriculate in a mostly boys school. The smiles, the smiles on their faces were priceless. Even Headmaster's smile was beaming with pride that folks from America were thinking about them. He is a graduate of the school and formerly served the school as Chemistry teacher and Science Dept. Chair. Big things are happening at SecTech!

We were given a tour and lunch guided by the most gracious Asst. Headmaster Amoasi. He is a force for the children at the school, and in the community. When he walks the campus -- students scatter or stand tall in his presence. We will return to the lovely campus and buildings of Koforidua. We are considering doing a fundraising drive for the pressing hall - it's where students do all of their ironing. The wall has crumbled, but students continue to use it to full capacity

Koforidua Secondary High School - Eastern Region, Ghana

Also, we did not forget about our relationship to Archbishop Porter Girls' SHS, the new Headmistress Mary Armah-Brako and one Assist. Headmistress Aidoo greeted Alahyo and I with open arms and warm hearts to give me a certificate of appreciation for the books that were sent prior to my return to the school and Ghana. The new Headmistress is making moves to reconstruct the library to house all the titles we sent them. Their cup runneth over, but that is okay. The girls were telling me about different books they read and couldn't wait for them all to hit their library's shelves. I'll get more details from them in the coming months. My visits to the school have been short and quick, so many other things to do when you live here and take a full-time class load.

Archbishop Porter Girls' Secondary High School

However, the new Headmistress was installed on the same Sunday as was SecTech's new Headmaster. We couldn't attend either program, but we were there in spirit. We were travelling the countryside with Alahyo on her whirlwind 10-day visit.

More tomorrow!

Sorrowful Silence - One year and One Day

I cannot explain the sadness and pain I feel after hearing, knowing, having to live with the Trayvon Martin murder case verdict. "Not Guilty"


Only in America, can a Black male go to the grave without the acknowledgment of those who have wrongly and unjustly kill him. I have thought all week about writing on this topic. I was feeling as if I must to connect this to my Ghanaian family and friends.
Why?

APGSS students asked Corinth and I numerous times -- questions concerning race. The whole world believes being Black in America has gotten better since we elected our first Black President Barack Obama.  President Obama speaks - Trayvon Martin

I, an American Black educator, know too well the senseless killings/slayings/shootings/murders and non-tried cases of so many African-American males, I cannot count these instances anymore. Nor can I remember all the names of young men -- I know, rather those slayed down who I knew...

Race in America, we have yet to heal. The election of our President shows we are learning to deal and overcome from the injustice we have incurred since being brought to this country since slavery. But, once I saw Trayvon's photo posted (Instagram and Facebook) next to Emmett Till's photo -- I knew, we had not come that far and our children are watching.

And on the Ghanaian news yester-evening were three college girls made to crawl out of the mall on their hands and knees because they were trying to shoplift. Needless to say, some Ghanaians are very distraught by the actions of the manager and mall police officials or making these girls do this.


Mothers only know...

Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's grieving Mom at the National Urban League Convention

The Dum Sor of Life

Back in Ghana for only 17 days and !wham! -- hit with the malaria bug. Let's not fret my American friends and family, it's like having the flu virus. Chills, body aches, fever, and diarrhea are the overarching symptoms that accompany the virus.

Yes, yes - I was taking my daily malaria medication, but sometimes was stubborn in spraying my body with the 40% deet insect repellent at dusk. You must,  (I repeat) MUST put on repellent along with taking the pills. Crazy me, didn't want to go to any hospital because I thought I only had a stomach ache. My best friend in Ghana and colleague, Mr. Bentum, persuaded me to get up out of the bed, allowing him to get me to the hospital for immediate care.

Sycamore Medical Center (Anaji, Takoradi) was ready to take me at midnight on Thursday and told us I had to stay for 24 hours to get anti-malaria treatment intravenously. I was no longer in any shape to argue. I stayed and thanking God I did. The attending nurse, Grace, stayed in my room with me until I clearly had passed through the worst of the symptoms. I love her for that! In America, have you ever had a nurse stay all night in a room with you? Every open-eyed moment of the night that I remember, Grace was there.

Anyway, 24 hours later and I was back at home with additional anti-malaria pills, pain medications and antibiotics. Now folks who know me, know I hate -- I mean I hate taking medicine. But, I'm taking it. Everyone here is so concerned for my well-being. My food is being prepared for me. My cleaning is being done. The puppies are being cared for. The only thing I have to do is wash my body and do my coursework. I get daily phone calls from my Ghanaian family members and neighbors

I figured, I better let my blog followers know the real deal. Don't believe the hype about malaria killing you -- it doesn't. Just be sure to get to a hospital as quickly as possible for your treatments to begin. Oh, another thing about malaria, it shows itself in various ways, so pay attention to changes in your body signals; follow the doctors orders and all will be well.

Peace Y'all    

Me -- right now, a little moist from sweating (power outage called Dum Sor in Ghana)

LEAP Transmedia LTD - Learning, Education and the Arts for all People and A Matter of Xpression set wheels in motion

Charity from here to Africa

Providing opportunities to girls in Ghana. It takes the village to raise them to power!

Xpressions for Ghana

Xpressions for Ghana

Thank you in advance for your support as we continue to solidify our continued commitment to the girls of Archbishop Porter Girls' Secondary School and even more girls in Ghana!