First Pictures from the Orphanage

Hello Everyone! Due to technical difficulties it has been impossible for Angela to send pictures on regular basis. Basically Internet, if one has it, is very slow. The best connections are at Internet Cafes, but for Angela to get there she has to have someone accompany her. She has been too busy. So tonight she was able to send me some pictures through Skype. Boy was it slow, but worth the wait. Angela loves working at the orphanage and spending time with Ghanaians. They are wonderful people. Her host mother, Abena is fantastic. Angela has even been able to have AFS friends over for a sleepover. Fun, great food, and no cold bucket showers! What more can one want! Angela said to us last night that you just cant imagine what it is like to not have running water - a reality for many Ghanaians. She will be sending more pics when she can - if she can. This is the last week at the orphanage. The final week will mostly be touring the country.

Oh and by the way, she did not get to see President Obama. She saw him on TV, just like everyone else. So enough talking! The pictures are of Angela and the children at the orphanage. The kitchen area you see with oven door falling off is the orphanage too. They are cooking on a pot over a fire. Most of Ghana is not like this, but rural Ghana is. Of course living in a shanty in the city is no picnic either. More to come! Click on the link below for a show.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40001381@N04/sets/72157621888994164/show/

Phil Allard

Angie's in Ghana

I am posting for Angela since she has been unable to get onto the Internet from her host families' place or go to an Internet Cafe. She can hardly complain, though. She has a wonderful host mom , Abena, and has access to creature comforts that most of the other AFSers do not. These include hot running water for showers, running water for flushing the toilet, toilet paper, and other toiletries we take for granted. To top it off she has access to a chauffeur and a body guard courtesy of her host Mom to take her to and from places. Don't expect that back in the USA Angie!
What has affected her the most is the warmth and kindness of the people, the stark poverty, and the needs of the children at the orphanage. She has been taking pictures but said she has been unable to post due to the Internet speed. Every time she does its starts to crash. Taking pictures has been very difficult as there is a lot of poverty. Sometimes the moment just seems too private to take a picture. The children she says, are hungry for food and affection. They love to be held and they eat every meal like it is their first and their last.

Angela has been eating lots of fish, chicken and rice. Not so bad, but not a lot of variety. The fruit, however, is delicious! She always asks what we are eating. She did eat a kind of rodent (a delicacy I am told), a bit of ostrich and goat. Not your average meal available at KFC or McDonald's! Not likely to be had in the Allard household either! We told her she can have whatever she wants when she gets back. All in all it has been a great week. President Obama is scheduled to visit on Friday in Ghana. It is the talk of the country and all of Africa. Lets hope she can get some pictures posted. Until then some pre-departure pictures will have to suffice. Angela said she will try to post something tomorrow. Click on the link below for a slide show.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40001381@N04/sets/72157620980562019/show/