I returned home from Ghana last week after a month-long trip. This time my 11-year-old granddaughter Madeline accompanied me, giving her an opportunity to meet my extended ‘library family,’ one she has heard about for many years.
Madeline read countless books to children and played games too — learning new ones and sharing those she knew. She also taught violin to a few beginners at Korle Gonno Library’s after-school music program and joined their junior dance troupe. ‘Sir Ebenezer,’ their much-adored and gifted dance teacher, encouraged her as did her new friends on stage. Joana Felih, OCLF’s most senior librarian, jokingly said that she was only prepared to say goodbye if Madeline promised to return!
I was fortunate to be in attendance at the Nima Centre for the opening of a photo exhibit titled Kayanmata or “women’s things” in English. The Centre’s walls are now adorned with colourful images of women in their homes, all taken by a local female photographer. For 19 years, the Centre has been a community hub hosting a myriad of programs and workshops. Earlier this year, they promoted Glaucoma Awareness Month, a disease close to home. Ayisha Afagachie, one of our valued librarians at the Centre, was blinded in one eye by the disease and requires ongoing treatment.
Spending time with the librarians and children in the fishing and salt mining communities of Goi and Kablevu is always inspiring. Vivian Amanor, Goi’s librarian, continually amazes me with her ability to keep 100+ children spellbound as she reads story after story, first in Dangme and then seamlessly translating into English.
Many coastal villages and towns have a huge water crisis now. Untreated water brought in by tanker from the Volta River costs the equivalent of CDN 25 cents a bucket. These families spend 25 times more for untreated water than those accessing piped treated water in Accra.
Nungua Library children performed Fati and the Green Snake, a story from a well-loved OCLF book with the same title. The play featured a hand knit snake from Winnipeg. Receiving visitors gives children opportunities to showcase their talents.
On each visit, I arrive with books and educational materials. This time it included copies of The Flag Book, a Lonely Planet title, which I thought would fit well with sets of The World Game that we had distributed before. Staff members quickly adapted the game to having the end goal be to recognize all 194 country flag cards. Once the children knew the flags, country capitals became the next goal. One library even hosted a Know Your Flag talent show!
Beyond special events, library visits, and meetings, it is most meaningful to meet up with individuals who have passed through our library doors over the years. By chance I met up with a woman named Mercy. She said in her youth – going back more than15 years ago – our library in Mamprobi was her “paradise.” It was where she felt most at peace. Mercy remains an avid reader and is now sharing her joy of reading with her three-year-old daughter.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Kathy (and Madeline)